An introduction to UK culture
Casual contact
British people are often shy and do not always make conversation
on a first meeting. This is called being ‘reserved’.
You will find that most local people will not talk to strangers
while shopping, on the bus, train or when in a queue. You should
not interpret this as being unfriendly, although it may well seem
strange to you. You should not try to make continuous conversation
at such times unless it becomes obvious that the other person expects
it.
A first meeting
On first meeting someone, try to ask general questions and not
personal ones which may be thought to be impolite. Questions like
‘What is your name?’ ‘Where do you live?’
or ‘What do you do?’ are acceptable, but questions like
‘How old are you?’, ‘How much do you earn?’
or ‘How much did you pay for this?’ would be considered
impolite.
If in doubt, try to talk about yourself: what you do and where
you come from. Most British people know very little about other
countries and their culture in detail. Even if they have travelled
abroad, tourist travel is very different from actually living in
a country.
Time
Time keeping is quite rigid in the UK. Life revolves around our
watches and clocks and dominates everyday life! To arrive late,
even by a few minutes is considered impolite. Your  lecturer
or supervisor may disapprove if you arrive late at a seminar or
lecture, whatever the reason. For example, if a meeting or lecture
is arranged for lunchtime, there might be a plan to eat and then
to talk or the other way round. If you are late you could miss the
part that you needed to attend.
Touch
The British are known to be reserved in nature and are very reluctant
to show their emotions in public. Unlike some cultures, people do
not usually slap each other on the shoulder or otherwise make physical
contact during a conversation. A British person may misinterpret
such behaviour as aggressive or being too emotional.
It may be usual for you to stand close to another person while
in conversation. In the UK people usually maintain a distance of
60-110 cm, so do not be surprised if British people move away from
you when talking!
Greetings
A British person will often greet you with ‘Hello, how are
you?’ This is simply a way of saying ‘Hello’ or
‘Welcome’ and they will be expecting a reply similar
to ‘Quite well thank you’. ‘Hello, how are you?’
is not a request for a lot of details about your health!
In a more formal situation (such as meeting your tutor or landlord
for the first time) it is usual to shake the right hand of the person
you are meeting. It does not matter if you make the first move with
your right hand. Kissing and embraces are not usual in the UK on
a first meeting and you should avoid them.
Hands and eye contact
In the UK, there is no special significance to the left and right
hands. Both can be used for giving and receiving presents, although
the right hand is always used for shaking hands.
You may be used to avoiding eye contact as a sign of respect for
an older person or authority figure. This is not the case in the
UK where avoiding eye contact is seen as a sign of insincerity and
slyness. Try to look at people when speaking to them although it
is usual to avoid eye contact with strangers (for example the person
next to you in a train).
Most British people will smile when they meet you, irrespective
of how they are feeling.
Gender and equality
It is important to be aware that in the UK female and male members
of staff are equally respected and accepted.
How to address people
Many members of staff expect to be called by their first names.
If you address them as Mr, Miss, Mrs, Dr or Professor you may be
thought of as being very formal. Listen carefully to how they introduce
themselves and to how other students address them.
Will you come for coffee?
People will often use the phrase ‘Will you come for coffee’
to mean ‘would you like to come  round
for a short while and chat’. Normally several different drinks
such as tea, drinking chocolate or a soft drink like orange will
be available as well as coffee, and you will be asked what you would
like. Your host will not normally offer you alcohol at a ‘coffee’
event. You should accept the invitation the first time it is offered
if you would like to go. If you refuse the first invitation you
are given, a British person will think this is your final decision
and may not ask you again.
Queues
Queuing is the normal method of waiting for your turn in shops,
at bus stops and in similar situations. If in doubt as to whether
someone is actually waiting in the queue, or just standing around,
always ask before rushing in. To rush to the front of a queue could
cause great offence.
Conversation
If English is your second or third language, you may find some
of the local forms of speech or accents difficult. Inferences, sarcasm
and inflections of the voice can all alter the meaning of a statement.
Expecting indirect answers
Answers that mean yes usually include the word yes. However answers
that mean no may be worded indirectly. For example, if you asked
a friend if you could come for tea, your friend may say ‘Well
it would be nice to see you today for tea, but we are rather busy
so I will let you know’. Your friend might well be saying
in this case, ‘No I would rather you came for tea another
day’.
Saying 'no'
Do not be worried about saying no. In this country a ‘no’
is not considered impolite. Honesty is much preferred, so that people
know what you really mean. If you do not wish to do something do
not worry about saying so.
Asking questions
Never be afraid of asking questions to your host, tutor or lecturer.
Asking questions, or putting another point of view is not considered
rude in this country. It is often expected that students should
have a reasoning, questioning mind, so you will be expected to ask,
but don’t take over every conversation by asking too many
questions.
Improving your English
The best way of improving English is to use it! Try to find someone
with whom you can speak regularly. It is best to talk to people
who are not too busy, such as young or retired people. Ask them
to tell you if you use a wrong word or if you mispronounce a word.
You may also find that your college or the Adult Education Centre
in the town run English classes. If you are having problems writing
English, you may find that a book helps. There are many good books
on written English but if you have difficulty finding one, here
are two suggestions:
The Complete Plain Words by Ernest Gowers
One hundred per cent Report Writing by RA Ward
What should I do if I cannot understand what someone has said?
First ask the other person to repeat what they said more slowly
by saying ‘I’m sorry, would you please say that again
more slowly?’. If you still cannot understand, ask for it
to be written down. This will help the other person to know that
you are having difficulties and may mean that they will take more
care to use simple English and speak more slowly. Do not be worried
about letting the other person know that you have not understood:
it is not considered rude in the UK to ask a question.
What should I do if someone else does not understand what I have
said?
You should repeat the comment using different words if possible.
Try writing down your comment if you wish – it may be that
the other person is not familiar with your pronunciation.
Alcohol
Many British Christians drink alcohol, which may be a real shock
to you. A common point of view is: ‘I wouldn’t get drunk,
I only drink in moderation’. Do not judge someone who drinks
or tell them it is wrong. Other people in Britain drink to socialise
and town can get quite crowded on Friday and Saturday nights as
people go around the pubs.
Youth Culture
There is no such thing as a typical British young person. Most
people affiliate to one group or another by the clothes they wear
and the music they listen to. A friendship group is often very important
to them. Britain is no longer a Christian country, and so you may
find that many people live in a way you find surprising.
British Politics
 You
might just be interested in our politics! Britain has no written
constitution, but the system of parliamentary government is the
result of gradual change over many centuries. The oldest institution
in Britain is the Monarchy – which dates back to at least
the ninth century.
The British Parliament is one of the oldest representative assemblies
in the world. The House of Lords and the House of Commons both have
medieval origins.
The British political party system depends upon the existence
of organised political parties, each of which presents its policies
to the electorate for approval.
In practice most candidates in elections belong to either the
Conservative Party (Tories), the Labour Party or the Liberal Democrats,
although there are smaller parties who also stand for Parliament.
In recent years, there has been a movement to political decisions
being made in the geographical location where they have the greatest
impact. The UK now has a devolved government for Scotland and a
regional assembly for Wales.
Images: www.freeimages.co.uk
|
