Whether you like it or not, to communicate with native speakers, good command of the English language is not enough; you also need to be familiar with the culture and traditions of the English-speaking people, so as not to get into trouble by asking a question on a taboo topic for conversation with the British.
“The British nation is unique in this respect: they are the only people who like to be told how bad things are, who like to be told the worst.”
“The British nation is unique: they are the only people who like to hear that everything is very bad, and even worse”
~ Winston S. Churchill
The national character of the English people is felt better than that of any other people. There is a sense of superiority about him, which can also be called “island pride.” The patriotism of the British is based on a deep sense of security , in which they, as a nation, have lived for centuries.
Who are the English?
The Queen, weather, tea, football - what the world knows about the British. And the residents of the island state themselves admit that these values really play an important role in their lives. But adherence to tradition is not all that makes up the national character and mentality of the British. The nation itself is the product of the fusion of many tribes that once lived on the island and the peoples that invaded it. Thus, the ancestors of the British, the Saxons, gave their descendants practicality, efficiency and a craving for simplicity. From the Celts they inherited a belief in the supernatural, a penchant for mysticism and an attachment to the past. The Britons endowed their descendants with a love of home. The Angles - with pride and vanity. From the Scandinavian Vikings came a thirst for travel and curiosity. And the last to conquer Britain, the Normans, left a legacy of a love of money and discipline. Today, thanks to the Internet, the British are no longer cut off from the whole world, but they have managed to preserve truly English national traits that still remain recognizable, even if you have never met an Englishman.
Story
The indigenous population of the British Isles, who lived in this territory in the 1st-4th centuries, were the Celts. In the 5th century, the migration of ancient Germanic tribes began there: Angles, Saxons, Jutes. They partially assimilated with the Celtic ones and laid the foundation for a new nation. Further, these tribes were subject to Scandinavian influence. In the 8th and 9th centuries, their lands were conquered by the Danes, Norwegians and other tribes. The seizure of English lands by the Normans in the 10th century also contributed to the formation of the English nation. By the 17th century, the process of creating an ethnic group was finally completed. England's colonial rule in some countries of the world also influenced the formation of new nations there (modern New Zealanders, Australians, Canadians).
Stability and attachment to the past
Briefly, the national character of the British can be described by the word “tradition”. They are extremely attached to the past and do not hide it. They are difficult to succumb to new fashion trends, and if such changes occur, they affect only certain people, without affecting the nation as a whole. Traditional tea drinking, football fanaticism and pride in their queen are what unites all Englishmen, and this has not changed, let alone for years - for decades. From the English adherence to traditions grow the roots of all English character traits. Their automatic politeness is a tribute to traditional upbringing. Moderation and practicality are a gift from distant ancestors. Even their humor is also a child of the custom of laughing at oneself. The British have a strong family culture. And although not all of them are lords, most can remember their great-great-grandfathers and even show their photographs. Keeping children's dresses, old school notebooks and diaries is quite in the spirit of the British. They enjoy getting together every Sunday for family dinner, wearing matching sweaters and going to the pub in the evenings. And even what the whole world makes fun of - eternal conversations about the weather - is also a tradition that the British have cherished for centuries.
Theory one
According to some scientific sources, the changeable and gloomy climate of Foggy Albion is directly related to the formation of the character of the British people.
The British are probably the only people in Europe who talk so much about the weather. Any conversation between neighbors, guests or relatives certainly begins with a discussion of the weather outside the window. And since England is characterized by fog, rain and dampness, there is nothing particularly to be happy about here. So it turns out that when discussing the weather, the British do not smile, like, for example, the Italians, rejoicing at a nice warm day.
In addition, if the French, for example, can go out into the city on a clear sunny day, chat with friends in street cafes, or walk along the embankment, then the British rarely have such an opportunity due to the gloomy climate. And they most often sit in pubs with a glass of beer, discussing the same damp and foggy weather.
Moderation
Moderation in everything, bordering on stinginess, is often noticed by foreigners in close contact with the British. The character of the Englishman was formed under the influence of many events that took place on the island. And the habit of saving, saving and living without excesses appeared a very long time ago. Surprisingly, but true: having a friendly and hospitable character, the British will never set the table in excess, as is customary in Russia, for example. So, having invited three people to tea, it is quite natural for an Englishwoman to put on the table a saucer with four cakes and a teapot filled with exactly four cups. And this will not seem to her like manifestations of stinginess or disrespect. On the contrary, this manifestation of moderation, characteristic of all British people, reflects the true essence, without mask and pretense.
Character
The coldness and stiffness of the British are legendary. These people are very reserved and never show unnecessary emotions, especially when communicating with unfamiliar people. They avoid harsh statements in conversation, limiting themselves to the phrases “possibly”, “maybe”. It is customary to show maximum respect to the interlocutor. Many may think that the British behave pompously, but this is just a tribute to etiquette.
In closer circles, people of English nationality are sociable and friendly. They have a good sense of humor. Politeness is a natural trait of the British. They let each other through when entering a room, and do not talk loudly on the street. To visit a friend or acquaintance, you must receive an invitation. People in England like to discuss the weather or growing flowers with their interlocutors. Floriculture is a popular activity that is a source of pride for many rural residents.
England has many original traditions, the roots of which go deep into the past. The culture of this people is very original and diverse.
Practicality
Perhaps only the deaf have never heard of practicality as a feature of the English national character. The British are good at managing time and resources. From childhood they are taught moderation and perseverance - to endure cold and rain, withstand punishment and a very moderate dinner. So every English child learns very quickly how to use their skills and knowledge to get what they want and to "survive" in a traditional English home with separate taps and carefully regulated heating. Thanks to their practicality, the British are excellent entrepreneurs. It is known that it was the British who stood at the origins of large-scale production of French wines. The inhabitants of the island liked the noble varieties so much that they built the first large wineries with the French, their eternal competitors, and earned a lot of money from it. Even before Christmas, when business life freezes in almost all of Europe, the British continue to make deals and trade in shops.
Politeness
They say they apologize automatically. Even the British themselves often laugh at their eternal politeness, but are in no hurry to get rid of it. Politeness and tact are the character traits of the British that have won hearts all over the world. It is believed that there is no better personal assistant than an Englishman, who will know exactly what the boss needs, but at the same time pretend that he did not notice anything unusual. Politeness towards others is manifested not only in the use of certain words and attempts to hold the door, but also in behavior. The Englishman does not allow himself gossip (traditional clubs do not count, since what is said in the club remains in the club), rude remarks, loud arguments and quarrels. The French once had a joke that the good thing about an English wife is that she is like good furniture - you can’t hear her. The character of English men also did not allow them to cause family scandals. It is not surprising that children are accustomed to this from an early age. Being polite, keeping a good face and knowing exactly what time it is are virtues that students of English schools have.
Habits and lifestyle of the British
“My home is my castle,” the British joke, preferring to spend evenings in a quiet family circle, discussing the events of the past day in front of the fireplace.
Conservativeness or loyalty to tradition?
The British value public order very much and are never rude. Their passion for gaming is widely known, but despite this, the British are very serious in business matters.
The British are often called conservatives because of their adherence to traditions, which they passionately try to preserve in their original form. But it is this commitment that is most attractive to tourists from all over the world.
Tradition in Britain is considered to be everything that has stood the test of time: rituals and habits, features of life and behavior (for example, green hedges, bright red mailboxes, right-hand drive and left-hand traffic, double-decker red buses, judges in robes and powdered wigs of the eighteenth century , fur bear hats on the royal guards, which they do not take off even in 30-degree heat).
You can find out more about the way of life of the British in the article “British way of life: dispelling classic stereotypes”
After work, residents of England like to spend time in pubs, football matches and various clubs (for example, fans' clubs, gardening clubs). They really like these places, because here they feel more relaxed, make new friends more easily, united by a common interest.
The world famous English humor is unkind sarcasm in the direction of understatement. For example, hearing the assessment “Not bad” (not bad), you can be sure that your work is good, if not great. The British use this kind of humor always and everywhere, it is ridicule, a way out of awkward situations, and even self-irony.
Pets in England
The British love animals very much; you can find a pet in almost every home. Thanks to the reception centers and the hard work of the municipal police, in London and other cities you will not find stray dogs and cats during the day. But that's not the only reason. After all, Britain has the strictest rules for keeping pets.
When purchasing a pet in a pet store or breeding nursery, it is enough to present documents proving your identity and address, after which a standard purchase and sale agreement is drawn up. This document is certified by a notary and has legal force. In it, the seller guarantees the excellent health of the ward and confirms his rights to sell it.
Information about the animal is also indicated here (pedigree, chip registration number, gender and breed description). The contract must be accompanied by a receipt confirming the fact of transfer of money by the buyer. The seller, in turn, must provide a veterinary document with notes on the first vaccinations, deworming and flea treatment.
Important!
Persons over 16 years of age have the right to purchase animals in the UK.
To acquire an exotic animal, you should contact your local authorities to obtain the appropriate license (before purchasing).
In many apartment buildings, keeping pets is prohibited in the name of preserving the peace of residents. In a private home, the situation is not so complicated, but with frequent complaints from neighbors, the animal can be taken to a shelter and new owners can be found.
Attitude towards children
Children are brought up in strictness. Even an extra kiss and tenderness are considered an attempt to spoil your child. A common proverb is “to spare the rod is to spoil the child.”
Encouraged from an early age to be independent, an English child will not bother his parents over trifles (offense, fatigue, hunger, pain), but only in case of a serious illness.
Vanity
And yet there is no nation more prone to vanity than the British. Living on a small island, the British are nevertheless confident that their country is the best in the world. They have the best political system, the strongest economy and the most valiant police. Together with adherence to tradition, such national vanity and reluctance to accept other people's opinions make the English character unpleasant for a foreigner. The main pride of the British to this day remains the English language, which has long become a global language. Historians believe that national vanity is determined by the geographical location of the country. Having no other peoples and nations on the island, the British accepted themselves as a standard, and carried this love for themselves and for everything English through the centuries. Back in the fifteenth century it was said about the English that they did not see other peoples except their own. But this vanity, together with the love of travel passed down by the Vikings, helped Britain reign over the seas for many years.
Housing
The vast majority of the English population lives in small towns. English houses are different from most buildings in other European countries. They are mostly stone or brick. The roof is covered with tiles. The houses are placed in one row along the street. Moreover, their walls are adjacent to each other. Urban dwellings are built two to three stories high. English houses are very neat and well-groomed. The peculiarity of the building is that they do not have a porch. Sometimes the door opens directly to the sidewalk. The facade is decorated with various decorative details: signs, flowers, wreaths.
In rural areas the arrangement of houses is approximately the same as in the city. Village dwellings are slightly smaller than city dwellings. Their second floor is usually an attic. You could say that a village in England is a small town. The streets there are covered with asphalt, everything is very clean and beautiful. The lack of vegetable gardens is another feature of English villages. The population does not raise domestic animals or crops. Floriculture is widespread here. Near the house there are flower beds and greenhouses where flowers are grown. Vegetables and fruits are produced by farmers who have separate farms.
The British are fans of minimalism, so the interior of their homes is not very chic. Usually there is furniture necessary for life, as well as bookcases, reading tables, and cozy armchairs. A fireplace is an essential attribute of an old English home. A sofa is placed opposite it, and the mantelpieces are decorated with interior items. This environment is conducive to friendly conversations.
Individualism
Describing the national character of the British, many authors note extreme individualism. Every Englishman has clear personal boundaries and is not inclined to violate others. Here on the island, everyone knows the laws protecting personal honor and dignity and private property. When greeting or communicating with a stranger, an Englishman will always leave enough distance so that “no smells can reach.” But this is not a matter of disgust, but of boundaries that an Englishman knows how to respect and demands the same respect from others. Even children at school are not inclined to help underachievers unless the teacher orders them to do so. And it is not at all surprising that in English university dormitories there are much more private rooms than shared ones.
Habits of British and Scottish cats
Breeders have noticed some behavioral features of Scottish and British cats, which cannot be called character traits, but rather habits. For example, British cats love heights more, so they are happy to climb onto wardrobes, observing everything around them, while Scottish cats like to sit lower. This peculiarity is indeed present: the Scots are less interested in heights, but sometimes they manage to climb higher if there is a convenient transition from several heights.
The British do not have the funny Scottish habits of sitting in the Buddha pose and standing like a gopher. So the Scots excel in their ability to amuse others.
Self-control
The main feature of the national character of the British, which they themselves talk about, is the ability to keep a face. Self-control, like many other character traits, is cultivated in the British from childhood, since their temperament - the result of the fusion of many bloods - does not at all correspond to “decent”. Gentlemanly behavior, even among the lower classes, was elevated to a cult during the time of Queen Victoria. And since then, self-control has been one of the main virtues of the British, regardless of gender and age. The Englishman's character - reserved, even cool - is the result of self-improvement, and not a natural quality. Not giving free rein to feelings, being able to accept any situation and come out of it with dignity have created a certain reputation for the residents of Foggy Albion that they are proud of. Even nature works for this. Since childhood, young gentlemen and ladies have become accustomed to sudden changes in weather; the cold and the ability to endure all these hardships have strengthened their character.
Special sense of humor
A sense of humor stands out among other features of the British mentality in that the British consider it their main advantage. They are proud of their sense of humor - not only its presence, but also its specificity, differences in comparison with other nations. And their humor is truly special. Firstly, it is often difficult to notice it at all. Secondly, even if you notice that an Englishman said something funny, you will not necessarily understand the humor. And thirdly, some jokes may offend or hurt you if you are not used to such humor.
The British love puns, ironic remarks and understatements. The latter technique is a distinctive feature of the British sense of humor. Keep in mind that if a UK resident calmly says “It was pretty good” after watching a great movie, this is not coldness and equanimity, this is humor. Foreigners rarely find this funny, but the British understand such jokes very well.
Between close people, a caustic sense of humor with sarcastic ridicule and ironic remarks is acceptable. Uninitiated people from other countries may find such jokes offensive. But for the English it is a demonstration of mastery of wit. They can tease each other without being offended at all.
Paradoxical
A description of the character of the Englishman and the peculiarities of their behavior would be incomplete without mentioning the other side of the coin. How can self-control, elevated to an unspoken law, coexist with madness in the football stands? Or national politeness with punk culture, which has gained enormous popularity in England? The paradoxical and contradictory nature of the English character has been noted by many historians and sociologists. England, materialistic and practical, gave birth to world-famous mystics, poets and philosophers. The most famous travelers and explorers were born in respectable and home-loving England. The character of the Englishman, generally restrained and understandable, can be unpredictable and violent in certain circumstances. It was the most law-abiding nation that gave the world the best detective writers. The nation, where women have traditionally been the keeper of the hearth more than in other countries, has enriched world literature with women's names. And the paradoxical nature of English humor is the stuff of legends. Not always funny, but always on the verge of a foul, he is subject to harsh criticism and at the same time has fans around the world.
Personal boundaries
The British are sensitive to privacy. They have strict rules about maintaining personal boundaries. Firstly, the British monitor their own and others' physical borders. For example, they do not come too close to people, always intuitively maintaining a certain distance. With strangers, this distance ranges from 1 to 4 meters, with unfamiliar interlocutors - no more than 85 cm. When communicating with friends, it is permissible to approach a distance of 45 cm. These figures are approximately 1.5 times greater than in Russia. This is very noticeable in the way the British stand in line, sit in the elevator, and sit down on public transport. They always keep their distance.
Physical distance is also expressed in touching. Even among very close people, it is not customary to often touch, hug and kiss. It is considered indecent to touch another person with your body: therefore, in a subway car, the British make their way through the crowd with their hands. Touching the arm or shoulder is considered normal; anything else is a violation of personal boundaries.
Secondly, the British have strict boundaries of privacy. The British respect personal boundaries so much that they never enter their children's rooms without knocking. Asking personal questions is considered a violation. The British do not go further than the living room when visiting and do not show their house to guests: this is private territory. Making acquaintances for no reason, asking the name of your interlocutor without an important reason is also a violation of boundaries. It is not advisable to start a conversation with a stranger; at most, you can allow yourself a small talk about the weather if the situation allows it.
Curiosity and thirst for knowledge
Lewis Carroll believed that the British were an extremely curious nation. This is probably why the heroines of his books often ended up in interesting stories because of this. This trait is rarely mentioned in descriptions of the character of the English, but without curiosity there would not have been that thirst for knowledge that forced the construction of the first university back in the 12th century. It is generally accepted that English education is of the highest quality. This reputation is well deserved, since the UK education system skillfully combines traditions and new trends, which is also only possible thanks to national curiosity. And if earlier it was believed that the only deity of the British was money, which they love and know how to make, now it is knowledge and the desire for discovery.
Attitude to the class division of society
In Great Britain, society is strictly divided into classes, and the characteristics of class division are firmly fixed in the consciousness of the British. Each person belongs to a certain class depending on the origin of his parents and upbringing. Class is important information about a person in the UK.
Changing from one class to another is very difficult in the UK, unlike in the US. This is only possible through generations - according to scientists, this requires as many as 10 generations! Inter-class marriages are extremely rare. A particular person cannot go beyond the boundaries of his class, no matter how hard he tries - neither wealth, nor influence, nor profession will change this.
Manners, taste, habits and other indicators of class cannot be eliminated or disguised. How impossible it is to change your school and university education - and this is a very important indicator of class. Other indicators of class include accent, profession, connections, and even zip code. You can learn a lot about an Englishman from one index, so when meeting or describing a person, the British often mention their place of residence instead of their profession.
If an Englishman still wants to upgrade the class of his children or grandchildren, he needs to make a huge effort to do this. But almost no one does this - Englishmen from any class are happy with everything. You can earn a lot of money even in the lower class, but no one wants to get an impractical, expensive education, change habits, learn a different dialect, wear unusual clothes and communicate with people who are not interesting to them.
Family Pride
For an Englishman, family is his fortress, stronghold and place of peace of mind. They build their houses with large families in mind. The British don't like to shout about it, but they adore children. And even the severity of upbringing is explained solely by concern for the future generation. At the same time, in England it is not considered shameful to live with parents even after having your own family. And an English mother-grandmother will not blame her daughter-in-law for the fact that her children are destroying the whole house. She will simply silently put things in order and will do this every time until the children get used to this way of life and begin to do it on their own. From the outside it often seems that the British are reserved in expressing feelings even within the family, but the fact that they always know exactly what happened to the most distant relatives, what shade of socks grandfather prefers and what type of hydrangeas a great aunt wants to plant, only emphasizes how For the British, family is important. Therefore, it is not at all surprising to see walls hung with photos of long-dead relatives in the average English house. The British know how to be proud of their family. And even the most ex-hearts evoke good-natured smiles.
Cloth
Surprisingly, the British are practically the only nation with a rich history that does not have a national costume. They gradually stopped wearing ancient clothes, replacing them with modern ones. In the Middle Ages, people wore clothes similar to those of the inhabitants of neighboring states. Some of its elements, unique to England, could not gain a foothold in the national costume. There are only military English costumes: tower guards (beefeaters) and guards infantry. The first wear long red camisoles trimmed with golden stripes. The headdress is a bowler-shaped hat with a large crown, decorated with flowers. The guards wear red breeches and stockings on their feet, and the outfit is completed with black shoes with large, beautiful buckles. In such attire, beefeaters look very charismatic. Guardsmen wear more modest clothing. They wear red jackets with golden epaulettes and black trousers of a classic cut. The only unusual element of the costume is a tall black fur hat.
Despite the lack of national clothing, in the fashion industry there is such a thing as “English suit”. It cannot be called historical; this wardrobe dates back to the period of the 19th-20th centuries. It expresses the character of the British more than any stages of history. English classic suits are made from wool fabric in discreet colors: gray, brown. They consist of narrow trousers with arrows, a vest, and a jacket. The image of an elegant English gentleman is completed with a small bowler hat and a cane.
Hospitality and friendliness
For all their isolation, individualism and national pride, the British are very friendly and hospitable people. These character traits of the British manifest themselves most often on their territory. More than once, tourists noted that, when they got lost, they quickly found help in the form of local residents or police. For a true Briton, it goes without saying that you will stay for dinner if you show up at his house in the evening. English housewives always have a “place for a guest” in their home. Well, hospitality is most clearly manifested in English pubs, where it is customary to pay for everyone present.
And finally
The British themselves say that all their actions are driven by love. The love of gardening has turned the country into a beautiful flower garden. The love for dogs has allowed us to develop many decorative breeds. The love of travel once turned the country from an island state into an empire with numerous colonies. The love of art gave birth to many masterpieces in the fields of literature, music and theater. And tourists still go to England to see with their own eyes how harmoniously traditions are intertwined with new times.
What has changed since the Brexit referendum
Phil Edgar-Jones, director of Sky Arts, said:
"There are various features and activities that people believe define Britishness as a nation."
But many people think that the British person is changing over time, especially thanks to the Brexit referendum and our departure from the EU.
"There is so much that is good about the UK, but the country is constantly evolving, which leads to a different meaning to the phrase 'what it means to be British'."
78 percent of Britons would describe themselves as typically British. However, the survey found that half think the set of British traits has changed over time.
