WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT VISITING LONDON
Travel Documents:
American citizens holding a valid passport and planning to visit London solely as tourists are not required to obtain a visa before entering the United Kingdom. Canadian citizens using Canadian passports do not require a visa to enter the United Kingdom for tourism or business stays under ninety (90) days.
Clothing:
In June, London temperatures can go as low as 53 while the average high hovers around 68 degrees Fahrenheit. London gets a little over an inch of rain each month, so be prepared. For added comfort, bring a light raincoat and a compact umbrella that you can easily carry, as well as a lightweight scarf for when temperatures dip in the evening.
Cuisine:
English cuisine encompasses the cooking styles, traditions and recipes associated with England. It has distinctive attributes of its own, but also shares much with wider British cuisine, partly through the importation of ingredients and ideas from North America, China, and India during the time of the British Empire and as a result of post-war immigration. Traditional meals have ancient origins, such as bread and cheese, roasted and stewed meats, meat and game pies, boiled vegetables and broths, and freshwater and saltwater fish.
Currency:
The British Pound is the currency of United Kingdom (approximate exchange rate is £ 1.25 to US $1). To skip the math, download a useful mobile app such as the “Currency – Simple Converter” for free prior to departure for easy currency conversation abroad, be mindful to check that the application you select does not require cellular data.
ATM machines are common. Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants and in shopping malls. Major currency bills and traveler’s checks are cashed easily at banks, hotels, tourist shops, money changers and at exchange facilities at the airport on arrival.
Mobile Phones:
If your phone has international roaming, you will be able to use it during your stay in London. We recommend turning off cellular data upon arrival to avoid incurring charges due to large data download from emails or photo text messages. Wireless is readily available in all accommodations.
Tipping:
It is customary to leave 10-15% of the bill when eating out. However, restaurants often add on a service charge (usually 12.5%), especially if you're in a large group, so it's worth checking your bill. You should tip at your own discretion for superior service. For all hosted activities Rodan + Fields will have factored in all tips ensuring generous gratuity for all staff, no additional tipping is necessary.
Social customs:
The United Kingdom is comprised of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is important not only to be aware of these geographical distinctions, but also the strong sense of identity and nationalism felt by the populations of these four nations. Guides may ask you to refrain from talking when entering an official building, especially churches or castles and talking on the Tube, London’s subway, is frowned upon. Greet new people with a handshake and always be on time as punctuality is important to Brits. Insulting the royal family should also be avoided.
Common and useful phrases to practice prior to departure:
1. Mate
‘Mate’ – one of the commonly used terms of endearment and affection in British slang terms. Used when you are talking to a close friend, and is often easily substituted for the American ‘buddy’, ‘pal’, or ‘dude’.
For example, ‘Alright, mate?’
‘Mate’ – one of the commonly used terms of endearment and affection in British slang terms. Used when you are talking to a close friend, and is often easily substituted for the American ‘buddy’, ‘pal’, or ‘dude’.
For example, ‘Alright, mate?’
2. Knackered
‘Knackered’ – a great word and phrase used by Brits to describe their tiredness and exhaustion, in any given situation. Often substituted in friendly circles for ‘exhausted’.
For example, ‘I am absolutely knackered after working all day.’
| 3. Cheers ‘Cheers’ doesn’t quite have the same meaning that it does in other counties – of course, it still means ‘celebrations’ when toasting a drink with some friends, but in British slang, it also means ‘thanks’ or ‘thank you’. For example, ‘Cheers for getting me that drink, Steve’. 4. The Bee’s Knees The bee’s knees – a rather lovely term used to describe someone or something you think the world of. For example, ‘She thinks Barry’s the bee’s knees’. Can also be used sarcastically in this same sense. 5. Fortnight ‘Fortnight’ – a British slang term more commonly used by virtually everyone in the UK to mean ‘a group of two weeks’. For example, ‘I’m going away for a fortnight to Egypt for my summer holiday.’ |
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6. Scrummy
One of the more delightful British slang terms in this list, ‘scrummy’ is used as a wonderfully effusive term for when something is truly delicious and mouth-wateringly good.
For example, ‘Mrs Walker’s pie was absolutely scrummy. I had three pieces.'
For example, ‘Mrs Walker’s pie was absolutely scrummy. I had three pieces.'
7. Rubbish
One of the most commonly-used British phrases, ‘rubbish’ is used to mean both general waste and trash, and to also express disbelief in something to the point of ridicule (in this sense it is a much-more PG-friendly version of ‘bollocks’.
For example, it can be used respectively, in, ‘Can you take the rubbish out please?’, and ‘What? Don’t talk rubbish.’
8. Brilliant
The last, but most certainly not least, term on this list, ‘brilliant’ is not a word exclusively in the British lexicon, but has a very British usage. Specifically, when something is exciting or wonderful, particularly when something is good news, ‘brilliant’ can mean as such.
For example, ‘You got the job? Oh, mate, that’s brilliant.’
