Things people from other cultures find difficult or offensive about British culture

I asked friends who were new to British culture what they found most difficult, below are some of their answers.

• British people do not talk much
• Hospitality is different – you don’t just pop in, you wait until invited
• Different standards of hygiene
  • Dogs and cats are allowed in the house
  • Plates etc. are dried using dirty tea towels
• Members of churches drink alcohol
• People shake hands with members of the opposite sex, even hug
• The word family is used of the church but it is not the type of family you expect
  • I was not invited to the wedding of the ministers son, would be if you were family!
  • Can’t just pop into people’s homes, let alone eat with them unannounced
• The way some girls dressed with short skirts and cleavage. I was surprised by how much (almost) nudity there was around on the streets.
• I found instant coffee difficult!

Written by Tony Thompson