I moved to the UK 14 years ago, from Italy.

When I landed my manners were different, not rude but not the most polite if compared to a Brit.

Let's say that I may look slightly peculiar or intimidating at first for some as I have two labret piercings which somehow are still not really common(or so I am told).

Yesterday I went to a Costa with my wife and kids.

I stayed in the queue while the rest went for a table.

An older gentleman behind me was moaning about how unacceptable was that Costa didn't give you a tray "at the entrance" as he was carrying a lot of items (he was also with his family and both of us were carrying quite a load).

We had a small conversation about this that died fairly quickly.

When it was my turn, I ordered and asked politely for the server to cut two toasties into quarters for the kids and later asked to another server for some napkins using "Sorry to bother you" and "when you have a second" together with the usually "please" and "thank you".

To me it's the normal way I interact as I used to work in hospitality and they brainwashed us with the importance of "tone of voice".

The older gentleman looked at me really surprised and pleased and commented how extremely polite I was.

I answered back saying:"Oh well 14 years in here was enough for a manners crashcourse, I suppose!"

We both had a laugh and went to our tables.

This made me think how many habits I learned from the locals.

From apologizing to inanimate objects, professional complaints to getting mad at people for jumping the queues.

What are you stories?