Although part of the European Union in name, Britain thankfully remains a separate country, with separate laws, customs, and traditions. Britain’s currency remains the British-Pound-Sterling, distance is measured in miles, and speed is calculated in miles-per-hour. The Romans instigated driving on the left side of the road, and like the majority of drivers on the world’s surface, Britain continues to maintain this practice. We still order our beer by the pint, but other beverages and fluids are now measured in litres. Similarly, weights are now measured in grams and kilos, and generally speaking inches, feet, and yards have been replaced by millimetres, centimetres, and metres.

There are a few misconceptions to dispel for those who have not been to the United Kingdom before. For example, few Englishmen wear suits with bowler hats, and ride about on red double-deck buses or in black taxies. Similarly not all Scotsmen wear the Kilt and continuously play bagpipes, nor do all Welshmen sing, or work down coal mines. These are simply stereotypes, but the British in general possess a good but dry sense of humour, and while there may appear to be leg-pulling, and friendly “competition” exists between the “Nations”, we all get on extremely well. Having said that, it would not be a wise move to admit you are English in a pub in Glasgow on the day England beats Scotland six-nil at football.

Surprisingly, despite the size of overall population, in some areas you can still drive for miles and hardly see a soul. On the other hand, when driving on main highways where the speed limit is supposed to be 70-miles-per-hour, the volume of traffic and unexpected hold-ups that occur with monotonous regularity often bring the average speed down to as little as 30-miles per hour. You should bear this in mind when planning your trip, and add on 30% extra travelling time.
The British are proud of their history and diversity, and only fools underestimate them. “The British genius for invention” is one of those orotund phrases swirled around, like a fine brandy, whenever the nation needs to cheer itself up, but it is a true one. Throughout time the British have been responsible for many great inventions and are still commonly acknowledged to be among the best in the world when it comes to inventing. According to Japanese research, Over the past 50 years more than 40 per cent of discoveries taken up worldwide have originated in the United Kingdom, and many of these British inventions have had an enormous impact on the world.
When you are in Britain and are tempted to make fun of the British, bear in mind they invented electricity, television, computers, penicillin, radio, radar, the inflatable car tyre, the bicycle the telephone, and most vital of all, flushing lavatories. The Internet is a British invention. So is cloning, and parliamentary democracy, but apparently there is no connection between these last two.
You may come from a country that speaks “English” but do not be fooled into thinking things in Britain will be just as they are at home because nothing could be further from the truth. Also bear in mind the British have strange ways…. they regularly use the words “please” and “thank you” especially when addressing waiting or shop staff, and they form orderly queues in shops or at bus stops. They apologise to people who have bumped into them, even though it was not they that did the bumping. These are basic customs in Britain, and if as a visitor you practice them, you will be highly impressed at the warm and friendly reception you receive.

Apart from in the major British cities where life goes on at rat-race speed, you will find people enjoy a much slower pace of life. Service at restaurants can be slow, and even in pubs, both in towns and in the countryside, as food is cooked to order you can forget about stopping for a very quick meal.

Finally couple of misconceptions about pubs… British traditional beer, known as ‘real ale’, is not served warm - it is just not served as cold as the dreadful lagers and other less palatable drinks served in other parts of the world. Similarly the British are not an “Ice Culture” and in most places should you ask for ice, if they have any all you will probably get one cube. You sometimes hear a bell ringing in a pub, and many think it indicates a visiting tourist has offered to buy a round of drinks for everyone on the premises. This is rarely the case, and the bell is usually rung to let everyone know the pub will soon be closing.