Typically British things the rest of the world are puzzled at, especially Americans.

Some British things the rest of the world doesn't understand.

From fish and chips to Shakespeare, Stonehenge, and football; the United Kingdom is known for being a hub of literature, sports, and a proper full breakfast. This island nation welcomes upwards of 30 million visitors a year, and there are many things the British do that fascinate and intrigue tourists, but there are just as many the world doesn’t understand.

From tea cozies to commemorative plates, the British love for the Royal Family takes many forms. Having a monarchy is one of the enduring traits of the United Kingdom and while many outsiders find it perplexing, it’s a major tourist draw and a much-talked-about fascination in the media. The tides are changing, however, with one survey finding that only 55 per cent of British respondents say it’s very important for Britain to have a monarchy.

Our offbeat humour

Whether it’s satire, puns, or poking fun at one another, British humour is in a league of its own. While it’s much loved around the world, many people don’t quite get the complex mix of comedy that Brits call their own. And this love of witty and sometimes caustic one-liners really is a British trait, with one study finding that this humour is linked to genes found in British twins but not shared by Americans.

Complaining about the weather, no matter what it is!

Whether it’s raining, snowing, sunny, or windy, one thing that unites the Kingdom is talking—and mostly complaining—about the weather. One study found that 94 per cent of British respondents admitted to talking about the weather in the last six hours. Experts suggest that talking about the weather is a good way to avoid uncomfortable social interactions. And with the unpredictability of British weather, there’s plenty to complain about!

Our love of crisps

While much of the English-speaking world calls these salty, crunchy potato snacks “chips,” the British refer to them by a different moniker: “crisps.” This is one snack that the British are very serious about, often leaving the rest of the world just a little bit confused. This crisps obsession has led to an influx of creative flavours not often seen across the pond, and one popular brand even features 141 flavours including cheese and onion, prawn cocktail, and tangy tomato.

Our love of queuing

The stereotype of the British standing in orderly lines is not completely unfounded. One study found that the British spend more than a fortnight a year waiting in queues, further proving that lining up is an entrenched part of the culture. This civilized queuing was heavily pushed in wartime Britain through propaganda that urged people to wait their turn, and still remains a uniquely British trait that much of the word doesn’t understand.

Driving on the left and not the right. What Americans do not understand is that more people actually drive on the left than drive on the right. n the

Teatime culture

Popping the kettle on to brew a cuppa is a favourite British pastime and is their response to everything from birthday celebrations to getting through tough times. It’s not an over-exaggeration to state that they really love their tea, as one study found that the average British person drinks up to 884 cups of tea a year! And not only do they love their tea, but they are also very particular on how to make it; 70 per cent of brewers put the teabag in the cup first followed by boiling water and then, finally, milk.

Fireworks for Guy Fawkes

This quintessential British activity features dazzling displays of fireworks, an effigy set ablaze and plenty of tasty treats to eat all night. Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated on November 5 every year in the UK to mark an event that happened more than 400 years ago which could have altered the course of British history. And while many outside Britain might not know much about the night, they may recognize the mask which over the years has become a global symbol of dissent.

Drunk kebab fix

Late-night food runs are well known around the world, with many people espousing the glory of a greasy meal after a night of drinking. However, the British have cornered the market on drunk kebabs. These delicious pitas full of salty meat and the sauce of your choice are beloved amongst Brits who’ve tied one too many on. Scientists say that there is a good reason people crave certain meals after drinking, stating that alcohol actually fires up neurons normally activated by starvation!

Drinking in rounds

Pub culture is a big deal in the United Kingdom, which boasts one of the world’s highest levels of alcohol consumption in the world. One study found that Brits drink an average of 9.7 litres (2.1 gallons) per year per person! While many countries won’t find the idea of going to a pub strange, they might be wondering about the practice of drinking in rounds. This practice has many rules that might be confusing for newcomers. Some tips to keep in mind are that everyone takes part in buying and that the next round should be bought before the first round is finished.

Eating Marmite

It’s dark brown, yeasty, salty and very much a “love it or hate it” food. Marmite, made from concentrated yeast extract, is a quintessential British food that definitely confuses the rest of the world. Whether they spread it on toast or eat it by the spoonful, Brits are known for their appetite for this divisive condiment, with a survey finding that 47 per cent love this gloopy spread. Personally, i think it is what flows through my veins.

Our confusing pudding

Not much else confuses the rest of the world about British cuisine quite like their puddings. Is it a dessert or a sausage? Something sweet or salty? There are numerous types of puddings in the UK, including Christmas pudding, black pudding, Yorkshire pudding, and sticky toffee pudding. And none of them have much in common! To keep it simple, most of the time if a British person offers pudding, they mean dessert—and if they serve you an actual pudding, they will specify the type.

Regional accents

The British accent is one of the most-loved around the world. But with as many as 40 dialects in Britain, this can start to sound confusing to many ears. From Scottish brogues to a Cockney accent, or what is often referred to as the “Queen’s English,” there are many different ways to say the same things in this region of the world!

Apologizing all the time

The British are known to say sorry for the weather, for bumping into someone, or for really nothing at all! In fact, one study found that the average British person says sorry at least eight times a day. The British propensity to apologize for seemingly everything and nothing is definitely a quirk that the rest of the world doesn’t understand—except maybe Canadians.

Barrister wigs

They’re a sign of respect and formality, but barrister wigs can cause many around the world to scratch their heads in confusion. These big, white, curly wigs are worn by British lawyers in court and they have been since at least the 17th century. The wigs and robes have undergone some changes in the past 400 years, like becoming shorter, but the tradition of donning a historical outfit to wear to court still lives on in Britain.

The rarity of AC

While typical weather in Britain is often thought of as cool rainy days, Britain still has its share of scorchers. In fact, scientists agree that temperatures are rising year over year across much of Europe, Britain included. However, despite the heat, many British homes lack air conditioning, with only about 5 per cent of homes in the UK outfitted. Compare that to 90 per cent in the U.S. and it’s no wonder that there is a staggering amount of culture shock when it comes to cooling down!

Bank holidays

Called so because banks and financial institutions are closed on these days, bank holidays have been around since 1871. There are officially eight bank holidays in the United Kingdom and while it may seem like a perfect opportunity to make the most of a day off, one survey found that up to 60 per cent of Brits admit to not planning anything!

Separate water taps

Washing your hands is usually a pretty straightforward process, but doing so in Britain just may confuse outsiders. With two taps, one for warm and one for cold, many sinks in British bathrooms are set up in a way that frustrates users from other parts of the world. The tradition dates back to a time when water was kept separate to avoid cross-contamination and many houses still have separate cold-water tanks with water that is safe to drink.

Washing machines in the kitchen

Throwing in a load of dirty laundry is something most people do around the world. However, rather than having the washing machine quietly tucked away in a basement, bathroom, or utility room, in Britain they opt, instead, to place it in the kitchen, completely baffling the rest of the world. In fact, 67 per cent of Brits believe that the washing machine should be in the kitchen even if there’s space elsewhere! This is one British habit that the rest of the world certainly doesn’t understand.