United Kingdom

People mostly work for leisure opportunities. Food will always be available even if it is paid for by the government. Most children are expected to go on to higher education and most families are able to afford the cost of higher education.

Wealth is best defined by ownership of property. If people have cash they will rarely keep it in cash form. Instead, they will invest it in property to rent off or sell at a higher price. The poorest members of society mostly wish for a "foot on the housing ladder", Money to provide the luxury of entertainment in its many forms is also important.

Individuals are concerned with and prepare themselves financially for old age by working and investing for retirement. The government helps students obtain a higher education by giving students loans to pay for their education, with the expectation that they repay the country when they are in a viable position to do so.

Body language is very easily read in the United Kingdom. If British people feel secure in their lives, then they walk with their heads high.  British people have an uncanny ability to describe, in vivid detail, a recent operation or accident to anyone who cares to listen. They revel in minutiae and gossip about everyone. The greatest attribute is that they can see the humor in almost everything. Because of this unique ability, makes them a stronger and prouder nation. When such pride is tested to the limit, (war, for example), then the British public is as one family.

Most people greet each other by saying “hello”. To a senior person or a person in an important position, one would say “good (morning, evening, or afternoon)” In a formal situation this would be accompanied by a handshake (from a male to another male or a woman of a higher position in society) in a less formal situation or among friends a hug (From a man or woman to a woman in an equal or lower position in society).

To call someone over you would politely say “Excuse me!” or “Sorry, I wonder if you could help me?” A raising of the hand is often used when there is a significant distance between individuals.

Unless one is very friendly with a person it is a good idea to leave a 'person-sized' space between them. It is rude not to look at a person while in conversation. One should not touch a person that they are not very good friends with. Hands should be left in one's lap or placed on a table. Crossed arms can be considered patronizing.

Handshakes are common in business/formal situations for men and women alike. Sometimes a woman-to-another-woman greeting would use a single raised hand. Hugs are used only for close friends and predominantly among women. Friends do not hug all the time if they see each other regularly. Families do not hug regularly.

To get someone's attention one would say “excuse me” or “excuse me please” Never would one click one's fingers. Using sir is fairly common such as “excuse me sir”, using madam is rarely used.

Upon leaving one would give a handshake/hug and a wave as they depart. Upper and upper-middle-class people would give a single kiss on the cheek. It is common to say goodbye to everyone in a room generally rather than individually.

Typically, people socialize in public over a drink in a public house or bar. Villagers meet at the town hall to discuss community matters. If someone arrives at one's house without a prior invitation the host is obliged to accept the visit.

Typically, men wear a suit and tie or smarter pants and shirts. A woman wears a jacket and skirt/pants, although it is increasingly common for employers to encourage more comfortable working conditions, which affects personal attire. Young people (men and women) tend to wear jeans and T-shirts.

A typical family will eat three main meals per day. Breakfast will usually take place at 7 AM. Lunch at 1PM. Dinner/Tea at 6 PM.

Breakfast is usually eaten at home before departure for work/school. Children will mostly eat at school except senior pupils who may be allowed out to a restaurant or cafe. Workers will usually lunch at a cafe near to their place of work unless the company provides food itself. Dinner is only eaten out as a treat although the young generation eat out more often as do students.

The Senior member of the family will usually sit at the head of the table. One's hands should usually be kept above the table not because it would be rude not to, just because it's easier to communicate at the table if one's hand are in sight. Elbows should not be on the table but it is common to rest one's wrists on the edge of the table.

Most English families are small, with one or two children. About 80% of families with children are two-parent families and in about 60% of this group, both parents are employed. Single-parent families include families divided by divorce or never-married women with children. Modern English society is multicultural. Following the Second World War, many refugees arrived from Europe. In the 1960s, immigrants came from the Caribbean and Asia. Today, immigrants come from around the world. Most settle in large cities. Multiculturalism and a changing economy are gradually eroding the English class system, although features of the system remain. Once, people were categorized as upper class, which implied inherited titles, lands, and social privileges; middle class, including industrialists, professionals, business people, and shop owners; and lower class, mostly agricultural, mine, and factory workers. The class structure is evident in differences in education, career opportunities, and political power among the different groups. Although these differences are fading and movement between groups is possible, the English may still categorize people by their speech, behavior, or lifestyle as belonging to one group or another.

The English prefer to live in houses rather than apartments. Many of the houses in cities are narrow, joined in rows or terraces, with only a small yard in the back. Houses in the countryside or villages may be encircled by a garden. Local governments provide low-cost housing known as "Council housing" for those with restricted incomes. Tenants may eventually buy these houses if they can afford to. Relatives, neighbors, and local authorities help older people who want to remain in their own homes. Social-service workers and volunteers called "home help" bring hot meals to housebound elderly people and help them with domestic tasks.

Boys start playing Rugby at an early age. It is usually played in school or on a community basis because it requires organization and special clothing. Some girls also play organized Soccer. Many boys can also be found playing playground soccer in the streets. Cricket is also played.

Cricket is England's national game. Teams, called sides, are made up of 11 players each. They play with a ball slightly smaller than a baseball and a bat shaped like a paddle. Two batters stand in front of wickets, set about 20 meters apart. Each wicket consists of three wooden rods (stumps) pushed into the ground, with two small pieces of wood (bails) balanced on top. A member of the opposing team (the bowler) throws the ball toward one of the batters, who must hit the ball so that it does not knock a bail off the wicket. If the ball travels far enough, the two batters run back and forth between the wickets while the fielders on the opposing team try to catch the ball. The game is scored according to the number of runs, which is the number of times the batters exchange places.

English also enjoy soccer, known as football. The highlight of the English soccer year is the FA (Football Association) Cup Final each May. Rugby, another popular sport, is similar to soccer but played with an oval ball. Players can carry the ball and tackle each other. Horse racing and greyhound racing are popular spectator sports. People can place bets on the races at legal off-track betting shops.  Motor racing is equally popular.  The world's best tennis players come to England to compete at Wimbledon, known for its grass courts.  Water sports include sailing and rowing. Every year, a rowing race between teams from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge is held at Henley on the River Thames.

The English also love to walk in the countryside. Footpaths crisscross England, many of them centuries old. According to tradition, walkers have the right to use historic paths that cross private property, provided that the path is regularly used. In pubs and clubs, people enjoy playing snooker (a game similar to billiards) and darts. Fox hunting is popular in some rural areas. The sport is traditionally associated with the aristocracy. Riders in "pink" (scarlet) jackets and their hounds chase a fox over fields and through forests. Animal rights organizations want the practice banned.

Children usually arise by 7:00 a.m. After showering and dressing, they have a light breakfast, which typically consists of juice, toast, and jam, or perhaps a bowl of cold cereal or muesli. Muesli is a light breakfast that originated in Switzerland. It is made of rolled oats, dried fruit, nuts, and sometimes seeds. Muesli is often mixed with milk or yogurt and fresh fruit and is known for being a very healthy breakfast. Sometimes they prefer a warm breakfast of fried sausages, eggs, bacon, and an English muffin.

Primary school begins at 9:00 a.m., so students gather shortly before then to ensure they are on time. Students up to age 8 must walk to school if they live within two miles of the school. Students aged 8 and older must walk if they live within three miles of the school. If a child lives more than this distance from a suitable school, he or she is entitled to free transportation on a bus. Bicycles are also an option for getting to school. Some wealthier families may send their children to school by car. After school, students return home the same way they came.

The state school system is free to students in the United Kingdom. Even all writing materials, textbooks, and other needs are provided for the students, unlike most countries that claim to provide free education but actually charge for a range of things, such as textbooks and other similar learning materials. The condition of the schools depends mostly on the community they are in. Schools in older areas with high unemployment and lower family incomes are often quite rundown. In schools filled with students from high-income families, the buildings and grounds are nicely maintained. Although all classrooms have at least one computer, additional computers are more likely to be found in schools in upscale neighborhoods. The classrooms themselves are decorated by the teachers and can be quite colorful if the teacher is particularly creative. In primary school, the class size is normally kept to about 30 students in each class. Because teachers do a fair amount of small group learning activities, it is quite normal for the students to sit around tables rather than at desks, with five or six students at each group table. As students get older, and subjects are taught by different teachers, the students change classrooms to attend the right teacher’s class. Because of shootings in several schools a few years ago, all doors in primary schools and all classrooms in secondary schools are locked during school hours. This is true throughout the United Kingdom.

Both state and public school students wear uniforms, but the uniform might consist of a sweatshirt with the school name and logo on it, accompanied by conservative pants or skirts. Wealthier public schools with high standards may require more formal uniforms, including blazers and ties for boys, and white blouses and conservative blouses for girls. Since 1988, the government has dictated a national curriculum for teachers to follow, with standard books and course materials for all students. School generally begins at 9:00 a.m. The day begins with a daily assembly. Two subjects are taught in the morning, with a playtime break at about 10:30, and then lunch comes at noon. Students often bring a packed lunch from home, and they have an hour’s break for eating and playing. For students who choose to eat at school in the “canteen,” each meal usually has a meat, chicken, or fish portion, at least two portions of fruits and vegetables, and a bread, potato, or cereal. Parents usually pay a modest fee for lunch, although they can pay less or nothing if they qualify for low-income assistance. At about 1:00, school begins again, with two more subjects in the afternoon. At 3:15 the school day is over. Computers are introduced to students from the beginning, including four- and five-year-olds. Language classes are required beginning at age 11, the most common being French and German. Because there are high numbers of immigrant families in the >United Kingdom, English is required for those who are not native to the U.K. Primary schools teach English, math, science, technology, history, geography, art and design, music, and physical education. Schools also have to teach religious education, although parents have the right to pull their children from a religious class if they want. The courses taught in secondary schools will vary according to the emphasis each school has on either particular vocations or academic pursuits.

Secondary schools, especially privately operated secondary schools, often offer a very rich assortment of extracurricular activities. These activities most often take place after school hours, but they may also happen during lunchtime or even on weekends. Sports-centered activities include soccer, cricket, basketball, netball, hockey, volleyball, and swimming, among others. The performing arts often sponsor choirs, orchestras, and theater, with regular performances and recitals. However, this is not all, for a student might also be able to sign up for a dance club, a language club, or even an applied computer technology club, such as web development. Even primary schools have a robust offering in most areas. For example, during the first two years of school, a student might be able to learn beginning gymnastics. By the third year, the offerings might expand to include soccer, netball, cricket, and swimming. These same years often also include recorder clubs, orchestra, and choir, also with regular recitals. Communities and parents are very important in supporting these programs, and they are usually involved with training, transportation, scheduling, and general organization. Some schools might even offer exchanges with other countries, such as Germany, France, and Japan. Parents must bear the costs of such exchanges, but such activities can go far in enriching any student’s educational experience.

Children in the United Kingdom are much like children throughout Europe in that they love to play sports, especially soccer, cricket, netball, and others. Afterschool sports programs are quite popular and are offered by most schools. Children also enjoy watching the “telly” (television) and playing video or computer games.

Families usually eat together in the evening, which provides a chance for everyone to share what they did during the day. So after students come home from school, they might relax a bit before dinner. When parents return home from work, typically by about 6:00, they fix dinner and eat soon after. A favorite meal in much of the United Kingdom is fish and chips, although there are also many traditional beef, pork, and other meat dishes, along with faster meals such as pizza. Fast-food chains such as Mcdonald's are favorites for children when they can talk their parents into it. After dinner, many families enjoy watching television together. Soap operas and game shows from the United Kingdom are well known for their entertainment qualities.

Although each division of the United Kingdom has its own system of state education, run by its own department of education, they are all being increasingly guided by national curriculum guidelines. (Scotland’s educational system is independent of those in the rest of the United Kingdom.) By law, children aged 5 through 11 attend elementary school (in Northern Ireland, children begin at 4 years of age). From 12 to 16, they attend secondary school, and then all students must take and pass a general test called the General Certificate of Secondary Education, or GCSE. After passing the test, those students who want to continue their education may take an additional two years of secondary school, which prepares them for higher education. Most state-run schools are free. About 95% of all schoolchildren will attend the state school system. The remainder attend independent schools funded by parents or private gifts of money. These independent boarding schools emphasize discipline, character, and scholarship, and have developed very impressive reputations (for example, Eton, Harrow, and Winchester). Although it sounds odd to American readers, the schools funded and supported by the government are known as “state” schools, whereas the independent schools are called “public” schools. Some primary schools also offer nursery schools for children three and four years of age. Others may offer such classes for ages four and five-year-old preschool children. The school year is broken into three “semesters.” The first begins in early September and ends in mid-December, with a one-week break in late October. The second semester begins in early January and ends in late March, with a one-week break in mid-February. The third begins in mid-April and ends in late July, with a one-week break in late May or early June. The breaks are called “holidays.” Students total 190 days in school each year, and it is not normally acceptable for families to take their children out of school for personal vacations when school is in session. No discussion of schools in the United Kingdom would be complete without mentioning boarding schools. Students attending these schools live at the school while classes are in session. Students will usually go home during the holiday, although it is also common for students to invite their classmates home to spend the holiday with them. For those students whose families are unavailable (because of personal travel or distance from the school), arrangements can be made for them to stay at the school or travel to a local “host” family. Boarding schools provide a good breakfast each day, a healthy lunch (such as a salad buffet or a fish, pork, or chicken meal), and a good dinner in the evening. Saturday mornings will bring classes, but that afternoon is often filled with sports activities, and Sundays are free for relaxing all day.