C4.53 UK Dos and Don'ts

What to do and what not to do in the UK?

Do not take photos or videos of British children without permission—always ask first.

Do not randomly take photos of passersby or British staff; it’s best to get consent.

When walking, do not use your phone and try to walk on the inner side of the road. In recent years, there have been motorcycle thieves in the UK who snatch phones directly, or pretend to ask for directions/time to steal bags or phones when you’re distracted.

Some attractions have "No Photography" signs—do not take photos there.

Do not disturb British guards, including running over to take photos with them or blocking their way.

Always carry a hat or umbrella. British weather is unpredictable, with frequent rain and wind, and even summers are not particularly hot.

Most British houses are equipped with central heating but no air conditioning, as summers are generally mild. However, there may be a few hot and stuffy days in summer—this includes London’s subway and other public transport, which also lack air conditioning.

Some art galleries and museums allow photography, but flash must be turned off.

Smoking indoors is prohibited unless in designated smoking areas.

The UK has many public holidays, and almost all shops close on these days—yes, you read that right, all shops are closed except for some exceptions during Christmas, Easter, and Bank Holidays.

Always queue in all situations. If you’re unsure whether to queue, ask the people ahead.

When crossing the road, follow traffic rules and press the pedestrian crossing button to activate the green light for pedestrians. Remember to check the direction of traffic—British cars drive on the left, unlike in China.

In the UK, cars drive on the left, and vehicles have right-hand steering wheels (steering wheel on the right).

Pedestrians in the UK walk on the left.

When taking escalators in the UK, do not block them. Stand on the right and leave the left side free for others to pass quickly, as shown in the picture below:

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Waste must be sorted in the UK.

At night, try not to go out alone—it’s best to go with friends or classmates.

There are many bars in the UK, so avoid walking alone at night, especially near bars, as there may be drunk people. Walk quickly and ignore them.

If something infringes on your rights and interests, remember to protect your rights legally and reasonably—such as non-refundable deposits, overcharged rent, or housing issues.

Do not engage in uncivilized behavior, such as littering or spitting.

Avoid excessive contact with British minors, keep a reasonable distance, and do not provoke them.

Do not cook dishes with strong fumes in British houses, as this will trigger the smoke alarm. If firefighters are dispatched, you will be fined.

In student apartments with kitchens, even regular Chinese stir-fries may not be allowed. Slight smoke can immediately set off the smoke alarm, even activate sprinklers, and result in a fine.

Reminder from Shishengmiao: Never harm British swans—all swans in the UK belong to the Queen, each with a registration number. Harming swans may lead to immediate deportation or even imprisonment in serious cases. Of course, do not harm pigeons, ducks, seagulls, or any other small animals, as they are also protected.

If you keep a pet in the UK, you must keep it on a leash at all times when outside until you return home. If a dog attacks you on the street, quickly move away—hitting the dog is illegal. Shishengmiao recommends adopting pets instead of buying them.

Do not order Gongbao-style dishes in some Chinese restaurants—most are sweet, and many dishes are adapted to Western tastes. Ask about the flavor before ordering, as Chinese restaurants abroad often adjust dishes to suit foreign palates.

International students must not plagiarize in essays. Plagiarism has severe consequences: expulsion from school, deportation in serious cases, inability to obtain a degree certificate or academic transcript, nullification of all previous academic achievements, and even being blacklisted academically.

Never cheat in exams. Those caught cheating may face immediate expulsion, deportation, or imprisonment.

Do not default on payments or engage in illegal activities—such as unpaid water, electricity, internet, or gas bills; insufficient funds for automatic deductions (e.g., gym memberships or mobile phone contracts); or unpaid bank debts. Reminder from Shishengmiao: For international students in the UK, you enter the British personal credit rating system once you decide to study there. Poor credit will affect future visa applications, including student visa renewals. This is why full attendance is mandatory—you must attend classes and sign in, and provide proof for any absences. Otherwise, insufficient attendance may lead to visa cancellation or renewal refusal, including the new Graduate Visa (previously PSW).

Protect your British bank card, especially the 3-digit security code on the back. This code can be used for online payments, but never misuse others’ bank cards—this is illegal and will damage your credit.

Reminder from Shishengmiao about tax refund in the UK: Do not claim tax refund randomly when leaving the country unless you can ensure you will not return to the UK within 12 months. You cannot claim a second tax refund within 12 months of the first claim—you must be out of the UK for at least 12 months after the first refund. Failure to repay the refund if you return earlier will affect your British credit and may lead to visa refusal or entry denial in the future. For detailed tax refund guides and precautions...

When entering the UK, truthfully inform the immigration officer that you are here to study. Prepare all required documents in advance and do not mention immigration or overstaying intentions.

After arriving in the UK (i.e., after immigration clearance), you must register with the police. If you change your address, update your registration at the police station immediately—this is mandatory.

Your BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) is extremely important—do not lose it. It serves as your identification and is required for entering the UK.

Avoid discussing politics, inappropriate topics, or religious matters at formal British banquets.

If you buy a car, you must purchase insurance (vehicle and personal insurance)—this is mandatory. Although you can drive in the UK with a Chinese driver’s license for up to 12 months as a new arrival, insurance is still required. You must obtain a British driver’s license before the 12-month period expires to continue driving.

You need a National Insurance Number to work in the UK.

Do not ask foreigners about their privacy—they dislike intrusive questions.

In addition to cash notes, keep coins on hand, as some places only accept coins.

Tipping is not mandatory in the UK.

Do not speak loudly in public places such as trains, especially in quiet carriages where talking is prohibited.

Do not mistake daffodils for garlic shoots—many people have been poisoned by eating daffodils. As shown in the picture below, this is a daffodil, not garlic shoots—it is toxic and inedible.

When opening a door to exit, check if someone is behind you. If so, hold the door open for the next person or pass it on—do not slam the door shut. Remember to be polite.

Frequently use "Sorry" and "Excuse me" in daily communication.

Flying to other countries from the UK is cheap—sometimes cheaper than taking a train.

To see a doctor in the UK, you need to make an appointment in advance. If you cannot wait, go to a walk-in clinic.

The time difference between the UK and other countries (including China) varies: 7 hours during British Summer Time and 8 hours during Greenwich Mean Time (winter).

Many supermarkets and stores in the UK offer "Cash Back." When paying, the cashier will ask if you want cash back—they will charge extra to your card and give you the corresponding cash, acting as a convenient bank with no fees. For example, if you request £20 cash back, £20 will be deducted from your card and you will receive £20 in cash.

Reminder from Shishengmiao: Do not confuse England with other parts of the United Kingdom (UK). The full name of the UK is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Great Britain consists of England, Scotland, and Wales, each with its own local government, culture, national language, and strong national identity. If you are unsure who you are talking to or which country you are in, "Britain" and "British" are safe terms to use.

If you want to buy alcohol, cigarettes, enter casinos, or bars, you must be an adult. Shop staff have the right to ask for ID (passport or BRP) to verify your age. Since many Chinese people look younger than their actual age, most staff will require ID—for example, Chen Kun was asked to show ID recently, as shown in the picture below:

There’s much more to share, but Shishengmiao will continue next time..