Pub Etiquette
By Geoff Brandwood, Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)
British pubs are famous. We Brits must like them because we have about 60,000. They come in many different types - old and new, big and small, basic and smart. But what do people get up to there? Well, drinking, of course! Obvious enough but suppose it's your first time at the pub - what do you actually do?
How do you order?
Simple. You decide what you want to drink, go up to the counter and tell the barman or barmaid what you want: they will bring it to you there, tell you how much it costs, you pay for it and…job done! Note that unlike, say, a continental café, you pay at the time of service: you do not get a bill to pay later. Receipts are not usual but in larger and more modern pubs you can normally get one if you ask.
Tipping?
Tips are not usual in pubs and are not expected. Occasionally people say 'have one on me' (= the price of a small drink) or 'keep the change'. But that sort of thing only happens if the order is a big one or the bar person has been particularly helpful.
Cash or credit cards?
Normally it's cash though some larger pubs may take credit cards for orders over, say, £5.00 (but ask first).
Where do you drink?
Your choice. Take your drink to a table or you can consume it standing up. We call the latter 'vertical' or 'perpendicular' drinking.
What do you order?
Again the choice is yours. Most pubs are sure to have the drink you want - certainly beer or lager, wine, cider and popular spirits like whisky and gin. And it's no problem if you prefer a soft drink.
Traditional beer?
Most (but by no means all) pubs sell traditional beer (also called 'real ale'). It is dispensed from hand-pumps and is cool but not chilled. Do try it - unlike lager, there are many different flavours. Draught beer is normally served in one pint (568ml) measures but you can also order it in half pints. Contrary to malicious foreign rumours, we Brits don't drink 'warm' beer: traditional beer should be served at about 13-15 degrees.
Eating in the pub?
Pubs are also popular places to eat. They are less formal than restaurants and are usually cheaper. You generally order at the bar and, again, tipping is not expected. The range of food varies enormously from pub to pub. The popular phrase 'bar food' (often seen outside pubs) can mean almost anything but typically means things like steak, omelettes, steak and kidney pie, lasagne, and salads or chips (French Fries or pommes frites). Common terms that must confuse any overseas visitor are 'Ploughman's Lunch' and 'Jackets'. The former means bread and (usually) salad and pickles, served with cheese or sometimes pâté; the latter refers to potatoes baked in the skins and served with a variety of fillings like cheese, baked beans, tuna, etc. Many pubs serve the traditional British Sunday Lunch of roast meat with potatoes and vegetables. A recent trend has been the arrival of the 'gastropub' - a halfway house between a pub and a restaurant - where the emphasis is on good food using local and seasonal produce rather than drink.
Smoking?
It is now illegal to smoke in any enclosed public place in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This includes smoking in pubs and bars, although many have beer gardens outside, where you can smoke.
Last orders?
In recent years British licensing laws have become more liberal but every pub has strictly defined hours. They usually open at 1100 or 1200 and in towns and cities many stay open till 2300 (2230 on Sundays). But some pubs do close in the afternoon. Before closing time the staff may shout 'last orders' (but they may not, so keep an eye on your watch!).
Cheers!
What do you say to your drinking companions as you are about to have the first drink? The British drinking culture and vocabulary is poor in this respect. Usually we say nothing! 'Good health' is rather old-fashioned and not much used. Raising the glass and saying 'cheers' is about the best we manage!
Enjoy your pub visiting. Cheers!