Page 13 - Student Handbook Aldenham

ACTIVITIES & EXCURSIONS STAYING IN BRITAIN

WALKING TOURS BRITISH ETIQUETTE & CUSTOMS

Most excursions will include a walking tour of the destination As with all countries, the UK has many customs and all of
you are visiting. These tours will be led by a member of staff, its citizens live by certain standards of behaviour that are
who will show you around the important sights and provid- deemed as polite and well-mannered. It is important to
ing you with some facts and history about the things you will know these behaviours as you will be spending a lot of
see as you are walking around. time with British people during your stay.

 When talking to other people, remember to say
‘please’ and ‘thank you’.
 When eating out, it can be considered rude to wave
at or summon a waiter over to your table. You
should wait patiently until they approach your table
or are walking nearby before you ask for their
attention.
 When tipping your waiter, the general rule is to
leave a 10% tip. However, this is optional.
ENTRANCES  When you are on an excursion, it is very important
to be considerate of the general public around you.
Some excursions will include an entrance to a building or Make sure you are walking on the path and not the
attraction which could be a castle, museum, art gallery, road, and make sure you leave enough room for
aquarium or site of historical interest. Your Activity Manager members of the public to also walk down the path.
will tell you what is included in the excursion and if an en-  An important British custom is queuing. When
trance is also included. waiting in a public space e.g. to pay for something
If you are unsure if there is an entrance included on your in a shop or waiting to enter a building, you should
excursion, or if you think your programme or course should always join the back of the queue and wait in a
include an entrance or extra excursion, please speak to your straight line. It is considered to be rude if you go to
Activity Manager. the front of the queue or do not queue at all.
 Shops in the UK do not negotiate prices, the price
that is stated on the item is they price you will be
expected to pay at the till.
 Women and men in the UK are considered equal in
all areas and should be respected equally.
 British people are often portrayed as quite reserved
and quiet. However, if you need something or
would like to ask a question, most people will be
more than happy to help if you ask them politely.
 Punctuality is very important to British people and
can be considered rude and impolite if you turn up
late for lessons or for a meeting point. If you are
delayed, you should let someone know beforehand.

STAYING SAFE ON ACTIVITIES & EXCURSIONS

Please let us know before the activity or excursion starts
if you have any health problems or allergies we should be
aware of. Remember that in the UK cars drive on the left
hand side of the road, so look both left and right when
crossing roads. Always wear your seatbelt when travelling
in a taxi or on a coach and always have your student ID
and emergency number on you at all times.