E26 Are British people *really* polite? - Improve your Intermediate English listening skills

English and Beyond: Intermediate to Advanced English Podcast

In this episode of English and Beyond, an intermediate-advanced English learning podcast, César and I explore the labyrinth that is British social etiquette. From a brutally honest, brutally Spanish flat inspection in Valencia to the fine-tuned overuse of “sorry” and “thank you” on the London Tube, we break down what it means to be “polite” in the UK.

Is it all genuine kindness, or are Brits just world-class at passive-aggressive fakery? And how does that reconcile with the less-than-dignified behaviour of sunburnt Brits in Magaluf?

Join us both as we tackle queuing etiquette, white lies, and the cultural clash of ordering a simple beer in a British pub. Packed with sharp observations, dry humour, and César’s own Spanish-British perspective, this episode is a deep dive into why British politeness is both maddening and magnificent.

Don’t worry - listening won’t require queuing. Unless you’re living in Britain, in which case, feel free to line up out of habit.

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📖 Read Along: For a full and accurate transcript and additional learning resources (including Quizlet flashcards), check out our website at the following link: morethanalanguage.com