British culture is a beautiful and unique mix of four countries: England , Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The mix of all these countries’ traditions is what makes the British culture very rich and diverse and what they like to call “cultural capital.”
You can find out lots of information about British culture using the following links:
Below is some information about British culture and language.
Punctuality
Punctuality is important in the UK . If you are late once, you will likely not be late again. Being late is considered as disrespectful and rude. If you cannot arrive on time at some place or event, make sure you let the host know beforehand.
Queue
British people follow the rules when it comes to waiting in a queue, whether at the supermarket or the cinema. Those who jump the queue will most likely be called out as it is seen as rude and disrespectful. Queuing in a pub is different. There's no physical queue line at the bar everyone stands along the bar. It's an invisible queue, of politeness where everyone knows their turn. Don't worry if the bartender doesn't acknowledge you immediately. They tend to know who’s next, if they ask who is next brits are very honest and know who is ahead of them in the invisible queue.
British Humour
British humour is full of irony and sarcasm. Overseas visitors are usually confused about whether they are joking or not due to the high quality of sarcasm used.
Complaining
Complaints about bad weather or a bad day are a regular occurrence and part of any conversation between British people. Usually, they choose to complain to their friends or family and not actual service workers because they do not want to be rude to them.
Tea
British people love to drink tea but tea is also referred to as an evening meal in the north. Commonly known as Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner (sometimes called supper) and Breakfast – Dinner - Tea in the North.
Afternoon Tea
A Formal meal where one sits down with cucumber sandwiches, pastries, and fine tea. Usually in a hotel/Cafe or restaurant.
British slang words for the drink "Tea":
Cuppa: This is a shortened version of the word “cup of tea.”
Brew: This term is commonly used in Northern England. For example, you might hear someone say, “I’ll put the kettle on and make us a brew.”
Char/Cha/Chai: These variations of the word “tea” are used interchangeably and can be heard in different regions of the UK. For instance, someone might say, “Let’s have a cup of char, shall we?”
Brewski: ‘Brewski’ is a slang term used to refer to a hot cup of tea.
Language in the UK
English is spoken across the UK, but it is not the only native official language. You may also hear:
- Welsh in Wales
- Gaelic and Scots in Scotland
- Irish and Ulster Scots in Northern Ireland
- Cornish in Cornwall, England
However, wherever you go in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales you will find that English is the main language and that people speak English fluently.
Useful British and Cumbrian phrases and slang words:
Alreeet - Example: "Alreeet there pal." - English Translation: Hello
Gadgie - Example: ''What's that gadgie looking at" - English Translation: Adult male
Belta - Example: "That cuppa was Pure Belta" - English Translation: Fantastic, Great, Good
Bait - Example: "Don't forget your bait!"- English Translation: Food to take to work (packed lunch)
Paggered - Example: "Eee I'm paggered the day" - English Translation: Tired
Bog – Example: “where’s the Bog” – English Translation – Where is the Toilet
Gander – “ Gan for a gander” – English Translation – Going for a Look
For more British and Cumbrian slang words and phrases you can visit the Cumbrian dictionary , the Lakeland dialect society and common British slang words .
