British cultural customs and differences

local culture

Here are the basics you should know before traveling to the UK.

You may already know a lot about the UK: it is a globally renowned country with influence all over the world.

The UK is divided into four regions: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You can travel from the Shetland Islands on the northern coast of Scotland to the Shelly Islands in southwest England, and then across the sea to Northern Ireland, all without leaving the UK.

The UK has a population of approximately 65 million people, most of whom live in England. London, the capital of the United Kingdom - and the capital of England - is the largest city in the UK and is as diverse in culture and religion as any other region. Respect other people's religious beliefs in the UK, just as others will respect yours.

English is the official language of the United Kingdom, but it's not the only common language. You'll also hear Welsh in Wales, Gaelic and Scots in Scotland, Irish Gaelic in Northern Ireland, and Cornwall. Cornish. However, English is enough, and you can communicate without any problems when living and traveling throughout the UK.

climate

When you think of Britain, you usually think of rain, but that's not the case.

The weather in the UK is often unpredictable, but rarely extreme. The weather can change from day to day, so even if the forecast calls for hot and dry weather, it’s a good idea to pack a warm jacket and an umbrella in your bag!

Generally speaking, the weather conditions in the four seasons are:

  • Summer (June to August): the best weather and warmest, with clear skies and occasional thundershowers.
  • Autumn (September to November): Temperatures begin to drop and can be mild and dry, or wet and windy.
  • Winter (December to February): the coldest season, sometimes with snow.
  • Spring (March to May): Usually good weather - sunny days, occasional showers.

Remember to set your clocks forward one hour on the last Sunday in March - this is the start of British Summer Time. During daylight saving time, you can take full advantage of the warm weather in spring and summer, and it will get dark later.

politics and government

Some people think that the UK is ruled by the Queen, but the Royal Family is actually just a nominal title. The United Kingdom implements a parliamentary democracy, and the head of government is elected by general elections (usually every five years).

The British government is led by the Prime Minister, followed by a cabinet (high-level government officials) and ministers. Each ministry is responsible for implementing government policies.

The Congress is independent of the cabinet and is divided into the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The responsibilities of the Congress include supervising government administration, debating issues, legislating, and formulating taxes.

Local public services are determined by local councils.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own "devolved" governments, which are responsible for livelihood policy issues such as health, education, transportation, etc.

Differences in life in the UK

  1. wear

To be honest, in today's globalized world, you can buy a lot of British clothing in China. But the way British people dress is slightly different from that of Chinese people. In the UK, people tend to wear comfortable clothes, so British college students generally wear the most ordinary hoodies or T- shirts. And the British can be regarded as typically not afraid of the cold. In the still cold months of March and April , you may see British boys and girls going out wearing shorts and short sleeves.

  1. Life

Britain is the home of English, so it is normal that all courses will be taught in English. If you have any questions about any course, do not hesitate to seek help from school staff directly.

Asian international students are very shy and often cannot ask candid questions because they feel that their English is not good enough or they are worried that their questions are too naive. However, in the UK, no one will laugh at your English or the questions you ask. All you have to pass is the test in your heart. In addition, don't be careless about enjoying all the public facilities in the school. Participating in school clubs can also enrich your study life.

  1. way of greeting

The most common way to greet someone for the first time in the UK is to shake hands. At the same time, British people pay great attention to small details, so it is best to look into each other's eyes when greeting to show respect.

 But that doesn’t mean you have to stare at each other for the first time, which can make the situation very awkward. When chatting, you should also avoid asking about their age, income, or their personal life. Just ask general questions like "Is everything okay? How's it going?" or just chat about the weather.

  1. dining habits

British people are accustomed to eating with a knife and fork. They usually hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right hand.

In some more upscale restaurants, after finishing a dish, you should put your knife and fork on the side of the plate to tell the waiter that you have finished your meal and can serve the next dish. However, ordinary restaurants, dinners with friends, etc. will not pay so much attention.

  1. time

The British are more principled when it comes to time. Therefore, if you have any appointments, you should arrive on time. If you are invited to someone's home for dinner, you should bring a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates or a bouquet of flowers as a souvenir to thank the host for the invitation. For less formal gatherings, such as those of college students, people usually bring their own drinks and share them with everyone.

  1. sports

Sport is an integral part of everyone's life in the UK, especially sporting events. British people love many sports, from football to rugby, running and cycling. In most British parks you'll meet quite a few joggers.

In college, there are also many various sports clubs, such as cycling, rock climbing, basketball, fencing and even belly dancing! In addition to maintaining your health, exercise is also a great way to make friends. If you are an adventure lover, make an appointment with a group of like-minded people to climb Mount Snowdon in northern Wales!

  1. art and drama

Britain is a land of drama. London's West End theaters often stage dramas and operas of all sizes. You can buy tickets online and choose the plays you are interested in to watch. If you are not in London, you can also go to a local theater. Some opera companies will tour in the UK. Britain has an incredibly rich history, so in order to blend in, you need to try to experience and understand the country.