Guide to english culture

Smoking –
In England smoking is banned in all public enclosed areas (e.g. 
pubs, schools, restaurants etc.) You can smoke outdoors. 
Drugs –
Buying and selling illicit drugs is illegal in the UK. The police are 
very strict about enforcing these laws and if you are found carrying 
drugs either in school or in public, you may face a custodial 
sentence or large fine. Cannabis is illegal in England. 
Women –
In the UK, women are seen as equal to men, 
and should therefore be treated fairly. It is 
thought that both women and men should 
do an equal share of the housework and 
childcare, although this is not the case is 
many families and each couple has their 
own arrangement. 
Safety for women: It is never a good idea 
for women to walk around on their own at 
night. Make sure that you use registered 
taxis and try to stay with a group as much 
as possible. 

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Personal Hygiene:
Toilets - 
It is customary to flush the toilet after use and to dispose of toilet 
paper in the toilet. Ladies’ sanitary towels should however, be 
placed in the bin. After going to the toilet, you should wash your 
hands. 
Tissues - 
It is British custom to blow your 
nose with a tissue. Some people 
keep a tissue or a handkerchief up 
their sleeve or in their pocket. It is 
not polite to sniff. 
Spitting - 
In England, it is extremely rude to 
spit in public. 
 
Water –
The water in the taps is clean enough to drink and brush your teeth 
with. However, some English people drink bottled water and some 
people filter their water in a jug before they drink it. 
Meal times –
Most English people eat three times a day. During the week, 
breakfast is usually a small meal (cereal, toast or some fruit) but 
the traditional English cooked breakfast of eggs, bacon and tomato 
is sometimes eaten at the weekends. 
People in England usually eat a light lunch – soup, sandwiches or a 
salad are the most common foods chosen for a weekday lunch.
This is normally eaten between 12 and 2pm. At the weekend, this 
becomes the main meal of the day for many people and families 
often have a large cooked meal, typically consisting of fish or meat 
with vegetables and rice or potatoes. 
In England, the evening meal is usually eaten between 5:30pm and 
7:30pm. This might be called ‘tea,’ ‘supper’ or ‘dinner.’ It is 
normally a large meal, consisting of meat or fish and vegetables, 
and a dish made with eggs, pasta or pizza.