British Life and
Culture
Time
If you agree to meet friends at
three o'clock, you can bet that they'll be there just after three. Since
Britons are so time conscious, the pace of life may seem very rushed. In
Britain, people make great effort to arrive on time. It is often considered
impolite to arrive even a few minutes late. If you are unable to keep an
appointment, it is expected that you call the person you are meeting. Some
general tips follow.
You should arrive:
* At the exact
time specified – for dinner, lunch, or appointments with professors, doctors,
and other professionals.
* Any time during
the hours specified for teas, receptions, and cocktail parties.
* A few minutes
early: for public meetings, plays, concerts, movies, sporting events, classes,
church services, and weddings.
If you are invited
to someone's house for dinner at half past seven, they will expect you to be
there on the dot. An invitation might state "7.30 for 8", in which
case you should arrive no later than 7.50. However, if an invitation says
"sharp", you must arrive in plenty of time.
Invitations
“ Drop in anytime”
and “come see me soon” are idioms often used in social settings but seldom
meant to be taken literally. It is wise to telephone before visiting someone at
home. If you receive a written invitation to an event that says “RSVP”, you
should respond to let the person who sent the invitation know whether or not
you plan to attend.
Never accept an
invitation unless you really plan to go. You may refuse by saying, “Thank you
for inviting me, but I will not be able to come.” If, after accepting, you are
unable to attend, be sure to tell those expecting you as far in advance as
possible that you will not be there.
Although it is not
necessarily expected that you give a gift to your host, it is considered polite
to do so, especially if you have been invited for a meal. Flowers, chocolate,
or a small gift are all appropriate. A thank-you note or telephone call after
the visit is also considered polite and is an appropriate means to express your
appreciation for the invitation.
Dress
Everyday dress is
appropriate for most visits to peoples' homes. You may want to dress more
formally when attending a holiday dinner or cultural event, such as a concert
or theatre performance.
Greeting
It is proper to
shake hands with everyone to whom you are introduced, both men and women. An
appropriate response to an introduction is "Pleased to meet you". If
you want to introduce yourself to someone, extend you hand for a handshake and
say "Hello, I am....". Hugging is only for friends.
Dining
When you accept a
dinner invitation, tell your host if you have any dietary restrictions. He or
she will want to plan a meal that you can enjoy. The evening meal is the main
meal of the day in most parts of Britain.
Food may be served
in one of several ways: "family style," by passing the serving plates
from one to another around the dining table; "buffet style," with
guests serving themselves at the buffet; and "serving style," with
the host filling each plate and passing it to each person. Guests usually wait
until everyone at their table has been served before they begin to eat. Food is
eaten with a knife and fork and dessert with a spoon and fork.
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