Unwritten social codes in England

I think never talking about money (in relation to oneself) is quite English: e.g I don't know how much my sisters or brother-in-laws or friends earn. It would honestly be easier to talk to them about sex! The same with possessions, unless it's really cheap and then you are allowed to brag about it- so if someone compliments your bag you can boast that it only cost £5 from Primark- but you could never say it's Gucci and cost you £900. House prices and school fees it's ok to moan about, you just can't get too specific.

FWIW op you might get more responses to this thread in 'chat'

There's millions, most of which make no sense and you don't even realise till you live abroad.

Watching the English is a good place to start though.

Here's couple of mine that are typical English behaviour:

Don't invade my social space, ever. Please don't touch me

We are extremely self depreciating but actually think we're the best, really

Sarcasm is the highest form of humour

British people are very assertive, especially the women, compared to say Canadian women

Queueing, oh the queueing

I reckon the class system in Britain is even more complex than in India tbh

"Saying "I'm going to the toilet" is a social marker. Lavatory or loo is preferred."

I live in a predominately middle class area surrounded by middle class people and naice school. Everyone here, without fail, says toilet. I feel very pretentious saying loo.

Other unwritten rules include having a desired accent, engaging with your community, not being flamboyant or loud and eccentric unless you are a pop star and participating in the class system is second nature, people look down on those they perceive to be lower class and up to those they see as a higher class. Being too intellectual is not welcomed either. IMO.

Sorry about the errant words in that post, autocorrect went a bit nuts.

IME any "markers" are less reliable nowadays thanks to the exposure to American tv and social media, so for instance I would say either sofa or couch (or occassionally settee) depending in which word came to mind first. Same with toilet/loo/bog.

However, I saying "ice-lolly" will just never feel natural to me. It will always be a "lolly-ice" no matter how far from my roots I am!

All good points x

Some of it is mixed up with region, but my mum would look down on people who have tea/dinner rather than supper.

Starting to eat before everyone is seated and served vs waiting for everyone else before you tuck in

Watch a few episodes of "keeping up appearances", if you can find them.

Holding a knife and fork in the correct way... so that the index finger is in-line with the implement and thumbs to the side, as opposed to 'resting' between the thumb and index finger with thumbs up in the air (if that makes sense?) My parents are frightful snobs and will notice this immediately.

Elbows on tables also a no-no. Putting milk in a mug before tea or coffee... hmm, mine all seem to be food related

Also the flashier the car the more gauche the driver. Ditto pets/walking attire. Rich people tend to have old, reliable cars coated in fur from old labradors, and wear mucky wellies, whereas the nouveau riche have chi-chi little doggies and flash, sparkling cars.

Saying "I'm going to the toilet" is a social marker. Lavatory or loo is preferred.