UK/US Translation Guide
Culture Shock!
Prim & Proper
As with any new cultural experience, you will find that things are not always "like the movies." For example, a common misconception among American travelers to the UK is that the British are a "prim and proper" people and very polite. This illusion is easily shattered upon arrival at the airport but is worth a mention. We are generally forthright in our approach and political correctness has not yet taken over mainstream UK. More often than not, with us Brits, what you see is what you get. Of course we do like to dress for special occasions and adhere to certain traditional roles but they do not generally play into everyday living.
The Law
British law differs vastly from American law and this filters into everyday expectations. It is worth noting that culturally, the UK is not as litigious a society as the US. Therefore, priorities are different and from a business standpoint it is worth developing a greater insight into any correlations for your particular industry. See our Business in London page for further business related details.
Language
There are many many British dialects and first-time visitors may sometimes feel they need a translator! Here are some brilliantly helpful sites that give you help understanding various nuances of our wonderful language.
Profanity
We believe this deserves a mention for the very reason that it is not an expected part of this culture—especially for the first-time visitor. Profanity is used much more freely in the UK than in the US. This also relates to business conversations. It is therefore better to know this than to be caught unaware at an inopportune moment. This is especially prevalent on television after 9PM.
Melting Pot
Yes—London is a very internationally diverse city. This means we have people from many races, cultures, ethnicities and religions all living and working together. We know that many first-time visitors may be surprised by this, especially upon arrival at the airport, but having this awareness and adapting accordingly makes for an easier experience.
