Don't show the soles of your feet to the Japanese.
Brits have been told by tourism chiefs that they should not be offended by ‘Pom’ jokes made by visiting Australian tourists ahead of the London Olympics.
The Daily Telegraph in the UK has reported that British tourism chiefs have compiled a list of cultural dos and don’ts for British hosts when meeting citizens from other countries, just in case Londoners don’t know quite how to behave in front of overseas tourists!
The official guidelines have warned Brits not to take offence at Pom jokes, which are meant as a term of endearment by our Australian counterparts, same as describing us as ‘pasty-faced’. Fair dinkum there.
Oh and don’t, whatever you do, mistake a Canadian for an American as that wouldn’t go down too well, don’t stare at the Japanese or start showing them the soles of your feet, just in case you were tempted. Never talk about failure, poverty or death to someone from Hong Kong – best to steer clear from comedian Jack Dee then!
Argentinians have been described as being tricky customers for waiters because of their strict etiquette in pouring wine – it should never be poured backwards into a glass, quite how you pour wine backwards into a glass beats me but there you go, don’t do it. Oh and if the Argentinians make fun of your weight or clothing don’t worry about it, it’s just their sense of humour!
The list was compiled by VisitBritain who say they have drawn up the guide to cater for the increasing amount of overseas tourists visiting British landmarks.
So we thought we would compile our own guide of what not to be offended by when you visit London, here goes:
Don’t point and laugh at the “blond buffoon” riding his bike in central London – that’s Boris Johnson, the London mayor.
Don’t expect much change from a fiver when buying a pint in central London.
The people standing in front of you are in what is known as a ‘queue’, never attempt to bypass this.
Whatever you do, never, ever, under any circumstances, mention the World Cup.
Feel free to come up with your own dos and don’ts for visitors of London, we’ll publish the best ones!
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