# Traveling to England for the first time: advice?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [January 9, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959 "2012-01-09T19:45:42Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/1 "2012-01-09T19:45:42Z")
I’m going to visit a friend in the UK for a couple of weeks this spring. He’s putting me up, so I don’t need to worry about accommodations and whatnot. But in general, is there anything I should know to avoid being an annoying and/or clueless American while I’m there? I am told that the last letter of the UK alphabet is pronounced “zed,” so I’ve at least made a start.
Thanks in advance. Er, I mean “cheers.”
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### Author:  [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/2 "2012-01-09T19:49:50Z")
Hope you have a good time. Never been, but I hear it’s very nice.
Also, I’m going to slide this over to IMHO since it’s asking for advice. Hope you get some. 🙂
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### Author:  [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/3 "2012-01-09T19:52:34Z")
Man, if I can’t even figure out what forum to put my thread in, how am I going to figure out which side of the road to drive on?
I’m doomed.
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### Author:  [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/4 "2012-01-09T19:55:11Z")
Before stepping out onto the road, look to your right. Of course you’ll be reminded of that immediately at Heathrow (if that’s where you’re landing).
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### Author:  [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/5 "2012-01-09T20:00:39Z")
Where are you going to be based? What kind of things are you looking to do when you are here?
General advice though:
1. Accept that things are done differently here (not massively, but you’ll notice loads of little things). Best not to compare things unfavourably with home, and to just go with the flow.
2. Take care crossing the street. Look right!
3. Don’t call things “quaint” 😉
4. You’ll be pegged as an American pretty much straight away, so don’t try and pretend otherwise. Just be yourself.
5. As a corollary to 4) _some_ Americans seem to talk a fair bit more loudly than is common in Britain. This can be perceived by some as being a bit rude. Probably doesn’t apply to you, as I’m sure there’s a lot of confirmation bias in my observation.
Have a great trip!
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### Author:  [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/6 "2012-01-09T20:03:41Z")
I grew up in England, and have been back a few times. The last time I visited (2005) I was struck with how globalization has really made the countries (culturally at least)… similar. There’s Starbucks, McDonalds, and KFCs pretty much everywhere. We get the same TV and lots of the same music.
I guess I’d say be careful taking over electronics, they use 240v compared to our 110. You can’t plug anything into the wall, and if you do find a shaver plug, it could well fry what you have. Be careful and make sure you get any 'leccy stuff you need checked out before you go over.
Make sure you get out to the countryside. On our day trips outside of London I felt like it was the England I grew up in. 🙂
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### Author:  [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/7 "2012-01-09T20:04:25Z")
I live in Columbus, Ohio. There is pretty much no way I am going to be comparing things unfavorably with home. 🙂 (Ohio is great and all, but still.)
Will be staying in Nottingham while I am there. I’m more or less leaving the sightseeing stuff up to my friend, who has lived there his entire life. Although if people have sort of general advice as to “things that must not be missed,” that’s OK of course.
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### Author:  [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/8 "2012-01-09T20:09:34Z")
I think Nottingham is about 2 hours from York. One of the most beautiful English cities, with plenty of Roman and medieval stuff to see!
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### Author:  [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/9 "2012-01-09T20:10:24Z")
> [@Hippy\_Hollow](#):
>
> I guess I’d say be careful taking over electronics, they use 240v compared to our 110. You can’t plug anything into the wall, and if you do find a shaver plug, it could well fry what you have. Be careful and make sure you get any 'leccy stuff you need checked out before you go over.
Things like laptops are usually OK with the different voltage, but things like hairdryers will probably fry. You’ll need a US to UK adapter plug for anything you do bring over, but these are dirt cheap online.
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### Author:  [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/10 "2012-01-09T20:39:47Z")
> [@Leaffan](#):
>
> Before stepping out onto the road, look to your right. Of course you’ll be reminded of that immediately at Heathrow (if that’s where you’re landing).
Best advice. It keeps you from being a dead American.
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### Author:  [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/11 "2012-01-09T20:42:08Z")
What are your culinary tastes? I ask because it’s not unheard of for American tourists to try to find foods they’re familiar with, only to find them inferior. If you’re prepared to trust your host on what’s good locally\*, this won’t be a problem.
\*Will almost certainly include curry.
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### Author:  [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/12 "2012-01-09T20:44:30Z")
I’ve never been, but I would probably stay away from saying things like, “We kicked your asses” or “we saved your asses.”
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### Author:  [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/13 "2012-01-09T21:23:01Z")
Remember in conversation that “football” is what Americans call “soccer”. The other one is really [handegg](http://www.nastyhobbit.org/details.php?image_id=1606). 😉
And I hope you like curry…
Have fun!
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### Author:  [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/14 "2012-01-09T21:28:36Z")
Steer clear of the sheriff.
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### Author:  [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/15 "2012-01-09T21:33:31Z")
First of all, look right (not left) before crossing was my first thought, but it’s been covered.
I don’t know what the exchange rate is now, but be prepared to spend a boat load of money on everyday things. When I was there I’m pretty sure the rate was over 2:1.
Look closely, those signs say “TO LET” as in “for rent,” not “TOILET.” Yeah.
And finally, hey! Columbus ain’t bad.
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### Author:  [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/16 "2012-01-09T21:39:27Z")
I disagree about the way to look when crossing the road - always look both ways. We have too many single-lane one-way streets and arsehole drivers for it to be safe only looking one way.
Tipping: tip taxi drivers, waiters, bar staff sometimes (“and one for yourself” - don’t leave money on the table; people won’t realise it was left as a tip, and will take it).
I agree with Baron Greenback about _some_ Americans (tourists, at least) talking a lot louder than we’re used to. Some visitors I’ve been out with seem to be trying to shout across the plains of the Old West. 😃 Easy enough to tell from people’s reactions if you need to dial it down.
Other than that, TBH, I don’t think there’s any advice you need, and you probably don’t even need that, since you’re staying with a friend. Shame you won’t be in London - we could do a Dopefest.
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### Author:  [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/17 "2012-01-09T21:45:50Z")
I would highly recommend reading [this book](http://www.amazon.co.uk/Watching-English-Hidden-Rules-Behaviour/dp/0340818867/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326145525&sr=8-1), for entertainment and educational value 🙂
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### Author:  [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/18 "2012-01-09T21:48:42Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#):
>
> I’ve never been, but I would probably stay away from saying things like, “We kicked your asses” or “we saved your asses.”
Oh, right, because it’s “arses.” _makes note_
Thanks for the advice so far. Look right (then left) when crossing, tip your waiter, don’t be obnoxiously loud…I think I can handle this so far.
This might be a stupid question, but can I use my credit card there?
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### Author:  [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/19 "2012-01-09T21:52:34Z")
Yes, but be sure to call the issuer and let them know that you’re in England so they won’t flag the account. (Assuming the card is one of the big 3, that is.)
You also might want to check to see if your cell phone will work over there as well (if that’s an issue).
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### Author:  [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-to-england-for-the-first-time-advice/608959/20 "2012-01-09T21:52:50Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#):
>
> Oh, right, because it’s “arses.” _makes note_
>
> Thanks for the advice so far. Look right (then left) when crossing, tip your waiter, don’t be obnoxiously loud…I think I can handle this so far.
>
> This might be a stupid question, but can I use my credit card there?
Visa and Mastercard are used pretty widely, although I wouldn’t rely on them in small shops, pubs etc. American Express is much less widespread. One thing to definitely do before you leave is to let your card issuers know that you will be using them in the UK, otherwise there’s the risk that they might put a stop on them for anti-fraud reasons.
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