Although English is widely spoken throughout the world by many different countries and cultures, there are marked differences between how  English is used to communicate in the different English speaking countries.

So even if you have been speaking English your whole life, you are still going to discover that when it comes to language, people in the UK have very different customs and ways of communicating and it could leave you feeling a little confused.

Good Manners

One of the most obvious things that you are likely to encounter when you first arrive is just how often you hear English people apologizing to each other. The word ‘sorry’ is used so often that no visitor to the UK leaves without having formed a strong opinion on its use, finding it either nice and polite or deeply irritating.

Brits say sorry when they bump into each other or as a way of excusing themselves or even to attract someone’s attention in public. This is also accompanied by lots of the use of the words ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ when out in public, not saying please and thank you in shops is actually considered very rude.

The British also say ‘excuse me?’ if they have not heard or understood what has just been said, as opposed to saying ‘what?’ which can be interpreted as quite aggressive and unpleasant.

Another important custom to remember is to that when you have a drink with someone always raise your glass and say ‘cheers’ before taking a sip, this is also considered a demonstration of basic good manners.

On the other hand, many cultures find it strange and even rude that we don’t have a way of wishing people a good meal before starting to eat. You can say, “Enjoy your meal” but this doesn’t fit so well if you are having a sandwich or snack. Some people do use the French “bon appétit”. But it is not considered rude to not say anything at all.

The British also communicate quite often through the use of proverbs and sayings. Below is a list of some of the most common ones still in use today.

Proverbs

'Nothing ventured nothing gained'
If you don’t try to never succeed 

'Out of the frying pan and into the fire'
Solving one problem only to discover another one 

'Never look a gift horse in the mouth'
Don't question good luck 

'Every cloud has a silver lining'
Good often comes from bad times 

'You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink'
You can try to teach someone but you can’t make them learn unless they want to 

'The grass is always greener on the other side'
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that other people’s lives are always better than yours, it just looks that way sometimes

'The best things in life are free'
All we need is love 

'We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it'
Let’s worry about that nearer the time 

'It was the straw that broke the camel's back'
It was the last thing in a long line of things that happened that  that destroyed the thing in question 

'That's the last straw!'
Linked to above, this is a warning that you are at ‘breaking point’ 

'Where there's a will there's a way'
Determination and drive are all that is needed for success 

'Marry in haste, and repent at leisure'
Think carefully before acting 

'You can't judge a book by its cover'
First appearances can be deceptive 

'Birds of a feather flock together'
People are attracted to similar types as themselves 

'Live and let live'
Don’t concern yourself with other peoples’ business, allow them to get on with it 

'One man's meat is another man's poison'
People often don't like the same things

Sayings

'Tie the Knot'
Get married 

'Sleep Tight'
Sleep well 

'Burning the Candle at Both Ends'
Working hard in the day and staying up late partying at night - commonly used in offices across the country 

'Your eyes are bigger than your belly'
Applies when you have ordered too much food; belly is another word for stomach

By John Hillman

USEFUL WORDS

Polite Requests

Would you be so kind as to (+verb)?

Would you mind (+ing)?

I was wondering if you could (+verb)?

Do you mind if I (+verb)?

Please

Giving Opinions & Advice

To be honest with you

If I were you, I'd (+verb)

To my mind

Apologising
I'm terribly sorry!

I'm so sorry

I do apologise

Please accept my humble apologies

Accepting a Compliment

It's very kind of you to say that

You've made my day!

Oh, this old thing?  It's just something I threw on!

Well-known Spoken Phrases

Mind the doors! - on a train

To eat here or take away?  - in a café or snack bar

Many happy returns  - on someone's birthday

How do you plead? - in court before a judge

Just a trim, please - at the hairdresser's

Have you anything to declare? - at customs

Heel!  - to a dog to keep him walking at the same speed as you

Take this prescription and come back and see me in a week - at the doctor's

I'm putting you through - on the telephone

A pint of bitter, please - in a pub

Going,going,gone! - at an auction

Here's to the bride and groom - a toast at a wedding

I now pronounce you man and wife - at a wedding

I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth - in court before a judge

This won't hurt - at the doctor's / dentist

God bless her and all who sail in her! - at the launch of a ship

Amen - after a prayer or when you are glad that something is finally finished

Once upon a time - at the beginning of a (children's) story

Say 'Cheese!' - when taking a photograph of someone

All aboard! - on a bus or boat