Branded a nation who mind their Ps and Qs, Brits are renowned for their love of queuing and politeness – but according to a new report, 90% think that Brits have bad holiday habits. The research by Virgin Media O2 and Duolingo comes as millions of Brits are expected to flock abroad this summer for a well-deserved break.
Despite holidays usually being the perfect time to unwind and let your hair down, almost two thirds of those polled (63%) believe that there are plenty of typical “fails” Brits make when on holiday, including drinking beer at breakfast, which nearly a third (32%) think is a no go.
The study revealed the biggest holiday faux pas Brits make, including leaving the hotel room in a mess for staff to clean (45%), playing loud music or talking loudly at the beach or pool (41%) and ordering British food for dinner, like fish and chips, instead of sampling local delicacies (38%) all featuring on the list.
The most common holiday faux pas Brits often make:
- Expecting everyone to speak English – 74%
- Getting burnt – 55%
- Not trying to learn the local language at all – 49%
- Leaving your hotel room in a mess for staff to clean – 45%
- Playing loud music or talking loudly at the beach or pool – 41%
- Ordering British food instead of the local specialities – 38%
- Bagging sun loungers or spots on the beach with towels – 33%
- Drinking beer at breakfast – 32%
- Accidentally insulting a local by saying something rude in their language – 31%
- Ordering British drinks, instead of alcohol made in the country they are visiting – 26%
Other cringeworthy signs of a Brit abroad include ordering UK made beer or alcohol instead of something made in the country they’re visiting (26%), not tipping at a restaurant or bar (25%) and ordering a full English for breakfast (18%).
Despite Brits’ bad holiday habits, it appears we have good intentions, with 41% suggesting they always make an effort to learn some of the language of their holiday destination before they go away, and a further 48% stating they do try to learn a few phrases on occasion. Of those inclined to learn the language, the most popular phrases learnt include “hello” (88%), “thank you” (86%) and “please” (78%), with a fifth of Britons (19%) also attempting to learn directions to somewhere and 16% making a note of how to order their favourite drinks and how to say “cheers”. And, it seems convenience is key, with four in five (78%) Brits using their phone abroad as a language guide rather than a book.
Of those who don’t try to learn any phrases before they go abroad, over a quarter (27%) admit they often resort to hand signals to try and communicate on holiday, such as gesturing for the bill or saying thank you by putting their hands together.
Virgin Media O2 has teamed up with Duolingo to offer Priority members a free three-month trial of Duolingo Plus on the mobile app, offering Virgin Media and O2 customers a saving of £29.97 so they can brush up on their holiday lingo.
Priority members can choose from a range of languages, including Spanish, French, Dutch, Italian, Irish Turkish and many more. And, as O2 is the only major provider to offer EU roaming at no extra cost, customers can keep connected throughout Europe without the hassle or concern of extra roaming charges.
The most popular languages on Duolingo in the UK in June 2022 are:
- Spanish (24% of learners)
- French (19%)
- German (8%)
- Italian (8%)
- English (6%)
- Japanese (5%)
- Welsh (3%)
- Russian (2%)
- Portuguese (2%)
- Korean (2%)
Virgin Media O2 has teamed up with Duolingo to offer Priority members a free three-month trial of Duolingo Plus on the mobile app, offering Virgin Media and O2 customers a saving of £29.97 so they can brush up on their holiday lingo.
Priority members can choose from a range of languages, including Spanish, French, Dutch, Italian, Irish Turkish and many more. And, as O2 is the only major provider to offer EU roaming at no extra cost, customers can keep connected throughout Europe without the hassle or concern of extra roaming charges.
Virgin Media and O2 customers can download the free Priority app on iOS and Android, or O2 customers can text PRIORITY to 2020 to access exclusive perks, rewards and experiences.
