During the Cold War, as thousands of American military personnel arrived in the UK, they were seen by some as being 'overdressed, overpaid, oversexed and over here'. To smooth their integration, US Army bosses issued a fascinating cultural handbook, a 50-page primer on the eccentricities of British life.
The Pocket Guide to Navigating British Quirks
First published in 1954, 'A Pocket Guide to Great Britain' was designed to prepare American troops for a society still bearing the scars of war. A 1955 version of this booklet is now on display at the former RAF Upper Heyford base in Oxfordshire, a site used by the US Air Force from 1950 until 1994 and now a museum.
The guide covered everything, from the profound to the mundane. It instructed soldiers on the sanctity of the British pub, described as 'the poor man's club' – a place for friends, not strangers. The golden rules were clear: wait to be invited, don't buy a round for the whole house, and if you lose at darts, step aside gracefully. 'Whatever you do, don't treat it like the World Series,' it advised.
Royalty, Money, and War: The Major Taboos
The handbook laid out strict social minefields to avoid. Top of the list was any criticism of the monarchy. 'The British feel as strongly about their Royal Family as we do about our flag,' it explained, noting that Britons were 'truly proud' of a young Queen Elizabeth II. Mocking the institution was a sure way to end up drinking alone.
Another sensitive topic was finance. The pre-decimal system of pounds, shillings, and pence might have seemed absurd, but troops were warned: 'Your British friends won't be pleased to hear you call their money "funny money"... They sweat to get it.' Arguing that the dollar system was superior 'won't get you anywhere'.
Perhaps the most pointed advice was on the Second World War. The guide bluntly cautioned GIs that boasting America 'won the war' was a guaranteed way to 'rub a Briton the wrong way'. Politics, too, was off-limits; local grumbling about the government was 'their business, not yours'.
From 'Bums' to Beer: A Linguistic and Cultural Minefield
The guide served as a vital translator, not just of language but of custom. It explained that driving on the left and drinking warm beer might seem 'strange', but these habits 'belong to Englishmen just as baseball and hot dogs belong to us'.
Worn clothing was not a sign of poverty but of thriftiness born from wartime rationing, an admirable 'mend and make do' attitude. The British 'bobby' was praised as the 'best authority on directions' and proud of his knowledge.
Extensive glossaries tackled the linguistic divide: lifts for elevators, flats for apartments, petrol for gasoline, and chemists for drug stores. It highlighted perilous misunderstandings, warning that calling yourself a 'bum' would be highly offensive as in Britain it referred to one's backside. Soldiers were even advised to avoid the swear word 'bloody'.
Ultimately, the guide was a lesson in diplomacy, reminding the troops they were guests, not an occupying force. It painted a picture of a nation that was hardy, frugal, quietly proud, and stubbornly dignified. For any American arriving with swagger, the implicit message was clear: it was best checked at customs.
