When you get on a train in England, it's very important to introduce yourself to everyone in the carriage. A simple handshake will suffice, but if you really want to be accepted a bear hug is considered polite.
All shopping centres in large towns have free public bicycles. They can be distinguished from the privately owned ones as the latter are always locked up. If you see an unlocked bicycle feel free to take it for a ride, but you must deposit it elsewhere in the town.
It is common to hang your matress out of the window to air in the morning. The chambermaid will appreciate your kind thoughts.
Most people order white wine with their meal in a fish and chip shop. Typically, the proprieter will generaly pretend that he doesn't sell wine, and the proper response is "Oh come on gizza bottle of win you minging old git."
Policeman often get bored walking their beat and it is considered polite to knock their helmet off as you pass them. The younger ones may pretend to chase you, but it's all just good fun and gives them some much appreciated exersize.
Also the proper method of addressing a bobby as the police are called in England is the friendly word tosser as in "I say, can you tell me where the nearest tube station is you old tosser?"
If someone large should make you feel threatened, the correct way to diffuse the situation is to say "Hey you old poof, can you show me where the nearest cottage is?" as they love to talk about English village life.
If he in return offers you a "bunch of fives" it is indeed a great honour dating back to the Boer war You should politely decline at least once by remembering the fallen serviceman honoured in this tradition. The correct response is then "You and whose army?".
Shopkeepers in the East End of London put a lot of effort into setting very fair prices. They love to discuss these prices and the methods they used to arrive at the numbers. The traditional name to show your respect during this discussion is "Tea Leaf".
When an Englishman introduces you to his mother or his sister, it is considered polite to indicate that you consider them to be fair of countenance "Gaw wot a right old slapper" is the correct phrase to use in these situations.
We generally don't like to go to foreign countries because... well because they are foreign. However don't feel that you have to avoid the subject altogether as you host or hostess might like to discuss with an actual foreigner any trip they migtht have taken. One way to broach the subject is to ask your host "Is your wife a go-er?" as it gives him a chance to list the places they have visited together.
Justr as Americans call their girlfriend's "Baby" English women often refer to their husbands as if they were from a different generation. If you home alone with your hostess, and she seems like she is fretting, it is polite to suggest you call your host to see how his day in the office is progressing. The proper way to suggest this is "How about a little how's your father then?". She'll certainly be glad of the distraction.