Outside their homes the British can tend to be reserved and do not enter into conversation as easily as people do in hotter countries where much of the life takes place outside. British reserve is not necessarily unfriendliness, nor is it only foreigners who experience it. The British are equally reserved with each other. It is seen as important to respect the privacy of others and impolite to intrude where you may not be wanted. It is frequently politeness, which prevents the British from making the first move, but we can be warm and friendly. You must expect friendship to develop more gradually than you are used to at home.

 

The British are renowned for their politeness. Please, thank you and sorry are probably the most used words in the English language. There are no absolute rules about where/when you use these polite terms, but you should certainly use them when shopping, addressing strangers and on public transport. Even in the home family members will use "thank you" and "please" with one another. British people feel more comfortable when these words and phrases are introduced into conversation than if they are omitted. In Britain it is normal when meeting someone, especially for the first time, to shake hands. This is acceptable for both men and women. In Britain unlike some other European countries, it is not usual to embrace or kiss the other person unless they are family or a very close friend.

 

One of the most popular British past-times is going to the pub. Pubs are usually open between 11.00 and 23.00, but some are open much longer. In restaurants with a table license, that is a license to sell alcohol only with food, the licensing hours are longer and children of all ages can be admitted. Clubs also have extended licenses. Drinking alcohol is not frowned upon in Britain. You may find that much of student social life is based around the bar. People will usually offer you a drink when you visit them at home or go to a party. In all cases it is possible to ask them for a non-alcoholic drink. Never feel that you have to have an alcoholic drink if you don't want to. If you prefer not to visit places that sell alcohol, make this clear to your friends. There are usually alternative places where you can meet.

 

"Queuing" is simply the way in which people form a line in a shop or when they buy a ticket etc, with the intention of allowing those who arrive first to be served first. It is advisable to take your place in the queue and not go to the front or push your way to the front, as this may annoy other people in the queue. If you are in a desperate hurry, people will almost always let you through to the front if you ask politely.

 

British women, in common with women in most Western countries, have been fighting for sexual equality for much of the last century. If you come from a culture where women are treated differently from men, you will need to know what sexual equality means in Britain today. Discrimination against anyone on the grounds of his or her sex alone is illegal. This means that women are entitled to be accorded equal respect and status with men in all areas of life. It is not at all unusual for women to go out on their own and to meet together in public places, such as cafés and bars, for business and social reasons.

 

Sexual equality is not the only equality sought in Britain. The University of Westminster is committed to promoting Equal Opportunities for all in all its dealings with students, staff, applicants and the public. The aim of this policy is to ensure that no student receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, marital status, trade union activity, or political beliefs. The University is further committed to ensuring that no person should suffer disadvantage as a result of a physical or mental disability, sexual orientation or family responsibility, provided they have the necessary attributes to undertake the course.

 

If you feel that a member of staff has breached one of these policies, there is a student grievance procedure. If a student breaks the code of conduct, which includes the Equal Opportunities statement, they could be subject to disciplinary proceedings.