8 British customs we see in movies and are totally true

Things not always portrayed in movies are not always real. But what about British customs? Are milk tea and punctuality true in the UK? In this text, we clarify which movie clichés portraying the inhabitants of the Queen's land are true. Check out!

1 - Punctuality

The reputation of punctual people is no secret to anyone. Films and series have already made reference to British punctuality in their script and if you have any questions about this talk, know that it's all true.

Want to know where this commitment comes from? In London, the capital of the United Kingdom alone, there are almost 400 watches installed in different parts of the city. The best known of them all, Big Ben, is one of London's most famous postcards, and with so much clock, it's hard to make an excuse for being late, right?

2 - A lot of education

You are walking along the sidewalks of any British city with your umbrella in hand when suddenly a person comes so close that he almost bumps into his arm. Although nothing happened, you will hear a " sorry ".

The British are very polite and so the words and magic expressions sorry, excuse me, pardon me and please are among the most spoken by them.

3 - Tea with milk

Some movies portray - and you may have heard of - the British habit of drinking tea with milk. According to the UK Tea Council, 98% of Britons drink this blend, which is practically a British version of our popular latte.

The herb used for preparation is Camellia sinensis, in the black tea version. To make your own version of the drink at home, simply boil the water and add the black tea in the amount indicated on the packaging of the chosen brand. Then add the milk of your choice and sweeten to taste.

4 - Changing of Buckingham Palace Guard

The guards - in red robes and black hats - are not in front of Buckingham Palace acting! That change of guard full of pomp and protocol is real, and the ritual has existed since the reign of Charles II in 1660.

5 - Fish and chips

Coxinha is to Brazil as fish and chips is to the United Kingdom. The traditional dish that mixes fried fish and potatoes is part of the British routine and can therefore be found around the corner. With such availability, you can not visit the country and leave without tasting at least some version of the delicacy.

6 - Tea from 5am

It looks like a movie thing, but it's real. The tradition of 5am tea exists, and its origin is at least interesting. In the 19th century, Anna Maria Russel, 7th Duchess of Bedford, realized that she felt a huge hunger in the late afternoon, before dinner time.

Then, to relieve the discomfort on an empty stomach, Anna adopted 5 pm as the ideal time for a snack — tea and milk, some breads, butters, jellies, cookies, and cakes.

The duchess liked the idea so much that she started inviting her friends - and the 5am tea expanded to other members of the nobility, and other members of society joined in as well. Today, 5am tea is popular all over the country.

7 - Against

Calm down, it's not that the British drive the wrong way! This item on the list concerns the 'English hand', ie the positioning of the car's steering wheel in the UK. If you have ever watched UK recorded movies such as Mr. Bean's comedies, you may have noticed that they are in front of the seat which, for us, corresponds to that of the passenger.

It's a little weird at first, but it's a matter of custom. Over time, it is possible to get used to and drive quietly.

8 - Sandwich at lunch

You are at work, performing your tasks normally, when you look at your watch and see that it strikes noon. Time to get up and take a break from starving with a fancy meal: rice, beans, steak, and a little salad on a whim.

However, the British do not share the Brazilian custom of taking an entire hour for the meal. Over there, lunch is usually a quick snack, like a sandwich and a juice. Some movies even show it.

***

Interest in different cultures is the main fuel that many Brazilians have to visit countries such as England, Scotland and Ireland, among many others. So if you are looking for a vacation exchange in a place with these features, be aware: the UK is the right place!

In all cases, after going through a period of adaptation to all these customs, what remains is always the absorbed experience, as well as the unique memories that you will surely save for the rest of your life!

* Via advice.