Cultural Differences
England's contribution to both British and world culture is vast. Historically, England was a very homogeneous country and developed coherent traditions, but, especially as the British Empire expanded and the country absorbed peoples from throughout the globe, English culture has been accented with diverse contributions from Afro-Caribbeans, Asians, Muslims, and other immigrant groups.
The former insularity of English life has been replaced by a cosmopolitan familiarity with all things exotic: fish and chips have given way to Indian, Chinese and Italian cuisine, guitar-based rock blends with South Asian rap and Afro-Caribbean salsa, and the English language itself abounds in neologisms drawn from nearly every one of the world's tongues.
When preparing to study abroad in the UK, it is important to be aware of some cultural differences between the US and the UK.
Brits are Reserved
British people are generally less direct, less loud and less apt to wear their hearts on their sleeves than Americans. So, you may need more time to break the ice in the UK. This sense of reserve also reveals itself in a number of quintessentially British attitudes and polite phrases. Hugging is much less common than in the US, and you'll often hear people say 'Sorry!' even for the smallest peccadillo.
British Sense of Humour
The British sense of humour can be characterized as drier, more sarcastic and definitely more ironic that its American counterpart. While Americans tend to nurture a more optimistic outlook on life, British people tend towards self-deprecation. They typically won't hesitate to mock others and laugh at themselves in turn, highlighting the absurdities in our world along the way. It may sound rude if you're not used to it, but it's simply part of the daily banter.
Pub Culture
Much more than a place to toss back a drink or two, British pubs remain a staple of social life in the UK. Every area has at least one pub where locals can meet to watch a game, play pool, listen to a band or take part in a pub quiz. On Sunday, you can go for lunch to enjoy the famous Sunday roast. During the week, it is not unusual for work colleagues to go for a drink at the end of the working day.
Queuing
Brits are famous for their love of queuing (forming an orderly line) and they take it very seriously. In the UK there is really no excuse for jumping to the front of the queue. Even if you are in a hurry you should not cut in front of others, as this is seen as incredibly rude.
Talking About the Weather
Talking about the weather is practically the national sport in the UK. British weather can change in an instant and Brits like to say that one can experience four seasons in a day. Whether it's hot or cold, raining lightly or torrential hail, the weather is a source of endless entertainment and conversation. Talking about the weather also plays into 'small talk', which is exchanging a polite, not-so-meaningful conversation with someone.