English customs and traditions

It's getting easier travel to the UK, especially to London, with the flight rates coming out on the market. If you are thinking of spending a few days in the English capital or in any of its cities, I will detail some customs and traditions that it is good that you know so that you do not attract too much attention.

To start a recommendation: remember to look to the left when you go to cross the street, and it is that they drive on the left. This custom is actually quite logical, if you take into account that when riding a horse, most people are right-handed with what they wield the sword with the right, so to draw and defend yourself it was better to go to the left. This was the case until Napoleon, who was left-handed, decided to make it more advantageous for him to return. The countries close to or conquered by the French changed and began to circulate on the right, while those who recognized themselves as their natural enemies, that is, the English, kept the left.  

Tea time

And now that you know the reason for this curious tradition, let's go with another one, such as, do you really have tea at 5 o'clock? Yes, but having tea is much more than drinking a cup of that drink. The origin of this tradition begins in the XNUMXth century, when people were making dinner later and later and began to have a lighter lunch between breakfast and dinner.

Although we are used to thinking that the time to take it is at 5 in the afternoon, which was also the time of rest for the workers of the Industrial Revolution, nowadays it is much more lax, being able to take place from 3 to 6 pm. In fact, some data indicate that at the beginning the ritual was done at four in the afternoon, but with the heat of the summer, it was decided to delay it for sixty minutes.

Drink the tea, It includes drinking tea (plain or with milk) with cookies, pastries, scones, and anything sweet or savory, including pickle sandwiches. 

And remember that accepting a cup of this drink is to earn a lot of points with the person who invites you.

The night of the fireworks

On November 5 the Bonfire Night also known as Guy Fawkes Day or Fireworks Night. This night serves to commemorate the failure of the attack on November 5, 1605, which was called the Gunpowder Conspiracy, in which a group of Catholics tried to destroy the British Parliament. On this night, in addition to the fireworks that do not stop, it is a custom to eat the black peas with vinegar, the potatoes roasted in the bonfires and the caramel apples.

Miscellany of custom

Important. When they introduce you to someone in England the custom is to shake hands exclusively. Kisses are not storied at all, not one, not two or anything. They just shake hands. And of course be punctual, or you will have earned the reputation of rude or rude. And speaking of rudeness, don't ever sneak into a queue for the world. If you try it, the most normal thing is that the rest of the individuals send you at the end. And the queues are perfectly done, people do not crowd at the door of the bus.

Another important detail is the tips, 10% of what is consumed must be leftAnd if you don't, they'll think something was wrong with the service, or that you didn't like the food, and they'll start asking you a lot of questions.

Until 2005 it was customary to notify the patrons of a pub that the last round of beers was beginning by ringing a bell. This year the pub hours were liberalized, however you can still hear the bells to announce that the happy tour is over, or happy hour. By the way, the word pub derives from public house, did you know?

Well and now I say goodbye the British way when it comes to a text message or whatsapp, "x", which is kiss.