How to Date a British Boy

Reviewed by John Keegan

Last Updated: February 4, 2025 References

Starting a relationship with a British boy? Curious how you should behave when you’re dating a British guy? The good news is that dating a British boy is easy. So long as you act like yourself, you’re communicative, and you’re respectful, you’ve got nothing to worry about. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about dating a boy from across the pond.

1

Be yourself.

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He fell in love with you despite your Yankee ways, so don't try to change for him. In addition to the "be your true self" issue this presents, most non-British people just really suck at being British and look ridiculous when they try.^{[1]
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2

Watch out for the dry humor.

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Many Brits have a different sense of humor than people from other parts of the world, so don't feel hurt or offended if he doesn't laugh at your jokes, and don't get confused if you don't understand his. Brits are often dry and sarcastic, and part of the national humor involves making fun of people from countries, such as Americans, but don't take it personally. Keep in mind that he loves you and it's just the way he is. American jokes are funny anyway, because most of it is true.^{[2]
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3

Pick up on the way he speaks.

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Learn some of his British slang. A lot of words are different across the pond, and you may want to invest in a handy-dandy British dictionary to decode your boy. For example, a good one to know is "pants". In Britain, "pants" are your underwear, and "trousers" are what we call the things you wear around your legs (what Americans call "pants"). So if your Brit gets a new wallet or something and he doesn't know where do put it, you should not under any circumstances suggest that he clip it to his pants. This will only generate awkward silences and funny looks. Also, if he invites you to a "fancy dress party", you should not wear your little black dress, prom gown or a suit. Go for something more like some bunny ears, or possibly a clown suit, because a "fancy dress party" is a costume party.

4

Get interested in British culture.

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For some reason, the British still have a queen and princes and they drink tea and spell "favorite" like "favourite" and call cookies "biscuits". This may seem to you like some totally strange and bonkers things to do, but try to get interested in it. You may find some cool bits of culture that you wouldn't expect.^{[3]
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5

Don’t assume it will all be easy.

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Hey, you're from two different worlds. It's gonna be hard. But remember that despite your differences, something brought you two together and you love each other.^{[4]
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Tips

A lot of Brits actually do like tea. If you don't, fine. But if you do, and are relatively good at making it, he may really like you if you made him a cup of tea.^{[5]
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Bonding through music may be a good way to go. There are loads of great bands in Britain that you've probably never heard of, and vice versa. Make mix CDs for each other, or shop for records together. You may find you have something in common.

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Don't go on and on about his accent. He'll probably find it weird.

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Warnings

Try not to mention Sarah Palin. They tend to find it really, really funny, and not the joyous sort of funny, either.

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His British friends may poke fun at the both of you. Try to ignore that but don't ignore his friends.

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