Top 9+ things British people hate but no one else seems to mind

The British are, it's fair to say, something of an irritable bunch. That's not an attack. Metro are based out of London, remember. The writer of these very words was born in England. He knows it to be true. If tea is our national drink and fish and chips our national dish, then constantly being slightly annoyed about fairly trivial things is our national trait. Some of the things in life that really stick in the craw of the average Brit barely raise an eyebrow elsewhere. Here are nine perfect examples of just what we mean... (Picture: Getty Images)

1. Talkative shop assistants

It's not that English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish people don't enjoy conversation. They're as chatty as your average Belgian, Tunisian or Mauritian. It's just they tend to despise polite chit-chat with strangers. Especially if that stranger happens to be working for a retailer and the conversation they want to have is about how you should spend more in their shop. So strong is this hatred, in fact, that you'll often see a Brit walked straight out of a store they've just entered if the shop assistant comes on too strong (Picture: Getty Images)

2. Strangers sitting next to them anywhere

If you were to sit a Brit down and ask them about the reality of them having to sit next to someone they don't know in public, they'd be very reasonable about it. They agree that it's inevitable and not an issue. But when it happens? Be it on a park bench or on public transport, they're not happy about it. Fidgeting, making noise, eating smelly foods... There are literally thousands of way in which someone from the UK can get irritated by proximity to a stranger (Picture: Getty Images)

3. Cutting into queues

Onto the big one. Queuing. For some ungodly reason, the concept of standing in a line - patiently or otherwise - is a very big thing for the British. Britain may not get overly bothered as a country with inequality, unfairness or cheating when it comes to the economy or governance. But when we're talking about who's next to get served a sausage roll? It's first come, first served. But in order. Cut the queue and you risk the wrath of an entire nation (Picture: Getty Images)

4. Being publicly enthusiastic about something

You've heard of the 'stiff upper lip', right? It's the idea that - no matter what's happening, good or bad - British folk take it in their stride, get on with it and don't show emotion. So when the average Brit sees anyone giving some sort of public demonstration of emotion? Well, it just won't do! Unless it's a football match, of course. Or they've had a few pints of ale down the local pub. Then all bets are off, obviously (Picture: Getty Images)

5. Other people talking loudly in public

Oh, there's plenty of public transport conduct that can push a Brit to their absolute limit. There's something about the selfishness of others when you're on a bus or train that makes mildly bothersome behaviour become all the average Brit can think about. Blabbering away loudly while everyone is trying to get on with their journey is the epitome of this. It's enough to make a British person blow their top. Although, chances are, they'd do it later when they got home. In private (Picture: Getty Images)

6. Getting tea protocol wrong

Okay, sure. So the whole 'cup of tea' thing is a bit of a tired old cliche when you're talking about the British. But there's no denying that they go mad for a brew. In fact, it's believed that that Brits drink over 100 million cups of tea a day. That's according to the UK Tea & Infusions Association, anyway. If you're not British and you're making someone from the UK a tea, put the milk in last. Seriously, it's not worth the hassle you'll get. And boil the water. Microwave it and you're liable to cause some kind of medical episode (Picture: Getty Images)

7. Getting ‘round’ protocol wrong

It's true, the Brits take their tea very seriously. But they take their pints ever more seriously. Pubs are not unlike churches in Great Britain. And the main commandment speaks of 'round' etiquette. Basically, you get your beer in. If someone buys you one, you buy them one back. It's simple, but it's a basic tenant. The British have started wars over less. Although, to be fair, that's not saying much (Picture: Getty Images)

8. People who don’t do the 'little jog' when you hold the door open for them

Brits have a strange relationship with politeness. They're kind of obsessed with it, but very quick to do away with it if they feel aggrieved. Here's a good example of what we mean. When you going through a door and you know there's someone behind you also looking to use the door, you stop and hold it open for them. That's basic courtesy, isn't it? In the position of the recipient of this kindness, you've only one choice... To hurry up a little, breeze through the door as soon as you can and mutter a thanks at the person holding it for you. But sauntering? That's not cool. The little jog is your way of thanking the door holder. Fail to complete that little jog and you could be in for an ear bashing (Picture: Getty Images)

9. Not using a divider bar on the supermarket till conveyor belt

The rise of the supermarket self-service checkout is curbing the anger caused by this final selection. Thankfully. But when a Brit queues up (there's something about queuing that gets their blood up...) at the supermarket, they get quite angry if a very simple piece of courtesy is not observed. You know the triangular 'Next Customer' thing? Well, that's called a 'divider bar'. You put it at the end of your goods to separate it from any other shopping on the conveyor belt. In doing so, you allow the person behind you to begin loading their shopping up. Failure to do so results in that person taking on the burden of laying down the divider bar themselves. It's a very subtle move. But to many a Brit? It's like a test of someone's politeness. Fail that test and you run the real risk of grinding a Brit's gears (Picture: Getty Images)