Page 19 - Group Leader Handbook
P. 19
Travel Advice
First time in Britain? These tips might be useful to you…..
Mobile phones
We recommend that you use a British SIM card in your phone.
They can be picked up in most convenience stores/
supermarkets. We recommend that you use Lycamobile or Leb-
ara as they offer good coverage and cheap rates for calling
abroad.
Traffic
Cars in the UK drive on the left. Always look both ways when
crossing the road. Drivers in Britain tend to be very good and
stop at pedestrian crossings, but as soon as the light goes green
for them they want to go…..
Tipping
Tipping is complicated and even the British find it confusing. We Changing money
don’t tip in fast food restaurants but would leave bit of
change in a café. If service is not included in a restaurant (check You can change money at any post office.
the bill), people in the UK usually tip the waiter 10% of the total
Food and Drink in Shops
cost of the meal by leaving change.
Shops in the UK do not like their customers to eat and drink
Obstructing the footpath
whilst inside. It is advisable not to do so, the owner of the shop
When walking or meeting in groups, students should not block may ask you leave.
footpaths or roadways. Blocking paths is one of the most com- Cultural and Racial Acceptance
mon forms of annoyance. Group Leaders should ensure as far as
possible that their students are not causing problems to those The UK is a culturally diverse place and is predominantly very
around them whilst on excursions off-site. accepting of all races, cultures, religions and lifestyles. Any slurs
or jokes made that are deliberately prejudicial will likely be met
Noise
with hostility by the average person who hears them.
Group Leaders should ensure that their students are always Food
considerate and strive to keep noise levels to a minimum - par-
ticularly at night in dorms. The cuisine throughout the UK is varied. Most cities, towns and
villages throughout Britain will have restaurants offering Italian,
Queuing
Turkish, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Mexican and American food.
In Britain, as in many other countries, people queue one behind If you want traditional British food try:
the other at places such as bus stops, cinemas and shops. This
ensures that each is served in order. All students should respect Full English/Scottish breakfast from a cafe
this custom.
Fish and chips from a chip shop, with salt and vinegar.
Shop Hours Much better than the school’s version!
In towns and cities shops are open 7 days a week, and there are Pub lunches. Pubs are less about drinking than eating
plenty of late opening convenience stores. Shops are usually now, and most of them serve good-value meals in family-
open from 09:00 – 17:30 from Monday through to Saturday. friendly environments. Roast dinners are a good buy but
Sunday opening hours differ from shop to shop but most open
they also sell burgers, fish & chips, sausage and mash.
from 10:00 – 16:00.
Pies, sausage rolls and Cornish pasties. Pasty shops and
Banks bakery chains have sprung up around Britain in the last
Most banks are open from 09:00 – 17:30 from Monday through 10 years. Try a pasty from a specialist shop when you are
to Saturday. ATM machines are very common though; most on excursion—they are a filling, traditional snack.
supermarkets have their own. Cake, cream teas and scones. Baking is extremely popu-
Money lar in Britain now and there are lots of shops and cafes
selling home-made cakes
Over the last 10 years several old style bank notes—£5 and £50
notes especially—have been replaced and cannot be used in
shops. However, if you take these notes to a bank, along with
your passport, you should be able to change them quite easily.
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