The USA might be a top destination for them and Hollywood movies are beamed into their homes – but that doesn’t mean Brits always get the etiquette right on a trip across the pond.
But they needn’t panic.
To help ensure faux-pas-free-forays, MailOnline caught up with travel experts to discover all the unspoken rules Brits need to know before touching down in the USA, from the one drink they should never order to the perils of swearing and only tipping five per cent.
Do…
Do remember to tip
Travel experts told MailOnline the rules British tourists need to follow in the USA, including how much they should tip
Elaine Warren, travel blogger and founder of The Family Cruise Companion, says: ‘In the US, tipping is not just appreciated, it’s expected. Service workers like waiters, taxi drivers and hotel staff often rely on tips as a significant part of their income.’
She recalls when a British friend left an American waiter unhappy as they only tipped five per cent, believing it was ‘generous’. In the USA, tips are expected to be around 15 to 20 per cent of the price.
Esteban Touma, a teacher at Babbel Live and stand-up comedian, adds: ‘Over the years Brits have made a bad name for themselves within the US hospitality community for not tipping enough, if at all. This can often lead to awkward, even hostile, encounters across the pond. Brits must be aware that most servers make their wage through tips.’
Do try to use American English
Britons – that’s a ‘sidewalk’ above, not a pavement. And those vehicles have ‘trunks’, not ‘boots’
Esteban explains: ‘For Brits visiting the US, you have the luxury of not worrying too much about a language barrier for your trip. However, don’t get complacent and forget that actually there are significant differences. So do remember commonly mixed-up words – trousers are “pants”, the pavement is the “sidewalk”, the car boot is the “trunk”.
‘This particularly applies to some common food words you might encounter when eating at a restaurant, café or diner, like how we say “appetizer” rather than starter and “check” rather than bill.
‘Also, when you’re reading the menu, remember that “jelly” means jam, “arugula” is rocket, “cilantro” is coriander, “zucchini” is courgette, “eggplant” is aubergine and we say “cookie” rather than biscuit.’
Do respect cultural differences
Elaine says: ‘The US is a melting pot of cultures, and what might be a norm in one area could be considered offensive in another. I once had a lovely chat with a Texan who was baffled by a British tourist’s comment about cowboy hats being “quaint”. Remember, what seems quirky to you might be an integral part of someone’s identity.’
Esteban adds: ‘Tourists should not make the mistake that all Americans are alike. Consider how accents can vary dramatically within just a two-hour drive in the UK. Now, think about the fact that the whole of the UK is smaller than a number of the US’s states, and is roughly 40 times smaller than the US.’
Do engage in small talk
Elaine says: ‘I’ve seen many Brits caught off guard by the American enthusiasm for small talk. Don’t be surprised if a stranger in an elevator asks how your day is going. It’s not an interrogation, it’s just friendliness. Embrace it, and you might find yourself having some delightful conversations with locals.’
And don’t…
Don’t use bad language in public
Esteban warns: ‘Swearing in public is frowned upon in the States, much more so than in the UK. It would be rare to be reprimanded by a stranger for using a “bad word” in public on the streets of London or Manchester, but say an expletive too loudly in some parts of the States and they’ll let you know what they think about it.’
Don’t order a cup of tea
The ‘age-old British tradition’ of a cup of tea is unlikely to be upheld in the States, where tea is served iced, if at all
Esteban jokes: ‘Unless you like your tea iced and sweetened, as it is found in the South, don’t assume that this age-old British tradition is upheld in the States. After all, we famously threw chests of the stuff into the Boston Harbour!’
Don’t overdo the sarcasm
‘While the British are known for their wit and self-deprecating style of humour, it is something that can be lost in translation with Americans, who can take some of those mannerisms personally or even take them seriously at face-value,’ says Esteban.
He adds: ‘Brits and Americans may share a language, but it does not mean that humour always translates well across cultures. As a comedian, I understand more than most the pain of a joke not landing, so I would warn Brits to consider their audience.’
Don’t forget about sales tax
Esteban says: ‘You might go shopping wide-eyed at all the amazing deals you seem to be getting, until you reach the till and the total amounts to a lot more than you were anticipating. In stores, the price on the label is not the final price because sales tax has not been added. It varies state by state but can be around 10 per cent in some cities.’
