British Etiqutte

 Meeting people:

• First form of greeting should be a handshake, however the British can be stiff and uneasy at first so it is best to not be so forceful.
• Eye contact is not the best way to make people feel comfortable so one should avoid long eye contact.
• Always introduce younger people to older people and the same with social classes.  

Gift Etiquette:

• For birthdays and holidays such as Christmas, it is common for the British to exchange gifts with friends and family.
• These gifts do not have to be too expensive but they should resemble some form of effort to find something that the recipient would love.  
• If one is invited into the home of another, it is good etiquette to bring a small gesture like flowers or wine. 
• The gifts are mostly opened when they are giving to the recipient. 

Dinning: 

• British people enjoy having parties and dinner parties within their own homes. This is quite uncommon throughout Europe. 
• Punctuality is highly valued however arriving 10-15 minutes late is okay.  Reservations at restaurants or pubs most be prompt.  
• Manners at the table are pretty basic.  The Brits eat with a fork in their left hand and a knife in the right while they are eating. 
• It is crucial that everyone stands until they are told to sit. 
• No elbows on the table
• Once done eating it is standard to place fork and knife parallel to one another. 
• At a formal dinner it is customary to have multiple toast.
• If at a pub it is good manners to by everyone a round of drinks within your party. 
• If you are invited to a restaurant it is customary for the invitee to pay for the meal with no argument.