For Basil Fawlty, it would have been the final straw. Britain’s most hopeless hotelier,

who failed so miserably to avoid mentioning the war to his German guests, would have apoplexy confronted by the latest demands of tourism chiefs.

A catalogue of obscure and demanding dos and don’ts to be observed when dealing with foreign visitors is issued to the hopitality industry today by VisitBritain, the national tourism agency.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1301965/Don-t-mention-war-The-1846-48-war-Oh-careful-pour-wine-point-click-fingers-want-avoid-upsetting-tourist.html#ixzz0wHOzWp5h

Pouring wine, or any drink, back-handed is taboo in LOS as well. It's insinuating death to the person you are pouring to.

Not to worry as Thais rarely come to the UK . . . well, not so much as visitors.

wonder what the advise was regarding Thai's visiting the UK ....

wonder what the advise was regarding Thai's visiting the UK ....

Don't mention sick buffaloes?

Hopefully it was advising against degrading comments about the monarchy.

These are the latest responses to the Daily Mail article

What a waste of time, Most of this is common sense and would probably never be bought up in conversation in the first place. People visit other countries to experience something different from their own way of life. Stop trying so hard to be deemed ridiculous and get on with it.

- alan, richmondky, 11/8/2010 11:58

Click to rate Rating 40 Report abuse

I have had to check the date to see if it is the 1st of April. Apparently it isn't, but I'm sure this was not meant to be serious.

If it is serious, I suggest that whoever approved the unnecessary expenditure relating to it be sacked immediately.

- Robert Walpole, Hastings, East Sussex UK, 11/8/2010 11:53

Click to rate Rating 46 Report abuse

When I lived in Mexico I was amazed to find that no topic (including immigration) was taboo -- it was a refreshingly open attitude to life completely different from that of their uptight neighbours to the north where you couldn't talk openly about religion or anything that might offend PC sensibilities.

- B Ward, San Luis de Sabanillas, Spain, 11/8/2010 11:51

Click to rate Rating 34 Report abuse

When in England at election time

it's the height of bad manners to be seen voting for labour.

It also hints at chronic insanity.

- Leigh vernier, Riyadh Saudi Arabia, 11/8/2010 11:50

Click to rate Rating 43 Report abuse

this is the classic politically correct approach to the UK when we the British go abroad - we are told to respect foreign customs and cultures then when foreigners come here - we STILL have to respect their culture and customs kind of feels this being sensitive lark only ever works AGAINST the British

- Dr Kevin Law, Dundee, UK, 11/8/2010 11:49

Click to rate Rating 74 Report abuse

Aren't visitors supposed to read up on the local culture rather than vice-versa?/ ridiculous.

- mishel24, CANADA, 11/8/2010 11:48

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1301965/VisitBritain-guide-avoid-upsetting-tourists-Dont-mention-1846-48-war.html#ixzz0wIx1rAX0

There is similar advice available to foreigners wishing to visit great Britain. Two examples:-

The correct way to conduct oneself in that great bastion of Britishness, the pub, is to stride up to the bar, slam your open hand down firmly and state in a loud firm voice "IT'S MY ROUND". This is considered one of the greatest acts of bonhomie and will ensure you will always be held in fond memories.

If you find yourself having trouble getting the British to understand what you want just repeat yourself in your mother tongue but louder. The British appreciate and understand loudness particularly when they're drunk.

There is similar advice available to foreigners wishing to visit great Britain. Two examples:-

The correct way to conduct oneself in that great bastion of Britishness, the pub, is to stride up to the bar, slam your open hand down firmly and state in a loud firm voice "IT'S MY ROUND". This is considered one of the greatest acts of bonhomie and will ensure you will always be held in fond memories.

If you find yourself having trouble getting the British to understand what you want just repeat yourself in your mother tongue but louder. The British appreciate and understand loudness particularly when they're drunk.

Coming as a polite foreigner I would, in the first place, be embarrassed to no end to walk into a respectable establishment and start yelling. Let alone yelling some phrase to which I am wholly ignorant as to it's meaning.

Just my opinion.

Cheers,

Cheap Charlie