Activity

English Customs And Traditions

The British are said to be reserved in manners, dress and speech. Their insularity, conservaticism and sticking to traditions are often pointed too. They are famous for their politeness, self - discipline and their specific sense of humour. May be many British are such in their nature but not at all. There are big differences in manners between individuals even within one nation. It is similar with customs and traditions. Many traditional British customs have changed as the way of life has changed. Very popular always was Valentine's day on l4th February. It is a great day for all lovers. Originaly this day commemorated the Roman priest who gave aid and comfort to the persecuted Christians before he was put to death. On this day young people send Valentine's cards to a person of opposite sex, usually anymiously, and exchange gifts. Cards can have serious and loving text e.g. Roses are red, violets are blue, you will be mine cose I love you, or they can also have funny character e.g. (1) My love for you is as big as elephant and on the next side is drown fat girl with text below but then, so are (2) you. In march there are two interesting days - St. David's day (the patron of Wales) and St. Patrick's day ( the patron of Ireland so people are often dressed in shamrocks). The day of the patron of England, St.George, is celebrated in April. The next tradition also on April is well know in (4) our country too - it is All Fool's day. (3) It is called after the simple shouting "Fool". You can shout it when you deceive someone else by funny joke or trick. But this tradition is not the last in this month. The greatest one only comes - it is Easter that is spring feast of Christian church. Good friday commemorates Jesus' crucufixion while Easter Sunday commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus. Dyed and decorated easter eggs - symbol of a new life, are given as presents. Than comes May Day when political parties of the left hold processions and public meetings. But for British May Day also means the traditional spring festival. In the days people went out into the woods before dawn to cellect flowers and green branches.The custom only survives in a few places but some maypoles are still to be seen and the election of a May Queen still takes place in parts of England. This day is connected with Morris dancing. (5) It is performated specialy on religious holidays, weddings and events just like May Day. It has the real roots in Africa and Asia and in the l7th century the main performance was a kind of pageant or play. E.g. Elizabethan pegeant performed by Morris dancers was based on the Robin Hood legend. This involved a Lord of Misrule - choosen specialy for this occasion - being crowned and then choosing his own personal bodyguard. Other performers included drummers, pipers, dragons and hobby-horses. Teams of Morris dancers usually have a specially dressed Squire or Bagman in charge. Ordinary dancers normally wear white shirts and black trousers. Short round hats or taller topper are decorated with flowers and coloured ribbons. These all have special significance. Red poppies are sign of health, white poppies of plenty, blue cornflowers represent blessedness or holiness, white hankerchiefs waved from the hand symbolise the gathering and scattering of magical energy over earth and crops. Morris dancers usually perform the very old ritualistic ceremonies associated with fertility and the re-awaking of the earth after winter.

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Binge Drinking, British Customs

In some cultures, alcohol is pretty much a part of daily life. Moderate consumption, particularly with meals, is the norm and young people are weaned sensibly on to alcohol in a normal family situation. Not so in Britain, it seems. The tradition in Britain seems to be more a case of keeping youngsters back from alcohol until (1) they are literally desperate to get their hands on (2) it.

Adults, rather than drink moderately throughout the week, save it all up for payday and the weekend, and then go and get totally hammered! Unfortunately, that is very much the British way, with no middle ground.

British town and city centres are very lively places on a Friday and Saturday night and probably not the place to take your family! Of course, for the vast majority of the good citizens of Britain it is all good fun and the evening will pass pleasantly and without incident. Alas, there are those always who seem unable to control both (3) their consumption and behaviour when intoxicated! Thanks to these people, it is not only the pubs and clubs whose business swells on a Saturday night! Casualty Wards also find themselves doing brisk business! Binge drinking at weekends is an old British custom and it used to be that the person who got sick and/or went silly was ridiculed by his mates. Sadly, nowadays it seems that such behaviour is seen as heroic and to be admired.

Other businesses do a brisk trade thanks to this British custom. Many fast food places are at (4) their most busy around pub closing time. In recent decades, Britain has seen the rise of one of the most popular post pub haunts of the binge drinker, the Kebab House. Much as the drunken customer can be an irritation to the hard working staff of the Kebab House, they are also the life blood of the business. For whom else but someone whose senses were dulled with alcohol could endure the smell of a Kebab House whilst they wait for their food? Unfortunately for the street cleaners, much of what is sold by the Kebab House is later output onto the pavements by the unfortunate binge drinker, (5) who finds the combination of beer and kebabs is just too much to keep down!

The concept of a fixed and relatively early closing time had been blamed by many for this curiously British drinking pattern. Other European nations have flexible opening hours and seemed to take a more relaxed attitude to drinking. In Britain, although laws on opening times have now relaxed considerably, there still seems to be a race on with many drinkers to see who can be the first to get very comprehensively drunk.

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