Moving to London? Our ultimate guide to becoming a Brit

Moving to London? Our Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Brit

We love to stand in line, complain about the weather and shout 'wahey' when someone spills a drink in the pub. Here are some of the many quirks that make British people so uniquely charming to the rest of the world. If you’re going to uni in London, this handy guide will help you fit right in with the British locals. Most international students find #4 really amusing, and we enjoy poking fun at ourselves too!

#1 Wait, are you joking?

Brits are known for our dry, almost undetectable sense of humour. We love witty one-liners and self-deprecating jokes. We’re famously polite so if we’re poking fun at you, it’s usually a sign of affection. Don’t take yourself too seriously because that’ll only spur us on. We’ll make jokes like, “I don’t care what everyone else says, I think you’re really nice” and deliver it with a totally deadpan expression so half the time you’re not even sure we’re kidding (wait, people think I’m not nice??). It can take some getting used to at first, but once you’re in on the joke, you’ll find that Brits are some of the funniest people on the planet. Just look at British comedians like Ricky Gervais and Michael McIntyre.

#2 Standing in line

Standing in line is an extreme sport. Whether we’re queuing for a bus or a drink at the bar, Brits are wholly committed to waiting our turn. Don’t even think about pushing ahead or you’ll get some serious side-eye from the locals. Sometimes, we’re not even sure what we’re queuing for. London has many pop-up shops, and we’ll often just follow the line to see what all the fuss is about. Fingers crossed that what’s ahead is worth it. Other times, when spirits are high after a sports match or concert, we’ll burst into song and everyone in line will sing along. Brits make the best of every situation, and there’s never a bad time to belt out Sweet Caroline with a bunch of strangers.

#3 A nice cuppa tea

Tea is not just a hot beverage, it’s a British way of life. Need to wake up? Have a cup of tea. Heartbroken? Put the kettle on. Had a scare? Add two sugars. There’s simply no problem that a nice cuppa tea can’t solve. Especially when paired with a biscuit to dunk. The only question that divides us, is whether the tea or milk should be poured first and the verdict’s still out.

#4 Obsession with the weather

British people love to talk about the weather. We complain about the cold, but we can’t handle the heat, and we blow up social media at the slightest snowfall #snowday.  You don’t know true happiness until you’ve seen a Brit basking in the sun. When the temperature reaches double digits, we’re deliriously happy. You’ll see us stripped down to our shorts and flip flops, spilling into the streets with a drink in hand to toast the sun. You’ll probably find this a little crazy if you’re from a warmer country, because a spot of sunshine doesn’t mean it’s not still chilly. Doesn’t matter, when the sun’s out the whole mood in the city is lifted. We’ll be at the beach wrapped in a blanket and scarf but still be grateful to soak up some rays. On the contrary, we don’t let wet weather dampen our spirits. Brits trudge on in a downpour like it’s an ordinary day. No need to cancel plans or hail a cab, we just zip up our raincoats and get on with it. After all, rain is just liquid sunshine, right?

#5 Great British pubs

Ah, the pub. The cornerstone of British culture. We love to frequent the pub after work, on weekends, match days, and whenever else we can find an excuse. It’s more than just a place to grab a pint, it’s where we catch up with friends and enjoy classic British dishes like Fish ‘n Chips or Bangers and Mash. You can find a pub on virtually every street corner, usually with low ceilings, log fireplaces and your usually jolly locals. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, a lot like hanging out in your mates living room. Sometimes there’s even books and board games or live music. And if the weather’s good, Brits don’t mind standing around on the pavement outside – so long as we’re close enough to order another round. Be sure to carry your ID. The legal drinking age is 18 but if you look under 25, many establishments won’t serve you. It’s best to order your drinks at the bar and if you spill, be ready for a big round of applause and happy “wahey” from everyone around you. It’s just the British way.

#6 Sports fanatics

Whether it’s football, rugby, cricket or tennis, our love for sports runs deep. Brits are fiercely protective of our teams and will travel far and wide to support our side on match days, whether in the stadium or at the pub. We’re unrelentingly loyal. We wear our team colours with pride and hang sports memorabilia in our homes. Win or lose, once we support a team – we stick with them for life. Our national sport in the UK is cricket, but football (not soccer!) is undoubtedly the most popular. We’re extremely lucky to host to some of the biggest sporting events in the world including the FA Cup, Wimbledon, Six Nations and the Ashes. If you can, do go watch a game. It’s great fun, with lots of singing, chanting and a sense of camaraderie you can’t find anywhere else in the world.

#7 Fave foods

Unlike the French and Italian, we’re not well-known for our culinary excellence. But there’s still some classic British dishes you have to try, like a Sunday Roast. Served with roast meat and potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and a generous dollop of stuffing and gravy - there’s nothing more quintessentially British (or delicious) than a hearty Sunday Roast at the pub. Fish and Chips are also a favourite, along with a full English Breakfast, Bangers and Mash and Shepherd’s Pie. Don’t forget to finish strong with a Cream Tea. That’s tea and scones with clotted cream and jam, mmm!  Or if you’re feeling brave, some more questionable food combos include crisps, fish fingers and chip sandwiches. It sounds curious, but don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.

#8 Avoiding eye contact

We avoid eye contact at all costs, and we won’t sit next to a stranger if we can avoid it. If you’re sitting on the bus wondering why we’ve chosen to stand rather than sit next to you, it’s nothing personal we promise! Brits are just a bit more reserved. While commuting, we’re not very chatty. It’s our way of respecting your personal space and we’ll politely ignore you and bury our nose in a book, listen to music, play mobile games or stare quietly out the window instead. We’re surrounded by people all day long and sometimes the solitude is nice. We expect you to extend the same level of courtesy by lowering your voice and keeping to yourself.

#9 Commuting

If you’re from a country where public transport isn’t widely used, you’ll love how easy it is to get around. No more traffic jams, just hop on a train, bus or tram and wait until you arrive at your stop. To help you on your way, there’s a couple of unspoken rules you need to know. Make sure you stand on the right of the escalator so those in a hurry can pass by. Have your Oyster Card ready before you get to the barrier so you can tap and go without holding anyone up. Always let others off the train before attempting to get on, and lastly please mind the gap between train and station.

#10 Embrace the culture

Finally, the best way to fit in is by embracing the local culture. Take a walk, visit a museum, try new foods, ask lots of questions… London is an incredible, extremely diverse city with so much to see and do and we can’t wait for you to experience it yourself. Moving to a new city is both exciting and a bit daunting, but now you know just what to expect. In London, everyone is different, and that means anyone can fit in. Granted we’re a bit quirky, but you can be sure of a warm welcome. Good luck and have a jolly good time.