In England we have a popular term; "Do's and Dont's". This basically means a list of things one should or should not do in a given situation. Here is a fun list of things to consider when in England or dealing with English people!
 
When in England:

- Do pay as you consume - Pay for drinks as you order them at bars and pubs! This is not necessary in restaurants, but is vital in anywhere more informal such as a pub or club bar.

- Do say 'Excuse me' - If someone gets in your way or you accidentally bump into someone this little phrase will instantly diffuse any worry and will usually get you a smile! It's also a good way to make someone get out of your way.

- Do wait in line - A very particular thing in England is forming queues (a line of people waiting for something). For example, you want to buy something in a shop, but there are four other people who want to buy something too. The first person there stands next in line for the till to pay, and everyone else waits patiently behind them. When it is your turn, you get to pay, but after the other people who were there before you. If you go before someone who was waiting for longer than you, then you risk annoying some English people!

- Do say 'Please' and 'Thank you' - It is considered good manners (polite) to say these words frequently. We say 'thank you' alot in England, whenever someone does something for you, even something very small. It is hard to say it too much, but if you say it too little people will notice and might get offended!

- Do put your hand over your mouth - If you yawn or cough, always put your hand over your mouth so that nobody can see your tongue and teeth. English people consider people who yawn without covering their mouth to be very rude!

- Do say 'Sorry!' - This is perhaps the most important word in the English language! If you do something that might offend or inconvenience another, say 'sorry'. English people say sorry even when they haven't done anything wrong - for example if you bump into someone, you should say 'sorry!' to apologise, but they will often say 'sorry!' to you too, even though it was your fault. This is a very English custom.

- Do smile! - If you smile, people will smile at you too.

- Do shake hands - when you meet someone for the first time, shake their right hand with your right hand. Not your left! Some people believe that if you shake with your left hand, you are saying 'Hello, I am homosexual!' and for many people it is just odd. Right hand only even if you are gay!

- Do drive on the left hand side of the road!

Are you getting worried about making mistakes yet? Don't worry! With practice all these things become normal.

However..

- Do not stare at people! - It is considered impolite to look at someone too long when you do not know them very well.

- Do not spit! - Spitting in the street is considered to be very impolite indeed. You should only spit when no one can see you!

- Do not touch people too much - unless you know them very well, gestures like hugging and kissing and so on are only shared between close friends. In general, English people are very modest when it comes to public affection between strangers.

- Do not pick your nose in public - English people find this disgusting! If you have to do it, use a handkerchief or tissue to blow your nose into it. Blowing your nose in public is considered more polite, unlike many other countries.

- Do not burp in public - After eating or drinking, you may enjoy a good burp! If you do it in public you can be sure that people will be very offended.

- Do not pass wind in public! This one is obvious to English people. Any loud sounds your body can make are usually considered very rude!

- Do not speak when you have food in your mouth - English people consider it rude to speak with your mouth full. If you want to reply to someone, they will appreciate you finishing what you are eating before talking back to them, so don't worry about the pause.

- Do not ask personal or intimate questions - English people are very keen on their privacy. This might seem strange considering how we treat our celebrities. Nevertheless, you should not ask questions like 'Why aren't you married?' or 'How much money do you earn?' and if talking to a lady, definitely never ask 'How much do you weigh?'.

- Do not eat from your knife - only put food in your mouth from the fork or spoon - the knife is just for cutting the food!

Here is just a small selection of Do's and Don'ts for life in England. I hope you are not completely put off ever visiting if you haven't already! English people are very friendly usually and are used to meeting foreign people. If you make a mistake, it will probably be forgiven very quickly with a round of smiling and maybe some gentle teasing.