Revealed: The etiquette rules Brits need to follow on holidays in the USA – from the popular drink they should NEVER order to the dangers of swearing

The United States may be a popular holiday destination for them, and Hollywood films are shown in their homes, but that doesn’t mean Brits always play by the rules when travelling across the Atlantic.

But they don’t need to panic.

To make sure there are no missteps, MailOnline spoke to travel experts to find out what unwritten rules Brits should know before arriving in the US, from the one drink they should never order to the dangers of swearing and tipping just five percent.

Doing…

Don’t forget to tip

Elaine Warren, travel blogger and founder of The Family Cruise Companionsays: ‘In the U.S., tipping is not only appreciated, it’s expected. Service providers like waiters, taxi drivers, and hotel staff often rely on tips as a significant portion of their income.’

She recalls a British friend leaving an American waiter unhappy because they only left a five percent tip, which she thought was “generous.” In the U.S., tips are expected to be around 15 to 20 percent of the price.

Esteban Touma, a teacher at Babbel Live and stand-up comedian, adds: ‘Over the years, Brits have developed a bad reputation within the American hospitality community for not tipping enough, if at all. This can often lead to awkward, even hostile, encounters across the pond. Brits should be aware that most waiters earn their wages through tips.’

Try using American English

Brits – that’s a ‘sidewalk’ up here, not a pavement. And those vehicles have ‘boots’, not ‘boots’

Esteban explains: ‘For Brits visiting the US, it’s a luxury not to have to worry too much about a language barrier for your trip. But don’t be complacent and remember that there are actually big differences. So remember commonly confused words – trousers is “pants”, the pavement is the “sidewalk”, the car boot is the “trunk”.

This is especially true for some common kitchen words that you might encounter when eating in a restaurant, café or diner. For example, we say ‘appetizer’ instead of ‘starter’ and ‘check’ instead of ‘bill’.

“And when you read the menu, remember that ‘jelly’ means jam, ‘arugula’ is arugula, ‘cilantro’ is cilantro, ‘zucchini’ is zucchini, ‘eggplant’ is eggplant, and we say ‘cookie’ instead of biscuit.”

Respect cultural differences

Elaine says, “The US is a melting pot of cultures, and what is normal in one area may be considered offensive in another. I once had a nice conversation with a Texan who was taken aback by a British tourist’s comment that cowboy hats were ‘old-fashioned.’ Remember that what seems quirky to you may be an integral part of someone’s identity.”

Esteban adds: ‘Tourists should not make the mistake of thinking that all Americans are the same. Think about how dramatically accents can change within just a two-hour drive in the UK. Now consider that the entire UK is smaller than several states in the US, and about 40 times smaller than the US.’

Have a chat

Elaine says: ‘I’ve seen many Brits get caught off guard by the American enthusiasm for small talk. Don’t be surprised if a stranger in a lift asks how your day is. It’s not an interrogation, it’s just friendliness. Embrace it and you’ll find yourself having some great conversations with locals.’

And don’t do that…

Do not use foul language in public

Esteban warns: ‘In the US, swearing in public is frowned upon, much more so than in the UK. It would be rare to be reprimanded by a stranger for using a “dirty word” in public on the street in London or Manchester, but say a swear word too loudly in some parts of the US and they’ll let you know what they think.’

Don’t order a cup of tea

The ‘age-old British tradition’ of a cup of tea is unlikely to continue in the United States, where tea is served ice cold, if at all

Esteban jokes, “Unless you’re into your iced, sweetened tea, like you are in the South, don’t expect this age-old British tradition to be upheld in the U.S. After all, we dumped crates of the stuff into Boston Harbor!”

Don’t overdo it with sarcasm

“While the British are known for their humor and self-deprecation, it’s something that Americans don’t always understand. They can take some of those mannerisms personally or even seriously,” Esteban said.

He added: ‘Britons and Americans may share a language, but that doesn’t mean humour always translates well across cultures. As a comedian, I understand better than most the pain of a joke that doesn’t land, so I would caution Britons to be mindful of their audience.’

Don’t forget the sales tax

Esteban says, “You may be shopping with wide eyes because of all the great deals you seem to be getting, until you get to the checkout and the total is much higher than you expected. In stores, the price on the label is not the final price because there is no sales tax added. It varies by state, but can be around 10 percent in some cities.”