One of the exciting things about international travel is the whirlwind of activities and preparations you’ll need to make before your departure date. There are hotel or lodging arrangements to be made, airline tickets to be purchased, and passport and other travel documents you’ll want to have in hand well before you leave. You’ll also want to take advantage of the wealth of online resources and forums available that highlight must-see locations you will want to visit.
It’s also important to set up a reservation for the perfect vehicle you’ll want to drive while you’re exploring the UK. If you are traveling with a group, or have a lot of luggage or outdoor gear, you might want to set up a minibus hire in london. Once all of your travel plans and arrangements are in place, you’ll also want to spend some time learning more about the unique culture of the UK and the social etiquette that is expected there.
Stand on the Right Side on Escalators
If you happen to travel on the London Underground, you’ll be taking escalators in the station. It’s important to know that proper protocol for escalators is to stand on the right, and use the left side to pass people.
On another note, if you want a train door in the London Underground to open, push the button; train doors do not open automatically.
Don’t Push In or Jump the Queue
In British culture, there is respect for the queue. People will queue up and will wait patiently for their turn. No one appreciates a pushy person who jumps the queue.
Although others in line may not verbally call you out for that, you’ll hear a lot of tutting or disapproving sounds, and have a lot of looks aimed your way if you violate this rule.
Respect Personal Space
Personal space is very important to people in England, and you are expected to not push into or invade that bubble.
Instead of just pushing past someone, always say “excuse me” if you need to pass. This asks permission before you even attempt to move through their personal space.
Keep Your Ear Tuned for Different Dialects
Each area of England may have it’s own unique dialect, so be prepared to hear a lot of different accents. If your introduction to the UK comes from broadcasts on the BBC, you should be aware that Royalty, the upper class, and BBC announcers speak a form of English called Received Pronunciation.
As you travel around the UK, you will encounter a range of accents and speech patterns that are unique to different geographic areas. Over time, you’ll learn to identify each of the different dialects.
Prepare for Unexpected English Weather
Whenever you visit England or the UK, you’ll likely need a jacket or coat. Winter visitors may see snow, especially if traveling further north. Overall, England is not as sunny as some other countries, and the summer is relatively short.
Even the summer weather is unpredictable, though. Always keep an eye on the latest local forecast, and expect changing conditions.