As the world’s oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament gets underway in leafy South West London, we take a look at some of the (written and unwritten) etiquette rules of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships. Lat year, the British grand slam was cancelled due to coronavirus and, while tennis fans will delight in the return … Read more
The Victorian era is renowned for its rigid social codes and buttoned-up etiquette rules. Propriety was of utmost importance and Victorian etiquette went much deeper than knowing the correct handshake or which fork to use. Manners dictated every facet of life, from social interactions and romantic liaisons to dress codes and how much champagne one … Read more
From Guy Fawkes Night and Maypole dancing to bog snorkelling and cheese rolling, there are some downright quirky British traditions that have stood the test of time. Traditions play a key part in preserving a country’s culture and educating its people, especially the younger generation, about the history, values and beliefs that have existed for … Read more
The trials and tribulations of the aristocratic Crawley family captivated audiences around the world for six seasons before culminating in a record-breaking finale on Christmas Day 2015. This week Lord Grantham, Lady Mary and the other characters in the British period drama are reunited on the big screen thanks to the highly-anticipated release of the … Read more
To mark National Afternoon Tea Week, which runs from August 12-18, we have rounded up the finest establishments to partake of an afternoon tea, whether you are in London or elsewhere in Britain. A traditional afternoon tea is a ritual that must be experienced in its country of birth, Great Britain. Here we explore 10 … Read more
From lamb to Simnel cakes and Easter bonnets to egg jarping, Easter is a wonderful time to celebrate. Learn how to do it traditionally. We may think of bunnies and chocolate eggs when it comes to Easter but it is, after all, a major Christian holiday – more important than Christmas. It’s also the first … Read more
Happy birthday to the most famous of bards. Born 23 April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon – now known as National Shakespeare Day, as well as being St George’s Day – Shakespeare had a huge effect on our language; the Oxford English Dictionary credits him for coining more than 1,600 words in his 52 living years. We … Read more
The land of Mary Poppins, James Bond and Hugh Grant – ah, Great Britain. Our American cousins delight in our accents, traditions and history but not so much in the size of our roads or houses. But is it really so different this side of the Atlantic when it comes to deportment and conduct? Scott … Read more
Earlier this year a Chinese senior analyst who had been working in the US but had recently moved to London came to The British School of Etiquette for an introductory course in British business etiquette, following it up with a dining course. She says Americans are “rather free and casual” compared to the British and … Read more
Straight-talking American comedian Chelsea Handler recently received a lesson in afternoon tea etiquette from William Hanson at Fortnum & Mason’s Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon for her Netflix show Chelsea. Her sleeve length was perfectly acceptable, says etiquette expert Philip Sykes, but her greeting – and swearing – was not. The greeting Chelsea Handler: “Hi.” William … Read more
