CULTURAL DO'S AND DON'TS: BRITISH AND COLOMBIANS DIFFERENCES
- POLITENESS AND MANNERS
First let's say that British are very famous for their politeness, self-discipline and specially for their sense of humor.
British society practically obliged British to be polite all the time maybe that is the reason for British to accumulate negative feelings and 
emotions. You could say that British have a double personality because they can be very polite but at the same time very serious. That doesn't happen here. We Latinos, Colombians and to be more accurate "Costeños" can be polite but only because we want it to be, and if we have something to say we just do it. You can say that we are very spontaneous and cheerful people.
Manners are very important to British people, is kind of part of their personality. Little details like taking off your hat when you go indoors, open doors for other people, say sorry and cover your mouth when yawning or coughing are considered elemental manners and everybody practice them.
emotions. You could say that British have a double personality because they can be very polite but at the same time very serious. That doesn't happen here. We Latinos, Colombians and to be more accurate "Costeños" can be polite but only because we want it to be, and if we have something to say we just do it. You can say that we are very spontaneous and cheerful people.Manners are very important to British people, is kind of part of their personality. Little details like taking off your hat when you go indoors, open doors for other people, say sorry and cover your mouth when yawning or coughing are considered elemental manners and everybody practice them.
Talking about manners it is very good manners to say "please" and "thank you". It is considered rude if you don't. In this aspect British are very similar to us because we use to say "please" ande "thank you" very often. We aren't so different after all...
When we met for the firs time somebody we should never greet people with a kiss. The right thing to do is shake hands and say hello or any other greeting. Brits only kiss people who are close friends or relatives. That is exactly the opposite of what happens here. In Clombia is very common to see people kissing each other. We Colombians are very affectionate with everyone and we never feel ashamed about it. By tha way, if somebody says "How do you do?" you must answer "How do you do?" It is important to say that this is a greeting not a question and you say it when shaking hands with someone.
Another thing we must remember if we go someday to UK is to avoid talking loudly in public, Brits are very quiet and if you get there and start talking loudly they would probably think you're crazy. This also happens in some Colombians cities, but in coastal cities like Barranquilla or Santa Marta citizens are used to talk loudly and nobody think they're crazy. I guess Brits could think people here is becoming crazy...ha ha ha.
- QUEUING
Another issue is Queuing. Queuing fairly is important in the UK: if someone was there before you, let him/her be served first. "Queue jumping" is frowned upon. Here in Colombia is very common to watch people trying to get at the front of the line by any way possible. people don't always respect a queue. let's say we are less ordered than British in that aspect.
- DRIVING
Brits drive on the left-hand side of the road, so the steering wheel is on the right. Can you believe it? this can be very strange to us because we are used to drive on other side but I guess we must be prepared if we go someday to London. However the pedals are in the same position as in the left-handed cars, with the acelerator (gas pedal) on the right. The gears and almost always the handbrake (parking brake) is operated with the left hand.- MATTER OF TIME
It is perheps the most famous quality of British. They're always on time and they expect you to do the same. Here are some general tips to remember. You need to get:
* At the exact time specified - for dinner, lunch, or appointments with professors, doctors, and other professionals.
* Any time during the hours specified for teas, receptions, and cocktails parties.
* A few minutes early: for public meetings, plays, concerts, movies, sporting events, classes, church services, and weddings.
REMEMBER: If you're invited to someone's house for dinner at
half past seven, they will expect you to be ther on the dot. An invitation might
state "7.30 for 8", in which case you should arrive no later than 7.50. However,
if an invitation says "sharp", you must arrive in plenty of time.
In Colombia, people don't always respect time. I can say that I worry about punctuality only when is some important meeting but when is an appointment with my friends be on time is not so important. We should improve this to become better persons.
- INVITATIONS
If you receive a written invitation to an event 
says "RSVP", you should respond to let the person who sent the invitation know whether or not you plan to attend. Never accept an invitation unless you really plan to go. You may refuse by saying, " Thank you for inviting me, but I will not be able to come". If, after accepting, you are unable to attend, be sure to tell those expecting you as far in advance as possible that you will not be there. Things are very different here, people never respond an invitation, and they just show up. only in special occasions they confirm if they plan to attend but it is very strange to see someone doing this.
says "RSVP", you should respond to let the person who sent the invitation know whether or not you plan to attend. Never accept an invitation unless you really plan to go. You may refuse by saying, " Thank you for inviting me, but I will not be able to come". If, after accepting, you are unable to attend, be sure to tell those expecting you as far in advance as possible that you will not be there. Things are very different here, people never respond an invitation, and they just show up. only in special occasions they confirm if they plan to attend but it is very strange to see someone doing this. People in Colombia should take example from British and be more polite about responding invitations.
And this is the end of this article, please leave your comments...Hugs and kisses!!!