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The Welsh are famous for singing and talking and are noticeably more open and friendly than most of the English (or those English in the south-east, at least). They can be more emotional than their Saxon neighbours, with an almost untranslatable word ‘hiraeth’ describing the sense of longing every Welshman or woman feels when they are far away from their beloved Wales. Historically the nation was known for its fighters – for example the longbowmen at Crecy and Agincourt were mainly from Monmouthshire. They tend to be quite direct, especially in Swansea and Cardiff, but are quieter and more pacific out in the sticks.

If you want to engage in conversation, good topics include the last rugby match when Wales beat England, the Welsh win in the Rugby Six Nations Championship in 2005, the previous one in 1978, or what a cracking pint of beer Brains Brewery in Cardiff makes. If you travel from north to south Wales, you may become aware of a cultural ‘north-south divide’ between the ‘Hwntws’ of the south and the ‘Gogs’ of north Wales – despite speaking the same language there is a huge difference in accent and expressions between the northern and southern Welsh as well as a degree of friendly (and sometimes unfriendly) rivalry.

The Welsh are famous singers – just think of Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, or the Stereophonics – and if you get the chance (and like that sort of thing), a Welsh male voice choir is a unique sound and a real part of the local culture. The Morriston Orpheus is probably the best known, but many towns in South Wales have them. If you visit Wales during the first week of August, you may care to visit the National Eisteddfod – a celebration of Welsh music, poetry and arts that varies in its location every year between north and south Wales. Welsh poetry includes the ‘cynghanedd’ a unique form of poetry ruled by a strict metre with resounding, balancing consonants – so difficult to write that even the locals have to have lessons!

(Editor’s note: Rumours that travelers need an umbrella to stay dry when someone speaks Welsh are grossly exaggerated – a serviette will do.)

Your average Welshman (or woman) is much more romantic than their English counterpart and are much more open and forthcoming – if they fancy you, they’ll say so (and also if they don’t!). Rumours of a fondness for sheep in preference to women are mere crude English propaganda, touted around every time their rugby team gets another hammering in Cardiff. A good souvenir from Wales would be a traditional Welsh ‘love-spoon’ as carved by a farmhand for his fair maid in days gone by.

(Which reminds us of a old joke: Dr Doolittle, a man famous for being able to speak to animals, was visiting a farm in Wales. He asked the farmer if he might have a chat with the sheep. The farmer hesitated and then replied:

“Well, alright but I warn you – they’re vicious liars!”

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