Tim Vanhoof wrote in message
...
Passport to the Pub
The Tourist's Guide to Pub Etiquette by Kate Fox

From
http://www.sirc.org/publik/pub.html , a scientific description of
British pub behaviour
(also as PDF at http://www.sirc.org/publik/passport.pdf ) Definitely
worth reading for any pubgoer.


blockquote
One of the saddest sights of the British summer (or the funniest,
depending on your sense of humour) is the group of thirsty tourists
sitting at a table in a pub, patiently waiting for someone to come and
take their order. In most cases, a friendly native will put them out of
their misery by explaining rule number one, or they will figure it out
for themselves, but in a busy pub it can be some time before the correct
procedure becomes clear.

...

Research findings: In observation-studies, we timed first-time tourists
to find out exactly how long it would take them to discover the
no-waiter-service rule. The fastest time - just under two-and-a-half
minutes - was achieved by a sharp-eyed American couple. The slowest -
over 45 minutes - involved a group of six young Italians. This group did
not, however, seem particularly concerned about the apparent lack of
service, being engrossed in a lively debate about football. Sympathy
should go to the French couple who marched out of the pub, complaining
bitterly to each other about the poor service and British manners in
general, after a 24-minute wait. /blockquote

Didn't read the whole thing, but it always amused me to see the reaction of
the barman when, having served a coach-load of tourists, he realises that
all 50 of them want to pay individually.