LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known

Sending short workplace emails results in offence being taken, and you can't tell someone to do something directly.  For example:

US:
"I need you to photocopy the latest report"

UK:
"Hi xxxx,

Hope you're well.  Would you mind making me a photocopy of the latest report when you have a minute? 

Best,
XXXX

I've had a few American friends complain to me about that cultural difference!

That's interesting, I am from the US and regardless of working in the US or UK I would say, "Hi X, can you please make a copy of X when you have a moment. Thanks!

(I wouldn't add, I hope you are well, that's a bit much).

I would never just say "I need a copy of the latest report" nor would I like it if someone emailed me that to me.

That's interesting, I am from the US and regardless of working in the US or UK I would say, "Hi X, can you please make a copy of X when you have a moment. Thanks!

(I wouldn't add, I hope you are well, that's a bit much).

I would never just say "I need a copy of the latest report" nor would I like it if someone emailed me that to me.

I agree completely.  I wonder if it's regional?  I'm from Kentucky and have noticed that I say "please" and "thank you" much more often than my colleagues, despite the stereotype about British politeness, but I've come across other expats online who think British people are excessively polite.

I agree with both of you above - my fiance mentioned that politeness is more necessary in the UK, but I wish it was just more prevalent here. I hate it when people send me brusque emails.

I think the point is that in the majority of US offices, things are much more direct, both in written and spoken word.  Of course I'd say 'please' but in the US, I'd say something like 'hey, could you copy this for me please?'  In the UK offices I've worked in, that would be bordering on rude.  There seems to be this custom of using all this extra language. 

There seems to be this custom of using all this extra language. 

This is true, as you can see in the signs posted in the UK. I love signs that say something like "I'm ever so sorry to mention it, but could you please refrain from letting your dog sht in the grass? Thank you kindly."

Not an exact quote, but you know what I mean. Love those!

This is true, as you can see in the signs posted in the UK. I love signs that say something like "I'm ever so sorry to mention it, but could you please refrain from letting your dog sht in the grass? Thank you kindly."

Not an exact quote, but you know what I mean. Love those!

I've never seen a sign remotely like that.

This is true, as you can see in the signs posted in the UK. I love signs that say something like "I'm ever so sorry to mention it, but could you please refrain from letting your dog sht in the grass? Thank you kindly."

Not an exact quote, but you know what I mean. Love those!

I've never seen a sign remotely like that.

I would see them all the time and they would crack me up too.

Instead of a 'No Parking' sign, I used to pass someone's house with a sign saying, 'We would appreciate if you did not park in front of our home'. Or you'd walk into a shop and they would apologize profusely on a sign in the window about the credit card machine not working or something. I made me chuckle.

I would see them all the time and they would crack me up too.

Instead of a 'No Parking' sign, I used to pass someone's house with a sign saying, 'We would appreciate if you did not park in front of our home'. Or you'd walk into a shop and they would apologize profusely on a sign in the window about the credit card machine not working or something. I made me chuckle.

In my observation there are just as many signs getting the job done with "No Parking" and "Keep Off the Grass" as there are the other kind. Making it pretty equal. I think the polite ones stand out to you but then give you the mistaken impression they are overwhelmingly that polite in a widespread manner. Not so. I've never seen anything with remotely the amount of exaggeration being mentioned, and I think it gives the casual reader of this board who has never been to the UK a slightly false and over the top impression of what they're going to get. Don't want to disappointment them when they walk right into a brusque sign now do we?....

There is a council estate nearby with the sign  'Dogs must not foul this area'  like a dog is going to read it.

Also, I think the phrase 'opening hours' is rather wordy.  What other hours might they be?

There is a council estate nearby with the sign  'Dogs must not foul this area'  like a dog is going to read it.

Also, I think the phrase 'opening hours' is rather wordy.  What other hours might they be?

Well, "Dogs must not foul this area" is hell of lot more straightforward then "Oh very sorry to mention it but if you don't mind could you possibly not allow" etc etc......which just strikes me as an insultingly exaggerated take and pretty mocking.

Some of this is making it sound to the casual reader as if this stupid signage and over-wording is all the quaint little Brits do with their time.

AS a Brit, I find that patronizing.

Oh you cute little Brits with your silly and flowery language!

Riiight.
 

Why do topics like this always end up in the whole "I have never seen that..." discussion?  People's experiences are different.  So what! Just because someone *hasn't* seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. 

Why do topics like this always end up in the whole "I have never seen that..." discussion?  People's experiences are different.  So what! Just because someone *hasn't* seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. 

I completely agree!!  And I agree with Marlespo.

Well, "Dogs must not foul this area" is hell of lot more straightforward then "Oh very sorry to mention it but if you don't mind could you possibly not allow" etc etc......which just strikes me as an insultingly exaggerated take and pretty mocking.

Some of this is making it sound to the casual reader as if this stupid signage and over-wording is all the quaint little Brits do with their time.

AS a Brit, I find that patronizing.

Oh you cute little Brits with your silly and flowery language!

Riiight.
 

Erm....okay....I'm not going to apologize for the way you have taken the comment. It's not at all what was intended and it's up to you how you interpret it. I'm sorry you have never come across this, but I have and in fact, quite a bit. I wasn't exaggerating in my post. That's an actual sign that I would see when riding the 332 5 days a week, twice a day, between Bath and Bristol, in the village of Hanham. I don't think Brits are quaint and have excess amount of time to create superfluous signs and emails. I guess I see it as more polite and I thought it was nice. I'm sorry that, as a Brit, it offends you when I say your culture has the potential to be polite every now and then.  

And I agree with Bmore2_UK. 

This is true, as you can see in the signs posted in the UK. I love signs that say something like "I'm ever so sorry to mention it, but could you please refrain from letting your dog sht in the grass? Thank you kindly."

Not an exact quote, but you know what I mean. Love those!

Yes! 

And a bit off-topic but I had a funny experience once in the Madrid train station: It was a translation for something or other. You could press the British flag to see the message in BritEng, and a US flag to see the message in AmEng. The difference in the amount of words used was hilarious!