Travel Insurance United Kingdom

Business Practices

Business people are generally expected to wear suits. Appointments should be made and the exchange of business cards is customary. Knowledge of English is essential. Prompt acknowledgment of correspondence, adherence to appointment schedules, and a greater formality in the conduct of business is the norm. Office hours are typically 0900/0930-1700/1730 Monday to Friday.

Crime

The police force is professional, excellently trained and approachable on a wide range of problems. The phone number for police/fire/ambulance emergency services is 999 in the United Kingdom (and 112 in Gibraltar). The vast majority of U.K. police do not carry firearms. They rely on rapid armed response units when weapons are needed. Visitors are not expected to produce identity documents for police authorities and thus may secure their passports in hotel safes or residences. The United Kingdom and Gibraltar benefit from generally low crime rates. Violent criminal confrontations and the use of weapons remain relatively rare in the UK. Most violent crimes, including those involving firearms, are between members of rival criminal gangs. ; However crime, including violent crime, has increased over the last few years, especially in London. As in any city, tourists are targeted for petty theft, especially at sight-seeing spots and on public transport. Thieves often target unattended cars parked at tourist sites and roadside restaurants, looking for laptop computers and hand-held electronic equipment. Incidents include pick-pocketing, mugging, "snatch and grab" theft of mobile phones, watches and jewelry and theft of unattended bags, especially at airports and from cars parked at restaurants, hotels and resorts. Credit card and ATM fraud, often involving sophisticated equipment, is increasing in the United Kingdom. Take care to shield your pin number when using ATMs. Avoid using ATMs located in isolated areas. Do not use the ATM if there is anything stuck to the machine or if it looks unusual in any way. If the machine does not return the card, it should be reported to the issuing bank immediately. In London, travelers should use only licensed "black taxi cabs," or car services recommended by their hotel or tour operator. Unlicensed taxis or private cars posing as taxis may offer low fares, but are often uninsured and may have unlicensed drivers. In some instances, travelers have been robbed and raped while using these cars. Assaults have also occurred on public transport services late at night. Avoid walking in isolated areas, including public parks, especially after dark. Travelers should take care not to leave drinks unattended in bars and nightclubs. There have been some instances of drinks being spiked with illegal substances, leading to incidents of robbery and rape.

Hotels

Accommodation in all parts of the UK is readily available. Many hotels are international and business-class standard. In addition there are numerous inns that afford reasonable comfort.

Communications

Telephone IDD is available. The country code is 44 and the outgoing international code is 00. There are numerous public call boxes. Some boxes take coins, others phone-cards only. There are two suppliers of telecommunication networks, British Telecom and Mercury. There are many high-street fax bureaus in major cities. Most hotels and offices have facilities. There are telex bureaus in all the main cities. Post office opening hours are 0900-1730 Monday to Friday and 0900-1230 Saturday.

Electricity

is 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square 3-pin plugs are standard and the visitor is unlikely to come across the older round 3-pin type. Electricity 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs are standard and the visitor is unlikely to come across the older round three-pin type.

Plug Types

G

Food And Dining

Each of the countries of the United Kingdom has its own particular national dishes and drinks, festivals and other events of interest, its own attractions for shoppers and its own nightlife and other entertainments. (see below)

Tipping:
In hotels, a service charge of 10 to 12 per cent is usual, which may be added to the bill. 10 to 15 per cent is usual for restaurants and it too is often added to the bill, in which case, a further tip is not required. 10 to 15 per cent is also usual for taxi drivers and hairdressers but this is not included in the bill. There is no legal requirement to pay service charges that have been added to bills and if the service has been unsatisfactory, it may be deducted by the customer. Travelers should remember, however, that, in the UK, wage levels for catering staff are set at a deliberately low level in the expectation that tips will make up the difference. England Good English cooking is superb and there are some restaurants specializing in old English dishes. In general, the north of the country tends to offer more substantial and traditional food, at more reasonable prices than the south. Every region, however, will have its own specialty. For those who want variety, London and the larger cities offer every type of ethnic food imaginable, Chinese and Indian being particularly popular and good value for money. Regional specialties: Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Game or venison pies. Apple crumble (slices of cooked apple with sweet crumble). Spotted dick (suet pudding with currants and raisins). Syllabub (a medieval dish consisting of double cream, white wine and lemon juice). English cream tea, particularly in south-coast seaside resorts, consisting of scones, jam, butter, clotted or double cream and, of course, tea. Regional varieties of baking such as Bakewell tart, a pastry base covered with jam, almond filling and topped with icing; and breads of all description. Cheddar and Stilton are the most famous British cheeses. Regional drinks: Beer - bitter and lager are the most popular, but stout, pale ale and brown ale are also widely drunk. Cider. Tea. Gin. Pimm's, a refreshing gin-based drink, usually mixed with lemonade, fruit and mint, and especially popular in summer. English wines are becoming increasingly popular. Things to know: Table service in restaurants is usual but there are self-service snack bars. Set-price lunches, especially on Sundays, with a choice of about three dishes, are particularly good value, as is pub food. The British pub is nothing short of a national institution and even the smallest village in the remotest corner of the country will usually have at least one. There are about as many beers in England as there are cheeses in France and the recent revival of real ale has greatly improved the range and qualities of brews available. Look out for the sign 'Free House' outside a pub, meaning that beer from more than one brewery will be sold there. Wine bars and cocktail bars are now common in the larger cities and towns, and the latter will often have a 'happy hour' (when prices are reduced) in the early evening. Under 18s will not be served alcohol and children under 16 are not generally allowed into pubs, although they may sit in the garden. Licensing hours vary between towns, but many pubs, especially in main centres, are open typically 1100-2300; the visitor should not be surprised, however, if they find a pub closing for a period in the afternoon. On Sunday, hours are 1200-2230. Private clubs often have an extension into the early hours. A new law came into force in November 2005 under which pubs can apply for licenses allowing 24-hour opening. MPs have also voted to ban smoking from all pubs and private members' clubs in England. The change is expected to take effect in summer 2007. Tipping: A service charge (usually 12.5 per cent) might be included in the prices stated on the menu but it is more likely to be added to the bill at the end. This is technically an optional charge but it would be very unusual to ask for it to be removed. Where 'Service is not included', a tip of at least 10 per cent is expected, although 12-15 per cent is becoming more common. Diners should check the bill thoroughly, as tipping is not required on top of a service charge. Tipping is not usual in bars and pubs if ordering at the bar.

Nightlife
The main cities, London in particular, have a vast range to choose from: theatre (including open-air in the summer), opera, ballet, concerts, films, restaurants, nightclubs and discos, as well as, of course, pubs. The weekly magazine, Time Out, publishes a comprehensive guide to events in the capital. Northern Ireland Regional specialties: An Ulster fry - eggs, sausages, ham or fish with chips. Shellfish. Homemade vegetable soups. Irish stew. Dried seaweed. Home-baked cakes and pastries. Regional drinks: Guinness - a dark heavy stout with a creamy head. Irish whiskey, often drunk along with a bottle of stout. Hilden - real ale produced at Lisburn. The pubs are open all day Mon-Sat 1130-2300 and Sun 1230-2200 with half an hour 'drinking-up' time. Pubs in Belfast often stays open until 0100 Thurs-Sat. Note: A smoking ban is to be implemented in all enclosed public spaces, including pubs and restaurants, in April 2007. Nightlife Northern Ireland has a strong tradition for musical entertainment, from the toe-tapping live folk bands playing in crowded pubs to the soulful lyrics of Van Morrison and the world-famous talent of flautist James Galway. Visitors will be able to find something to suit, from the latest dance music in nightclubs to opera or classical concerts. Traditional Irish music in 'singing pubs' provides a good evening's entertainment in many places, particularly Belfast and Londonderry. Special musical events include the summer Jazz and Blues Festival in Londonderry and Limavady and the October Ards Guitar Festival held in Newtownards. There is also a wealth of theatres and art galleries located in and around Belfast, including the famous Lyric Theatre, where Liam Neeson started his career. There are summer theatres in Newcastle and Portrush, plus the Riverside Theatre at Coleraine. The Belfast Festival at Queen's (three weeks in November each year) is Ireland's biggest international festival. Other main venues for drama performances and concerts are the Grand Opera House, Ulster Hall, King's Hall and the Waterfront Hall (all in Belfast), the Armagh Theatre and Arts Centre and the Millennium Forum theatre in Derry and numerous regional theatres. Further information can be obtained from the Northern Ireland's Arts Council's monthly magazine art.ie or from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Scotland Regional specialties: Porridge, a traditional Scottish breakfast made from locally grown oats and either milk or water. Haggis (chopped oatmeal and offal cooked in the stomach of a sheep), neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes). Cullen skink (fish soup). Smoked salmon. Partan bree (crab with rice and cream). Drop scones (scotch pancakes), Black bun, a fruit cake on a pastry base. Arbroath smokies (haddock smoked over oak chips in the Angus fishing town of Arbroath). Forfar bridies (beef, onions and seasoning with a short crust cover). Selkirk bannock (a fruit bun made with butter and sultanas). Hawick Balls and Jethart Snails (traditional boiled sweets in the Borders). Regional drinks: Whisky. Beer. Irn Bru (carbonated soft drink said to be made from girders!). Things to know: Licensing hours vary; basic hours are 1100-2300, but many pubs have extended hours, particularly in cities. The Scottish Parliament has introduced a complete smoking ban in bars, restaurants, pubs, clubs and offices. The law came into force on 26 March 2006. Designated hotel bedrooms will be exempt. Nightlife In major cities, such as Edinburgh and Glasgow, there is a vibrant nightlife, with many bars, restaurants, nightclubs and cinemas. These places also offer a fine array of theatre, opera and music concerts. Some of the main venues for drama performances include the Festival Theatre, Playhouse, Assembly Rooms and Queen's Hall in Edinburgh, the Citizen's Theatre and Theatre Royal in Glasgow, as well as many picturesque regional theatres. The SECC building in Glasgow is a popular concert arena for live bands. Nightlife may be more limited in the smaller villages and islands. Wales Regional specialties: Welsh rarebit (cheese on toast). Laver bread, which is made with seaweed. Welsh cakes (made with sultanas or currants). Welsh cawl (a meat and vegetable broth). Marsh lamb. Regional drinks: Brains beer. Nightlife In general, it is similar to that of an English town of comparable size, with bars, restaurants and cinemas being common in the cities and large towns. A smoking ban is to be implemented in all enclosed public spaces, including pubs and restaurants, in April 2007.