Sometimes British people can come across as reserved and reticent. Despite a real relaxation in British cultural mores over the last few decades, we still retain a firm sense of individual privacy, and a feeling that it is intrusive to ask personal questions.

Effusive displays of emotion are seen as false, self-promotion is seen as bumptious and boastful, sentimentality is plain embarrassing. 

The British - who are resistant to intrusive questioning, prying remarks and direct interrogations - are very comfortable with small talk. They are more than happy to discuss the weather (inevitably), transport, the surroundings and general news; money, politics and personal comments are discouraged.

Read our invaluable insights into the British character, as well as some guidance on the social rituals  - afternoon tea, drinks in the pub - that underpin British life.

In the competitive arena of the Olympics, sporting values - which are revered by the British - will be very much on display. 

Generations of British schoolchildren have been taught that - in sport, as in life - it's not all about winning the game, it's about playing well. This means being magnanimous in victory, and gracious in defeat. Sportsmanship is no more than good manners: congratulating your opponents on effective play, accepting the decisions of the referee/umpire with good grace - absolutely no whining, arguing, sulking or triumphal strutting.

In the aftermath of victory, the British trait tendency to self-deprecate is much applauded. The British have a horror of what they call 'blowing your own trumpet', and are deeply averse to earnestness, pomposity and self-importance.