American Reacts to British Etiquette that Tourists Should Know

[@patjinkins382]

We don't 'need' to thank bus drivers. We do it because we want to as it's only good manners.

[@coasterblocks3420]

Same in Australia. In fact minding your Ps and Qs is a big part of social cohesion.

[@catbevis1644]

One time a bus I was on, a second driver entered the bus wanting a lift back to the depot. He spent the whole journey chatting to the actual driver, both of them being extremely derogatory about another (not present) colleague in really offensive, illegally-discriminatory ways. In protest, I didn't say "thank you" when I got off the bus. I still feel guilty about it lol.

[@WyndStryke]

Definitely thank bus drivers. Also the waiter, the shop assistant, etc etc. Maybe not the traffic warden who has just given you a ticket, though.

[@dynamitewallflower]

It's called being polite !

[@stephendisraeli1143]

I think, in the case of bus drivers, the thanks is more for the act of opening the door to allow the passanger off.

[@sandrabeaumont3111]

Basically when you say 'thanks, thank you' to a bus driver you're actually thanking him/her for getting you to your destination safely and without fuss. It's appreciation.

[@user-gu7kk5zk2b]

And I've been in buses with CRAZY driving that can throw you out of your seat so normal driving needs a thanks!

[@emily.letsendbslintheuk554]

​@@user-gu7kk5zk2bBut even with the crazy drivers we will often say thank you, but think its cos we are just grateful they didn't kill us 🤣🤣🤣

[@lesliedavis2185]

Aussie here, I always say thank you driver to my bus or tram driver. Just manners.

[@kernewek4454]

Not only do you thank the bus driver, if the person in front of you doesn't you have to thank them louder

[@patpopov]

And if you get off through the back doors you have to thank them even louder!

[@janiced9960]

Stop winding this guy up.

[@wolvespunk]

Taking the piss out of the American are we? lol

[@jodiegordon5559]

No no, forget this idiot. We absolutely thank the Bus driver... in Essex and other more countryside areas. I mean you can in London also but you gotta say that with your chest cos apparently they don't do it in London? (I still do, it's habit at this point)

[@angelabushby1891]

​@@patpopovback doors ? I thought they went out years ago

[@user-zp4ge3yp2o]

The sort of American that's worried abouy learning local customs to avoid offence isn't the sort of person that will offend anyone anyway. It's the people who don't care about anyone else that cause the problems.

[@polheg1]

I am a bus driver in the UK. Yes we are doing a job and it's not a particularly remunerative one, however it is nice when one gets a thank you. You feel appreciated and besides it's just good manners. I also thank the passengers or reply "you're welcome". I always say thank you to whoever has assisted me whether a shop assistant, civil servant, or whoever. It's good manners and costs you nothing.

[@chrisdbris]

Agreed, I chat to the people who work in my local supermarkets and we see each other when we pass on the streets. Bonding with people in cities is important.

[@Queenfloofles]

Yes politeness costs nothing.

[@HaveYouGotACameraOnYourPhone]

By the way, we passengers find it adorable when you bus drivers wave to each other as you pass on your routes.

[@moomin1632]

​@@HaveYouGotACameraOnYourPhoneand when you notice they didn't wave at each other, you spend the rest of your journey wondering why they hate each other.

[@geraldineafflick3947]

@@chrisdbrisI usually have a little chat with the cashier, give a smile, get a smile back…great for us humans.

[@NikNak500]

As a Brit, can confirm that the response to any event is "I'll put the kettle on"!

[@seanoconnor8843]

Jumping a queue is the by far the single most dangerous thing to do in UK

[@Jettypilelegs]

Followed closely by making a rubbish cup of tea.

[@theonlymrsquiggles]

If you jump a queue you can be expected to get dirty looks, tuts and someone will say 'theres a queue!' and the person should look surprised to have missed the queue and say "I'm sorry I didn't realise there was a queue" and then red faced, join the back of the queue and feel dreadful all day for not spotting the queue. But if they don't respond like that and decide to ignore the queue or indicate they don't care then they will receive a real verbal bashing.

[@deeb4053]

💯 queue jumping turns Brits into dragons. Also gap leaving is a particular trigger for me.

[@lindsaymcconvillephotograp5496]

I feel bad enough if I just meet my partner in a queue at a shop. He was already there with the basket, I just got distracted looking at shiny things and it's not like a theme park ride where I'm taking someone's spot, but I’m still like "Sorry 👀" at the same time 🙈

[@Jettypilelegs]

@@lindsaymcconvillephotograp5496 ha ha ha THIS!

[@katebatt7538]

Tea is everything. In a social context, on your own, everything. A friend pops round - have a cuppa Hard day at work - have a cuppa Someone is upset - offer them a cuppa Favourite TV programme is on - have a cuppa Something has you shook up - have a cuppa Go to give blood - they give you a cuppa Drag yourself out of bed in the morning - have a cuppa Just want to chill and read a book (or similar) - have a cuppa I can't think of a situation for which tea is not the answer, except for getting pished up on a Friday night (but even then, you'll probably have a cuppa when you get home 😊) In fact, after writing all this, I'm going to make a nice cup of tea.

[@borntotry4]

I love that you put this. Soo true. This is so how I live my life. 😂

[@gemmadeakin6646]

As I was reading this, I realised I didn't have a cuppa. Kettle is now boiling!

[@smileyraw]

😂 spot on!

[@clrlsthmpsn]

That reminds me to pause this and make myself a cuppa xx

[@Maynards_so_blue]

Please don't use cuppa. Can't stand that terminology.

[@sarahwbs]

I always thank people who provide a service or do something for me. Bus drivers, wait staff, cashiers, someone who holds the door, coworkers doing their job, etc. It's just polite, and nice!

[@grahvis]

What I can;t understand is why the automatic train announcments alswy say thank you. For example "The next station is Caersws, Thank you."

[@Stormcrow_1]

@@grahvis Short hand for "thank you for traveling with us"

[@31Blaize]

It's the social grease that keeps the system going :)

[@margaretflounders8510]

It beats the tipping you'd have to do in US..

[@sarahwbs]

@@margaretflounders8510 they're not mutually exclusive, you should still say thank you even when you tip.

[@missmerrily4830]

A driver rear-ended my car as I drove home from work. Minor injury only but the car was pushed off the carriageway and the police attended. As I waited for a tow truck to arrive, out from a nearby door popped a little old lady complete with tea tray, china cups and a crocheted tray cloth. And we all had a sociable cuppa! It beats getting angry. And when something similar happened to my husband , he was invited into someone’s home for not only a cuppa but boiled eggs and toast!

[@chrysalis4126]

Saluting the postman is a wind up, we never do that. If we receive a package we thank them.

[@barrysteven5964]

I wonder if the writer wasn't English and confused 'salute' with 'greet'. I know in a couple of Latin languages the word for 'greet' is similar to the word 'salute'.

[@duncancallum]

I used to be a Postie and never ever heard of saluting a postie.

[@christiner302]

​@barrysteven5964 Salute as in salutations, ie, hello, morning, etc.

[@profoundlyfaded9333]

Do not ruin it - I want to see Tyler receive a package, salut and get a ‘you fucking nuts, mate’ look from the postie.

[@cocobrowny]

@@christiner302no, that Reddit poster was definitely winding people up 😂 I was hoping he’d click the dropdown to see the replies to that comment but he never did 😢

[@Laney68]

I once had a lady push in front of me at a McDonald's queue ( in England ) I said "excuse me I was waiting to be served" she started shouting me down and refused to move ( she was vile ) the staff repaid her rudeness by taking her order getting her to pay for it and making her wait about half an hour for her food. I had eaten and was on my way out as she was getting her food. Just a warning!! We hate queue jumping! And rude people ! 😂😂😂

[@donchoco5767]

😂😂😂

[@doglifehub]

Being polite is free

[@tonysheerness2427]

And has a very big impact, makes people's day.

[@TheWintervamp]

very true, i was taught manners cost nothing but mean everything.

[@petrolhead0387]

Yup, manners maketh man.

[@Codysdab]

Everyone deserves courtesy, no one deserves respect, you have to earn that. It's a fundamental British value.

[@herzeleid64]

True, or as my grandparents used to say: "Manners cost nowt"

[@antoineduchamp4931]

In Britain we say 'thankyou' all the time, and I mean all the time. When you are about to collide on the pavement* (*sidewalk!) with another person, then both parties equally avoid each other, and moreover BOTH say simultaneously "sorry" That's how we like it.

[@pollyparrot8759]

Or "shall we dance?"😊

[@user-gu7kk5zk2b]

How Canadian!

[@user-gu7kk5zk2b]

Tea AND coffee used to be a social interaction until the invention of the disposable cup. That destroyed society as we knew it!

[@AmiC893]

I'm English. I have on more than one occasion accidentally started queues just by standing somewhere and other people came up and stood next to me. Someone even asked me what we were queuing for after waiting outside a library for ten minutes and I had to say, 'um... I'm just waiting for my friend.' It's innate. We do it even when there's nothing to queue for

[@ashanova.]

😂

[@TitianTopsyTurvy]

This is embarrassing, but so true.

[@andilew465]

😂

[@jasminelee1234]

This is so true. I’ve had this happen. 😂

[@XGemz18X]

I usually ask if it’s the queue, so this has never happened to me 😂

[@AJ-hi9fd]

I’m a registered nurse and when a patient dies and their relatives come to pay their respects a special tea set comes out and the family are offered a cuppa.

[@jennivamp5]

I was very grateful for that when we found out my gran had died. The nurses were so compassionate and kind to us. ❤ It honestly helped so much.

[@colinbaker3916]

The comedian Reginald D Hunter said that when he’s in the UK, it can take him three weeks before he realises he’s been insulted.

[@brigidsingleton1596]

It might take Tyler (& Ryan) a tad longer, methinks?!

[@simonball5746]

@@brigidsingleton1596 🤣

[@hydroanky]

@@brigidsingleton1596 I’m in my late forties, I think I’ll be having my funeral and be long gone before the penny drops.

[@brigidsingleton1596]

@@hydroanky Don't go... We need / they need all the help they can get...!! 🤭🤭

[@hydroanky]

@@brigidsingleton1596 Unfortunately when they “can’t get brain around it” you know they have been starved of oxygen in the past. It’s sad but it seems the damage has already been done.

[@livvymunro1929]

Living in a tourist hotspot like Edinburgh, we are well used to tourists who are ignorant of queuing etiquette, especially at bus stops. The usual putdown for people who push forward is "Excuse me, there is a queue", usually delivered in glacial tones by an old lady who will deliver a death stare at the same time. 99% of the time it results in the offender(s) stepping back with mumbled apologies.

[@sylviapanszczyk3568]

The death stare. 😂

[@margaretmckay-os1sz]

How true.

[@helenwood8482]

The bus driver thing sums up the American attitude to workers. Here in the UK, anyone, regardless of their job, is my equal. To an Americsn, anyone paid less than them is subhuman. Working in retail, I get to see that a lot. Brits say please and thankyou, apologise for bothering me and generally treat me as they would like to be treated. Americans bark orders and me and are offended that I don't fawn over them. A driver, of a bus or a taxi, has just given you a lift somehwere, so you thank him or her as you would thank a friend who had driven you somewhere. As a result, drivers do become your friends. One knew I often fell asleep on the way home, so he'd wake me as we approached my stop. I confused him a little when I moved to the next town and didn't need to get off until the next stop.

[@9wombats]

Same in Australia.Why wouldn’t you just be polite. Surely queuing works the same everywhere else but America

[@lesleyvivien2876]

@@9wombats And Europe. Try explaining The Queue to an Italian or French tourist - and to some Londoners!

[@lesleyvivien2876]

Helen, working in retail, did you ever have colleagues who decided to treat the customers like scum? Example - I went into Debenhams with a particular garment in mind, and the saleswoman asked me to define everything I said. (I realised later that she was pretending to be stupid and grossly incompetent, presumably because it amused her to inconvenience customers.) Eventually, I found what I wanted by myself, but she'd already gone to the till nearest the fitting rooms, head down and giggling with colleagues, and told me the fitting rooms were closed, 15 minutes before they were.

[@mossygreen2790]

@@lesleyvivien2876 well "Londoners" are now mostly "international" folk now & can bring some bad habits too. But, you do get exceptions,.. mostly the majority want to conform to the unwritten rules, but then, there are always exceptions to that notion it seems?

[@TheTwinn]

@@lesleyvivien2876 I had a very basic rule when I worked retail. If the customer was polite and respectful I would move the world to make sure they got what they wanted and were treated well. If they came at me with an attitude I would warn them I wasn't their therapist or punching bag and if they reset and started talking to me like a human I would help them with anything. If they continued after that I would turn to other customers and start saying sorry that this persons manners was making everyone's service slower and start turning the other customers against the rude one. I would also serve the other customers first. After the rude one was the last person left I would ask if they wanted to act like an adult and if they still kept on being rude they would be banned from the store. Manners means more then money spent. I did however know colleagues that had no business being in customer service and would intentionally annoy or take things out on customers. We have a word for these people. It starts with a C and ends in a T. They never lasted long in the job in my experience.

[@Carol-hj4km]

A cuppa (tea) is a restorative; a chance to sit down and have a chat with a friend; it got us through first and second World Wars.

[@jodiegordon5559]

I don't drink Tea so I am very jealous of this culture! If I do have a hot drink it coffee ☕️ right?!😊🎉

[@anneslovingtodiy7512]

@@jodiegordon5559 yes coffee will do too.

[@Carol-hj4km]

Chacun a son gout 👍🏼

[@Carol-hj4km]

@@jodiegordon5559 personally, I don’t consider coffee a tea-substitute. It’s the unique astringency of tea that gives it that behind-the-eyes impact of the tannin that clears the head for thinking as well as the warmth that comforts - providing no sugar is added (completely different drink!). I can drink tea before going to bed - doesn’t keep me awake at all! Can’t say the same for coffee. Try proper tea*. You’ll thank me. *tealeaves/bag MUST be scalded with water that is still on a rolling boil, then left to draw for 5 mins, undisturbed. Enjoy!

[@lornaanne9242]

My father taught us that please and thank you are 'magic words' that are well received by others, he also taught us that if you only do one kindness a day your life will have been worth living, life can be challenging at times, kindness, understanding and a listening ear can help no end

[@annecunningham1151]

Even if we don’t stand in a line we still know who is before us and let them go first.

[@fr8545]

Especially at the bar x

[@lynnedelacy2841]

Yes the inherent queuing British gene

[@Jovex.]

US bus drivers really appreciate it when you say thanks. I didn't realise that they weren't used to people saying thank you. Why wouldn't anyone say thanks after recieving any service? Who would be that rude?

[@dcallan812]

any American.🤣

[@lesleyvivien2876]

@@dcallan812 😥

[@qwadratix]

@@Jovex. In the USA, anyone in a service job is seen literally as a servant, a serf to be treated as such.

[@Jamie_D]

do you find and thank your train conductor, or the bin men coming to collect your bins? No us weird ass people only thank bus drivers for doing their job.

[@FanOfLexi]

@@Jamie_DI absolutely thank the bin men if I see them emptying the bins. If any group of workers need a ‘thank you’ it’s those bin men.

[@eleanoraddy4683]

You must offer a cup of tea as soon as someone gets in the door 😂

[@alanimms5558]

As a bus driver myself it's always nice when a passenger says thank you

[@michellejones5541]

Unless the bus driver is a total wanker I always say thank you 😊

[@beccabbea2511]

British person here. I have NEVER ever in my rather long life saluted a postman when meeting him. We do say hello, as you would normally, oh and thank you. Trolley =Shopping cart Asda = name of a supermarket.

[@andrewgibbons6074]

My mum used to make salute the post man as a kid but now I say thank you have a great day

[@donaldanderson6604]

The queue jumper is the worst human being imaginable. Tea can solve most problems.

[@DavesFootballChannel]

yeah, right up there with rapists and serial killers!

[@Shoomer88]

@@DavesFootballChannel And people that eat loudly in the cinema.

[@paulwild3676]

The one I hate is the passive, aggressive person in a queue, who tries to intimidate you, by getting into your personal space on the conveyor belt. They are filth.

[@DavesFootballChannel]

@@Shoomer88 yeah, there's a special place in hell reserved for those bastards

[@donaldanderson6604]

@@DavesFootballChannel No, but they belong in the same circle of Hell as Tory voters.

[@ashanova.]

To specify, Tipping is optional here, not an obligation. I've never heard that you must tip a hairdresser/barber. That point wasn't made as clear.

[@PhilipSchofield-ly9po]

Queuing springs from a fundamental British virtue that is to respect everyone else, whoever they are, irrespective of their age, colour or gender. It is SO important.

[@soozb15]

in some parts of London this is declining, unfortunately. For the high numbers of non-British citizens, the tradition of queuing is a mystery! I try not to take offence when people ignore the etiquette, and bite my tongue 😊

[@arnoldarnold4944]

​@@soozb15no !

[@se4307]

It was perfected during rationing times after WW2

[@keithalderson100]

In a civilised (civilized) society, it is NOT survival of the fittest - so we queue ;-)

[@2gooddrifters]

It's about fairness, a sense of fair play.

[@Hexx_Iztenze]

If I'm in a short queue and have many items and the person behind me had only one or two, I let them go in front. Especially if it's an older person. Saying thank you to the bus or cab drivers isn't mandatory, but it's viewed as polite. If a cab fair is, say 8.50, I'll pay 10 and say keep the change. I also thank the mail person and delivery guys. Hell, I thank the street cleaner on my street. He was shocked the first time I did it. The postman salute thing I've never heard of.

[@munkihanger]

We don't salute postmen, thata wind up

[@helenwood8482]

You don't salute a postman, you say hello.

[@geoffshaw8053]

Lol they were trolling him

[@rubyreign3759]

Wait! What! you don't salute the postie... YOU MONSTER!!!

[@Spange71]

​@@geoffshaw8053 that was so funny!

[@chrisdbris]

I am old have weak legs and live on the third floor, I bought my postman a cheap bugle and now do not hold him up in his important work.

[@ethelmini]

Try it. The Postie won't be surprised.

[@dianeb5252]

No, you don't salute the postman. You 'Hello' and 'Thank you '.

[@etherealbolweevil6268]

Simply show courtesy to all public servants, service providers, human beings and pets.

[@jennil7797]

My 7 year old grandchild says hello or good morning to the school bus driver as he gets on and thank you when he reaches the school and gets off. Nobody has to remind any of the kids. They all thanked the guard and waved thanks to the driver as they got off the train when I went on a school trip with their class too. It is just normal behaviour here. Why not? Acknowledging someone who has made your day easier, especially someone earning low wages, deserves acknowledgement. Good manners cost nothing.

[@yonwife5879]

On queuing, we will usually ask “where’s the end of the queue?” If it’s not immediately obvious. Tea is a whole ceremony in itself.

[@cenedra2143]

We add the 's' to the end of supermarkets because when you dropped it off your 'math' we had to put it somewhere 😮😅

[@Queenfloofles]

😂😂😂

[@herrtomas6729]

It's like "we are going to Tesco's store" I'm going to see John - I'm going to John's (house)

[@cenedra2143]

@herrtomas6729 Yeah I know, I was joking 😳

[@herrtomas6729]

@@cenedra2143 I know, but they don’t understand across the pond. The only one really different here is Sainsbury’s who do use the ‘s’ themselves. Can’t think of any other

[@gchecosse]

Americans took the s of maths and put it on sport.

[@kentvespa]

I’ve been a postie for over 30 years and not once has anyone saluted me. Infact they are more likely to tell you to shut the gate on your way out.

[@triciamcgarr5934]

Shocked to learn thanking your driver isn't a thing everywhere! And yes, please don't jump the queue...in some places it may just get get you a nice ambulance ride ( but at least that is free here) lol

[@RichardLeak-ch6dx]

Or a good tut... But any American queue jumping just know that it only takes one of your country men to do it for the whole of Britain to think your a bunch of entitled Karen's and we will then passively aggressively mess with you and make your life hell... All the while supping our tea...

[@dazpop]

😂😂😂

[@susanhodgson7218]

to add to your list, we use a knife and fork with the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left, and when you finish your meal the knife and fork are placed together on the plate.

[@jedinite128]

Depends if you're right or left handed. I always use the knife in my left hand. Also, placing your knife and fork on your plate at opposite sides indicates you haven't finished your meal. You place them together when done.

[@gk1368]

British people call shopping carts shopping trolleys, but usually just shorten it to trolleys.

[@helenroberts1107]

And always take your trolley back when finished with it

[@speleokeir]

Shopping trollys are also well known fro having a wonky wheel which makes them hard to push in a straight line. This has led to expression 'trollied' to describe someone who's drunk and has a similar inability to walk in a straight line.

[@mlw4]

Australia also calls shopping carts trolleys

[@annfrancoole34]

👍☘☘☘

[@stephenlee5929]

And Yes they (shopping trollies/carts) come in various sizes. Deep large trolley for big shopping, smaller which is just slightly more than a basket which you might carry, a larger carrying basket may have an extending handle an wheels, similar to suitcase on wheels, they may have seats for small children, there are also versions f to attach to front of wheelchairs, and some motorised carts, and finally in some child friendly shops you can get a shopping trolley for your toddler to push round. Also in many places require you to insert a coin (£1) to use, it can be taken out when you return the trolley. This deposit is intended to stop the trollies from going on expeditions, which frequently end in them failing to swim in local canals, pons or rivers.

[@mandybarraclough8785]

Yes, most people would thank the bus driver for doing us a service, like thanking the shop keeper for serving you, it’s just having good manners.

[@peterthomas5792]

Alright mate? Good, you? Yeah good. END OF CONVERSATION.

[@Nevyn515]

Usually shortened to: “Alright?” “Alright?” Both separate and each have a cup of tea to recover from the extended social interaction while chitchatting for an hour with the girl who brings you the tea and another hour with the old lady at the next table, because consistency is overrated.

[@torikeen5630]

Or in cornwall Alrite Yer you Yer End of conversation

[@williamwhitty7243]

not bad yourself, is also an exeptal reply

[@streetworker01]

In fairness it can be longer: “Alright?” “I’m alright. You alright?” “Mustn’t grumble. See you then.” “See you.”

[@AveCaesar2025]

Here you substitute 'grand' for the 'good' so alright (or words to that effect), 'grand, you'', 'grand thanks' (Ireland)

[@bex487]

Also in the pub, if anyone drops and smashes a glass, you have to cheer.

[@Belaugh]

The classic mindset re queueing, saying thank you and sorry is quite simple, best explained by the saying " as your grandma always used to say, 'good manners cost nothing.' And yes, tea IS a part of life. It solves every ill and soothes every sicial situation.

[@kathrynkelman5334]

In Wales you always say Thanks Drive, to a bus/coach driver. It's just nice to say thanks for getting you to your destination safely.

[@paulharvey9149]

You'll find people hold doors open for you; so make sure you do the same in return. Yes, say thank-you to bus drivers on your way off the bus.

[@SP-eo1vl]

Mostly in London you get on by the driver but you get off at a different place (since the pandemic)

[@RichardLeak-ch6dx]

With the door thing ... If you follow someone through multiple doora always thank on the first and last...

[@Bekzee]

Oh, that pathetic little guilty run we all do to lessen the burden of the other person holding the door for us 😂😂😂

[@joyelmes7814]

Asian men never thank you if you hold a door open, they think you are their slave.

[@janelithgow7727]

and we mutter 'you're welcome' under our breath if somebody fails to thank us for holding the door open.

[@johnduncan231]

A queue side topic, when your in a busy pub. Good staff clock who's arrived at the bar to order drinks and serve people in order. Sometimes they dont see someone arrive. It's traditional at this point when the barman asks you what you want to say 'He was before me'.

[@Tiamat951]

I must admit some of these confuse me; I am 44, born and raised in the UK. I've never called Asda (As-Da) Asdol... I've never saluted a postman or even heard of anyone doing so. I always thank the bus driver because it's polite to thank anyone performing a service for you. (Yes even if it's their job.) It's the same reason that I always take my food tray up to clear it at the bins in McDonald's and other restaurants.

[@Tiamat951]

There is a thing where I live, where everyone that you see walking towards you on the same side of the street says good morning as they pass. Or at the very least smiles and nods.

[@Nevermind--]

I'm almost 41 and never heard of Asda being Asdol... maybe it's the younger generation who like to change everything that does. 😂

[@gnu_andrew]

I think the "Asdol" thing is a Bristol localism, hence Bristolians. I've never heard it myself as a Northerner. Some of the responses might be intended to be sarcastic, like saluting the postman... 😂 The "Tesco's" might have carried over from "Sainsbury's" which was founded by J Sainsbury.

[@rakido7388]

Brizzle boi here. Yes , adding 'L' to the end of a word is just a Bristol thing, and I don't believe found anywhere else. General rule, if a word ends with a vowel, tack an L onto it. E.g. I've had an ideal, let's go to Asdal. Asda is a large supermarket, used to be owned by Walmart, and is arch rivals with Tesco. Sorry, Tesco's.

[@Joanna-il2ur]

There’s an old joke because in Bristol they add an en to the end of every vowel or schwa; the city was originally Bridgestow. The joke is the Bristol women with three daughters Evil, Monocle and Normal.

[@huwwilliams3230]

In South Wales you ALWAYS thank the bus drIver. Most common usually it's "Thanks Drive"

[@markylon]

If you're walking in a crowded area in a market and someone BUMPS INTO YOU or they step on your foot. YOU APOLOGISE even though they bumped into you LOL

[@barrysteven5964]

I swear to God I've apologised to inanimate objects when I've bumped into them.

[@DrToonhattan]

@@barrysteven5964 Like saying 'Ouch' when the inanimate object you're holding bangs into another object.

[@marcdavey8487]

Bristol city has its own lingo, they add L's and R's and S's when they aren't needed, they'll ask you "Where you to?" and when they get off the bus they say "cheers drive"

[@thedoobieshrew0244]

"Where you to?" Might be a southern or south west thing, we say it alot in Dorset too.

[@nick5062]

We drink tea as part of our daily nutrition and social interactions, but I think what is implied here is our use of a cup of tea as a magic wand. Like, no matter how bad the situation is, it can always be made a little better with a cup of tea.

[@rosey-19]

☕ comforting, soothing. A warm hug.

[@lat1419]

British tea is different from American. Our ritual of tea is one of sharing a moment to refresh and relax. It does solve most things. One thing Americans need to know... "fanny" should never be used. Ever. Fanny bag.... 😂😂😂... a huge no!!!

[@cocobrowny]

@@lat1419😂😂😂

[@lou_loublue1283]

Also if you're queuing for the till and the person behind you only has one item, its nice to let the person go before you if you got a weeks shop on the belt.

[@charlottecolloff-hinde7657]

It's also common to ask if there's a queue in case of no obvious line - this is to save yourself the embarrassment of being told you jumped the queue however inadvertently.

[@2gooddrifters]

Also, is this the end of the queue? When it's unclear.

[@dave489]

Queuing is important. Even in a bar when it looks like everyone is just in a huddle, people have checked who was there when they arrived, and who has arrived since. If the bar staff go to serve you out of order, it’s etiquette to indicate who is in front of you in the queue. (And thank someone who makes sure you’re served in order).

[@speleokeir]

Say please and thank you when dealing with anyone. It's just common courtesy and shows others you're not an arsehole. Basically just treat others as you'd like to be treated yourself. The Bristolian thing: People from Bristol have a tendency to add extra 'L's onto words for instance they'll say: "Oi've got a good ideal" instead of "I've got a good idea" . Bristol is prounounced 'Bristle' by the locals. The commedian Russell Howard is a famous Bristolian. Other Bristolianisms: - That's girt lush = That's great/lovely - He/She's girt lush = He/she is gorgeous and I fancy the pants off them. - You girt wazzock = You idiot - You silly moo = you silly cow - Ooh hark at she! = Ooh listen to her! Bristolians make excellent mountaineers because they're always 'up a summit' (Up to something)😁

[@JackieHenry-w9m]

I'm bristolian it's so true.lol.

[@emmacook196]

I always thank the bus drivers because they did safely take you to your destination. I think people forget that as passengers, the bus driver is responsible for our safety etc so its just polite and nice to acknowledge the driver with a "Thank you" or "cheers" 😊

[@deirdrewalsh4177]

Thank everyone, from cashiers to bus drivers, random people who move out of your way. Always apologise for if you have to push your way to the bar for example.

[@MonicaMaria2175]

I’ve visited England many times, and I love their respect for queuing, saying thank you and sorry (not so much as Canadians, but still). Love the culture and etiquette in England 💚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@richardcrawley9614]

If an American said to me “What’s up?” I’d assume they thought I had a problem.

[@Simon-lt6fe]

It would depend how it's said, if an American said "Wazaaap" I wouldn't assume there was a problem (at least not with me). "what's up" said in a relaxed tone or with a small reverse nod, I'd assume it's a polite hello

[@sputukgmail]

It’s usually said “Sup?” If it’s meant as a greeting. If you take the time to say it out in full, it would sound like you were concerned about someone.

[@josephturner7569]

Up is the inverse of the vectoral summation of all terrestrial gravitational forces with respect to a specific set of geographical coordinates. Randall Carlson.

[@sputukgmail]

@@josephturner7569 Up is a 2009 film by Pixar in which Carl, an old widower, goes off on an adventure with the help of Russell, a boy scout, in his flying house to search for Paradise Falls, his wife's dream destination.

[@chrisdbris]

I lived in San Francisco for seven years, having moved from the UK and found it very hard to respond to this question.

[@user-gu7kk5zk2b]

In Canada I notice a lot of people don't thank the driver but if someone does then after that EVERYONE thanks the driver. You can feel how much the driver appreciates it. Willmake your day better. Try it

[@sarahstrong7174]

I am U.K. born & have never saluted a postman, neither does anyone else I know.

[@philspencelayh5464]

If I see the postman delivering I'll wave and if close enough say thank you.

[@sarahstrong7174]

@@philspencelayh5464 If I see or hear them I will call thankyou.

[@Clare_no_dramatic_nonsense_pls]

Well I just had a parcel delivered by the Royal Mail - I think the postie would howl with laughter if I'd saluted her. 😂😂😂😂 Think someone's having you on!

[@Toupret]

Tyler The English/British postman or post woman will not expect a salute. We give the utmost respect to service providers. We value our everyday workers. Milk delivery person, post person, military person, taxi driver, road sweeper, bus driver, shop assistant are ALL thanked for their attendance (pandemic key workers) and thanked for their service. This is not a mumbled obligatory phrase, it is a very sincere Thank you! For being here today, so I may have milk, go on a bus/train/tram/taxi/ private hire and so on. All services are thanked! Hotel & hospital porters, EVEN MORE SO! Big Thanks to anyone fulfilling these roles who are reading this post, mostly huge thanks to those unsung heroes...cleaners! Thank you! Very much! We appreciate you a lot! The truth is. Who would you miss most, if they didn't come to work? Thank everyone, for being present today. And MEAN it! That is how we say Thanks in the UK.

[@gaynorhead2325]

Lived in the UK 69 years and have never saluted the Postman/woman, I just say thank you!

[@lukebarton5075]

You don’t NEED to thank the bus driver but it is certainly polite to do so.

[@jameslewis3296]

A cup of tea is the recommended remedy for everything from a broken heart to a broken neck

[@mlw4]

I've heard it said that tea is for conversation and coffee is for gossip!

[@clairesnow7143]

When I visit small local shops like craft or book shops etc in uk and browse, I always say thank you as I leave the shop

[@stuartfitch7093]

The commentor means shopping cart. A shopping cart in the US is often referred to a shopping trolley in the UK. What they are saying Tyler is that when you go to a supermarket in the UK you will find different sizes of shopping carts so if you are getting a big amount of croceries then you can use a big shopping cart but if you are only getting a small amount of croceries then you can use a smaller shopping cart. There are even baskets on wheels and hand baskets if you are only buying a few items that you don't really need a big shopping cart for.

[@maxinedurling3425]

Never leave a Queue to grab something with out checking that its ok with the people behind you

[@bodizmoner2838]

A saying in the UK especially up north where I live where we have manners! " manners don't cost anything " so you don't have any excuse.

[@Bekzee]

Manners dinnet cost nowt 😂

[@bodizmoner2838]

@@Bekzee LOL

[@DyranHunter]

In in the South East, and was raised on "Manners Cost Nothing" :D Good to know it's been all over in differen phraseology!

[@andrewhargreaves504]

Not all Brit’s queue, most do, but not all. The critical thing is that if you break the queue you are going to get reprimanded. It happened to me this week. I just stepped to the server and said “err no, I was next”. The ‘offender’ said “oh yeah, sorry”. We know it’s not ok.

[@seanmark2674]

In the UK the power grid is modified at certain times during each day to accommodate for the tea breaks during television shows.

[@judegrindvoll8467]

Yep - tv pickup even has its own wiki page 😂

[@danm8004]

My favourite response to "alright mate" is "I'm alright mate, its all the others ennit"

[@arrandolan6297]

Thanking the bus driver is just polite it's not that important, alot of Americans think the uk are rude arrogant people but we really are not.

[@jgreen2015]

What matters more to me as a bus driver is how they ask for the destination. There are a certain group of people who stroll on all entitled and say "city centre" and just throw the money in the tray like I'm their personal servant 😠

[@chrysalis4126]

I don't think that's right, Americans rarely use please and thank you so they sound rude.

[@beverleyringe7014]

@@jgreen2015no need for that now as our buses are mostly contactless payment.

[@lizvickers7156]

The other way round, I would think most people from the uk think Americans are big headed impolite arrogant so and so's

[@firehandszarb]

​@@beverleyringe7014 still do it anyway a lot of the time, especially leaving the bus. But I wonder how the bus driver feels when about 100 people say "cheers drive" as they exit the bus at a popular stop.

[@planningandtravelling]

“If you are cold, tea will warm you; if you are too heated, it will cool you; if you are depressed, it will cheer you; if you are excited, it will calm you.” - William Ewart Gladstone. Yes a cup of tea fixes everything.

[@shirlgirlc6734]

In my 60s now, as a kid we always said 'Thank you' before exiting the bus. Its instilled in me 2day xx

[@kesa39]

'Alright mate!' is more often than not greeted with ''Yes, you?' Neither of you are actually expecting a conversation about how you are, you just carry on with your journey. Variations of the reply are 'living the drean', 'I've been worse' and 'couldn't be better'. Also, as always, you can travel 5 miles along the road and you could find the people jave a completely different accent and dialect.

[@jgreen2015]

As a bus driver i also thank the passangers 🤷

[@polheg1]

I am a bus driver too and do the same thing.

[@AloeYouu]

Thank you 😂

[@jgreen2015]

@@AloeYouu as if they've done me a favour lol

[@lucyfur]

Some years ago, i came home to find my flat had been broken into. When the policeman came, the first thing he did, seeing my distress, was to offer to make me a cup of tea. Tea is a panacea.

[@bookvee]

Holding the door open. I do this a lot. If someone stops a car to allow you to cross the road, break into a weird not quite run. If you break a glass bottle over someones head, apologise as you do so. Do NOT wear a bowler hat, cricket jumper and kilt at the same time unless you work for british rail or the bbc.

[@Sachielk30]

Scurrying when a car stops for you is definitely a visceral urge, lol.

[@Sine-gl9ly]

​@@Sachielk30I am approaching 80 and walk with a stick, but I STILL get that urge to scurry when someone kindly stops to let me across the road. I find it almost impossible to scurry, so I have to make do by nodding vigorously and smiling emphatically. I recently starting giving a 'thumbs up' sign instead of all the vigorous nodding and smiling, and that seems to work well.

[@ziggysue]

Hilarious. Totally agree.

[@thediamonddragon1369]

7:38 a Bristolian is basically someone from Bristol which is a place down south of England which have a heavy accent. So the comment says that we find people from Bristol weird to says ASDA as Asdol, cause it is and only is pronounced As-da. Asda is also a massive super market

[@JohnResalb]

Yes, outside London, everyone is supposed to speak to the bus driver. However, in London, it can be a bit different especially with so many foreign tourists. Also, outside London, there are no separate exit doors, even on double deckers, so everyone passes the driver, and people boarding automatically know to wait in line after the bus has arrived, because there will be people getting off first.

[@alexandra-zaza-burns]

Other cities have the separate entrance and exit doors on buses not just London

[@JohnResalb]

@@alexandra-zaza-burns what cities - I haven't seen any, and I've been everywhere. Where have you been?

[@alexandra-zaza-burns]

@@JohnResalb Edinburgh used to have them

[@JohnResalb]

@@alexandra-zaza-burns I haven't seen one city or town anywhere in the whole of the UK (outside London) which has extra doors, since i have have been travelling about 2008. So I don't know which place that guy is referring to.

[@JH-jl5fd]

Brighton has buses with middle doors

[@Whippy99]

Let’s face it, we Brits thank everyone for everything 😂 We also say sorry about 100 times a day, even if we are not ‘at fault’. 😁

[@dorothywarren1441]

It's true and good to hear I think. But sorry is often misunderstood by forgieners? Usually it just means that we realise we have invaded another person's space, but it's all OK isn't it. No need for a confrontation just because we bumped into each other accidentally.

[@positivebanchory]

We tend to say please and thank you a lot. It’s just polite. The alright mate phrase is an acknowledgment. Different geographical areas, will say alright pet, alright hen , alright love. . . Hiya . And in Scotland we often sat cheerio for bye

[@Jovex.]

We only tip good service in the UK, it doesn't matter what service it is. Tipping isn't compulsory or expected anywhere in the UK.

[@markylon]

It's considered rude not to tip your cab driver or hairdresser. UNLESS they do a really bad job.

[@stylesforever1297]

@@markylonno it’s isn’t and they’re taxi’s not cabs

[@Diovanlestat]

I try to have a talk with the driver. "How is life, how is family", that polite chit chat. If they engage they get a tip, but say it's for ice-cream for the kids. I remember crying to a driver when my mother died. He responded " I lost my mother, my brother, my uncle and my sister to war" You can be sure he got the biggest tip ever, as my tears dried up and I went off to plan the funeral. ❤️

[@stylesforever1297]

@@Garuthius oh yes sorry complete forgot the whole of England is London. Silly me !

[@Spange71]

​@@Diovanlestat❤❤❤

[@kathy671]

A trolley is a shopping chart. We have multiply sizes including trolleys that can attach to wheelchairs, disabled kids trolleys etc.

[@allenwilliams1306]

Sainsbury supermarkets changed their shops' branding from “J Saisbury” to “Sainsbury's” about forty years ago, because that is what everybody called the shop.

[@TheMarlinspike]

You don't NEED to thank the bus driver, it's called common courtesy.

[@DyranHunter]

Except it isn't so common, anymore.

[@helenwood8482]

Trooley means what you would call a shopping cart. Most shops have large ones and small ones and many have trolleys specially designed to clip onto a wheelchair, which makes life much easier for me.

[@Bekzee]

The supermarket I worked in they had other ones too. Some for one kid, two kids, ones with baby car seat holders, even had some I think were for disabled kids and toddlers, I've seen parents with autistic children use them to speed up a very overstimulating task, or kids with cerebral palsy and mobility issues.

[@richardhealy]

Something Bill Bryson noted in his first book was the "two fingered salute". When driving (on the correct side of the road!) If another car stops to allow you to pass, it is customary to acknowledge this by just raising two fingers off the steering wheel. A small nod is slso acceptable. Just a small visual cue for "I see you and acknowledge you"

[@janemckay2325]

The meeting up thing is oh so true. Every wedding and funeral is full of promises to meet up and you dont see each other again until the next wedding or funeral.

[@kevinoliver3083]

They're meetings aren't they?

[@lesleyvivien2876]

@@kevinoliver3083 Yes, of a kind. Not quite the same!

[@felicitywoodruffe4087]

Our trolley is your shopping cart we have some for disabled, some with seats for small children, baby seats for small babies,ones with double seats, smaller trolleys for if you just need a few things or a deep trollet for a bigger load

[@qwadratix]

It's not merely a matter of social interaction, it is a legal requirement that a cup of tea be presented to victims of natural disasters and accidents of all kinds. If the victim is unconscious, the cup of tea can be carefully placed by their side for when they wake up. Tea also helps in the process when tradesmen such as plumbers electricians and builders are employed in your house. Failing to provide tea may lead to significantly increased bills.

[@elizabethferrier6429]

My neighbour was a painter and if he and his mate weren't offered tea, they had a solution. They whistled 'Polly put the kettle on' until the customer got the hint 😊

[@suzettewilliams1758]

Offer a cuppa tea/coffee or cold drink to trades people providing you a service the moment they walk in the door.

[@lulusbackintown1478]

My ex is a builder so I am used to providing/offering tea and biscuits every hour. If you do this and are pleasant you will get a more positive result if you need extras e.g. I had a carpet fitted I arranged for all the furniture to be removed, hooked up the floor length curtains and turned the radiators off. The carpet fitters were really pleased when they arrived as it saved them time. When they were ready to leave they helped bringing back in some of the furniture. My husband was sent a spec to estimate for work. The spec said that the workers weren't allowed to use the lavatory in the premises. He refused to tender for the work.

[@herzeleid64]

I always put out biscuits (cookies) for them, too. They usually appreciate it and take just a little bit of extra care...

[@obeawoman]

As a Brit, our tea is your coffee, on the go or having a break. You dont have to face the bus driver and formally say thankyou, you just say it as you step off the bus "Thankyou driver!" As for queuing, how do you not? what do you do just push in front of someone who was there before you? (that would be rude)

[@clarewilliams5907]

lots of people say thank you to people who provide a service for them - even if they are paid to do so - like in a shop - or a pub - anywhere really. Between a taxi driver and a bus driver - the taxi driver is more commonly told to keep the change - a form of tipping,,,,,

[@brummiesalteno-81]

Please and thank you is drummed into us in the UK from birth. If a child asks for a cookie or chocolate it's quite common for the adult to ask for the 'magic word' and the wait for the child to say please before giving it to them, but not let go completely until the child says thankyou. Likewise when out and about when someone serves us in the shop/bus/taxi or whatever it may be the adult will say "say thank you" or "thank the nice lady/man"

[@CrowMaiden]

tea truly is used for every situation. a death in the family, a guest or worker (like plumber, electrician, etc.) turning up or leaving, shock or stress, it's raining, need a drink. they're all reasons to get a cup of tea. it's entirely not unusual for someone to turn up with bad news and the reaction to be, 'I'll put the kettle on'/'I'll make us some tea.' there's probably a very interesting reason related to the fact we tend to be introduced to tea in childhood so using it for bad times brings that childhood comfort in the same way soup does, or something? all I know is someone on Twitter once wrote a 'British Tea Translator' tweet and it's very accurate.

[@marionward7672]

It is difficult to thank a bus driver nowadays as a lot of his company's are going over to buses where you board at the front and depart at doors halfway down the bus. But yes it possible, thank the driver

[@jazmo6662]

Thanking the bus or cab driver is a gesture of appreciation for getting you to your destination safely.

[@wrightdiy811]

If you're getting onto a train or bus, wait for the people getting off to get off first before you go on (leaving them room to get off too), and trolly is what you call a shopping cart, there's different sizes (small, medium and large) as well as baskets so depending on how big your shopping trip is you can pick a different sized trolly.

[@jojosharp5872]

I'm from the North and basically we say hello or morning to pretty much everyone you pass by, if your standing at a bus stop and there's someone else there its common to start a conversation, if in a taxi you must ask the driver if they've been busy and what Time they finish 😊

[@gaynorhead2325]

I live in the South and I say hello (good morning/good afternoon etc) to everyone I pass!

[@memitim171]

I'm also from the north and I don't do this with random people on the street and I don't see others doing it either. It's rough round here so that's prolly why, but if you take your dog to a dog walking spot, it's almost mandatory to say hi or alright to the other dog walkers. 😂