The opening hours for shops are almost completely deregulated, though there are some restrictions on Sunday trading, and many outlets are open 24/7 even outside the major urban areas.

Banks are generally open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Appointments should be made at least a few days in advance and, ideally, confirmed on arrival in the UK. If you are being late for the appointment, do call and let your host know. Cold calling is not appreciated.

In July, August, Bank holidays in May and Easter you would see lot of people taking leaves to go to exotic places on a vacation. UK industry closes almost completely between Christmas and New Year.

UK has about eight national holidays a year. This is the list of holidays upto 2007.

Appointments:

You should not arrive too promptly for social events - but aim to arrive a respectable fifteen minutes after the specified time; thus, if a dinner invitation states '7:30 p.m. for 8:00 p.m.', it means that you will be expected at about 7:50 p.m.

Negotiations:

In keeping with their undemonstrative nature, British businessmen approach their work in a detached way that regards objective facts and solid evidence as the only legitimate forms of persuasion; feelings and personal relationships are usually irrelevant.

Conversation:

Most Britons are reserved by nature and often find it difficult to indulge in small talk with a complete stranger. Don't be offended when travelling on the London underground when people would use newspapers and books as 'shields'.

Generally speaking, northerners tend to be more immediately friendly than southerners. Don't be surprised if people outside the 'Home Counties' of southeast England address you in overly affectionate terms such as 'dear' or 'love' (whether you are a man or a woman).

For the most part, the British speak in low, moderate, measured tones without raising the voice or gesticulating wildly for emphasis.

They also like to maintain their own personal space and will shy away from those they find invasive.

Although not all Britons are particularly articulate, you should make an effort to speak in complete sentences; the British generally find the North American habit of trailing off in mid-sentence rather irritating. Nor should you interrupt someone; intonation conveys one has finished speaking and, in British English, the voice normally goes down at the end of an affirmative sentence.

Britons prefer to avoid animated discussions.

It is always advisable to try to initiate conversation with open questions rather than an assertion of a personal point of view.

The British are largely tolerant and open-minded but every nation. Almost all Britons, however, are proud of their culture and heritage and this should be respected not mocked.

Avoid repeating someone's name more than once in a conversation.

The 'stiff upper lip' is not just the stuff of fiction and emotional displays, positive or negative, are generally frowned upon.

Gestures such as backslapping and hugging are discouraged and a wide distance should be maintained between participants in a conversation.

Maintaining eye contact may be necessary when you are trying to emphasise important points but you must avoid any temptation to 'eye-ball'.

Talking loudly is unacceptable and shouting is beyond the pale.

Some old-fashioned interlocutors may not hear you if you have your hands in your pockets. The British do not gesticulate frantically.

British are polite and courteous for the most part. They expect to be treated with respect, in return for which they will treat you with respect.

Topics to begin a conversation:

The weather (always a safe starting point)

Sport (football/soccer, now Cricket also after win over Australia) ·

British literature, art and popular music

Positive experiences in the UK

Food and curries

Topics to avoid:

Northern Ireland

Religion - always avoid

The Queen and the Royal Family

Politics

The European Union, 'Brussels' and the euro

The Middle East

Personal questions about a person's background, religion, occupation, etc.

Race and immigration