http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/behaviour.

html

www.projectbritain.com

Which of the following social customs are similar or different to your country?

The English are said to be reserved in manners, dress and speech. We are famous for our
politeness, self-discipline and especially for our sense of humour. Basic politeness (please, thank
you, excuse me) is expected.

How to greet someone

English people are quite reserved when greeting one another. A greeting can be a bright 'Hello'
'Hi' or 'Good morning', when you arrive at work or at school. text taken from and copyright of
projcetbritain.com
Find out more about greetings ....

Terms of Endearment - Names we may call you

You may be called by many different 'affectionate' names, according to which part of the
England you are visiting. Do not be offended, this is quite normal. For example, you may be
called dear, dearie, flower, love, chick, chuck, me duck, me duckie, mate, guv, son, ma'am,
madam, miss, sir, or treacle, according to your sex, age and location. text taken from and
copyright of projcetbritain.com

Message from one of our visitors

"In Staffordshire and the West Midlands both men and women use the term
'duck' when speaking to another person irrespective of their sex. I was
quite shocked when I first arrived here in Staffordshire from London to be
called 'Duck' by a man and now I find it very endearing and reassuring and
far better than that awful term 'Mate'."
Jim
Staffordshire

Interesting Fact
The 'affectionate' name 'duck' is thought to come from the Anglo-Saxon word 'ducis' which was
meant as a term of respect; similar to the Middle English 'duc', 'duk' which denotes a leader,
commander, general; from which comes the title 'Duke' and the Old French word 'ducheé' - the
territory ruled by a Duke.

Visiting people in their houses

When being entertained at someone's home it is nice to take a gift for the host and hostess. A
bottle of wine, bunch of flowers or chocolates are all acceptable.

See also our other page on Social Customs

Sending a thank you note is also considered appropriate.

Eating

We eat continental style, with fork in the left hand and the knife in the right.

Eating Etiquette - rules for eating in England

Manners are Important

DOs and DON'TS (Taboos) in England

See also our other page on Social Customs

In England...

Do stand in line: text taken from and copyright of projcetbritain.com

In England we like to form orderly queues (standing in line) and wait patiently for our turn e.g.
boarding a bus. It is usual to queue when required, and expected that you will take your correct
turn and not push in front. 'Queue jumping' is frowned upon.

Do take your hat off when you go indoors (men only)

It is impolite for men to wear hats indoors especially in churches.

Nowadays, it is becoming more common to see men wearing hats indoors. However, this is still
seen as being impolite, especially to the older generations. text taken from and copyright of
projcetbritain.com

Do say "Excuse Me": text taken from and copyright of projcetbritain.com

If someone is blocking your way and you would like them to move, say excuse me and they will
move out of your way.

Do Pay as you Go:

Pay for drinks as you order them in pubs and other types of bars.
Do say "Please" and "Thank you":

It is very good manners to say "please" and "thank you". It is considered rude if you don't. You
will notice in England that we say 'thank you' a lot. text taken from and copyright of
projcetbritain.com

Do cover your Mouth:

When yawning or coughing always cover your mouth with your hand.

Do Shake Hands:

When you are first introduced to someone, shake their right hand with your own right hand.

Do say sorry:

If you accidentally bump into someone, say 'sorry'. They probably will too, even if it was your
fault! This is a habit and can be seen as very amusing by an 'outsider'.

Do Smile: text taken from and copyright of projcetbritain.com

A smiling face is a welcoming face.

Do Drive on the left side of the road

Find out more about driving text taken from and copyright of projcetbritain.com

Do open doors for other people

Men and women both hold open the door for each other. It depends on who goes through the
door first.

In England...

Do not greet people with a kiss:

We only kiss people who are close friends and relatives.

Avoid talking loudly in public

It is impolite to stare at anyone in public.

Privacy is highly regarded. text taken from and copyright of projcetbritain.com

Do not ask a lady her age

It is considered impolite to ask a lady her age
Avoid doing gestures such as backslapping and hugging
This is only done among close friends.

Do not ask personal or intimate questions

We like our privacy. Please do not ask questions such as "How much money do you earn?"
"How much do you weigh?" or "Why aren't you married?". text taken from and copyright of
projcetbritain.com

Never eat off a knife when having a meal.

In all countries in Britain ...

Women in Britain are entitled to equal respect and status as men (and indeed vice versa) in all
areas of life and tend to have more independence and responsibility than in some other cultures.
Women are usually independent and accustomed to entering public places unaccompanied. It is
usual for women to go out and about on their own as well as with friends. Men and women mix
freely.

• It is ok for women to eat alone in a restaurant.

• It is ok for women to wander around on their own.
• It is ok for women to drink beer.

HISTORY

Thousands of years ago, Great Britain was joined to Europe and was covered with ice.
About 15,000 years ago, the weather became warmer. The ice melted and the sea level
rose. Great Britain became an island about 8000 years ago.

• Celtic people called Britons settles in Britain. They were warriors and farmers who were
skilled metal workers. They built villages and hill forts, and used iron weapons and tools.
Celts called Gaels lived in Ireland.
Prehistoric Britain BC Roman Britain 43 AD Anglo Saxon Britain 450

Viking Britain 793 Medieval Britain 1066 Tudor Britain 1485

Stuart Britain 1603 Georgian Britain 1714 Victorian Britain 1837

Modern Britain 1902 +

• King and Queens of England

Romans Saxons Vikings Normans Tudors Victorians WW ll
 43 450 793 1066 1485 1837 1939

Prehistoric Britain

The first men and women came to Britain over two and a half million years ago. They were
hunters and gatherers of food who used simple stone tools and weapons.
BC Britain Abroad

500,0
People migrate to Britain from Europe.
00

The land bridge joining Britain to Europe is flooded as

6500
the sea level rises. Britain becomes an Island.

3000 New Stone Age begins: farming people arrive from Europe.

3000 First stone circles erected.

2100 Bronze Age begins

2150 People learn to make bronze weapons and tools

2000 Stonehenge completed

1650 Trade routes begin to form

1200 Small Villages are first formed

750 Iron Age begins: iron replaces bronze as most useful metal.
Population about 150,000.

500 The Celtic people arrive from Central Europe.

The Celts were farmers and lived in small village groups in
the centre of their arable fields. They were also warlike
people. The Celts fought against the people of Britain and
 other Celtic tribes.

Modern Britain
1902 Britain defeats Dutch settlers in Boer War in South Africa
1902 The first old age pension
1914 - First World War
1918 Compulsory military service and food rationing introduced
1920 Republic of Ireland gains independence
1937 Sir Frank Whittle invents the Jet Engine
1939 -
The Second World War
1945
1951 Festival of Britain
1952 Elizabeth II becomes Queen
1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
1973 Britain joins the European Community
1979 Margaret Thatcher becomes Britain's first woman prime minister
1982 Falklands War
1991 Gulf War
1991 Sir Tim Berners Lee invents the World Wide Web
1994 Channel Tunnel links Britain back to the European continent

1999 Welsh national assembly and Scottish parliament

2003 The Second Gulf War
2003 England Wins the Rugby World Cup
 Social Class System in Britain
Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England

Britain was once a class-ridden society. Today, multiculturalism and a changing economy are
gradually eroding the British class system, but some features of the system still remain.

What is Class?

Sociologists define social class as the grouping of people by occupations. Doctors and lawyers
and university teachers are given more status than unskilled labourers. The different positions
represent different levels of power, influence and money. In days gone by your class would
affect your chances of getting an education, a job, etc. and it would also affect the people who
you could socialise with and marry. Today this type of thing is all-but-gone with the high-profile
exception of the Royal family.

The British Social Class System

The British society has often been considered to be divided into three main groups of classes:

• the Upper Class

Often people with inherited wealth. Includes some of the oldest families, with many of
them being titled aristocrats.
• the Middle Class
The majority of the population of Britain. They include industrialists, professionals,
business people and shop owners.
• Lower or Working Class
People who are agricultural, mine and factory workers.

The British Class System today

Although some people in the UK still refer to themselves as "working-class", "lower-middle" or

"upper-middle" (and of course there are those who think of themselves as the "elite" class), to the
majority of the British the meanings don't seem to matter much these days.

What are the first three things which come into your mind when you hear the words 'England' or
'the English?

Mine are fish and chips, rolling hills and sarcasm

(click here for a definition of sarcasm)

The most common image people have of a typical Englishman is a man

wearing a bowler hat and reading the Times newspaper. Is this your
image?

"Men wearing bowler hats, a pin striped suit, a newspaper under the
arm and carrying a long unopen umbrella."
Bowler hats are very rarely seen in England today. In fact, I don't think I have ever seen one
being worn apart from in the movies!

Common images

re)

Where is the UK?

The UK is situated north-west of the European continent between the Atlantic Ocean and the
North Sea. It has a total land area of 244,100 square kilometres, of which nearly 99% is land and
the remainder inland water. From north to south it is about 1,000 kilometres long.
The UK part of Europe and is a member of the European Union (EU).

Click here to find out about the Geography of the UK

What is the official name of the UK?

The official name of the UK is the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland".

What countries make up the UK?

The name refers to the union of what were once four separate nations: England, Scotland, Wales
and Ireland (though most of Ireland is now independent. Only Northern Ireland is part of the UK
now).

The United Kingdom is made up of:

• England - The capital is London.

• Scotland - The capital is Edinburgh .
• Wales - The capital is Cardiff.
• Northern Ireland - The capital is Belfast.

England, Scotland and Wales together form Great Britain.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland together form the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland" (UK)

What is the capital city of the UK?

The capital of the UK is London.

Interactive Map of the UK

Why is the whole of Ireland not in the UK?

Before 1922 the UK included Ireland in the definition, but when the Irish Free State ceased to be
part of the Union the title changed to include 'Northern Ireland'.

When was the UK formed (made)?

The United Kingdom (UK) was formed in on January 1, 1801 and constitutes the greater part of
the British Isles.

What are people called in the UK?

People in the UK are called British although they have different nationalities.

POPULATION:

Britain is a relatively densely populated country: it is more than twice as densely populated as
France (106 people per sq.km), nine times as densely populated as the USA (27 people per
sq.km) and 100 times as densely populated as Australia (2 people per sq.km).

Britain ranks 18th in the world in terms of population size.

The population is very unequally distributed over the four parts of the UK:
England more or less constantly makes up 84% of the total population, Wales around 5%,
Scotland roughly 8.5 %, and Northern Ireland (since 1921) less than 3%.

Administrative Population Population Population Population

Division (mid 2004) (mid 2005) (mid 2006) (mid 2007)

England 50,093,800 50,431,700 50,762,900 51.1 million

Northern Ireland 1,710,300 1,724,400 1,741,600 1.8 million

Scotland 5,078,400 5,094,800 5,116,900 5.1 million

Wales 2,952,500 2,958,600 2,965,900 3.0 million

United Kingdom 59,834.900 60,209.500 60,587,600 60,975,000

MORRIS DANCERS
Morris Dancing is a traditional English form of folkdancing, performed by
groups of men or women. It has been danced for hundreds of years, and
passed down through the generations in the villages of rural England. The
dances are usually performed at festivals such as May Day, Whitsun and
Christmas.

There are several thoughts to the origins of Morris Dancing. The name may
refer to the possibility of the form of dancing coming to England from the
Moors of North Africa; or it may have been called 'Moor-ish' simply because
the dancers sometimes painted their faces black, and people compared this to
the dark-skinned Moors. The Morris Dancers hold hankies in their hands, or
sticks, and have bell-pads tied at their knees, which make a loud and cheerful
rhythm as they dance.

The British Government

Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England

The two Houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (the House of Lords and the House of
Commons) are based at The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament, in
London.

The Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament) where the UK Government sits

The palace lies on the north bank of the River Thames in the London borough of the City of
Westminster, close to the government buildings of Whitehall.

Parliament decides the laws and make decisions on running the UK. (Some issues in
Scotland,Wales and Northern Ireland are now dealt with by their respective parliaments and
assemblies.) There has been a parliament at Westminster since the 13th Century.

The UK government is normally formed by the leader of the party that wins the most seats in the
general election. All actions by the government - and particularly its proposals to amend or
create laws - are scrutinised within parliament.

Working in Britain
Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England

There are about 3.7 million businesses in the UK.

About 75% of British jobs are in service industries - hotels, restaurants, travel, shopping, and
computer and finances. It is our fastest growing business and employs over twenty million
people.

The Working Day

The usual working day starts at 9am and finishes by 5pm. Most people work a five-day week.

How hard do British people work?

The working week is, on average, the longest of any country in Europe. In 1998 a new law was
passed saying that workers do not have to work more than 48 hours a week if they don't want to.
However, about 22% of British workers do work more than a 48-hour a week.
Paid Holidays

British employers must give their workers 24 days paid holiday a year.

ETIQUETTE

Which of the following social customs are similar or different to your country?

The English are said to be reserved in manners, dress and speech. We are famous for our
politeness, self-discipline and especially for our sense of humour. Basic politeness (please, thank
you, excuse me) is expected.

How to greet someone

English people are quite reserved when greeting one another. A greeting can be a bright 'Hello'
'Hi' or 'Good morning', when you arrive at work or at school. text taken from and copyright of
projcetbritain.com
Find out more about greetings ....

Terms of Endearment - Names we may call you

You may be called by many different 'affectionate' names, according to which part of the
England you are visiting. Do not be offended, this is quite normal. For example, you may be
called dear, dearie, flower, love, chick, chuck, me duck, me duckie, mate, guv, son, ma'am,
madam, miss, sir, or treacle, according to your sex, age and location. text taken from and
copyright of projcetbritain.com

Message from one of our visitors

"In Staffordshire and the West Midlands both men and women use the term
'duck' when speaking to another person irrespective of their sex. I was
quite shocked when I first arrived here in Staffordshire from London to be
called 'Duck' by a man and now I find it very endearing and reassuring and
far better than that awful term 'Mate'."
Jim
Staffordshire

Interesting Fact
The 'affectionate' name 'duck' is thought to come from the Anglo-Saxon word 'ducis' which was
meant as a term of respect; similar to the Middle English 'duc', 'duk' which denotes a leader,
commander, general; from which comes the title 'Duke' and the Old French word 'ducheé' - the
territory ruled by a Duke.

Visiting people in their houses

When being entertained at someone's home it is nice to take a gift for the host and hostess. A
bottle of wine, bunch of flowers or chocolates are all acceptable.

See also our other page on Social Customs

Sending a thank you note is also considered appropriate.

Eating

We eat continental style, with fork in the left hand and the knife in the right.

CLOTHES

Fashion

As the UK is very much a western society - we wear very much the same as any other modern
western society - ranging from Jeans and Tee shirts (whether with designer labels or not) to full
business suits for office work (if required). Special clothers for the climate include heavy
overcoats or anoraks for cold wintry weather to raincoats and umbrellas, for weather rain.
Materials used cover every type and colour of fabric available, especially consider that Britain is
a multi cultural society and in certain cities (Bradford for an example) you will find many stores
with very colourful silk available for making in Sari's and other ethnic clothes.

England (45 counties)

Wales (22 counties)

Scotland (30 counties)

ECONOMY

Our main industries today are banking and finance, steel, transport equipment, oil and gas, and
tourism.
Other industries

Machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment, railroad equipment,

shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, electronics and communications equipment,
metals, chemicals, coal, petroleum, paper and paper products, food processing, textiles, clothing,
and other consumer goods.

FAMOUS PEOPLE

Sir Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill was a politician, a soldier, an artist, and the 20th century's most

famous and celebrated Prime Minister.

William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was a playwright and poet whose body of works is considered
the greatest in English literature. He wrote dozens of plays which continue to
dominate world theater 400 years later.

Queen Elizabeth I

David Beckham

Sir Isaac Newton

Isaac Newton was a mathematician and scientist who invented differential calculus
and formulated the theory of universal gravitation, a theory about the nature of
light, and three laws of motion.

Diana, Princess of Wales

From the time of her marriage to the Prince of Wales in 1981 until her death in a car
accident in Paris in 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales was one of the world's most high-
profile, most photographed, and most iconic celebrities.

Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin was a British naturalist of the nineteenth century. He and others
developed the theory of evolution. This theory forms the basis for the modern life
sciences. Darwin's most famous books are 'The Origin of Species' and 'The Descent
of Man'.

Margaret Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher was the United Kingdom's first woman prime minister,

Sir Alexander Fleming

British bacteriologist who discovered penicillin in 1928, for which he shared a Nobel
Prize in 1945.

Michael Faraday
British physicist and chemist who discovered electromagnetic induction (1831) and
proposed the field theory later developed by Maxwell and Einstein.

FOOD

British food has traditionally been based on beef, lamb, pork, chicken and fish and generally
served with potatoes and one other vegetable. The most common and typical foods eaten in
Britain include the sandwich, fish and chips, pies like the cornish pasty, trifle and roasts dinners.
The staple foods of Britain are meat, fish, potatoes, flour, butter and eggs.

It is called the Union Flag because it symbolises the administrative union of the countries of the
United Kingdom. It is made up up of the individual Flags of three of the Kingdom's countries all
united under one Sovereign - the countries of 'England, of 'Scotland' and of 'Northern Ireland'
(since 1921 only Northern Ireland has been part of the United Kingdom). As Wales was not a
Kingdom but a Principality it could not be included on the flag.
 The UK is a country in north-western Europe. It is bordered
to the south by the English Channel; to the east by the
North Sea; to the west by the Irish Sea and the Atlantic
Ocean.

Countries in the England, Scotland, ,Wales ,and

UK: Northern Ireland (also known as Ulster)

Full Name: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Flag:

The Union Flag

Geographic 54 00 N, 2 00 W
Coordinates:

Type of Constitutional monarchy

Government :

Capital City: London

Highest mountain: Ben Nevis in Scotland, at 1,343m

(4,406 ft)

Longest river: River Severn, 354 km (220 miles) long.

It rises in Wales and flows to the Bristol Channel.

Largest lake: Lough Neagh 396sq.km (153 sq miles)

Northern Ireland

Deepest Lake: Loch Morar in the Highlands of Scotland, 310 m (1,017 ft)
deep

Highest waterfall: Eas a'Chual Aluinn, from Glas Bheinn, also in the
Highlands of Scotland, with a drop of 200 m (660 ft)

Deepest cave: Ogof Ffynnon Ddu, Powys, Wales, 308 m (1,010 ft) deep
Most northerly Dunnet Head, north-east Scotland
point on the
British mainland:

Most southerly Lizard Point, Cornwall

point on the
British mainland:

Most easterly Lowestoft, Suffolk

town in England:

Climate (Find out more)

Annual mean London 9.7C

temperature:

Annual mean London 753mm

rainfall:

People (Find out more...)

Nationality: Noun--Briton(s). Adjective--British.

Major languages: English, Welsh, Irish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic.

Main Religion: Christianity (other religions)

Major ethnic British, Irish, West Indian, South Asian.

groups:

Total population 59,054,800 (2002)

(1999)

Annual population 0.29%. (2004 est.)

growth rate:

Population density 245

per sq.km

Population by Scotland 5,119,000

region: England 49,753,000
 Wales 2,937,000
N. Ireland 1,692,000

Top 5 populous London 7,285,000

cities: Birmingham 1,018,000
Leeds 725,000
Glasgow 611,000
Sheffield 529,000

Roads and motorways are Britain's primary domestic transport routes. There are some 225,000
miles (362,000 km) of roads in Britain.

Travel by car, van or taxi is by far the most common means of transport, accounting for 85 per
cent of passenger mileage in Great Britain.

Sports play an important part in the life in Britain and is a popular leisure activity.

Many of the world's famous sports began in Britain, including cricket, football, lawn tennis, golf
and rugby

England's national sport is cricket although to many people football (soccer) is seen as our
national sport. Football is our most popular sport. Some of England's football teams are world
famous, the most famous being Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Business etiquette
t’s estimated that more business deals get done over lunch than get done in the board room so it
goes without saying that business lunches are not events to be taken lightly nor are they simply
about two people or a group of people getting together for a ‘catch-up’ and an excuse not to go
back to the office in the afternoon.

Be There On Time

There is nothing more annoying for the person waiting than for their guest(s) being late for a
business lunch. Contrary to some people’s opinions, business lunches are not an excuse to take
the afternoon off and enjoy yourself

Turn Off the Mobile

It’s important that you focus on the ‘here and now’ and on your guests. Whilst some people
might make the excuse that they need to be ‘on message’ at all times, for the most part, this is
incredibly rude and shows a lack of respect.

Behavior
Always be punctual in England. Arriving a few minutes early for safety is acceptable.

Decision-making is slower in England than in the United States; therefore it is unwise to rush the
English into making a decision.

A simple handshake is the standard greeting (for both men and women) for business occasions and
for visiting a home.

Privacy is very important to the English. Therefore asking personal questions or intensely staring at
another person should be avoided.

Eye contact is seldom kept during British conversations.

To signal that something is to be kept confidential or secret, tap your nose.

Personal space is important in England, and one should maintain a wide physical space when
conversing. Furthermore, it is considered inappropriate to touch others in public.

Gifts are generally not part of doing business in England.

A business lunch will often be conducted in a pub and will consist of a light meal and perhaps a pint
of ale.

When socializing after work hours, do not bring up the subject of work.
 When dining out, it is not considered polite to toast those who are older than yourself.

ntroduction
England is one of four distinct regions of the United Kingdom, which also includes Wales, Scotland, and
Northern Ireland. England’s population is approximately 47 million.

It is important to note that the Scots, Welsh, and Irish are not English, and are often offended when
referred to as such. Additionally, citizens of the U.K. do not consider themselves European.
Unfortuantely, they are usually grouped as such, due in part to their membership in the European Union.

The English are very proud of their heritage and history. Along with their contributions to the world of
today, several famous writers came from England. Some of the most famous are Shakespeare, T.S.
Eliot, and Chaucer. This century, England has seen many influential daughters and sons. The Beatles,
Winston Churchill, and Queen Elizabeth II have all played a tremendous role in England’s presence in the
modern world.

Fun Fact
Gambling is very popular in Britain. The British buy more lottery tickets than any other people in the
world. It has been estimated that 75% of adults in Britain play the lottery at least once a week.

Appearance
Business attire rules are somewhat relaxed in England, but conservative dress is still very important
for both men and women.

Dark suits, usually black, blue, or gray, are quite acceptable.

Men's shirts should not have pockets; if they do, the pockets should always be kept empty.
Additionally, men should wear solid or patterned ties, while avoiding striped ties.

Men wear laced shoes, not loafers.

Businesswomen are not as limited to colors and styles as men are, though it is still important to
maintain a conservative image.