How to spot a Brit abroad! The tell-tale holiday habits that give us away – from packing teabags and downing airport pints to always getting sunburnt
A light-hearted travel feature runs through the habits and quirks that reveal British holidaymakers abroad, from constant apologising to distinctive food, drink and clothing choices. It reflects on how Britons often assume they blend in with locals while abroad, but in reality display a range of unmistakably national traits, much as other nationalities are known for their own cultural customs.
Key giveaways include reflexive apologising over minor bumps or mishaps, and a devotion to tea, with Britons drinking around 100 million cups a day and many packing or hoarding teabags while travelling. Other tell-tale signs include enjoying an early pint at the airport before 11am, distinctive holiday outfits such as bright swimwear, Hawaiian shirts and socks with sliders, and a tendency to get sunburnt. The piece also touches on the ongoing "sunbed wars," noting British tourists' reputation for tactics such as reserving loungers overnight or using itching powder to deter rivals.
- Brits abroad are known for constant apologising and tea obsession
- Early airport pints and sunburn are classic British holiday traits
- British tourists linked to aggressive tactics in "sunbed wars"
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Britons abroad have long had a reputation for behaving in distinctly national ways on holiday, even while assuming they blend in with people from other countries. Small habits, from what they eat and drink to what they wear, tend to mark them out wherever they travel.
Tea plays a big part in this, with the UK's fondness for a cuppa extending to packing teabags in suitcases so as not to go without abroad. Other recurring traits include an early pint at the airport, reflexive apologising after minor mishaps, sunburn-prone skin, and holiday outfits such as bright swimwear or socks worn with sandals.
Sunbathing etiquette is another familiar theme, with British tourists sometimes associated with claiming sunbeds early in the morning or going to unusual lengths to keep hold of them. These habits are often discussed light-heartedly, in the same way other nationalities are known for their own particular customs while travelling.