What Not to Do in the UK

Don't in London

• 1. Don't walk on the right of escalators — STAND right, WALK left
• 2. Don't hire a car for London — congestion + ULEZ + parking = £60+/day
• 3. Don't buy single Tube tickets — use contactless (auto-cap saves money)
• 4. Don't miss the daily cap — £8.10 for unlimited Zone 1-2 travel
• 5. Don't hail black cabs that aren't licensed — minicabs must be booked

Don't with Money

• 6. Don't use your home debit card without checking fees — 3-5% per transaction
• 7. Don't accept "convert to home currency" at ATMs/terminals — costs 5-7% extra
• 8. Don't carry too much cash — UK is largely cashless; £50 is plenty
• 9. Don't exchange currency at airports — worst rates anywhere
• 10. Don't pay in your home currency at restaurants — "DCC" markup

Don't in Pubs

• 11. Don't wait for table service — order at the bar
• 12. Don't tip at the bar — never expected on drinks
• 13. Don't leave without buying your round in a group
• 14. Don't ask for "ice in beer" — bewilders bartenders
• 15. Don't order food expecting US portions — UK portions smaller

Don't with Locals

• 16. Don't ask salary, house price, age
• 17. Don't skip queues — cardinal British sin
• 18. Don't talk loudly on the train — "Quiet Coach" is silent by tradition
• 19. Don't use "England" for "UK" — Scots, Welsh, NI proud of their identity
• 20. Don't boast or brag — Brits hate showing off

Don't with Weather

• 21. Don't come without waterproofs — even summer rains
• 22. Don't wear open trainers in rain — wet feet within minutes
• 23. Don't expect heating in summer — many Brits don't use AC even in 30°C
• 24. Don't skip layers — temperature shifts 10°C in a day
• 25. Don't book "outdoor" attractions in winter without backup plan