'Poms' not a Kiwi insult, Brits told

Brits shouldn't be offended if visiting Australians or New Zealanders make jokes about "Poms", according to UK tourism chiefs, who advise that it's meant as a term of endearment.

The tip is on a list of cultural dos and don'ts that has been compiled ahead of an influx of foreign visitors for the 2012 London Olympics, London's Daily Telegraph reports.

The official guidelines warn that Canadians don't like being mistaken for Americans, and Japanese people may take umbrage if you stare at them, sneeze in their presence or expose the soles of your shoes.

Argentinians are singled out as being particularly tricky customers for waiters because of wine-pouring etiquette, while Germans can be offended if you make a hand sign for `OK' or point your index finger at your head.

The rules, compiled by VisitBritain, are designed to help hoteliers, restaurateurs and taxi drivers understand the needs of foreign customers to maximise business and make the country appear more welcoming.

"Overseas visitors spend more than £16 billion (A$27.7 billion) a year in Britain, contributing massively to our economy and supporting jobs across the country. So giving our foreign visitors a friendly welcome is absolutely vital to our economy," said Sandie Dawe, chief executive of VisitBritain.

"With hundreds of thousands of people thinking of coming to Britain in the run-up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, this new advice is just one way of helping the tourism industry care for their customers - wherever they come from."

- AAP