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GREAT BRITAIN

CULTURE AND FOLK CUSTOMS

SIMO JELACA, Ph.D.

FOREWORD

This book summarizes information about culture and customs of different nations. Noticeable differences in customs are among Christian, Islamic and Buddhist’s nations, although in all prevails intention for nice and greatest.

It will be too much to include every country, as there are similarities among many nations of the same or close nationalities. Characteristic are Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Belarus, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, or as well as Germany and Austria. The similar conclusion values for Latin nations, among themselves too.

Readers will find basic information about each country, such as its location and size, population and Ethnic Make-up, Religion, Climate, Language, Etiquettes and others.

This book can equally be used for travelers, either as tourists or business people, therefore everyone will find necessary information about Etiquette of people at their homes as well as at the business.

My intention was to find as much good information as possible. How much I have succeeded readers will judge it.

Author

Facts and Statistics

Location: Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France.

Size: 244.820 square km.

Capital: London, population 8.6 million.

Climate: temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast

Population: About 62 million

Ethnic Make-up: white (of which English 83.6%, Scottish 8.6%, Welsh 4.9%, Northern Irish 2.9%) 92.1%, black 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani 1.3%, mixed 1.2%, other 1.6%.

Religions: Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 71.6%, Muslim 2.7%, Hindu 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified or none 23.1%.

Government: Constitutional monarchy.

Identification:

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the formal name of the sovereign state governed by Parliament in London.

Location and Geography:

The land area of Great Britain is 230,500 square kilometers, with an additional 13,986 square kilometers in Northern Ireland, giving it one of the highest population densities in the Western world.
Language in the UK:

The United Kingdom does not have a constitutionally defined official language. English is the main language (being spoken monolinguals by more than 70% of the UK population) and is thus the de facto official language. Other native languages to the Isles include Welsh, Irish, Ulster Scots, Cornish, Gaelic and British Sign Language.

Immigrants have naturally brought many foreign languages from across the globe.

People and Culture:

The United Kingdom comprises four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is important not only to be aware of these geographical distinctions, but also the strong sense of identity and nationalism felt by the populations of these four nations.

The terms 'English' and 'British' do not mean the same thing. 'British' denotes someone who is from England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. 'English' refers to people from England. People from Scotland are 'Scots', from Wales ‘Welsh’ and from Northern Ireland ‘Irish’. Be sure not to call someone Welsh, Scots, or Northern Irish ‘English’.

Multicultural Society:

Formerly a very homogenous society, since World War II, Britain has become increasingly diverse as it has accommodated large immigrant populations, particularly from its former colonies such as India, Pakistan and the West Indies.

The British are very reserved and private people. Privacy is extremely important. The British will not necessarily give you a tour of their home and, in fact, may keep most doors closed. They expect others to respect their privacy. This extends to not asking personal questions.

Meeting and Greeting:

. The handshake is the common form of greeting.

• The British might seem a little stiff and formal at first.

• Avoid prolonged eye contact as it makes people feel uncomfortable.

• There is still some protocol to follow when introducing people in a business or more formal social situation. This is often a class distinction, with the 'upper class' holding on to the long-standing traditions: Introduce a younger person to an older person.

• Introduce a person of lower status to a person of higher status.

• When two people are of similar age and rank, introduce the one you know better to the other person.

Gift Giving Etiquette:

• The British exchange gifts between family members and close friends for birthdays and Christmas.

• The gift need not be expensive, but it should usually demonstrate an attempt to find something that is related to the recipient’s interests.

• If invited to someone's home, it is normal to take along a box of good chocolates, a good bottle of wine or flowers.

• Gifts are opened when received.

Dining Etiquette:

• Unlike many European cultures, the British enjoy entertaining people in their homes.

• Although the British value punctuality, you may arrive 10-15 minutes later than invited to dinner. However, if going to a restaurant, be on time.

• Table manners are Continental, i.e. the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.

• The fork is held tines down so food is scooped onto the back of the fork. This is a skill that takes time to master.

• Remain standing until invited to sit down. You may be shown a particular seat.

• Do not rest your elbows on the table.

• If you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork on your plate with the fork over the knife.

• Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate.

• Toasts are given at formal meals.

• When in a pub, it is common practice to pay for a round of drinks for everyone in your group.

• If invited to a meal at a restaurant, the person extending the invitation usually pays. Do not argue about the check; simply reciprocate at a later time.

Business Etiquette and Protocol

Greetings:

• A firm handshake is the norm; there are no issues over gender in the UK.

• People shake upon meeting and leaving.

• Maintain eye contact during the greeting but avoid anything prolonged.

• Most people use the courtesy titles for Mr, Mrs or Miss and their surname.

• Wait until invited before moving to a first-name basis. People under the age of 35 may make this move more rapidly than older British.

• Business cards are exchanged at the initial introduction without formal ritual.

• The business card may be put away with only a cursory glance so don’t be offended if not much attention is paid to it.

The British Communication Style:

The British have an interesting mix of communication styles encompassing both understatement and direct communication. Many older business people or those from the 'upper class' rely heavily upon formal use of established protocol. Most British are masters of understatement and do not use effusive language. If anything, they have a marked tendency to use ‘qualifiers’ such as 'perhaps', ‘possibly’ or 'it could be'.

When communicating with people they see as equal to themselves in rank or class, the British are direct, but modest. If communicating with someone they know well, their style may be more informal, although they will still be reserved.

Written communication follows strict rules of protocol. How a letter is closed varies depending upon how well the writer knows the recipient. Written communication is always addressed using the person's title and their surname. First names are not generally used in written communication, unless you know the person well.

E-mail is now much more widespread, however the communication style remains more formal, at least initially, than in many other countries. Most British will not use slang or abbreviations and will think negatively if your communication appears overly familiar.

Business Meetings:

If you plan to use an agenda, be sure to forward it to your British colleagues in sufficient time for them to review it and recommend any changes.
Punctuality is important in business situations. In most cases, the people you are meeting will be on time. Scots are extremely punctual. Call if you will be even 5 minutes later than agreed. Having said that, punctuality is often a matter of personal style and emergencies do arise. If you are kept waiting a few minutes, do not make an issue of it. Likewise, if you know that you will be late it is a good idea to telephone and offer your apologies.

How meetings are conducted is often determined by the composition of people attending:

• If everyone is at the same level, there is generally a free flow of ideas and opinions.

• If there is a senior ranking person in the room, that person will do most of the speaking.

In general, meetings will be rather formal:

• Meetings always have a clearly defined purpose, which may include an agenda.

• There will be a brief amount of small talk before getting down to the business at hand.

• If you make a presentation, avoid making exaggerated claims.

• Make certain your presentation and any materials provided appear professional and well thought out.

• Be prepared to back up your claims with facts and figures. The British rely on facts, rather than emotions, to make decisions.

• Maintain eye contact and a few feet of personal space.

• After a meeting, send a letter summarizing what was decided and the next steps to be taken.

Architecture:

The countryside is increasingly seen as an aesthetic and recreational resource for people who live in the towns and cities. However, this image of the countryside is very expensive to maintain. The population is crowded together in towns on tiny plots of land, while much of the open land is under-populated and underused. Many people in small urban houses have high mortgages because of the cost of land.

Basic Economy:

The United Kingdom has one of the largest economies in the world, with a Gross National Product estimate in 1999 at $1.29 trillion (U.S.). Finance, manufacturing, and trade form the base of the economy. The pound sterling is the currency, and it is still being debated whether the nation will join with the European Union partners and adopt the Euro.

Major Industries:

The United Kingdom is one of the most industrialized nations on earth and has a strong manufacturing base. Major products include machine tools, aircraft and ships, motor vehicles, electronics, chemicals, coal, petroleum, textiles, and food processing.

Trade:

One of the leading trading powers in the world, the United Kingdom exported $271 billion (U.S.) and imported $306 billion (U.S.) worth of goods. Chief exports include manufactured goods, food, chemicals, and fuels. Manufactured goods, machinery, fuel, and food products are imported. Primary trading partners are the European Union and the United States.

Medicine and Health Care:

The National Health Service, which was set up by an act of Parliament in 1947, gave every resident access to free medical care. A system was created that operated local public hospitals throughout the country and directly employed doctors, nurses, and other health workers. Family doctors, specialists, and dentists also received payment from the government for treating patients, although any doctor or patient can practice privately or pay for private medical care. The system was intended to provide unlimited medical care to any patient, and the government undertook to pay the full cost. In some ways, the service has been a victim of its own success. Free medical care and successful efforts to promote better health, diet, and working conditions have meant that people live much longer.

It will be continued

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