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I'm visiting England from the US in the late summer (Blackpool and Stonehenge to be specific, though might check out other parts of the country). What cultural norms should I know before arriving? I don't want to come off as rude unintentionally. Thanks in advance.
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#1
Hmmm, its amazing, and whoever disliked this probably never has been to it before. And I’m not even from london!
If you are going to london I recommend going to the British museum, Buckingham palace and seeing the theatre show, “the lion king”
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#2
If you are going to a seaside town (which Blackpool is) you've got to have fish and chips.
Visit the Blackpool tower ballroom it's spectacular. And go all the way to the top of the tower (so long as you're not scared of heights).
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#3
Drivers are good at stopping for pedestrians. But the cyclists you have to watch out for. If you're walking from Manchester airport, pay attention to the bike lane, sidewalk lane switch somewhere along the path.
Don't think English food is not good. Just like at home, there are good restaurants and bad restaurants. Read some reviews before going.
Watch for people who step in front of you really close with their backs towards you, forcing you to slow down. This happened to me and my bf at a mall in Manchester. I was noticing some suspicious people and there have been an increase in stabbings and attacks around the city. So, we were both on alert. I'm not sure what this guy was trying to do, what scam he was pulling. Neither of us stopped, I went around the guy, then he stepped in front of my bf, and he went around. Then the guy walked on like nothing. Keep your belongings in front of you, and don't keep everything on you in one pocket or all in your purse.
Take public transit whenever you can. You can pay with your debit or credit card on the bus. Get a day saver. They're like transfers but last all day.
Be careful with taxis. They tend to overcharge, turn off the meter, and also tend to make lewd, inappropriate comments.
When going to pubs, if you have a favourite football team, watch what pub you go to. Some pubs cater to fans of one team, and those fans can get really riled up to the opposing team. Not all pubs are like this. I'm just saying pay attention to where you are. Read the room.
Do go to a football game.
Do test out their version of American fast food chains. Their menus tend to differ. I've found the McDonalds in England is way less salty. You have to ask for salt for your fries. The Tim Horton donuts are better there, too.
Appreciate the little details. Go with the flow. Travel a few key small towns.
Don't forget plug adapters.
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#4
Firstly - some don'ts.
Don't mock the accent. There are many regional accents in the UK, some of which are very amusing when heard for the first time, but whatever the temptation is, don't try to copy them.
Don't try to compare America to England. Whilst there are lots of common things, there are lots of things that are very dissimilar, such as gun culture, politics, etc. Embrace the differences, and if it does come up in conversation, have an adult discussion about it to learn why something in England is different from America.
Don't comment that it is always raining. England does have it's fair share of rainfall, but it certainly isn't always raining. In fact, there is one region that gets less rainfall annually than the majority of the Sahara Desert. However, do dress accordingly, as the weather can change very quickly, so it does pay to plan ahead.
Now some Do's
Do try the food. English food is often described as being bland or uninteresting. There is a good range of English food, but it can be quite "hearty" food. Certainly give fish & chips a go when at Blackpool, as it should be fresh fish which certainly makes a difference.
Do visit museums and learn a bit about English history, as it is very varied and can be quite complex. Most museums are free, and can be a very good day out. London has the best concentration of museums that cover a whole range of different topics. If you get chance, one of my favourite museums is the Royal Armouries in Leeds.
Do try the different beers and ales (if you drink alcohol). It is a common misconception that the English drink warm, flat beer - this is because a lot of people like to enjoy cask ales, which are served warmer than largers (between 10 and 12 Celsius, 50 to 54 Fahrenheit) / and rely on natural carbonation, so they are less fizzy and have less of a head.
I will say, Stonehenge is a really good call, as I have always had a sense of awe when I've visited it. Also, there are lots of other historical places around Salisbury which are worth checking out, but may need a little bit of driving / detective work to find. However, you can end up going down a massive rabbit hole with all the various ancient sites in that area, so it might be worth planning to visit other towns / cities, depending on what you particular interests are.
Finally, whatever you plan to do, enjoy your time here!
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UKDeek (Submission author) 1 month ago
Can't edit, and should have checked you bio before posting about fish and chips, as I notice you are vegan, so please accept my apologies for that. Because veganism is a fairly new concept to the masses, English cuisine hasn't quite caught up yet, as most traditional English dishes are definitely not vegan / vegetarian friendly. However, most large towns have a good array of vegan eateries, they might just need a little bit of research to find them.
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