Cross Culture Understanding United States VS United Kingdom

Hello guys how do you do?

Btw welcome to my baffling blog. This page I shall write the cultures of two fascinating countries that I believe that you all wanted too. They are America (United States, US) and Britain (United Kingdom, UK). So, they both not only have differences in accent, or perhaps choice the vocabulary that I ever wrote before, but they both have the differences in point of view geography, system of government and the most significance that they both have the difference in culture.

Alright, I think you all had known some food products that unfamiliar such as coca cola, burger, oreo, kinder, nestle, etc these are the products of America. America has many varies of snack products, that’s why American’s Films usually show many food while the films are going on. But It differs toward England, which is more refer to limited product, British had known as a country who keep the kingdom included food product. They prefer to eat a cup of coffee and a sandwich as their have breakfast and if they have lunch, British prefer to eat an egg, some sausages, a piece of beef etc. Hmmm did you know Cadbury? One of labels chocolate that hugely smooth, I like your chocolate seriously huffttt.

Do you know what is culture ?

Ki Hajar Dewantara said that culture is meant the fruit of human mind is the result of the struggle of man against two string influences, the nature of the times and is a testament to the triumph of human life to overcome the obstacles and hardships I life and livelihood in order to achieve salvation and happiness at the birth is orderly and peaceful. It means that culture such as the customs, habit, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group.

Each people have an uniqueness, as well each countries having too. Btw, do you know the differences of them? The differences culture between US and UK? Or did you ever meet American or British? Or did you ever do traveling with them? Or did you ever love American girl/boy or British girl/boy? Or did you ever love songs or films of them? Or did you ever love me? Haha just kidding. :D

figure the culture of American creation

figure the culture of British

Okay guys those are a little bit about them for more clear I shall give to you all the differences of them. I was collecting the data by use Internet. Yaa we should to recognize that we hugely helped by its. We shouldn’t to go to another places to get many information, just stay on your computer or gadget, we can open the world and we be able to get many data, knowing , science, tech, and etc. And for references you can see the bottom of these pages.

American Society and Culture

American culture encompasses the customs and traditions of the United States. "Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music, what we believe is right or wrong, how we sit at the table, how we greet visitors, how we behave with loved ones, and a million other things," said Cristina De Rossi, an anthropologist at Barnet and Southgate College in London.

The United States is the third largest country in the world with a population of more than 325 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. A child is born every 8 seconds, and a person dies every 12 seconds.

In addition to Native Americans who were already living on the continent, the population of the United States was built on immigration from other countries. Despite recent moves to close the U.S. borders to new immigrants and refugees, a new immigrant moves to the United States every 33 seconds, according to the Census Bureau.

Because of this, the United States is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. Nearly every region of the world has influenced American culture, most notably the English who colonized the country beginning in the early 1600s. U.S. culture has also been shaped by the cultures of Native Americans, Latin Americans, Africans and Asians.

The United States is sometimes described as a "melting pot" in which different cultures have contributed their own distinct "flavors" to American culture. Just as cultures from around the world have influenced American culture, today American culture influences the world. The term Western culture often refers broadly to the cultures of the United States and Europe.

The way people "melt" in the United States differs. "Different groups of immigrants integrate in different ways," De Rossi told Live Science. "For example, in the United States, Catholic Spanish-speaking communities might keep their language and other cultural family traditions, but are integrated in the urban community and have embraced the American way of life in many other ways."

The Northeast, South, Midwest, Southeast and Western regions of the United States all have distinct traditions and customs. Here is a brief overview of the culture of the United States.

Language

There is no official language of the United States, according to the U.S. government. While almost every language in the world is spoken in the United States, the most frequently spoken non-English languages are Spanish, Chinese, French and German. Ninety percent of the U.S. population speaks and understands at least some English, and most official business is conducted in English. Some states have official or preferred languages. For example, English and Hawaiian are the official languages in Hawaii.

The Census Bureau estimates that more than 300 languages are spoken in the United States. The bureau divides those languages into four categories: Spanish; other Indo-European languages, which includes German, Yiddish, Swedish, French, Italian, Russian, Polish, Hindi, Punjabi, Greek and several others; Asian and Pacific Island languages, including Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Tamil and more; and "all other languages," which is a category for languages that didn't fit into the first three categories, such as Hungarian, Arabic, Hebrew, languages of Africa and languages of native people of North, Central and South America.

Religion

Nearly every known religion is practiced in the United States, which was founded on the basis of religious freedom. About 71 percent of Americans identify themselves as Christians, according to information gathered by the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan research group, in 2017. The research also found that about 23 percent had no religious affiliation at all and around 6 percent of the population is made up non-Christian religions.

The number of people who identify with no religion seems to be decreasing. According to the Pew Research Center, this category is expected to drop from 16 percent in 2015 to 13 percent in 2060.

American style

Clothing styles vary by social status, region, occupation and climate. Jeans, sneakers, baseball caps, cowboy hats and boots are some items of clothing that are closely associated with Americans. Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors and Victoria Secret are some well-known American brands.

American fashion is widely influenced by celebrities and the media, and fashion sales equal around $200 billion per year, according to a paper published by Harvard University in 2007. More and more Americans are buying fashion, electronics and more online. According to the Census Bureau, U.S. retail e-commerce sales for the first quarter of 2017 totaled around $98.1 billion.

American food

American cuisine was influenced by Europeans and Native Americans in its early history. Today, there are a number of foods that are commonly identified as American, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips, macaroni and cheese, and meat loaf. "As American as apple pie" has come to mean something that is authentically American.

There are also styles of cooking and types of foods that are specific to a region. Southern-style cooking is often called "American comfort food" and includes dishes such as fried chicken, collard greens, black-eyed peas and corn bread. Tex-Mex, popular in Texas and the Southwest, is a blend of Spanish and Mexican cooking styles and includes items such as chili and burritos, and relies heavily on shredded cheese and beans. Jerky, dried meats that are served as snacks, is also a food that was created in the United States, according toNPR.

The arts

The United States is widely known around the world as a leader in mass media production, including television and movies. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the United States comprises one-third of the worldwide media and entertainment industry.

The television broadcasting industry took hold in the United States in the early 1950s, and American television programs are now shown around the world. The United States also has a vibrant movie industry, centered in Hollywood, California, and American movies are popular worldwide. The U.S. film industry earned $31 billion in revenues in 2013, and is expected to reach $771 billion by 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The United States' arts culture extends beyond movies and television shows, though. New York is home to Broadway, and Americans have a rich theatrical history. American folk art is an artistic style and is identified with quilts and other hand-crafted items. American music is very diverse with many, many styles, including rhythm and blues, jazz, gospel, country and western, bluegrass, rock 'n' roll and hip hop.

Sports

The United States is a sports-minded country, with millions of fans who follow football, baseball, basketball and hockey, among other sports. Baseball, which was developed in colonial America and became an organized sport in the mid-1800s, is known as America's favorite pastime, although its popularity has been eclipsed by football for the past three decades, according to the Harris Poll.

American holidays

Many holidays are celebrated only in the United States. Americans celebrate their independence from Britain on July 4. Memorial Day, celebrated on the last Monday in May, honors those who have died in military service. Labor Day, observed on the first Monday in September, celebrates the country's workforce. Thanksgiving, another distinctive American holiday, falls on the fourth Thursday in November and dates back to colonial times to celebrate the harvest. Presidents' Day, marking the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, is a federal holiday that occurs on the third Monday in February. The contributions of veterans are honored on Veterans' Day, observed on Nov. 11. The contributions of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. are remembered on the third Monday in January.

Etiquette

Basic Etiquette

· It is often considered impolite to ask a direct question about someone’s salary, wealth, weight or age.

· People do not generally wait to be introduced and will begin speaking with strangers as they stand in a queue or sit next to each other at an event. Non-Americans can interpret this informality as too direct or even rude, but it’s simply the level of friendliness that they’re comfortable with.

· If someone coughs while you are smoking, it is an indication that you should extinguish the cigarette.

· It is impolite to pick your teeth without using a toothpick in public.

· It is acceptable to be a ‘fussy eater’ in America and refuse some foods without explanation.

· Americans place a big importance on time, often saying, “time is money” to be spent and saved like a commodity. Thus, punctuality is particularly important to them. Delay is not easily tolerated in a country where everything is tailored to convenience as much as possible.

Tipping

· Hospitality wages in America are much lower than those in Australia, so waiters, waitresses and service attendants depend on tips to make their living. Accordingly, restaurants that offer table service do not include the service charge in the cost of the bill.

· Americans usually tip 15-20% of the cost of the meal as a general standard. Less or more can be tipped depending on the quality of the service; if it was so awful that you would never eat there again, you may leave a tip of 2 cents. Doing so shows that you did not forget to tip and were bitterly unimpressed.

· Taxi drivers, hairdressers and barbers also expect similar tip percentages.

· Bell hops or valet parkers only expect about $1 as a tip.

Gifts

· Gifts are usually only given on special occasions and are almost always accompanied by a card.

· People tend to open gifts in front of the giver, either upon receiving them or later along with other presents.

· For occasions that require a gift (e.g. birthday, wedding, baby shower), a modest value of about $25 is acceptable unless you know the recipient very well.

· Gifts that are given as a personal gesture outside of special occasions are often grander or more heartfelt. For example, to reflect deep gratitude for a favour someone has done for you, you may give them sports tickets or take them to an expensive restaurant.

· Token gifts may be given when visiting a house (e.g. wine, chocolate).

Visiting

· Arrange a visit before going to an American’s house. Do not arrive unannounced or bring friends and family with you unless you’ve asked them beforehand.

· Call ahead if you will be arriving more than 10 minutes late to a small gathering of people.

· People are generally expected to arrive to large parties 30 minutes to an hour late, especially if they don't know the host well. It can be considered socially awkward to arrive on-time to a large party where many people do not know each other.

· Being late is more acceptable to parties and large social gatherings.

· Avoid overstaying your welcome by remaining at an American’s home longer than expected unless they urge you to stay.

Communication

Verbal

· Direct Communication: Americans are very direct communicators. They tend to convey their entire message verbally, paying less attention to body language. People are expected to ‘get to the point’. This does not mean courtesy is disregarded in communication, but it does mean that Americans may sometimes miss nuances (such as understatement) in conversation or some types of humour (for example, subtle sarcasm or ironic statements).

· Language Styles: Americans are generally quite enthusiastic, assertive and persuasive in their speech.

· Modesty: Americans are not very modest (by an Australian standard) as boasting is not cut down by tall poppy syndrome in their culture. People are expected to speak on their own behalf instead of waiting for someone to tell of their achievements or success for them.

· Raised Voices: Americans may speak at higher volumes in public spaces, however they generally do not appreciate loud or emotional outbursts.

· Silence: Americans sometimes grow uncomfortable when social chat is punctuated with long periods of pause or silence and often try to fill the gap in conversation.

Non-Verbal

· Eye Contact: Eye contact should be maintained directly. It demonstrates warmth, openness, honesty and approachability. If you make eye contact with a stranger in passing (on the street, at a shop, in a hallway, etc.) give a small smile or nod to acknowledge them. Continuing on your way without doing so means your were simply staring or unfriendly, and is considered slightly rude.

· Physical Contact: Generally, Americans are not very tactile outside of their families and close relationships. However, cities that are more internationally exposed may adopt more physical contact in their mannerisms. Touching someone of another gender – especially in the workplace – can be misinterpreted as sexual harassment.

· Personal Space: Americans like to be given a fair amount of personal space, so try not to encroach on it during a conversation. If an American feels you are ‘in their face’ too much, they will probably not mention it and simply step back.

· Gestures: It is best to nod or show some kind of sign that you are listening throughout a conversation.

· Smiling: Many Americans smile when passing strangers on the street as a simple gesture of goodwill.

Other Considerations

· Discussions about terrorism, Islam, slavery and race relations can be sensitive topics.

· If discussing politics, expect to have to explain how aspects of the Australian social system work (e.g. healthcare). The American political and social system operates quite differently as a Republic.

· Public anger is permissible to a degree, but if it gets out of hand people are often taken to the side to vent in private. One is not necessarily expected to hide their emotions, but keep them in check.

· There is a strong cultural and religious narrative in America of the ‘Good Samaritan’. As many as 1 in 4 Americans volunteer for non-profit organisations and events. It is also common (in a relative sense to Australia) for people to reach out and help total strangers on impulse.

· 13 is an unlucky number to the superstitious, and therefore some buildings may skip it when numbering floors.

· Americans write the date as month/day/year.

· Americans use the imperial system of measurement instead of the metric system (e.g. miles vs. kilometres, pounds vs. kilograms).

· Americans can be very passionate about those sports that have originated in the USA. If you support a team adverse to an American’s, take light insults and slurs without offence. It is all in the name of sportsmanship and doesn’t go so far as to ruin relationships.

· Over 68% of American adults over 20 years-old are considered overweight, with a third of all adults considered to be obese. If talking about this, it’s less inflammatory to frame it as a social problem as opposed to a result of people’s poor willpower.

· Some important laws vary significantly between states in America. For example, the age of independence, drug laws and sentencing laws can drastically differ from state to state. Thus, when travelling in America, be aware that some things will not be permitted in all states.

Ethnic and Racial Sensitivity

America is becoming increasingly culturally sensitive in regards to minorityraces and ethnicities. The following are important points:

· The term ‘African-American’ refers to the descendants of African slaves in America. It is not always a black person’s term of preference as some feel no affiliation to their Africangenealogy and would rather just be recognised as ‘American’. Others are have other ancestry that they would rather be referred to by (e.g. Caribbean or Afro-Caribbean). Alternatively, some black people may identify as being ‘African-American’ for its cultural meaning in contemporary America as opposed to its reflection of their African heritage.

· More recently, black people have preferred their race to be referred to as simply ‘black’, finding terms readdressing them by another category to be insulting.

· The term ‘people of colour’ is sometimes used as the politically correct terminology to refer to anyone who is not white. However, the term is still felt to be offensive by many as it implies that ‘non-coloured’ or white is the norm or ideal. ‘Coloured people’ is considered even more offensive with its link to the civil rights movement and segregated populations in the southern states.

· Wearing ‘blackface’ (by which a non-black person paints themselves black to imitate being of that race) is extremely offensive. Furthermore, it can be offensive to depict the average black man or woman as ‘ghetto’ by connoting a lack of education, drug involvement or violence.

· It is offensive to culturally appropriate the Native Indian headdress for a decorative costume.

· ‘Hispanic’ refers to people from a Spanish-speaking countries while ‘Latino’ refers to people of Latin American origin. Latin America includes a diversity of countries that speak Spanish, Portuguese, French, etc. People from any of these countries may find the terms to be inadequate as they group together a big variety of cultures. If referring to their background, it is best to define them by their nationality.

· Latino and Hispanic are not races but are rather recognised as ethnicities. Thus, a Latino person may be black, white, Asian, etc.

· It can be offensive to assume that someone is not Latino or Hispanic because they have white or Anglo-Saxon physical features. The same applies to indigenous peoples.

Americans in Australia

North Americans have had contact with Australia since the 1700s. Many arrived due to the benefit of a strong trade relationship between the two countries. By 1901, 7,450 USA-born people were recorded living in Australia. In the ensuing years, many more visited, but few chose to permanently migrate. The post-war period between 1945 and 1960 saw a steady increase in arrival. By 1971, 39,040 Americans had settled in Australia. There has been a steady increase of arrivals since. Numbers have grown from 43,670 in 1991, to 53,720 in 2001, to 77,010 in 2011, and 86,125 in 2016.

While the majority of Americans living in Australia are of European backgrounds, the population also includes those with Hispanic and Latino, African American and Native American ancestry. Children (0-15yrs) and youth (16-25yrs) are strongly represented among the USA-born population compared to many other overseas-born populations in Australia. This indicates that American migration often incorporates entire family units. However, the biggest increase in American migration has been of women in their 20s.

Amongst the USA-born people in Australia, Catholic and Anglican Christianity (26.3%) are the major religious affiliations according to the 2011 Census. 36.3% identified with another religion and 32% claimed to be unaffiliated with any religion.

Many USA citizens see Australia’s employment opportunities and lifestyle more favourably. Due to the colonialhistory between the two countries, many also find the culture to be very compatible with their own. In general, these cultural similarities afford North American migrants relative ease acculturating to Australia. They do not encounter the same language barriers, cross-cultural difficulties and social isolation that some other migrant groups face. The majority of Americans in Australia have been living in the country for a decade or longer, and are therefore relatively well settled in the country.

101 Characteristics of Americans/American Culture

There are 101 characteristics of American so that you all be known the differences between American and British, are following :

1. America is enormous: the third largest country in the world with a population of more than 300 million people.

2. Americans come in all colors, have all types of religions, and speak many languages from all over the world.

3. Americans are extremely independent, individualistic, and like to be different from each other.

4. 66% of Americans are overweight; 37% of those are obese.

5. Americans believe in freedom of choice.

6. Americans need a lot of “elbow room”; they like personal space around them.

7. Approximately 1% of Americans are homeless (3.5 million people).

8. Americans talk easily to the homeless but use good judgment and are careful with whom they talk.

9. Sadly, the streets of major cities are often dirty.

10. Many people, especially teenagers, wear strange clothes, and many have tattoos and body piercings.

11. Americans follow the rule of law.

12. Littering (throwing garbage on the street), graffiti and tagging (writing on the walls), and loitering (standing around and doing nothing) are against the law and are punishable by a fine or jail.

13. Discriminating against or making any insulting statement about someone else’s religion or ethnicity is against the law and could be punishable as a hate crime.

14. You must be over the age of 21 and you must have an identification card with a photo to buy or drink alcohol.

15. In most states, it is illegal to buy cigarettes if you are under the age of 18 and often you can only smoke in certain places.

16. Americans are extremely informal and call most people by their first name or nickname.

17. Americans smile a lot and talk easily to strangers, sharing personal stories.

18. Asking “How are you?” is simply a greeting and is not a question about your health.

19. When Americans put their hands on their hips, they are usually relaxed; when they fold their arms tightly across their chests, they are angry or very serious (or cold).

20. Americans don’t push or stand too close to anyone in line. They always wait their turn.

21. In a restaurant, the server is usually very friendly and helpful and often will tell you his or her name.

22. When the service is good, tipping is expected to be 15–20% of the bill.

23. Polite Americans eat with one hand while the other one is under the table on their laps.

24. Usually, when friends meet at a restaurant they each pay their share of the bill or split the bill in half. It’s called going Dutch.

25. If you have guests over to your house, turn off the television, make sure your music isn’t too loud.

26. Americans have parties for many reasons. Sometimes they are held for friends to get together and to meet new people. There is rarely music or dancing at a typical American party.

27. When you meet Americans, be sure to look them in the eye, smile, and shake hands.

28. Make small talk at the beginning of a conversation. After a few questions, you will be asked, “What do you do?” (This means what is your job?)

29. For weddings and showers, people register for gifts at a specific place.

30. Americans open presents and cards in front of people.

31. Be sure you include a card with your gift. The person given the gift will send you a thank you card.

32. At an American funeral, it is not normal to make loud sad sounds. Americans try to keep strong emotions inside.

33. There is no traditional color or flower that symbolizes death. Any and all flowers can be used at funerals.

34. We do not give money at a funeral. Sometimes, we send flowers or plants to the ceremony.

35. After the funeral, there is usually a reception at the home of the family. There is usually a lot of food and sometimes alcohol.

36. Never ask Americans a direct question about their religion, age, money, salary, weight, or dress/suit size.

37. Do not make any racist or negative remarks about someone’s religion, family background, or sexual preferences.

38. Men should not make any “sexist” remarks to or about women—anything that would make women unequal to men.

39. Americans say that they don’t want to talk about politics, but sometimes they do. It’s best to just listen first to see the other person’s point of view before you let them know your thoughts.

40. Never go to someone’s house without calling first to see if it is convenient.

41. If you are invited to an American party, do not bring your children, friends, or family members without first asking the permission of the host.

42. Time is money. Never be late to classes, employment interviews, appointments, parties (especially your wedding!), etc.

43. Some Americans hug a lot. It is okay for women and men to hug even if they are not close friends.

44. It is normal for American women to have male friends who are just friends (and vice versa).

45. It is not uncommon for American men and women to share an apartment as roommates and not have a sexual relationship with each other. 46. Most American women do not like possessive or jealous men.

47. Most American women do not feel comfortable having the man pay for everything all of the time.

48. Be careful: Meet new friends in a public place many times before you get into a car or give out your address.

49. American parents speak to their children as adults and teach them how to be responsible for their actions.

50. American parents encourage their children to question and always ask “Why?”

51. It is normal for American children to have very messy rooms.

52. It is common for young Americans to carry security blankets or a stuffed toy.

53. Americans do not hit their children but discipline them by taking things away.

54. American men try to share equally with their wives in parenting and housework.

55. Americans hire “babysitters” to take care of their children when they go out or are at work.

56. Americans love their pets, sometimes more than they love people.

57. Homosexuality is protected by law in the United States.

58. The majority of older Americans prefer to live in retirement homes for independent living rather than to live with their grown children.

59. Americans admire youth and often work past age 65 and/or go back to school.

60. Domestic violence is against the law. It is illegal to hit anyone: a spouse, a parent, a child, and even a pet.

61. There are special seats in the front of buses reserved for disabled people or senior citizens.

62. Be careful when you offer your seat on the bus to an older or a disabled person. Most older people do not want to be thought of as someone needing help.

63. Most buses require the exact amount of money and cannot make change.

64. Because of pick-pockets, Americans carry credit cards and checks, instead of a lot of cash.

65. Pedestrians always have the right of way.

66. Pedestrians must cross at a cross walk or unmarked intersection. Crossing in the middle of the road is against the law.

67. If it is not a life or death emergency, do not call 911.

68. Rent must be paid on time or there is usually a late fee.

69. If you pay your rent by cash, be sure to get a receipt.

70. Americans love to hunt for bargains and often buy used things.

71. If the police put the lights on to tell you to stop your car, move to the side of the road right away. Stay in your car.

72. Look directly at the officer. Smile and say, “What seems to be the problem, Officer?”

73. When you drive, be sure to always have your license, registration, and proof of insurance with you.

74. Never, for any reason, argue with or give money to a police officer.

75. Always be on time to the job interview and to your job.

76. Dress appropriately for the job interview.

77. Smile, look the interviewer in the eye, and shake hands firmly when you meet.

78. At the interview, be positive and describe your good qualities.

79. Sexual harassment is against the law.

80. Students are expected to ask questions.

81. Never use a cell phone in class.

82. It is normal for an American teacher to sit on the desk.

83. Always call your teacher by his or her name.

84. It is never too late to go back to school and you can almost always find free adult education classes.

85. It is permitted to visit most college and university campuses to see what they are like.

86. Children from the ages of 6 to 16 must attend school in the United States.

87. Do your own work. Copying from a book, a friend, or the Internet is called plagiarism.

88. Cheating is serious, and the punishment is strong.

89. Americans try to take care of a medical problem early.

90. When you have a serious medical problem, it’s a good idea to get a second opinion.

91. You can always ask the receptionist how much a doctor’s appointment will cost. 92. When you need to make an appointment with a doctor, list all of your symptoms in English before you call.

93. Most states have free or low-cost clinics.

94. Never go to a hospital emergency room unless it is a matter of life or death.

95. Americans are really careful about not bothering anyone else with their body odor or bad breath.

96. Most Americans take at least one bath or shower each day.

97. Most Americans put on a good underarm deodorant after bathing.

98. Throw all toilet paper and seat covers in the toilet to be flushed away.

99. If you can’t understand the sign on the restroom door, ask someone or check to see who goes in or comes out.

100. Americans often talk to each other or on the cell phone while using the bathroom.

101. There are very few “public” bathrooms available in U.S. cities and towns.

FACTS AND STATISTICS

· Location: Western Europe

· Capital: London

· Flag: The national flag for the UK is known at The Union Jack and represents the three older nations of Great Britain with the red cross of St George (patron saint of England), the white saltire cross of St. Andrew (patron saint of Scotland), and the red saltire of St. Patrick (patron saint of Ireland - Northern Ireland being part of the United Kingdom)

· National anthem: God Save the Queen is the patriotic song dedicated to the reigning monarch of The United Kingdom

· Nationality: English, Irish, Scottish or Welsh (or just British which covers all of them)

· Ethnic Make-Up: white 87.2%, black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 census)

· Population: 66+million (est. 2019)

· Population growth rate: 0.8% annual change (2015)

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

· Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) Britain operates daylight saving time (DST) which begins on last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October and puts the clock ahead of GMT by one hour

· Currency: Pound Sterling, known as the Pound or Great British Pound (GBP)

· Government: parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Greetings

· Greetings are usually informal in social settings.

· First names are commonly used in social introductions.

· A handshake is the common greeting, and should be firm yet not too strong.

· When greeting each other, close friends may hug or kiss one another on the cheek, while others may simply offer a nod.

· In some casual settings, your name may be announced to the group at large. In this case, it is assumed that you will get to know others’ names as you mingle.

· The British don’t usually ask too many questions upon meeting someone as this can be seen as prying. That being said, it is still best to ask a person whereabouts in the UK they are from upon meeting them. This prevents you from mistaking them as English if they are Scottish, etc.

Religion

According to the 2011 British Census, 25.67% of the British population does not affiliate with any religion. Of those who are religious, 59.49% are Christian, 4.41% are Muslim and 1.5% are Hindu. Other religions make up 1.94% and 7.17% did not give an answer. Each country within the United Kingdom has its own Church (e.g. The Church of England).

Interestingly, despite the fact that almost 70% of the population claim a religion in the national Census, other recent polls have strongly indicated that less than half of the total population believes in God. For example, in the British Social Attitudes survey of 2012, the proportion of non-religious people almost doubled from the Census statistic. In a Gallup Poll that asked the question “Is religion important in your daily life?”, 73% of British respondents answered no.

Devotion to faith has also shifted between generations as figures show that today, only a quarter of youths aged between 18 and 24 believe in God. Furthermore, of those who do profess a religion, most are largely inactive in its practice. For example, Christian church attendance has significantly dropped since the 1950s. However, a 2014 poll found that Muslims are becoming the most actively religious group in British society.

Family

The average British family has classically been understood as a nuclear family with their extended family living separately. However, today the archetypical family (husband, wife and children) can no longer be the exact social expectation. In the UK, one in three people is a step-parent, step-child, adult step-child, step-sibling or step-grandparent. According to the Office for National Statistics, more children are being raised in single parent households. Also, as the stigma associated with premarital intercourse has diminished, the number of unwed mothers has increased. Families are increasingly incorporating LGBTQI+ relationships. As such, children of same-sex couples are becoming more common.

However, while the traditional archetypal British family structure is no longer an expected cultural standard, the family remains fundamentally important to individuals throughout their life. The unique personal relationships that family members share and the support they receive from one another is considered the main form of the value of family membership.

The preference for most British families is to have a small family unit. This allows mobility and relieves economic pressure over a parent’s lifetime. Government studies show that most problems facing British families relate to being financially stretched. Parents often make strategic choices about their children's education to secure a good economic future for them. Children are encouraged to be independent and self-reliant at an early age. However, more adult children are living with their parents for economic reasons than ever before.

The average ages at which family life-events occur (e.g. marriage, children, retirement) are rising, as people are tending to wait until later in life to have children. This reflects the growing individualist orientation of both men and women – particularly of the middle class – to want to establish a career for themselves and travel before starting a family. Women tend to be much older when they have their first child than previous generations, the average age being 29. As a result of this older age of conception, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is becoming more common. People are also working much later into life with the abolishment of a default retirement age. It is now common for people aged over 65 to remain in the British workforce for several more years.

Gender does not dictate a person’s role or duty in the family; women enjoy equal rights and the opportunity to choose their form of contribution to the household dynamic. However, due to a number of reasons, more women choose not to work full-time and prefer to be available to raise their children.

Marriage and Dating

British dating practices are similar to those of Australians. It is common for couples to meet though their social circles, workplaces or social hobbies. Online dating services are popular amongst several age groups.

Dates usually happen in contexts that allow for the couple to engage in enough conversation to get to know one another (for example, over a meal or drink). It is common for a British person to ‘date’ or get to know multiple people at once over a period of time without having an exclusive relationship with any of those people. If feelings develop for a particular person, they usually stop meeting new dates or seeing others. Instead they usually pursue that one person until he or she agrees to be in a committed relationship with them or indicates they are not interested.

While unmarried cohabitation and divorce have increased, British people remain committed and dedicated to partnership. Emphasis is placed on a couple’s intimate love for one another, rather than the social expectations of a marriage contract. The average British couple will be in a relationship for multiple years and live together before getting married. This varies significantly between individual circumstances and family backgrounds. The average age of (first) marriage is 33 for men and 30 for women.

Almost half of British marriages end in divorce. However, the institution of marriage is still dominant and highly valued. It is expected in society that any strong couple will want to ‘take that step’. Same-sex couples can also legally marry in England, Wales and Scotland. Nevertheless, some couples (both same-sex and straight) choose not to marry and remain in a de facto partnership whilst maintaining the same function and relationship as a married couple.

Naming

· British naming structure is the same as Australia’s: [first name] [middle name] [last name] (e.g. Roy Travis BROWN).

· Previously first names were based on Biblical names such as ‘Zacharias’, or names for religious principles such as ‘Grace’. This practice still occurs, but in more recent times many British will often choose names for their children that sound nice or are influenced by popular culture.

· A common convention is for parents to choose names that honour people (e.g. parents naming their son 'Henry' to pay respects towards King Henry).

· Often naming is patrilineal and children will adopt their father’s surname.

Dates of Significance

· New Years Day (1st of January)

· Burns’ Night (25th of January) -Scotland

· Valentine's Day (14th of February)

· St. David’s Day (1st of March) - Wales

· St. Patrick’s Day (17th of March) -Northern Ireland

· Lent (March/April)

· Easter (March/April)

· April Fool’s Day (1st of April)

· St George’s Day (23rd of April) -England

· May Day or Beltane (1st of May)

· Queen’s Birthday (13th of June)

· Battle of the Boyne (12th of July) -Northern Ireland

· Bonfire Night (5th of November)

· Remembrance Day (11th of November)

· St. Andrew’s Day (30th of November) -Scotland

· Christmas Day (25th of December)

· Boxing Day (26th of December)

· New Year’s Eve (31st of December)

Etiquette

· Always say “please” when asking someone for help.

· It is often considered impolite to ask a direct question about someone’s salary, wealth, weight or age.

· Spitting in public is considered rude.If there is a line for something, always queue and wait for your turn.

· To call over a waiter or person of service, do not wave or yell. Instead, keep an eye out for them until they make eye contact, and then nod or raise your hand. You may also gently say “excuse me” as they pass by.

· It is considered rude ‘put someone on the spot’ by asking difficult or uncomfortable questions in any situation.

Gifts

· Gifts are typically only given on special occasions (e.g. birthdays, Christmas).

· People tend to open gifts in front of the giver, either upon receiving them or later along with other presents.

· Recipients don’t usually expect to receive gifts of a high monetary value, but rather that the gift will reflect their interests.

· Token gifts may be given when visiting someone (e.g. wine, chocolate).

Visiting

· Arrange a visit before going to a British person’s house. Do not arrive unannounced or bring friends and family along unless you’ve asked them beforehand.

· Avoid arriving early to a one’s house unless you've asked the hosts.

· It is generally okay to be 10 to 15 minutes late to a small gathering of people. However, if you are meeting at a restaurant, it is important to be punctual as people will wait for you to order their food.

· Being late is more acceptable when attending parties and large social gatherings.

· If you visit a British home, you may not always receive a tour of the house, and many of the doors might be closed out of privacy.

· Avoid overstaying your welcome by remaining at a British person’s home longer than expected unless they urge you to stay.

Do's and Don'ts

Do's

· Make an effort to keep interactions polite and friendly, evenly balanced with directness, humour and humility—even when under pressure. Rudeness is often remembered.

· Keep a balance on how direct you are and be careful not to introduce difficult topics bluntly.

· The British are less likely to complain about smaller inconveniences that arise in life, so try to be patient with such matters as well.

· Control your anger or emotions as public outbursts and large displays of emotion are uncommon.

· If you want to criticise or ridicule something that is not of a wholly serious matter, it’s best to use humour to do so. Directly complaining about inconsequential things can make the British uncomfortable as they rarely do so themselves.

· Acknowledge where a person is from in the UK (i.e. England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), but do not draw upon stereotypes to distinguish them.

Do not's

· Do not boast or make ostentatious comments that give the impression that you see yourself as superior to others. The British will find this contrived and obnoxious.

· Do not be overly critical in public. The British like to minimise confrontation, so complaining loudly (e.g. to a waiter) while in their company will most likely embarrass them.

· Avoid asking about personal matters when beginning a conversation—particularly those concerning one’s relationship or financial situation. If one is not forthcoming on a point of discussion, digging further to encourage openness is unlikely to work. It is best to change the topic and talk about something less personal, such as the weather or a sporting event.

· The British like to tease, so do not take their jokes too seriously or literally.

Communication

Verbal

· Indirect Communication: The British are relatively indirect communicators; they strongly avoid creating conflict and therefore take all necessary measures to remain polite throughout discussion. This involves making indirect statements that vaguely communicate their message without ‘rocking the boat’ (upsetting the status quo). As a result, people often have to read between the lines since what is said is most likely an understatement of what is actually meant (e.g. “not bad” means something is in fact quite good).

· Self-Deprecation: The British are quite self-deprecating in conversation in an effort to come across as humble, honest and relaxed about themselves. Feel free to join in with the jokes by criticising yourself in a similar matter. That being said, avoid finding such jokes too funny, enthusiastically agreeing to these self-deprecating comments, as this can become insulting.

· Humour: Humour is used in much of their communication, so expect some light-hearted joking to be involved in most conversations. Jokes about situational circumstances are often used to lighten moods or approach difficult topics in an indirect way. That being said, British sarcasm and understatements can be very subtle and nuanced, sometimes making it difficult for Australians to detect whether they are kidding or not. In this case, remember these communication habits and know that they’re most likely joking.

· Listening: The British are polite listeners, rarely interrupting others unless they need clarification about something.

· Voicing Displeasure: British people are not likely to complain, and will tolerate bad service or food in order to avoid making a scene. Therefore, they might become very nervous if you voice your dissatisfaction in public.

· Criticism: Personal criticism should be voiced in an indirect way as well. Otherwise, this will only make your British counterpart hostile and defensive, and your criticism will be ineffective.

Non-Verbal

· Expression: The British do not always give away their emotions via facial expressions. For example, they may not show it if they have been offended. On the other hand, keeping a straight face can be the punch line to many jokes. That being said, keep in mind that even if one’s facial expression is serious, they may simply be continuing their sarcastic humour.

· Personal Space: The British like to be given a fair amount of personal space, so maintain an arm length's distance between yourself and the person speaking. Standing too close can put people off.

· Physical Contact: British culture is generally quite reserved. People are generally comfortable touching those those they know well (e.g. backslapping is common among close friends). However, women tend to be more physically affectionate with one another than men.

· Gestures: Gestures are usually quite reserved, polite and less demonstrative. For example, to tapping the side of one's nose means that something is confidential or to be kept secret. It is considered offensive to make a V-sign with your index and middle finger, the palm facing inwards and the top of the hand facing the other person. This is another way of saying “up yours” in their culture. However, the V-sign with the palm facing outwards is understood as the sign for victory or peace.

· Eye Contact: It is best to make direct eye contact that breaks away now and again. Prolonged eye contact can make people feel uncomfortable, and staring is impolite. If talking to a group, be sure to make equal eye contact with all who are present.

· Patience: The British are usually very patient and queue for everything, so it is best to imitate this behaviour. If you try to hurry someone, you will most likely have to wait even longer.

Other Considerations

· British and English are not the same thing. ‘British’ refers to all people from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, whilst ‘English’ refers to people only from England. The same applies to ‘Scottish’, ‘Welsh’ and ‘Northern Irish’.

· When it comes to sports, the British are often openly impassioned fans. People may openly boast and taunt those who support opposing teams. However, players themselves are still expected to be slightly self-deprecating.

Business Culture

Meetings

· Make the appointment for your meeting a few days in advance, and indicate what its objectives are beforehand as well. If you already have a written agenda, people will appreciate you sharing it with them.

· Tardiness reflects badly in a professional setting, so make sure to arrive on time or slightly early. If you’re chairing the meeting, it’s more crucial to start punctually.

· Business cards are exchanged during introductions without formality.

· Before you begin discussing business, break the ice with a few minutes of social conversation. Only talk about impersonal topics (such as the weather) to avoid intruding in their private lives.

· Meetings should follow a set agenda, but expect them to be quite time-consuming.

· The British use humour throughout dealings to lighten the setting, so reciprocate this to build a good atmosphere for discussion.

· Always give the impression that everything is well managed and under control. The British like to feel relaxed about business, no matter what the situation may be.

· Avoid making exaggerated claims as everything will need to be backed up with facts and figures.

· If you sound overly rehearsed, people may become suspicious of you as they tend to be sceptical of slick social spiel and formality.

· In an effort to be diplomatic, the British do not disagree very openly. Instead, they may use vague statements (e.g. “That might be tricky”), humour and tentative or non-committal agreements (e.g. “Hmm, that’s an interesting idea”) to indicate that they are not in full agreement with you.

· Vagueness is also a way of stalling for time, so take another route if you notice this.

· Appeal to common sense during negotiations, and emphasise win-win scenarios.

· The British are likely to 'keep their cards close to their chest' (to withhold information or be secretive), so be careful not to expose too much of your position either.

· They generally do not like to rush and are unlikely to commit to anything immediately, so don’t expect final decisions to be made during first meetings. To promote timely decisions, ask suggestive questions such as “Do you think we could make a final decision at our next meeting?”. This will indicate that there is a specific time frame for them to work within.

· Although meetings are often inconclusive, everyone who attended is expected to leave with a specific task.

· Finalise all agreed-upon commitments in writing.

Hierarchies

Managers may appear to be part of the team as they only keep a marginal power distance, but business hierarchies are still definitive. The status of managers may be hard to detect as they try to have consensus before directing others. Furthermore, directions are hinted at and instructions are polite requests such as, “Perhaps we should try…”, or “Do you think you could…”. This avoids regimentation and formality in the workplace. Nevertheless, managers’ suggestions are to be followed as though they were given as firm orders.

Considerations

· The British enjoy working with those who they have some kind of familiarity with. Thus, try using a third party introduction to initiate business relationships.

· The pub is often an intermediate place between work and socialisation where colleagues can rest their professional pretences and bond in a non-hierarchical setting.

· You may be invited to meetings at pub lunches or over dinner. In these settings, the host who offered the invitation pays the bill.

· Much importance is put on fair play in the British business culture. Thus, while it is okay to be competitive, impeding on others and playing dirty will be remembered and denounced.

· Nepotism in the workplace is often frowned upon.

· If you are a higher-ranking executive, do not boast of your importance.

· British executives are likely to have their annual budget in mind when engaging in a large deal.

· On the Corruption Perception Index(2017), the United Kingdom ranks 8th out of 180 countries, receiving a score of 82 (on a scale from 0 to 100). This perception suggests that the country’s public sector is relatively clean from corruption.

Socialization

· The mother is typically the primary carer of new born babies and small children. Employment law enables them to take a year off work following childbirth to care for their new-born baby.

· Upon a mother’s return to work, although grandparents increasingly fill the gap to help care for their grandchildren, many others place their child in a nursery.

· Gender led toys and family life often mean that gender roles are formed at a fairly early age. There is a popular expectation that girls will dress in pink, wear nice dresses and play with dolls while boys are often encouraged to dress in blue and play with toys such as tractors and cars.

Economy

· The Gross National Income in the UK increased from 492534 GBP million in the latter part of 2016 to 494149 GDP million in the first part of 2017. In January 2017, the UK national debt stood at over a trillion GBP which is equivalent to 86.5% of GDP.

· The UK imports a quarter of its food from the EU but with the collapse in the value of the Pound against the Dollar following the vote for Britain to leave the European Union, prices are set to rise dramatically. In 2015, Britain exported £18 billion worth of food and drink whilst spending around £38 billion on importing food and drink.

Food

· Even if British food has not got an exceptional reputation in the world, there are some traditional foods in the United Kingdom and traditional British beers. The English breakfast and fish and chips are the most iconic dishes in the UK.

· Traditional British foods typically centre around the concept of ‘meat and two veg’, which means in essence that the dish will contain a type of meat (usually beef, pork, lamb or chicken), two types of vegetable (typically root vegetables) and potatoes.

· Furthermore, as it is a multicultural country, you can now enjoy food from all parts of the world in the UK. Curry is now the nation’s favourite dish, being brought over from the Indian sub-continent with migrants.

Arts, Humanities & Popular Culture

· The British people have traditionally enjoyed social interaction relating to popular culture throughout the centuries.

· The theatres have long been well supported with entertainment ranging from music to drama and to comedy. In the 19th Century, the Music Hall was the mainstay of entertainment offering all manner of acts from singing to acrobatics.

· The cinema is very popular as are the numerous social clubs across the country. Music too plays an important role in popular culture and has been the forerunner in exports.

· The UK is home to the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Adele, and many other artists who have made it to the world stage. Jungle, Dubstep, Grime and other modern forms of dance music also originate from the UK.

· Traditionally music and social gatherings have been the cement in isolated communities over the centuries with dancing and singing. The Scottish and Irish Ceilidh is a traditional social gathering involving Gaelic folk music and dancing either in a house or larger venue. The Welsh people are known for their singing voices and the Welsh Men’s Choir is renowned World Wide.

· Art and literature has also played a focal part in the history of UK culture. There are many art galleries throughout the country and Britain is known for its history of authors such as Virginia Woolf, TS Eliot, Agatha Christie and Jane Austen.

SOCIAL & ETIQUETTE

Naming conventions

· In the UK, the first name is also known as ‘the Christian name’, although this has little to do with religion today. This is traditionally followed by a middle name and then the family name which in the UK is known as the surname.

· In previous centuries children tended to be named after a member of the family or a religious figure. Catholic families, in particular, tend to name their children after saints.

· In modern times, children are often given names that are liked by the parents and which have no particular significance regarding family or religion. Some children are named after famous football stars, singers or film actors.

· Traditionally when couples marry the woman takes her husband’s name as her surname but some couple now choose to amalgamate their names which is referred to as a double-barrelled name.

Meeting & Greeting

· Although the British may appear on the surface to be reserved and perhaps even aloof, they are in fact friendly people and welcoming to foreign visitors.

· The etiquette when greeting is to shake hands with all those present, even children.

· At social or business meetings, it is polite to also shake hands upon leaving. Hand-shakes should not be too hearty, just a light friendly touch.

· Last names should be used with the appropriate title unless specifically invited to use the first name.

Communication style

· The British have an interesting mix of communication styles encompassing both understatement and direct communication.

· Many older businesspeople 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.

Gift Giving

· It is customary to take a small gift for the host if invited to their home. This is usually either a bottle of wine, flowers or chocolates. Some people may send flowers in advance of a dinner party but it is equally acceptable to take them on the day. Gifts are opened on receipt.

· It is not usual for gifts to be exchanged in a business setting.

Dining & Food

· 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 on to 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 to 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 together at the clock position of 6.30.

· Toasts are given at formal meals when the host will raise a glass (usually wine but a soft drink is acceptable) and will invite the guests to commemorate a person or event. The guests then raise their glass and repeat the toast before taking a sip of their drink.

· 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. It is important to arrive on time. Do not argue about the check; simply reciprocate at a later time.

· Do not wave your hand or call out to summons a waiter if in a restaurant.

Visiting a home

· 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.

· It is not always required to remove your shoes when entering a British home, but it is recommended that you ask upon entry whether or not shoes can be worn.

Taboos

· Do not rest your elbows on the table.

· Do not stare.

· Do not be overly familiar with people you do not know well.

· Do not ask personal questions such as how much someone earns, who they voted for etc.

· Do not speak too loudly or cut into a conversation.

BUSINESS CULTURE & PRACTICE

What to wear?

· Although the rules on business wear have changed in the last decade and some professions are less formal, more conservative businesses still expect men to wear a suit and tie and women to dress smartly.

· This may involve a smart, unfussy dress and shoes but it is also acceptable for women to wear trousers, a smart blouse and jacket.

Titles

· In addition to formal professional titles, (such as doctor or professor), it is polite to refer to men with ‘Mr’ and women as ‘Mrs’ (if married) or ‘Miss’ (if unmarried).

· Formal titles should be used in business unless otherwise stated.

Business cards

· These are usually given at the end of a meeting.

· There is no ceremony as to business card giving in the UK.

· Do not be surprised if someone writes on your business card.

Meetings

· 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 brief eye contact with the team members to encourage a feeling of inclusion.

· 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 a few feet of personal space.

· Always be on time to a meeting if not a bit early.

· If you have hosted the meeting then you should send an email summarizing what was decided and the next steps to be taken.

Negotiating

· Major decisions are made from the top and will be passed down the chain of management.

· Any hard selling or confrontation is ill-advised.

Management

· The style of management in the UK has been changing over the past few decades from what may be perceived to be stuffy, conservative values to a more open and progressive approach recognising the significant role played by the employees.

Where meetings are concerned, it is important to treat all people with respect and deference and that time should not be wasted.Always arrive promptly prepared for the discussions on the content of the business at hand. Although some organisations will appear to be hierarchical people within the company, whatever their position, play an important role in the decision-making process for the greater good of the company. Employees expect to be consulted on issues that affect their working environment and morale.