british tourist stereotype

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• 14 British Stereotypes That We...

British Stereotypes That We Won't Even Try to Deny

It would be unreasonable to assume that every Australian drinks Fosters, all Americans love baseball, and that the Japanese only eat sushi . Yet when it comes to the British, people all over the world have preconceived ideas about us all loving Marmite and living in London . Let’s set the record straight, once and for all.

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We love tea…

The Aussies may have introduced the flat white to us, but it’s no use trying to talk a Brit out of a good ol’ cuppa. We love it. Not the herbal fancy stuff – we want builder’s brew, the colour of he-man . Moreover, nobody is critiqued on how many cups of tea they drink in this nation. One, three, nine; the only thing we will judge is which brand of tea you drink and the order in which you put the milk.

Drinking in a pub…

Not that different from relaxing with a cuppa, really. It’s familiar, and quite often just around the corner. Whether it’s inside among the dark wood panelling and soggy carpets, or outside in the beer garden on a summer’s day, the pub is like a communal living room in your neighbourhood. As such, there’s no appropriate time to assert your attendance at the pub: lunchtime for beer, 4pm for wine or a 9.30 night cap – you don’t need a reason. It all adds up, though…

We drink an awful lot…

…Of alcohol – that is. When we’re not drinking tea, we’re drinking alcohol. Beer, wine, cider, spirits, alcoholic ice lollies – it all goes down a treat. And of course, we don’t need an excuse: brunch is now bottomless, the weekend starts on Wednesday, and there are gin distillers popping up all over the country faster than mushrooms after rainfall. It’s part of our DNA, something we do especially well when travelling abroad. And no, we’re not planning on giving up any time soon.

Nothing to talk about besides the weather…

Well, come on, you’ve seen our weather: cloudy with a chance of grey, 70% chance of showers, top of 17 with some potential late sun. The weather changes its mind more often than Trump, so forgive us for wanting to have a moan about it because, quite frankly, it can get expensive buying a new umbrella every month.

Getting burnt to a crisp on holiday…

And because of the aforementioned lack of glorious sunshine, it’s no wonder so many Brits burn so easily. It’s glaringly obvious when someone’s been on holiday and neglected to believe that factor 50 was invented for a reason. We’ll say you’re glowing when, in fact, we mean ‘You’re as red as the tomato in my caprese’. #spotthebritabroad

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We LOVE to queue…

We do it very well. Take, for instance, the Wimbledon queue: people camp out for days on grass for tickets that essentially allow them to sit and watch more grass. One theory for the origin of this ‘civilized behaviour’ stems from the world wars and the rationing of everyday goods; queuing effectively meant everyone could get a share of the limited supplies. It thus formed notions of decency, and now we just queue for anything. The bank, the post office, the bar – heck, we’ll even join a long queue just in the hopes that there’s something good at the front.

We apologise profusely…

If you haven’t heard a Brit say the word ‘sorry’ at least five times in the past two hours, you’d better check your location settings. Some say it’s because we feel responsible for our terrible weather and food, so we feel the need to apologise for everything: being early, being late, sneezing, asking for the bill, making eye contact during sex, having sex, Nigel Farage.

We are too polite…

All this apologising is because we’re polite and don’t like to cause a scene or complain (except about the weather , but we apologise for that). We tend to swallow bad service at a restaurant, eat stale sandwiches, and even take the blame when it’s not our fault (Nigel Farage) . Give us two glasses of wine, however, and you’ll know exactly how we feel.

We secretly judge you behind your back…

Politeness is a culturally defined marvel, and thus what is considered good manners in one culture can actually sometimes come across as quite rude or rather odd in another . To cut a long story short, we’re passive aggressive: ‘I’d love for you to come around for dinner!’ ( I’d rather eat an uncooked pizza in my bathroom than have you over ); ‘I only have a few small comments’ ( Rewrite the entire thing, you idiot ).

We hate confrontation…

We’ve spent all this time being polite to you, apologising profusely, then secretly having a bitch about you behind your back – so please, please don’t confront us about it, okay? This is why we’ve mastered the art of small talk, to avoid awkward social situations. Now sod off and let us eat our curry chips in peace.

Our battered sausages and mushy peas…

We might be a ‘posh’ bunch, but our refined status falls short at the dishes most synonymous with Britain: marmite on toast, chips with curry sauce, Spam and stodgy rice puddings. Not precisely what one would call ‘culinary sophistication’ – however, the reality is, we actually do eat other foods (well, hangover days excluded) and London now has 66 Michelin-starred restaurants . And , wasn’t it us who invented afternoon tea and the sandwich ? Ah-hem.

We all have charming English accents, like the Queen…

This one we will deny. Have you watched Geordie Shore ?

And speaking of Queen Lizzy…

We love her. In an age of over-sharing, she maintains her haughty habit of under-sharing, and we still don’t know what she’s really thinking, 65 years on. She has a sound sense of style, still rides her horses despite her 91 years and, come on, what’s Christmas Day without a right royal broadcast?

We’re slightly confused about our citizenship and nationality

We might yield a strong affection for the monarch, but in Britain there are several types of citizenship and some nationals who are not citizens at all. Confused? So are we. But essentially there are six different types : British citizens, British subjects, British overseas citizens, British overseas territories citizens, British overseas nationals, or British protected persons. Hmmm. We think it’s time for a cup of tea. Did you know you can now travel with Culture Trip? Book now and join one of our premium small-group tours to discover the world like never before.

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11 British Stereotypes and the Honest Truth

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Ever wonder which British stereotypes are true and which aren’t?

What do people think of the Brits, and is it really accurate in real life?

When talking about these British stereotypes, let’s keep in mind that all stereotypes are generalizations.

Just because most British people drink tea (this is a true stereotype about the British!), doesn’t mean that every single person does – duh.

But as an American who has lived in the UK for over 10 years, I’ve come to realize which of these stereotypes about British people are true and which aren’t, and that’s what we’re diving into today because the world deserves to know that British food isn’t bad, and that British people really do love talking about the weather!

So whether you’ve moving to the UK or just coming for a visit, bookmark this page!

1. They Drink a Lot of Tea: true

One of the oldest and most common British people stereotypes is that they drink a lot of tea.

And this is so true.

The UK ranks third in the world when it comes to tea consumption, and tea here is enjoyed by all of the social classes.

While it began as an elixir for the upper class, it soon became more available to the middle class and finally trickled down to the working class who enjoyed it as a way to warm up and take a break from a hard day of labor.

Tea in the UK isn’t just something to drink. It’s a culture and a truly comforting aspect of the day for many people.

So, yes, it’s true that Brits love tea, and if you want to learn more about what I’ve learned about British people and tea, check out my video about the differences between American and UK tea!

2. British Food isn’t Good: false

British food has a reputation of not being good, and that turns a lot of people away from trying “British” cuisine, but actually this isn’t true.

Whether it’s a perfectly done sausage roll, a freshly battered fish and chips , a scotch egg or a full English breakfast, there are so many wonderful and filling foods in Britain to true.

So where does this British stereotype come from?

In my opinion, having lived here for 10 years, there are two reasons.

The first, and this is an unfair reason, is that many of the stereotypes about British food are sort of stuck in the post-war era, when the country was on hard times and people were on rations.

It seems that the stereotype hasn’t updated for many people since then.

However, the perhaps more fair reason for this negative stereotype is that I have found it common for Brits to not season their food or use as much flavor as they would in other cuisines.

Definitely there is a little bit of truth to vegetables cooked at home being often boiled, for instance, instead of other more flavorful methods of cooking, but this is down to the individual and doesn’t mean that the entire country lacks culinary skills.

3. British People are Polite: true and false

One of the positive stereotypes about British people are that they are polite.

In my experience, this is both true and untrue.

The truth is that yes, British people are very polite from an outsider’s perspective!

I would say they are far more polite than us Americans in general day to day life, and they are more unassuming and willing to cooperate in social settings.

That being said, there is nothing the British are better at than a really good passive-aggressive “tut” at someone when they do something wrong, like cutting them in line (the queue) or standing on the left-hand side of the tube (never do that).

So while they are seemingly polite and you wouldn’t expect a British person to bash through a crowd or have an insane amount of road rage, they’re definitely judging you inside (and we love them for it!)

4. Brits Have Bad Teeth: false

One of the negative stereotypes about British people is that they have bad teeth, particularly when compared to Americans.

I’m saying this stereotype is false, because what the case really is is not that British people have overwhelming unhealthy teeth, but rather that there is not an emphasis on cosmetic dentistry in the UK like there is in the US.

Americans are all about their smile – dentists make a ton of money each year “fixing” people’s smiles and whitening teeth, but in the UK, dentistry is more back to the basics of making sure that your teeth are healthy and not filled with cavities or gum disease or other ailments, but there isn’t much beyond that for many people.

So of course, when you compare a British person’s natural teeth with the teeth of someone in America who may have a dentist appointment every 6 months or regular whitening or Invasalign or all of the ways Americans

5. Everyone is Classy: false

There’s a stereotype of British people that everyone seems to wear a top hat and be the classiest person you’ve ever met, and while there are definitely some people like that, it’s untrue that the entire nation is somehow more sophisticated than the rest of the world!

British people are…people, too, and there are definitely some British people who make a bad name for themselves when traveling abroad (there is a whole stereotype about British people by Europeans that they can be the nationality you don’t want to come visit your resort because they’ll just be loud and obnoxious – see, it’s not just Americans who get stereotyped like this!).

I’m not saying British people aren’t classy to put anyone down, I’m just saying British people are human and they’re not all how people like David Beckham and Posh Spice portray themselves.

There’s a whole mixture of classes, social backgrounds, and level of “refinement” – just like any other country.

6. British People Speak like the Queen: false

While you may be most familiar with the accents of the Royals or of British actors or musicians, it’s a false stereotype that that is the main British accent.

It’s a specific British accent, known as Received Pronunciation , and it’s definitely an upper class accent.

It’s also relatively easy to understand.

But it’s often said that British accents change as you turn the corner, much less go to a new town or city and a London accent is very different from the Royal’s accent which is very different from a Liverpool accent or a Scottish accent or a Welsh accent – the list goes on.

So, no, they don’t all speak like the Queen – and that’s a good thing for the diversity of accents you’ll get to hear within the UK.

7. They Say Sorry a Lot: true

One stereotype about British people is that they say ‘sorry’ a lot, and this is definitely true.

It’s sort of just a filler word in social situations, mainly, to express that they apologize for any sort of inconvenience or for doing anything that could have gotten in your way.

So they’re not fully, heartily, apologizing, but rather being polite with a lot of “oh sorry, can I squeeze past you?” or saying sorry when someone else has actually bumped into them (figure that one out!).

8. British People Love the Royal Family: true and false

While Americans are obsessed with the royal family and all of their events, celebrations, weddings, births, and more, it’s actually not a true stereotype that British people love the royal family.

Yes, some people in the UK do love the royal family and follow them – they’re the ones you’ll see on the news talking about how they woke up at 3am to stand outside the hospital for the royal family birth or wedding, etc.

But many people are either indifferent about the royal family or at odds with the idea of having a monarchy.

Many younger Brits err towards the side of a monarchy being an outdated concept, and so it’s important to know that a large percentage of the British population do not have the same feelings about the monarchy as foreigners do.

It is a much more complicated and complex issue within the UK than many people understand on the surface.

9. They Like Talking about the Weather: true

One of the most true stereotypes about British people that I’ve ever heard is that they like to talk about the weather.

Well, maybe they don’t “like” it as much as they just do it – constantly!

The British weather changes so often – it is an island nation after all, and it’s a fantastic small talk topic of conversation, whether you’re trying to fill empty space in a conversation in the office, around extended family members, or with acquaintances

When I grew up in Florida, we almost never talked about the weather because it was so predictable. How many times can you say “it’s hot”?

But in the UK, when it could be hailing and cold in the morning and then full sunshine and hot in the afternoon, where one day it could feel like Spring and the immediate next day could feel like the depths of winter, where the rain comes and goes off-and-on at its own will and with no predictability, the weather is on everyone’s minds!

10. Brits are Reserved: true

As a whole, British people are stereotyped as being relatively quiet and reserved, and while this doesn’t hold true for certain cultures within the UK (the Scots tend to be much more talkative in my experience!), overall I would say this one is true when you compare it to Americans.

I’ve experienced that British people take longer to “open up” to others and like to keep themselves to themselves more.

They’re not necessarily the culture to knock on your door to welcome you to the neighborhood when you’ve first moved in – in fact, they would probably feel like they’re intruding.

I am not even that loud of a person, but I definitely get told that within the context of British culture, I come across as very loud at times, which goes to show just how reserved they can be as a society.

It’s that “stiff upper lip” that they’re so famous for.

11. British People Love to Queue: true

Again, maybe this one isn’t true in the sense that Brits don’t LOVE queuing, but man do they do it with great dedication.

Waiting your turn and forming an orderly queue/line is something the Brits are great at – heck, their tennis tournament, Wimbledon, is famous for the queue itself!

This isn’t a culture of pushing people out of the way to go Black Friday shopping.

There is definitely a culture in the UK of following the rules, which means lining up properly, whether that be for the bus, at Wimbledon, in the store, for an event, or anywhere else you might need to keep some order and prevent a rush!

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Top 10 British stereotypes (that are actually true!)

I absolutely love being British and I’m not ashamed to say that I’m pretty much guilty of every stereotype on this list! That’s not to say that every Brit is guilty of these stereotypes of course but it’s what we’re most known and loved for around the world. Here are the top 10 British stereotypes that are actually true!

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1) We love our tea

The British drink 100 million cups of tea EVERY day. That’s almost 36 billion cups per year, divided amongst British men, women and children (that’s right, we start them young over here!).

You’ll be hard pressed to find a Brit who doesn’t love a good ‘ol cuppa. Come rain or shine the kettle is on and the biscuits are out, ready for dunking. If you enter the home of a Brit you’ll be immediately asked upon arrival if you’d like a cup of tea.

Tea is a kind of love language amongst Brits too. Having a cup of tea always makes things better and is pretty much the answer to everything!

If you’ve had a bad day, a bad break up, a bad anything , the kettle goes on and our troubles fade away momentarily as we chat over a nice cup of tea.

2) We’re all sarcastic

Sarcasm is like a second language in Britain. It’s also one of those British stereotypes that I believe is true for most Brits!

Tourists may wonder at first whether we’re being serious or not. But it’s all in good fun I promise!

You’ll find it’s a big part of British humour and before you know it, you’ll be quipping right back at us 😉.

3) We are a nation of queuers

Of course people in other countries queue. But it doesn’t seem to be as big a deal in some countries if there is an absence of an orderly line. So why is it so ingrained in British culture?

Well, what largely shaped us as a nation of queuers came from World War II. During the war it was all about ‘doing your duty’ and ‘taking your turn’ and it’s stayed with us ever since!

For Brits it’s a crime to push in a queue and a social faux pas that you should never risk if you’re coming to visit!

4) We always talk about the weather

I’d say that 99% of Brits are guilty of talking about the weather as it’s a true maker or breaker of your day.

Weather in Britain is just glorious (see earlier point about sarcasm). You can wake up in the morning to summer time and be coming home in the evening to snow.

The weather is something we all have in common in Britain, so don’t be surprised if you’re waiting for a bus and someone turns to you and says: “gosh isn’t this rain terrible?”. There is a high chance that a 10 minute conversation will then ensue where both sides will have a good moan.

To be fair though, our weather is so unpredictable it’s always something worth commentating on!

5) We’re always polite

Britain has traditionally been quite a reserved place. We’re raised to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and that “manners matter”. But you’ll find that we’re so polite that we hold back on telling you what we’re really feeling.

A Brit in a restaurant is a great example. The waitress will come round to do her check and says: “How is everything?” and we’ll respond with: “Oh it’s lovely thank you”.

The food could be cold, tasteless and overpriced, but we’d rather secretly complain and never go back then actually say anything and come across as rude.

Similarly if someone bumps into us on the street or public transport. You’ll find a Brit apologising to you for bumping into them than the other way around!

6) We love our pubs (and booze!)

Pubs, bars, beer gardens – it’s all on the weekend menu in Britain! If we’re not drinking tea, we’re having a pint down the pub catching up with our mates. It’s ingrained in us from childhood!

Ever wondered why we have so many slang terms for ‘drunk’? Look no further than the famous British drinking culture. Also, it’s one of those British stereotypes that visitors from overseas seem to love joining in on too! 😂

7) We’re not great at other languages

Unless you’re lucky enough to have been brought up in a dual nationality household or speak another language as part of your heritage, typically Brits aren’t great at learning second languages.

As most of the world has come to know as we try to attempt to speak a little of their language when we are travelling abroad and epically fail!

It seems to be a cultural thing as German and French are only required to be taught in schools up until the age of 14. But then still, ask anyone who took GCSE French at school if they remember anything and chances are they will respond with “Non”.

I really admire other countries for the value they put in learning multiple languages. Belgium for example teaches French, German, English and Flemish at school. Belgian school kids are fluent in at least two languages by the time they leave school, which is amazing!

Why isn’t it a thing for us? *sighs*

8) We are complete sun worshippers

We may complain about the weather a lot but we still enjoy those two full days of sunshine we get a year. As a result of our national vitamin D deficiency, it’s turned us into a nation of absolute sun worshippers!

The second a bit of sun is out, the coats are off and the shorts are on – whether it’s just above freezing or 30°C and humid. We never know how long it’s going to last, so we savour every last minute of those heavenly rays!

And when we’re abroad? Forget it! We’re risking third degree burns to get as tanned as possible.

How else will people know we’ve been on holiday?

9) We struggle to express our emotions

Ever heard of the British ‘stiff upper lip’? Yeah, it’s a real thing. Similarly to queueing, the ‘stiff upper lip’ is a legacy from our war days where we were told to “keep calm and carry on”.

Although this motivational war phrase was intended to prevent panic and raise morale, it has led to generations of post-war adults struggling to express their emotions.

We’re much more mental health aware these days so the ‘stiff upper lip’ is definitely relaxing. You only have to watch the outpouring of grief that the nation expressed when we sadly lost the Queen.

The royal family seems to keep this British stereotype alive but the rest of the nation are slowly coming round.

We may not be the cuddliest or most upfront with our emotions but we will put the kettle on and slowly open up the more we get to know you.

10) We love our National dishes

Every national dish seems to be a heart attack in a meal – but we love our British junk food classics!

Fish and chips, full English breakfasts, pies and afternoon tea with multiple rounds of cake and cream-laden scones.

Is it any wonder that we find it near impossible to stick to a diet in Britain?

British junk food is another legacy from the war where ingredients and a lack of flavour-enhancing spices were available. Brits worked with what they had available to them or what they could grow themselves.

It’s often said that one of the biggest British stereotypes is that our food is bad. But I fundamentally disagree – and not just because I’m a proud Brit!

Our food isn’t bad, it’s just really unhealthy! But we love it because our classic British dishes are hearty, delicious and hold such fond memories.

You’ll always remember Mum making you sausage and mash after school, your family treating themselves to a chippy tea on a Friday night and taking your Gran for afternoon tea on Mother’s Day.

Tourists may be perplexed by what food we call ‘classics’ but they are an integral part of British culture and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Disclaimer on the gif: I think fish and chips is the only thing that Boris and the nation sees eye to eye on!

What British stereotypes have you heard on your travels? Or if you’re British, which stereotypes are you most guilty of? 😉

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International Edition

I'm an American living in the UK. Here are the biggest misconceptions people abroad have about people in the US.

• I'm a New Yorker who moved to the UK, and there are many stereotypes about Americans abroad.
• Some of them can be true — some Americans are loud, extremely patriotic, and very cheerful.
• These stereotypes don't apply to every American, though, and some aren't true at all. 

As a native New Yorker, I'm used to being stereotyped as being loud, impatient, and rather brash — somewhat unfairly, I'd like to think.

It wasn't until I moved to the United Kingdom , however, that I realized that views of Americans, in general, aren't all that positive.

Here are some of the biggest stereotypes I've encountered and how much truth I think is behind them:

We're all hardcore patriots

From the outside, I can understand where this stereotype comes from. It can seem as if most people in the United States are very nationalistic. There are over 327 million of us, and undoubtedly there are some Americans who could be considered nationalists and many others who self-identify as patriots. 

But there are just as many citizens who do not pledge allegiance to the stars and stripes every day and recognize that our country is far from perfect .

We're really loud

This is a well-known stereotype about American tourists . True, some Americans can be loud — but so can some British people, French people, German people, and lots of other tourists around the world.

Your tone of voice really has nothing to do with where you're from, though admittedly I have noticed other American tourists speaking at a volume that would allow them to easily be heard by others.

In my opinion, it's not necessarily that Americans are loud, but perhaps that British people are generally more reserved .

We're all obese

While America does certainly love its unhealthy food and sedentary lifestyles , there are many Americans who also value health, nutrition, and physical activity. 

Related stories

Plus, it's worth noting that the UK isn't far behind us when it comes to obesity ( 26% of the population was obese as of 2016 compared to 39.8% of Americans ).

We're all dumb

I'm not sure where this stereotype stems from, but it's one of the more annoying stereotypes on the list. Again, just like anywhere else, there are plenty of educated Americans with a passion for knowledge, academic or otherwise.

We're over-the-top cheerful

This is a really amusing stereotype to me, probably because while I consider myself kind and approachable, I certainly wouldn't describe myself as "cheerful."

Americans are as overworked , underpaid, and totally stressed out as everyone else, and, in my experience, it's a pretty mixed bag in terms of what mood someone is going to be in.

This stereotype may come from Brits' trips to America, where they might experience over-the-top customer service from retail employees and restaurant staff .

We're all obsessed with guns

Hard to debunk this one since there seem to be so many mass shootings regularly in the US . It seems unfathomable to many people in the UK why there haven't been changes to America's gun laws and many automatically assume that we're all obsessed with firearms.

This isn't true — numbers vary, but it's estimated around one-third of US citizens own a gun — but it's a stereotype that persists, likely given the news cycle.

We're all racists

There's no sense in sugarcoating it — America has always had a serious problem with racism. Today, systemic racism remains a rampant issue in the US . There are disparities in wealth and unemployment as well as inequality in our criminal justice and education systems , just to name a few massive issues our country faces.

While there are lots of Americans working hard to change the tide, there's certainly a long battle ahead. Still, to believe that all people in the US are vitriolic racists or intolerant of other cultures isn't fair. Not all American citizens were born in the US , for one thing, and many of us not only appreciate the melting pot that is our country, we consider it one of the best parts of being American.

We're arrogant and inconsiderate

According to several of my British friends, this stereotype exists in large part because there are some US tourists who expect others to follow our beliefs, customs, and even speak our language while we're in other countries. When this doesn't happen, they say these Americans can become outraged or insulting.

Again, many people in the United States are genuinely curious and appreciative of different countries, languages, and cultures. And not everyone in the US speaks English as a first language either. Don't let a few bad apples spoil the whole barrel.

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Tourists behaving badly: how culture shapes conduct when we’re on holiday

Assistant Professor, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

PhD researcher, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

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There appears to be increasing tension between tourists and residents around the world, with the former often blamed for behaving inappropriately and disturbing locals. Protests against tourist behaviour have erupted in Barcelona , Venice and Hong Kong .

In Hong Kong, tourists are blamed for being noisy, inconsiderate, urinating in public, buying up necessities such as baby milk powder, and generally not following local customs. Chinese tourists, in particular, face harsh criticism in Hong Kong as well as in Thailand .

In Spain, British tourists are often blamed for poor behaviour.

But tourists’ ethics are rarely studied, and many questions about their behaviour remain unanswered. These include whether tourists have different moral values than local residents; if visitors from different parts of the world have different moral values; and whether people are more likely to participate in morally dubious activities while on holidays than where they live.

What we did

In a recently published study , we suggest that, at least in Hong Kong, there may indeed be differences between ethical judgements of tourists from different regions and local residents.

We undertook a survey of mainland Chinese tourists, Western tourists and Hong Kong residents, and asked to identify how morally acceptable five different scenarios were.

Our scenarios were: purchasing counterfeit products, disorderly behaviour in public due to drunkenness, jumping queues, lying about a child’s age (to get discounts) and using the services of a prostitute.

We then applied a Multidimensional Ethics Scale to find out more precisely how acceptable these scenarios were to respondents. This widely-used scale uses several normative ethics theories to understand ethical judgements.

We then asked the respondents whether they were likely to engage in these activities at home and on holidays.

Fish out of water

The case of tourist behaviour is especially interesting for debates about ethical decision-making. At home, we may be bound to behave in a certain manner due to societal pressures. We may feel judged by relatives, friends or colleagues. And we may think that somebody who knows us will easily find out about our misbehaviour. Our actions may have long-lasting consequences.

But these pressures are removed when we travel overseas to places where no one knows us and where we don’t stay for long. Tourism, then, may be thought of as an egoistic and indulgent activity.

At least, that’s the theory.

Overall, engaging the services of a prostitute and jumping queues were the least acceptable to all respondents, while purchasing counterfeit products was the most acceptable.

We found it surprising that two such different activities as jumping queues and engaging the services of a prostitute were rated similarly. One possible explanation is that most people have faced queue jumpers and remember the immediate and definitive negative consequence for them (a few minutes’ extra wait).

People feel jumping queues isn’t fair, not morally right and breaches established social norms.

Immanuel Kant’s deontology provides a suitable explanation for the case of prostitution. Prostitution reduces a human being to an instrument for achieving sexual climax with another person. It violates the principle of treating every person as an end in themselves rather than the means for achieving one’s objectives.

Interestingly, selling counterfeit products is illegal in many countries, including Hong Kong, but purchasing them was considered the most acceptable. There are positive consequences of purchasing counterfeit products for the purchasers (lower cost) and also for the producers and sellers (profit).

It also appears acceptable in Hong Kong as the practice is widespread. Those who purchase counterfeit goods are unlikely to feel guilty about the lost profits of luxury brands.

Cultural influences

Our findings also support the idea that morality varies from culture to culture. There are differences between the two groups of visitors we surveyed and the Hong Kong residents.

In comparison to Western tourists, mainland Chinese tourists think it’s more acceptable to purchase counterfeit products in Hong Kong, jump queues and lie about a child’s age to get discounts. Western tourists, on the other hand, find it relatively more acceptable to engage the services of a prostitute.

Both groups think public misbehaviour due to drunkenness is more acceptable than the Hong Kongers do. Overall, Hong Kong residents appear stricter in their morals than either group of tourists.

Western tourists were more likely to participate in all the scenarios on holidays than at home, except for drunken misbehaviour; they do that at home as well. Hong Kong residents are also more likely to engage in all activities on holidays than at home.

On the contrary, mainland Chinese visitors are more likely to engage in most of the scenarios at home than on holidays, engaging the services of a prostitute being the exception. It appears that Chinese tourists are aware of the bad publicity they have been getting recently , especially in Hong Kong.

The Chinese government has been distributing educational information and started to blacklist “uncivilised” tourists since 2015. Its aim is to minimise inappropriate behaviour overseas.

Chinese tourists are now more likely to behave more ethically to avoid being blacklisted and ensure their personal safety.

Moral of the story

What action we think is ethical appears to largely depend on the culture we are brought up in and live in. In other words, we do what we think is acceptable to people we know and in the place where we are.

Individual principles, inherent morality and perception of fairness may appear as stricter guides for what is morally acceptable. But appealing to the consequences and the risk of punishment seems more likely to deter people from engaging in morally dubious activities.

The idea that people are more likely to behave badly on holidays than at home, as some societal pressures are removed, appears plausible. But the case of Chinese tourists demonstrates that’s not always true.

Both punishing and educating tourists may be the best strategies for reducing unethical behaviour.

• Prostitution
• Immanuel Kant
• counterfeit goods
• Global perspectives

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Sunburned, drunk ... but with a good sense of humour: How Brits live up to their tourist stereotype (and Germans are pushy, while the French are rude)

• The majority of French travellers considered themselves to be generous
• Half of Germans thought they were not child-friendly, study shows
• 'Arrogant' French were considered the least-friendly nation

By Camilla Canocchi

Published: 02:00 EDT, 9 August 2014 | Updated: 02:00 EDT, 9 August 2014

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British tourists abroad have long been described as sunburned, drunk and wearing questionable footwear.

And a survey today confirms this traditional stereotype - as the French, Germans and Spanish all agree that UK travellers were the heaviest drinkers on holiday.

However, the Brits' sense of humour and open-mindedness made up for their red shoulders and debateable sense of fashion, according to Travelzoo.

Fun-loving party spirit: UK travellers were said to be the heaviest drinkers on holiday but also the ones with the best sense of humour

The online travel agency asked people in the four European nations what they thought of stereotypes about themselves and tourists from the other four countries.

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Richard Singer, Travelzoo European managing director, said: 'Luckily for us Brits, our world-famous sense of humour continues to be our saving grace on foreign shores.

'Our fun-loving party spirit also came out in the feedback from other nations, but perhaps a little restraint with the sangria and sunshine is called for, as well as a little more care in our appearance when hitting the beach!' 

Stereotypes: Spanish tourists were described as helpful, while UK travellers as sunburned

More than half of the Spanish polled said Britons were the least generous on holiday, while the other European travellers seem to perceive the Germans as 'pushy', 'demanding' and 'beer drinkers' when abroad.

Overall, Spanish tourists were voted by the other three countries as the most likeable, topping the lists for being the most corteous, generous, friendly and helpful.

On the other hand, the French were the least popular, as they were labelled 'arrogant' and 'rude' - a stereotype for which they are known around the world.

Half of Britons criticised French travellers for lacking humour, and a further 47 per cent said the French lack courtesy,

'Beer drinkers': Germans were also perceived as 'pushy' and 'demanding' when abroad by their European cousins

The overwhelming majority of French travellers, however, thought of themselves as courteous individuals.

And while French may have high views of themselves, Germans turned out to be most self-critical, with 55 per cent admitting that the stereotypical German traveller was not generous enough.

Some 47 per cent of Germans also thought themselves not child-friendly, but this was in stark contrast with UK and French tourists' view, who substantially thought that their 'beer drinkers' cousins are actually good with children.

Share or comment on this article: How Brits really do live up to their tourist stereotype

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Busted: 6 british stereotypes about americans.

M ost Brits have this image of what they think is a typical American: a flag-waving patriot with a burger in one hand and a gun in the other. It’s not far off to say that Homer Simpson and Stan Smith are our stereotypes of the ‘typical American.’

Here’s one British expat’s perspective on the reality of America, in comparison to the common stereotypes:

All Americans love McDonald’s.

Reality: We Brits mostly think of America as fast-food-centric. It’s true that chains such as McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s line most streets, but I’ve found American cuisine to be some of the most diverse and delicious around. From glammed-up gourmet burgers, to Mexican, Cuban, Lebanese, Thai, and many more, America offers wonderful foods from all over the globe.

That’s not even to mention the diversity of traditional ‘American’ foods, which differ in each and every state. From gumbo and jambalaya in the South, to seafood and chowder in the North, and many other specialties in between, American cuisine goes far beyond McDonald’s. Besides, doesn’t England have a McDonald’s on every corner too?

Those lazy Americans drive EVERYWHERE.

Reality: The image of Americans in their huge 4-wheel-drives powering down expansive highways is pretty accurate. Driving is considered a necessity in America, and people don’t like to walk far for anything. I’ve even had people apologize to me for parking in a spot that isn’t directly next to a store, because they thought walking 200 metres might upset me.

But the reality is a bit more complex than the stereotypes of Americans being too lazy to walk. Compared to the UK, America is huge! More often than not, there’s no option to take public transport, and many towns aren’t set up to be pedestrian- or bike-friendly. Driving is pretty much a mandatory skill if you ever want to go anywhere in the US outside of a big city, and I guess that conditions many people to drive even when they can walk.

Far from being lazy, though, just like in the UK, many physical activities are hugely popular in the United States. People go to gyms, do yoga, jog, and play baseball, American football, and more.

Americans are all super patriotic.

Reality: One thing I know I expected before moving to America was a high level of patriotism, possibly to the extent that other countries weren’t on the radar for many. Americans seemed to take so much pride in being American, especially compared to British apathy towards the royal family and our prime minister. The media would also have us think that ignorance of other countries is rife in the US.

I wasn’t surprised to find that many people are proud of their country — and why not? But if I was expecting each and every person to think a map of the world held only one continent, I was mistaken. I’ve met many American who love to travel and admire many other nations. Most Americans, contrary to popular belief, aren’t blindly patriotic, but are well-rounded and knowledgeable about the rest of the world. I do know for a fact, though, that my husband’s high school made them salute the flag every morning. Now we certainly don’t do that in England!

Every American owns a gun.

Reality: As a Brit, gun ownership in America unsettles me. I’ve read about shootings in areas close to where I live, and most people I’ve asked have at least fired a gun even if they don’t own one.

Far from what most Brits think, though, not all Americans are pro-firearms. None of my friends own guns, and many support restrictions on gun ownership, though none think gun ownership should be banned as it is in the UK — which is definitely a big difference.

The general impression when I’ve asked seems to be that in smaller towns gun ownership is more common, but in cities, fewer people feel the need to keep a gun in the house.

New York and LA are the ONLY cities (the rest is Hicksville).

Reality: OK, nobody really thinks that America consists solely of high-powered New Yorkers, Hollywood stars, and laid-back country folk on their ranches, but TV and movies might have implied these stereotypes just a little. States other than New York and California tend to get sidelined in British media, and many people assume everywhere else is just backward and boring.

The reality is that there are lots of amazing cities, national parks, and great places to live and visit here in America. People are, in general, just regular people, and not that many identify with Carrie Bradshaw.

People are really friendly, talkative, and LOUD.

Reality: Aside from the image of New Yorkers as too busy to care, most Brits see Americans either as very relaxed, open, and friendly people, or as loud, grating, and rude. Maybe that plays off the English stereotype of the uptight, unfriendly Brit. Either way, I was expecting everyone to be much chattier in America than they are in England.

To some extent, the reality is just that for someone from the UK. Waitresses will chat to you, people will make remarks in queues, and talking to strangers is less of a taboo. Everyone is really friendly, at least compared to people in England.

But apart from service jobs, where it pays to be friendly if you want a good tip, I wouldn’t say people are any friendlier or ruder than Brits. Get chatting to most Americans or most Brits, and you won’t see the difference.

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20 Outdated British Stereotypes

Posted: 18 May 2024 | Last updated: 18 May 2024

British culture is often encapsulated in stereotypes that range from the amusing to the absurd. Here’s a look at some of these clichés and why they no longer hold true in today’s diverse and dynamic Britain.

1. All Brits Have Bad Teeth

Despite jokes in American pop culture about British dental care, the UK actually has some of the healthiest teeth globally, tied with Sweden for the fourth-best dental health.

2. Everyone Drinks Tea Constantly

While tea is a beloved British staple, coffee and other beverages are equally popular. The UK’s diverse population has embraced a variety of drinks, reflecting its multicultural influence.

3. Brits Are Reserved and Unemotional

The stereotype of the stoic Brit with a “stiff upper lip” is outdated. Today, Britons are as likely to express their emotions openly, influenced by global norms of communication and mental health awareness.

4. The English Are All Posh

This image fails to capture the wide range of socio-economic backgrounds and regional diversity within England. Accents and dialects vary greatly, debunking the myth that all English people are upper-class.

5. Scottish People Are Stingy

The outdated notion of Scots being stingy doesn’t reflect the warmth and generosity found in modern Scottish communities, nor does it account for Scotland’s economic diversity.

6. All Welsh People Can Sing

While Wales has a rich musical heritage and strong choral traditions, assuming all Welsh are gifted singers is a reductive view. Modern Wales is culturally diverse, with talents spanning a wide range of artistic and professional fields.

7. Northern Irish Are All Political Extremists

Northern Ireland has moved beyond the conflicts of The Troubles, embracing peace and multiculturalism, which makes this stereotype particularly outdated.

8. Everyone Lives in Castles or Quaint Cottages

The majority of Britons live in modern homes and apartments. The castles and cottages are more a tourist fascination than a reflection of everyday living.

9. All Brits Love the Royal Family

Attitudes toward the monarchy are varied and complex in the UK, with many people questioning its relevance in the modern world.

10. British Food Is Bland and Uninspiring

British cuisine today is a vibrant mix of global influences, and the country boasts some of the world’s most highly regarded restaurants and diverse food scenes.

11. British Humour Is All Sarcasm and Irony

While these elements are part of British humour, the comedy spectrum in the UK is broad, ranging from slapstick to dark comedy, reflecting a wide array of comedic tastes.

12. Brits Are Obsessed With Queueing

While there is a cultural preference for orderly queues, this stereotype often overlooks the broader British value of fairness and respect in public interactions.

13. The North-South Divide Is All About Wealth

This divide overlooks the cultural richness and recent investments transforming Northern England’s cities, challenging the stereotype of a simple economic split.

14. Londoners Are Unfriendly

This stereotype misunderstands the pace of life in a major global city. Many find London a place of community and cultural exchange when they engage more deeply.

15. Brits Only Drink Warm Beer

The UK enjoys a variety of beer styles and temperatures. Preferences are as varied as the regions and individuals themselves.

16. Cockney Rhyming Slang Is Common Speech

While iconic, Cockney rhyming slang is more of a historical curiosity than a widespread linguistic practice in modern London.

17. Everyone in Britain Loves Football

While football is popular, the UK has a diverse range of sporting interests, including rugby, cricket, and tennis, reflecting broad athletic passions.

18. The Working Class Is Uniformly Blue-Collar

Today’s working class includes a range of professions and educational backgrounds, reflecting the complexities of modern British life.

19. Brits Are All Polite and Apologetic

Though politeness is a valued trait, Britons display a range of behaviors from assertiveness to confidence, challenging the notion of uniform deference.

20. Britain Is Perpetually Rainy and Foggy

While the UK does experience its share of rain, its climate is varied, and the foggy London of Victorian tales is largely a thing of the past.

Redefining British Culture

These stereotypes, once perhaps rooted in some truth, are now largely outdated, failing to reflect the vibrant, diverse, and ever-changing landscape of modern British society. From culinary revolutions to evolving social norms, Britain today is a tapestry of global influences and regional uniqueness, far more complex than any stereotype can convey.

25 Things You CAN’T Talk About Anymore

Remember the days when you could freely discuss just about anything without fear of sparking controversy? Well, those days are long gone. In today’s hyper-sensitive world, there are topics so fraught with tension that even mentioning them can lead to heated debates and hurt feelings. 25 Things You CAN’T Talk About Anymore

Stranded: 15 Worst British Cars in History

Ever had a car that spent more time with the mechanic than on the road? A car that turned every journey into a game of “Will we actually get there?” If so, you might just see a familiar face (or should we say, chassis) in our countdown to the most unreliable British car in history. Stranded: 15 Worst British Cars in History

“Britain Will Become Unrecognizable” – Suella Braverman Spells Disaster for UK Amid Steep Rise in Visas Issued

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has warned that Britain will become “unrecognizable,” criticizing the amount of work visas the Home Office has approved, despite only being removed from her role in November. “Britain Will Become Unrecognizable” – Suella Braverman Spells Disaster for UK Amid Steep Rise in Visas Issued

20 Things From the ‘70s That Are Not OK Today

Step into the time machine and set the dial to the 1970s, a decade of disco, bell-bottoms, and some rather questionable choices. While the ’70s gave us iconic music and groundbreaking TV, not everything from this groovy era would get a green light today. 20 Things From the ‘70s That Are Not OK Today

20 Best and Worst Universities in the UK

Navigating the UK university landscape is like deciphering a complex code of rankings, reviews, and reputations to uncover where you’ll not just learn, but truly flourish. Whether you’re drawn to the historic halls of Oxford or the creative buzz of Goldsmiths, finding your perfect fit is about aligning your aspirations with the unique offerings of each institution. 20 Best and Worst Universities in the UK

The post 20 Outdated British Stereotypes first appeared on Edge Media .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Loredana Sangiuliano.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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