Etiquette expert William Hanson breaks down the key differences between British and American manners, from wedding traditions to table settings, revealing distinct ideas about what's proper, polite, and refined.

Hanson, who has worked with six royal households and is the author of Just Good Manners, shares timeless tips on etiquette, highlighting the cultural divide between Brits and Americans.

Formal Dining Table Setups Differ Between the U.K. and the U.S.

Hanson explains that the British tend to use straight-edged tables, whereas post-Jacqueline Kennedy, America switched to round tables. This change affects the place setting, with the British using nine pieces of cutlery on each side of the plate, measured in line with a ruler.

In contrast, the American rule is for dessert cutlery to be above the place setting. Hanson notes that the American style setting has now become the norm in the U.K., citing the reason as people being tight on space.

Mastering the Art of State Banquets

Hanson shares that if you're lucky enough to find yourself at a state banquet on either side of the Atlantic, wait until the host, the head of state, starts and finishes their meal as the signal to do the same.

He adds that Queen Elizabeth was quite a quick eater and used to have a little side salad, allowing her visiting head of state a few more mouthfuls before she signaled dinner was finished.

Hanson also highlights the differences in napkin rings, citing that in Britain, they are a sign of an informal household, whereas in America, they are a formal decoration.

The Job Question: A No-Go at British Parties

Hanson notes that when you arrive at a party, don't ask about someone's job as soon as you meet them. In America, people work harder and are more defined by their job, whereas in Britain, if you went to a drinks party and asked, "What do you do?" the older generation would be perturbed at that.

Hanson also shares his thoughts on weddings, citing that in Britain, the bride typically walks in first, followed by her bridesmaids, whereas in the U.S., the order is reversed, with the procession beginning with the junior members of the wedding party and culminating with the bride entering, escorted by her father (or whoever is walking her down the aisle).

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Hanson concludes by sharing his thoughts on the great scone debate, citing that the treat traces its name to Scone, a town in Scotland, which is pronounced to rhyme with "June." However, he notes that both pronunciations might technically be incorrect.

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