Understanding British Culture and Society: A Guide for Employees Moving to the UK

December 28, 2023

Moving to a new country is a big career step as much as it is a life-enriching activity. Learning about a new culture and navigating cultural differences can be as challenging as getting to grips with a new role in a company.

If you’re moving to the United Kingdom, you may be wondering about British culture and the types of norms and customs that make up British life. Even if you are moving from an English-speaking country and don’t have a language difference to navigate, you may find the cultural differences and norms surprising, from British food to British humor.

Though it’s most commonly just referred to as the UK, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland actually comprises not one but four nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Let’s take a look at some of the finer points of UK culture and British society to help you better understand the country where you’re moving.

Business culture and workplace etiquette in the UK

There are some key differences in culture and workplace etiquette in the UK. Communication styles between Brits and Americans tend to differ slightly. Whereas Americans are very direct, British people tend to spend a lot of effort making their opinions and views sound polite and well-measured. If you find it difficult to parse what your British colleague thinks—or perhaps find them distant or not very warm—that’s possibly a cultural difference at play and not something to take personally.

British people also tend to have more respect for holidays and annual leave, as it is afforded to every working person regardless of their job. While taking time off from work in the US can be seen as a luxury, in the UK it’s seen as more of a right for all working people.

You may also notice that British people apologize extensively, even when it seems that there’s not much to apologize for. This emphasis on politeness is a very British trait that you may find yourself picking up after some time spent in the UK.
British culture and society

You may notice an emphasis on the class system in British culture. If you’re coming from the US, for example, you may be used to terms such as “white-collar workers” to describe certain sectors of the economy. But in the UK, people tend to heavily identify with the class they are from, whether it’s working class, middle class, or upper class—the latter commonly referred to derisively as “posh.”

The class system is a holdover from Britain’s past, when the gentry were granted land by the monarch (more on that below). You may find it surprising to hear people openly describe themselves or others by their class, but it remains a common reference within British society.

Whether it’s the Beatles, the BBC, or Charles Dickens, people in the UK tend to be proud of British literature, British art, and British culture. Generally speaking, the government values it as well, providing more funding to the arts and culture than the US does.

British history is very obvious in everyday life in the UK, whether it’s just walking by London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral (which was built in the 17th century) or the blue plaques commonly seen on buildings indicating which historical figure used to live or work there. If you pay attention to architecture or even the small details of everyday life, you can learn a lot about the past.

Another thing Brits are renowned for is their sense of humor. It does tend to be a lot drier and more deadpan than American humor, though, so you might be surprised at the things people find funny here. It’s good to know that “banter”—the practice of sending good-natured insults or jabs back and forth—is generally seen as a sign of affection, so try not to take offense.

Differences between British and American English

You’d be forgiven for thinking that, since English is the official language of both the US and the UK, you won’t have any problem navigating language differences in Britain. But British English and American English have some surprising differences.
Pay attention to American spelling differences, as British people are known to take some pride over their way of spelling things—”color” becomes “colour,” “empathize” becomes “empathise,” “center” becomes “centre,” etc.

Some common word differences: pants are known as trousers in the UK (and underwear as pants), and a cell phone is a mobile phone (or just a mobile). Trash becomes bin, vacation becomes holiday, apartment becomes flat, first floor becomes ground floor, and elevator becomes lift. Slang, of course, is also very different here and can often sound quite rude to the uninitiated. Before taking offense, make sure you’re not misunderstanding what the person is saying.

British monarchy and government

The British government is a constitutional monarchy. Though the reigning monarch (currently King Charles III) is the head of state, he does not make any governing decisions or make laws. For that, the UK relies on its parliamentary system, which has three major political parties: Labour, the Conservative Party, and the Liberal Democrats. In an election, British citizens vote for members of parliament (MP) to represent them in the House of Commons. Whichever party wins the most seats takes the majority and is entitled to elect their party leader, who then serves as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Since the postwar period, Britain has had a social welfare state that includes entitlement to medical care under the National Health Service, as well as a fairly robust benefit system. If you are working on a visa in the United Kingdom, you will generally have access to some of these services as a legal resident.

Though the British royal family sparks great interest worldwide, it can be something of a divisive issue in the UK. Some British people can be described as monarchists, meaning they believe the institution and traditions of the royal family provide a benefit and are still relevant to modern-day life. Others take a more “republican” view and believe the royal family should no longer be funded in part by taxpayers and instead be consigned to British history.

Stay in the loop with Newland Chase

As you prepare to embark on your journey to the United Kingdom, understanding the intricacies of British culture and society becomes paramount. Navigating these cultural nuances, from workplace etiquette to the renowned British humor and the subtle yet significant differences in language, is key to a seamless transition.

An experienced immigration specialist can help you navigate the complexities of settling in and adjusting to a new culture. Contact Newland Chase for a quote today.