Good manners sank Britons on the Titanic

BRITONS on the Titanic had less chance of surviving than their brasher American counterparts because of their good manners, according to research.

While most of the British followed queuing etiquette, allowing women and children to get to the lifeboats first, American passengers pushed their way to the front.

Titanic sank on 14 April 1912 after hitting an iceberg with the loss of 1,500 lives. Swiss and Australian scientists studied four maritime disasters of the 20th century to determine how people reacted in situations of life and death. Using the key concepts of economics and self-interest, the researchers examined whether they reverted to a "survival of the fittest" mentality.

Queensland University of Technology behavioural economist David Savage said the social norm of women and children first was followed but another factor made some passengers stand back and allow others to take their places.