Norms
Time and punctuality
British people they are very strict on time they try their best to come on time
Punctuality is very important in business situations. In most cases, the people you are meeting will be on time. Call even if you will be 5 minutes later than agreed. If you have been delayed or cannot make the appointment , then make an effort to contact the person to let them know. It is a good idea to telephone and offer your apologies.
Dining Etiquette
If invited to a person’s house for dinner, ensure you are punctual as already discussed. Do not sit down at once when you arrive. The host may show you to a particular seat. Table manners are Continental, i.e. the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating. Do not rest your elbows on the table. When you finish eating, lay your knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate. remember If you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork on your plate with the fork over the knife.
If invited to a meal at a restaurant, the person extending the invitation usually pays. Usually Starters will be served first, followed by the main course, before dessert. When discussing business over dinner, be prepared to back up your claims with facts and figures. Brits rely on facts, rather than emotions, to make decisions.
Thank you/ I’m Sorry/ Please
The Brits say thank you a lot, even for minor things. If you accidentally bump into someone, say ‘sorry’. They probably will too, even if it was your fault! This is a habit and can be seen as very amusing by an ‘outsider’.
sometime the Brits say ‘cheers’ instead of thank you. You may hear ‘cheers’ said instead of ‘good bye’, what they are really saying is ‘thanks and bye’. There are no absolute rules about when to use polite terms, but you should certainly use them when shopping or addressing strangers
Meals:
Nowadays, people in the UK tend to have a light “continental” breakfast: cereal and/or toast, perhaps fruit juice and tea or coffee. The traditional “English breakfast” is a 3-course meal and a lot of homestays may not be prepared to cook this. Lunch is normally a light meal, though some people like to eat well at this time. Dinner is generally the main meal of the day, and would consist of 2 or 3 courses. It’s not unusual to miss either the starter or the dessert and have just 2 courses, and it’s not normal to have bread on the table or to drink wine on a daily basis.
Arriving in someone’s home:
Shaking hands is a sign of welcome and greeting. It is widely practised in the UK when meeting people and saying goodbye. Handshakes should be firm but not crushing, and you should look the person in the eyes, and smile! Once you have settled in on your first day, it is a good idea to offer a small gift, something typical of your country, for example some linen napkins, a box of chocolates or a ceramic bowl. Do not be surprised if the gift is opened in front of you, or it may be put aside. Customs vary. Safe topics for small talk in the UK are the weather, pets, gardens, sport, television, cinema and theatre. Topics to avoid are what a person earns, their age, politics, religion, sexual relationships and why someone has no children or is not married. Also avoid jokes and unfavourable comments about the Royal Family.
Greetings and meetings
When first meeting a Brit, he or she may seem reserved and cold, but that is just an impression. In reality, they are very friendly and helpful to foreigners. A handshake is the common form of greeting, but try to avoid prolonged eye contact, as it may make people feel ill at ease. Use last names and appropriate titles until specifically invited to use first names. It is proper to shake hands with everyone to whom you are introduced, both men and women; the appropriate response to an introduction is "Pleased to meet you".
Body language and dress code
British people are not very keen on displaying affection in public. Hugging, kissing and touching are usually reserved for family members and very close friends. You should also avoid talking loudly in public or going to extremes with hand gestures during the course of communication. The British like a certain amount of personal space. Do not stand too close to another person or put your arm around someone's shoulder. When it comes to clothes, there are no limits and restrictions on how to dress. Just make sure that you respect the general rules when in formal situations. Observation will reveal that people in larger cities dress more formally, especially in London. Men and women wear wools and tweeds for casual occasions. Slacks, sweaters and jackets are appropriate for men and women. Do not wear a blazer to work -- it is country or weekend wear. On formal occasions, always select an outfit that fits the dress code. When attending a holiday dinner or cultural event, such as a concert or theatre performance, it is best to dress formally.
General advice
Men should open doors for women and stand when a woman enters a room, although it is generally accepted for men and women both to hold the door open for each other, depending on who goes through the door first. It is important to respect the British desire for privacy. Don't ask personal questions about family background and origin, profession, marital status, political preferences or money issues. It is considered extremely impolite to violate a queue, so never push ahead in a line. It is also considered very rude to try to sound British or mimic their accent. Remember that humour is ever-present in English life. It is often self-deprecating, ribbing, sarcastic, sexist or racist. Try not to take offense. Cultural etiquette dictates that when invited to someone's home, you should bring a small gift for the hostess. Give flowers, chocolates, wine, champagne or books. Feel free to express your gratitude and delight with the visit on the next day with a note or a telephone call.
http://blog.ialc.org/british-cultural-norms-tips-for-students-learning-english-in-the-uk/
http://www.commisceo-global.com/country-guides/uk-guide
http://www.expatica.com/uk/about/Culture-and-social-etiquette-in-United-Kingdom_106556.html
http://internationalscholarshipguide.com/10-british-etiquette-customs-shouldnt-forget/