British cultural norms that we don't realise are weird.

[Lord Percy]

In another thread we got onto the topic of Indian male femininity, and how all the guys hold hands, and how it's kind of ridiculous to an outsider.

And also I note how Koreans pretty much must bow their head to say hello when they meet someone, even a friend. Which is also of course a bit strange to us.

And I see Arab guys in parts of London wearing things that look like dressing gowns.

So I'm now wondering what things we do, or have, here in the UK that foreigners might think to be a bit odd!

Feel free to input with things you think deserve a mention.

I'll start.

Saying sorry for everything.

[JonB]

Queueing. Foreigners just don't understand it.
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[stinkwheel]

Drinking black tea made using boiling water with fresh milk in it.

Going to the pub in order to get drunk.

Going to the shop without a shopping bag.

Not only washing your own car but doing it out on the street.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Rogerborg]

Common courtesy and a sense of fair play.
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[Tarmacsurfer]

[pits]

Complaining about foreigners whilst in a foreign country?
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[stinkwheel]

Complaining about foreign food while abroad. Eating curry/chinese/kebabs while at home.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[c_dug]

We colonised half the world for a fair while, I'm sure there isn't much that we do that is a mystery to Johnny Foreigner.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Hetzer]

Working in the midday sun.
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"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

[R_Josh]

Too shy/polite to ask for discounts
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[Poseidon]

https://img.thesun.co.uk/aidemitlum/archive/01112/sandals-and-socks__1112776a.jpg
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1977 Honda CG125
2002 Ducati Monster S4 (currently restoring)

[GhostRider]

Going to restaurants, standing outside looking at the menu, deciding there is something we like/want on the menu, so we go in and get sat by a waiter, who will hand us the same menu we just stared at for 5 mins, and then piss off for 10 mins. All the while we open the menu and look at all the stuff we know we don't want.

Why don't we sit down and when they hand the menus over say "its ok chief, I'll have the squid ravioli in a lemon grass broth with goat cheese profiteroles and she'll have the grilled free-range rabbit with herbed french fries".

But no, we'll sit there like twats reading a menu we just read.

*I accept sometimes you might change your mind, or decide to order some side dishes or whatever, but still, I don't need 10-15 mins of alone time to make a decision about what I want to eat.

GhostRider
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[Robster]

General acceptance of excessive alcohol consumption to the point of complete inebriation/hospitalisation considered the norm over here. A lot of my foreign friends from Uni from the likes of Belgium/France/Germany etc. were very shocked at this.

Also the abundance of under age drinking we have here and the right of passage to get yourself so thoroughly fucked up you're vomiting up stomach lining the next day.
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Up the bum no babies.

[chris-red]

[Lord Percy]

Yeah I was thinking the alcohol thing might come into this.

Then again, according to wikipedia we aren't even in the top 10 for OECD countries (France and Germany are 2nd and 5th!), and are even lower in the list based on WHO statistics.

So I reckon the main factor is the whole 'IDGAF YOLO' attitude towards alcohol consumption. A lot of foreigners probably notice this. My flatmate tells me I was something of a celebrity at Trafalgar Square at one point last Saturday evening. Dancing with Arab tourists...

[Suntan Sid]

Self deprecation!
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"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!"

[Lord Percy]

Topless guys and girls in bikini outfits as soon as the trees get their leaves back. Worshipping the sun. No fear for its potentially damaging and carcinogenic effects. Ever.

[chris-red]

Having a sense of humour
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[rideslikean00...]

I would say excessively good manners/social graces but it seems we're losing that across all classes slowly but surely. Shame really, as good manners are the oil which lubricates the wheels that keep a decent society running, I think. We lose our manners we're basically no better than animals.
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[map]

[DrSnoosnoo]

BATH NIGHT
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[MCW]

Fish and chips as a take away food.
Irony
Self-depreciation

[Nexus Icon]

[krarkol]

Having rules on the road.


Every video I see of another country, everyone seems to mindlessly drive into things
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Bandit 600 - deaded

[hellkat]