Mass immigration is partly to 'blame for the lack of manners' in the UK - 'Teach them our customs!'

Mass immigration is to 'blame for the lack of manners' in the UK - 'Teach them our customs!'
GB NEWS
Gabrielle Wilde

By Gabrielle Wilde


Published: 09/05/2025

- 12:27

Updated: 09/05/2025

- 12:28

She believes that while British people have historically been recognised for their politeness, this characteristic is now "gone down the drain" in modern society

Etiquette expert Liz Brewer has claimed that "mass immigration and multiculturalism" are partly to blame for what she sees as a deterioration in manners across the country.

She believes that while British people have historically been recognised for their politeness, this characteristic has now "gone down the drain" in modern society.


The comments come as recent research reveals Britons still apologise excessively, saying "sorry" up to nine times daily.

Brewer told GB News: "If you go back to pre-Covid, or even a few years before that, people were kinder. They were more polite.

\u200bEtiquette expert Liz Brewer

Etiquette expert Liz Brewer has claimed that "mass immigration and multiculturalism" are partly to blame

GB NEWS

"I actually came on the underground today, and it was quite a shock. The last time I got a ticket, I was amazed, astounded, really.

"I was waiting there, the tube arrived, the doors opened, and I was pushed aside. A pregnant woman was pushed aside. Elderly people too just so others could rush in and grab a seat or a space. It all feels out of sync. Everyone's in such a hurry.

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"Our lives have sped up, mostly due to technology, but it comes at a price. And I keep saying this: the price is a lack of manners.

"I also think part of the issue lies with mass immigration and multiculturalism.

"People come to this country and I absolutely support them learning English at whatever level, so they can understand us, just as we would try to do if we moved to their country.

"But what about teaching them our values, our way of life, and our sense of politeness, which the British have always been known for? That seems to have gone down the drain, and it's really very sad."

Despite Brewer's concerns about declining politeness, a recent study suggests Britons remain characteristically apologetic.

Research by Interflora involving 2,000 participants found that Britons say "sorry" as many as nine times daily, equating to 3,285 apologies annually.

The study revealed that 90 per cent of Britons routinely apologise for things that weren't their fault.

Nearly a third of participants recognised this tendency to apologise for minor matters as a uniquely British trait.

Person with feet on a train (stock)

The study revealed that 90 per cent of Brits routinely apologise for things that weren't their fault.

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"We're a nation that says sorry without thinking - for sneezing, for asking too many questions, even when someone else bumps into us," said Bethany Day, Brand Manager at Interflora, who commissioned the survey.

The study highlighted numerous situations where Britons commonly apologise.

Over half (58 per cent) seek forgiveness when accidentally treading on someone's foot, while 57 per cent apologise when interrupting someone.

Other triggers for saying "sorry" include asking someone to repeat themselves (46 per cent), answering the phone when with company (40 per cent), and even sneezing (36 per cent) or coughing (34 per cent).