Culture and Traditions in The United Kingdom

The following report is a compilation of different information about the United Kingdom (UK). The main purpose of this work is to explain the most important customs and traditions of this region.

As an important fact, the UK is conformed by England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, this is the reason of its richness in terms of history and traditions.

As mentioned above the United Kingdom includes different countries that share the same language, geography, some beliefs and religion.

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LANGUAGE IN THE UK

English is the the official language and is spoken by approximately 98% of the population in the UK, but there are a lot of different dialects also spoken in the region, so the accents can vary dramatically from the southern and the norther part of the UK, and as a funny aspect, this can be even confusing for the same population.

As an example of regional language or dialects, it can be mentioned the Scottish Gaelic, Irish Gaelic, and Welsh. On the other hand, there are several nationalities in the region, since the area has a number immigrants, who moved to the UK in their search of a better kind of life. That is why the area is known as a multi-national region. The second most spoken, non-native language in the UK is Polish. Then Hindi, Pakistani, Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese and French.

RELIGION & BELIEFS

The official religion in the UK is the the Christian Protestant faith. However, since it is a multi-culture nation, there has been a huge decline in this religion and other religions have raised in the UK lately, such as, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism and Buddhism.

MAJOR CELEBRATIONS IN THE UK

The United Kingdom also celebrates a series of holidays that are referred as Bank Holidays.

According to gov.uk. (2014)

“A bank holiday is a national public holiday in the United Kingdom and the Crown dependencies. The term refers to all public holidays in the United Kingdom be they set out in statute, declared by royal proclamation, or held by convention under common law. The term is also colloquially used to refer to public holidays in the Republic of Ireland”.

The term "bank holiday" refers to the fact that banking institutions close for business those special holidays.

The Following are the main bank holidays in the UK:

Boxing Day (26th December): The European tradition of giving money and other gifts to those in need, it has been dated to the Middle Ages, but the exact origin is unknown.

New The Queen’s Birthday on the second Saturday in June.

THE FAMILY

According to commisceo-global.com (2020).

“Until the middle of the 20th Century, marriage was the standard for British families which comprised two parents with the father as the head of the household. However, in the last few decades, there has been a rise in single parent families and many more couples are choosing to co-habit rather than to marry. Half a century ago, living together would have been socially unacceptable and was known as ‘living in sin’”.

SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

In the UK the upper class, known as ‘Aristocracy’ is at the top of the class, including the nobles who hold hereditary titles, wealth and privilege from their ancestors.

Then the ‘middle class’ and the ‘working class’, defined as hard workers and with no social privilege.

Gender Roles in the past were very much male dominated since many jobs were male oriented such as bus, train and truck driving companies. Then women were accepted in the military and the police force, but it was until 1970s when the employment rights of women were considered in society.

FOOD

Some traditional meals in the United Kingdom are the English breakfast and fish and chips, consider the most iconic dishes in the UK.

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.

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.

Most of Museums in the UK have no entrance fee.

MEETING & GREETING

The British may appear to be reserved and perhaps even rude, however, they are friendly people and welcoming to foreign visitors.

The tradition when greeting is to shake hands with everybody, even children.

At social or business meetings, it is polite to also shake hands, not too hearty, just a light friendly touch.

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

Titles

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, also known as the surname.

In the past, children tended to be named after a member of the family or a religious figure, nowadays, children are often given names that are liked by the parents. 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.

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).

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.

OTHER CUSTOMS

Do not rest your elbows on the table.

Do not stare.

Do not be too 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.

Toasts are given at formal meals when the host will raise a glass.

When in a pub (that is how they call their bars), it is common 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.

British drive on the left side of the road.

The p}electric plugs are different.

THE ECONOMY IN THE UK

The United Kingdom’s economy is considered the 7th strongest economy according to the 2020 Index.

According to the U.K. Office for National Statistics (ONS), the services sector is the largest sector in the U.K., accounting for more than three-quarters of the GDP. The service industry in the U.K. comprises many industries, including finance and business services, consumer-focused industries, such as retail, food and beverage, and entertainment. Manufacturing and production contribute less than 21% of the GDP, and agriculture contributes about 0.60%.

Tourism is another big money-maker in the U.K. In 2019,

THE BREXIT (BRITAIN - EXIT)

The UK left the European Union on January 31, 2020 and is now in an 11-month transition period.

It is also ranked 3rd among 45 countries in the Europe region, and its overall score is well above the regional and world averages.

OFFICIAL NATIONAL DRESS OR COSTUMES.

Some people think men in the UK, especially England wear suits and hats, but it is very unusual these days.

The truth is that there are not really national or traditional dresses in the UK,

Morris dancers very popular at English country fairs.

Then the Pearly Kings, who were the leaders of the Victorian street sellers. They got their name because they wore 'pearl' buttons on their hats as a sign of authority. Later they began to wear clothes covered all over in buttons.