Great Britain. Culture & Traditions.

Лекція № 3.

Great Britain. Culture & Traditions.

План лекції.

1. England – the country with the character.

2. Teenagers and students life in England. Dating and marriage.

3. Acceptable behavior in England. Etiquette.

4. English cuisine in details.

Література:

1. Павловская А.В. Англия и англичане. – М.: Издательство Московского университета, 2005. – 270 с.

2. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/debates/3414682/Moaning-drinking-and-queuing-are-what-make-us-British.html.

3. http://nortonview.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/characteristics-of-being-british/.

4. http://palezafra.50webs.com/UK_cultural_traits.pdf.

5. http://projectbritain.com.

6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuisine_of_England.

7. http://www.teamuse.com/article_081203.html.

8. http://www.impeloverseas.com/StudyAbroad/UK/UK-Student-Life.aspx

1. England – the country with the character.

The top national characteristic of the English people is talking about the weather, just ahead of a passion for queuing, but other qualities in the top ten are not so endearing; sarcasm, a love of television soaps and curtain twitching were all identified as central to the British identity.

Obsession with class was also high on the list, along with more modern ills such as pandering to political correctness and road rage.

Working long hours, fascination with property prices and the love of bargains also made it into the top 50, suggesting that our behaviour during the financial crisis may be more ingrained than we think.

But it was all bad news. Stiff upper lip came out at number eight in the poll, with respondents also picking out a reluctance to complain, good sense of humour and the ability to laugh at ourselves.

The results were based on a study of 5,000 adults who were asked them to pick out the things - good and bad - they believe makes us unique as a nation.

A spokesman for global research company OnePoll.com, which conducted the survey said that despite some of the negative traits identified, Britons were still extremely proud of their country.

TOP 50 'TYPICALLY BRITISH' TRAITS:

1. Talking about the weather.

2. Great at queueing.

3. Sarcasm.

4. Watching soaps.

5. Getting drunk.

6. A love of bargains.

7. A love of curtain twitching.

8. Stiff upper lip.

9. Love of all television.

10. Moaning.

11. Obsession with class.

12. Gossiping with neighbours over the garden fence.

13. Obsession with the traffic.

14. Enjoying other people's misfortune.

15. Inability to complain.

16. Love of cheap foreign holidays.

17. Working long hours.

18. A soothing cup of tea to ease worries.

19. Eating meat and two veg.

20. Looking uncomfortable on the dance floor.

21. Feeling uncomfortable when people talk about their emotions.

22. Clever sense of humour.

23. Obsession with property values.

24. Pandering to political correctness.

25. Road rage.

26. Being unhappy with our weight.

27. Wanting a good tan.

28. Being proud of where we live.

29. Not saying what we mean.

30. The ability to laugh at ourselves.

31. Washing the car on a Sunday.

32. Taking the mickey out of others.

33. Asking people about their journey.

34. Inability not to comment on how other people bring up their children.

35. Jealousy of wealth and success.

36. Being overly polite.

37. Texting instead of calling.

38. An inability to express our emotions.

39. Obsession with the Royal Family.

40. Fondness for mowing the lawn.

41. Love of rambling through the countryside.

42. A love of all things deep fried.

43. Emulating celebrity lifestyles.

44. Leaving things to the last minute.

45. Irony.

46. Keeping our homes neat and tidy.

47. Take decisions and accept the consequences.

48. Achieving against all odds.

49. Wanting our sportsmen / teams to fail.

50. DIY on a Bank Holiday.

BRITISH CULTURAL TRAITS

Independent. The British favour individualism rather than group orientation. A modern trend of thought is, ‘If it feels good to me, I will do it’ -… Reservation. Most Britons tend to be reserved until they get to know someone.… Language. Britons are fairly tolerant of the misuse of the English language. They seem to prefer hearing someone speak…

Teenagers and students life in England. Dating and marriage customs in Britain.

What is life of a teenager like in England? Teenagers in England do much the same as kids in America or other European… Many international students come to United Kingdom for its superlative education programs. Students may find many…

Dating and marriage customs in Britain.

Dating.

Dating usually starts in the teenage years, although some kids at primary school age are now having boy and girl friends from the age of 8 years and upwards. Traditionally, girls used to wait for the lads to make the first move, but these days equality rules.

Marriage.

In England and Wales people cannot marry if they are aged 16 or 17 and do not have parental consent. (In the UK, the age of sexual consent for women…

Marriages today

The trend nowadays is to marry later. Many couples are living together first for all sorts of reasons such as finance.

Weddings.

Over half the weddings in the UK take place in local register offices and the rest are religious ceremonies of one kind or another. A few years ago changes in the law allowed couples to get married in all sorts of places (known as a civil Wedding Ceremony). Most weddings take place on Saturday afternoons, this is very much the “peak period” in any week for getting married.

Before the Wedding takes place.

Brides have 'Hen' nights and bridegrooms have 'Stag' parties (similar to bachelor/bachelorette parties). For couples getting married in a church, 'banns' announcing the proposed wedding are read aloud in the church three Sundays before the wedding. The groom chooses a Best Man who will look after the couple rings during the wedding ceremony (See Illustrations).

Interesting fact.
Centuries ago it was customary for the Bride and Bridegroom to drink mead made from honey, for a month after the wedding. A month was known as a moon, hence honeymoon.

Wedding Superstitions.

Bride and groom must not meet on the day of the wedding except at the altar.

The bride should never wear her complete wedding clothes before the day.

For good luck the bride should wear “something borrowed, something blue, something old and something new”.

The husband should carry his new wife over the threshold of their home.

Acceptable behaviour in England. Etiquette.

The English are said to be reserved in manners, dress and speech. They are famous for politeness, self-discipline and especially for our sense of humour. Basic politeness (please, thank you, excuse me) is expected.

How to greet someone.

English people are quite reserved when greeting one another. A greeting can be a bright 'Hello' 'Hi' or 'Good morning', when you arrive at work or at school.

Terms of Endearment - Names they may call you.

You may be called by many different 'affectionate' names, according to which part of the England you are visiting. Do not be offended, this is quite normal. For example, you may be called dear, dearie, flower, love, chick, chuck, me duck, me duckie, mate, guv, son, ma'am, madam, miss, sir, or treacle, according to your sex, age and location.

Interesting Fact.
The 'affectionate' name 'duck' is thought to come from the Anglo-Saxon word 'ducis' which was meant as a term of respect; similar to the Middle English 'duc', 'duk' which denotes a leader, commander, general; from which comes the title 'Duke' and the Old French word 'ducheé' - the territory ruled by a Duke.

Visiting people in their houses.

When being entertained at someone's home it is nice to take a gift for the host and hostess. A bottle of wine, bunch of flowers or chocolates are all acceptable. Sending a thank you note is also considered appropriate.

Eating.

In England people like to form orderly queues (standing in line) and wait patiently for our turn e.g. boarding a bus. It is usual to queue when… Do take your hat off when you go indoors (men only) It is impolite for men to wear hats indoors especially in churches.

How to Greet someone in Britain. The Handshake.

A handshake is the most common form of greeting among the English and British people and is customary when you are introduced to somebody new.

The Kiss.

It is only when you meet friends, whom you haven't seen for a long time, that you would kiss the cheek of the opposite sex. In Britain one kiss is generally enough.

Formal greetings.

The usual formal greeting is a 'How do you do?' and a firm handshake, but with a lighter touch between men and women.

‘How do you do?’ is a greeting not a question and the correct response is to repeat ‘How do you do?' You say this when shaking hands with someone.

First person "How do you do?"
Second person " How do you do?"

'How are you?' is a question and the most common and polite response is "I am fine thank you and you?"

First person "How are you?"
Second person "I am fine thank you and you?"

Nice to meet you – Nice to meet you too. (Often said whilst shaking hands).

Delighted to meet you– Delighted to meet you too.

Pleased to meet you – Pleased to meet you too.

Glad to meet you - Glad to meet you too.

Good Morning / Good Afternoon / Good Evening.

Informal greetings.

Hi - Hi or hello.

Morning / Afternoon / Evening ( We drop the word 'Good' in informal situations).

How's you? - Fine thanks. You?

Thank you / thanks / cheers.

We sometime say 'cheers' instead of thank you. You may hear 'cheers' said instead of 'good bye', what we are really saying is 'thanks and bye'.

What are Britain's Social Customs?

Time.

British people place considerable value on punctuality. 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.

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.

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,… Although it is not necessarily expected that you give a gift to your host, it…

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.

Introduction and 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.

Food may be served in one of several ways: "family style," by passing the serving plates from one to another around the dining table;… What should I do or not do when I am eating in Britain? The British generally pay a lot of attention to good table manners. Even young children are expected to eat properly…

Meals and Meal Times.

Some people have their biggest meal in the middle of the day and some have it in the evening, but most people today have a small mid-day meal - usually sandwiches, and perhaps some crisps and some fruit.

British people have three main meals a day:

· Breakfast - between 7:00 and 9:00,

· Lunch - between 12:00 and 1:30 p.m.

· Dinner (sometimes called Supper) - The main meal. Eaten anytime between 6:30 and 8:00 p.m. (Evening meal).

Traditionally, and for some people still, the meals are called:

· Breakfast - between 7:00 and 9:00,

· Dinner (The main meal) - between 12:00 and 1:30 p.m.

· Tea - anywhere from 5:30 at night to 6:30 p.m.

On Sundays the main meal of the day is often eaten at midday instead of in the evening. This meal usually is a Roast Dinner consisting of a roast meat, yorkshire pudding and two or three kinds of vegetables.

BREAKFAST

Most people around the world seem to think a typical English breakfast consists of eggs, bacon, sausages, fried bread, mushrooms and baked beans all… Many people, especially children, in England will eat a bowl of cereal. They… In the winter many people will eat "porridge" or boiled oats.

LUNCH.

What is a typical British lunch?

Many children at school and adults at work will have a 'packed lunch'. This typically consists of a sandwich, a packet of crisps, a piece of fruit and a drink. The 'packed lunch' is kept in a plastic container.

Sandwiches are also known as a 'butty' or 'sarnie' in some parts of the UK (See Illustrations).

DINNER.

What is a traditional British Dinner? A typical British meal for dinner is "meat and two veg". We put hot… What is a typical British Dinner like today?

Typical Traditional British Dishes.

Main meal dishes in England: · Roast Beef · Yorkshire Pudding

Afternoon Tea and High Tea in England.

The English ceremony of Afternoon Tea dates back to the 1840s but rather than being 'invented', it actually evolved out of the rituals and routines… The English started drinking tea in the late 1650s and as both the brewed… The ships that carried the tea from China and Japan to Europe also brought in, as part of their cargo, porcelain tea…

English Cheeses.

Interesting Fact

The Romans introduced cheeses to England (See Illustrations).

 

English cuisine in details.

Other meals, such as fish and chips, which were once urban street food eaten from newspaper with salt and malt vinegar, and pies and sausages with…

Foods and ingredients

Bread

There is a wide variety of traditional breads in Great Britain, often baked in a rectangular tin. Round loaves are also produced, such as the North East England speciality called a stottie cake. A cottage loaf is made of two balls of dough, one on top of the other, to form a figure-of-eight shape. A cob is a small round loaf. There are many variations on bread rolls, such as baps, barms, breadcakes and so on. The Chorleywood process for mass-producing bread was developed in England in the 1960s before spreading worldwide. Mass produced sliced white bread brands such as Wonderloaf and Mother's Pride have been criticized on grounds of poor nutritional value and taste of the loaves produced.^[2] Brown bread is seen as healthier by many, with popular brands including Allinson and Hovis. Artisanal baking has also seen a resurgence since the 1970s.

Rye bread is mostly eaten in the form of Scandinavian-style crisp bread, such as that produced by Ryvita in Birmingham. Malt loaf is a dark, heavy and sweet bread. The popularity of Indian cuisine in Britain means that Indian breads such as naan are made and eaten there. Continental varieties, such as baguettes (also known as "French sticks") and focaccia are also made. The consumption of bagels is no longer restricted to the Jewish community.

Cheese.

Sheep and goat cheeses are made chiefly by craft producers. Cottage cheese is a generic soft cheese style, originally home made, but now bought… Popular cheese-based dishes include macaroni and cheese and cauliflower…

Fish and seafood.

A kipper is a whole herring that has been split from tail to head, gutted, salted or pickled, and cold smoked. They are often eaten for breakfast. … Many seaside towns have shellfish stalls located at the beach, harbour, or… Oysters, once a mainstay of the poor, were baked in a savoury pudding with beef. As they became more expensive, they…

Pies, pastries and savoury puddings.

Savoury puddings are made with a soft suet casing, the most famous being steak and kidney pudding(originally steak and oyster). Pork pie is usually…

Sausages.

Pork and beef are by far the most common bases, although gourmet varieties may contain venison, wild boar, etc. There are particularly famous… Sausages form the basis of toad in the hole, where they are combined with a…

Black puddings and white puddings.

A variant of the sausage is the black pudding, strongly associated with Lancashire similar to the French boudin noir or the Spanish Morcilla. It is made from pig's blood, in line with the adage that "you can eat every part of a pig except its squeal". Pig's trotters, tripe and brawn are also traditional fare in the North. There are also white puddings, similar but lacking blood.

Salted, smoked, pickles, preserves and condiments.

Pickles and preserves are given a twist by the influence of the British Empire. Thus, the repertoire includes chutney as well as Branston or…

Sandwiches.

England can claim to have given the world the word "sandwich", although the eponymous John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich was not the first to add a filling to bread. English sandwiches are made with two slices of bread, or some kind of roll. Fillings such as pickled relishes and Gentleman's Relish could also be considered distinctively English. Common types of sandwich are roast beef, chicken salad, ham and mustard, cheese and pickle, BLT, egg mayonnaise, prawn mayonnaise, tuna, marmite and jam.^[16] A dainty form of sandwich, cut into small squares, without crusts, and often filled with cucumber, are served at genteel gatherings, such as Royal Garden parties. Robust sandwiches made from thick slices are called "doorstops" and are often served in pubs.

Meals

Meals in England include: breakfast, elevenses, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper.

Breakfast.

Full English breakfast with bubble and squeak, sausage, bacon, grilled tomatoes and eggs.

A traditional full English breakfast includes bacon (traditionally back bacon, less commonly streaky bacon), poached, fried or scrambled eggs, fried…

Afternoon tea.

It is a widespread stereotype that the English "drop everything" for a teatime meal in the mid-afternoon. This is no longer the case in the workplace, and is rarer in the home than it once was. A formal teatime meal is now often an accompaniment to tourism, particularly in Devon and Cornwall, where comestibles may include scones with jam and clotted cream (together known as a cream tea). There are also fairy cakes, simple small sponge cakes which can be iced or eaten plain. Nationwide, assorted biscuits and sandwiches are eaten. Generally, however, the teatime meal has been replaced by snacking, or simply dispensed with.

The Sunday roast.

The practice of serving a roast dinner on a Sunday is related to the elaborate preparation required, and to the housewife's practice of performing… An elaborate version of the roast dinner is traditionally eaten at Christmas,…

Dessert.

Suet puddings include Jam Roly-Poly, and spotted dick. Summer pudding and bread and butter pudding are based on bread. Sponge cake is the basis of… An accompaniment, custard, sometimes known as crème anglaise…

Savoury course.

Another English culinary tradition, rarely observed today, is the consumption of a savoury course toward the conclusion of a meal. This now though may be eaten as a snack or a light lunch or supper. Some meals today end with a sweet dessert, although cheese and biscuits may be consumed as an alternative or as an addition. In Yorkshire, fruit cake is often served with Wensleydale cheese. Coffee can sometimes be a culminatory drink.

Dishes.

For more complete lists, see the British section of the List of recipes. For traditional foods with Protected Geographical Status under European law, see List of United Kingdom food and drink products with protected status.

Savoury dishes. Steak and Kidney Pudding

In the 1950s some British pubs would offer "a pie and a pint", with hot individual steak and ale pies made easily on the premises by the… Since the 1990s food has become more important as part of a pub's trade, and…

Chip shops and other takeaways.

England is internationally famous for its fish and chips and has a large number of restaurants and take-away shops selling this dish. It may be the most popular and identifiable English dish. In some regions fish and chips were served with a side order of mushy peas with salt and vinegar as condiments. Foods such as deep fried breaded scampi are usually on offer as well as fishcakes and a number of other combinations. The advent of take-away foods during the Industrial Revolution led to foods such as fish and chips, mushy peas, and pie and mash. These were the staples of the UK take-away business, and indeed of English diets, however, like many national dishes, quality can vary drastically from the commercial or mass produced product to an authentic or homemade variety using more carefully chosen ingredients.

International and fusion cuisine

Indian and Anglo-Indian cuisine

Indian food was served in coffee houses from 1809, and cooked at home from a similar date as Mrs Beeton's cookbook attests. There was a sharp… In the Victorian era, during the British Raj, Britain first started borrowing… Anglo-Indian fusion food continued to develop with chicken tikka masala in the 1960s and Balti in the 1980s, although…

Other.

Chinese food is well established in England, with large cities often having a Chinatown district. Predominantly derived from Cantonese cuisine, it may be so adapted to Western tastes that Chinese customers may be offered an entirely separate menu. Spare ribs in OK sauce is an example of crossover cuisine. Other South-East Asian cuisines, such as Thai, Indonesian and Vietnamese are catching up in popularity.

Italian cuisine is the most popular form of Mediterranean food, vying with Chinese and Indian food as the most popular ethnic food. Greek and Spanish restaurants are well established. Turkish tends to be associated with the take-away sector in particular late night kebab shops. Whilst Middle Eastern cooking in particular Lebanese has grown in popularity from its traditional enclaves in London.

Apart from beef burgers and hot dogs, food from the Americas tends to be represented by Mexican or Tex-mex cuisine, although there a few Creole and South American restaurants.

Caribbean and Jewish cuisine can usually only be found where there is a concentration of the community in question.

In England, French cuisine stands somewhat apart from other generally less expensive cuisine, although there are some inexpensive French bistros.

Drinks.

Hot drinks.

In Britain, tea is usually black tea served with milk (never cream; the cream of a "cream tea" is clotted cream served on top of scones… Earl Grey tea is a distinctive variation flavoured with Bergamot. In recent…

Coffee.

Introduced in the 17th century, coffee quickly became highly popular by the 18th century. The coffee houses of London were important literary, commercial and political meeting-places, and in some cases paved the way for the great financial institutions of 19th Century London.

Coffee is now perhaps a little less popular than in continental Europe, but is still drunk by many in both its instant and percolated forms, often with milk (but rarely with cream). Italian coffee preparations such as espresso and cappuccino and modern American variants such as the frappuccino are increasingly popular, but generally purchased in restaurants or from specialist coffee shops rather than made in the home. White sugar is often added to individual cups of tea, or brown sugar to coffee, but never to the pot.

Other.

Hot chocolate and cocoa were promoted by temperance campaigners in the 19th century, and remain fairly popular. The major brands are manufactured by the quaker-founded businesses such as Cadbury's. They are typically drunk late at night, as are Ovaltine and Horlicks.

Apple juice in its fresh pressed form, and varying stages of fermentation would be drunk, warmed and spiced in the winter time. Locally growing fruits and berry extract would also be used to flavour water with their juices. Roast dandelion root and the fresh leaves would be made into teas and tinctures and drunk for good health. Other tisanes such as rose-hip, raspberry leaf and nettle, amongst others, would also be drunk in this way.

Soft drinks.

Dandelion and burdock was originally a lightly fermented beverage similar to root beer. Later versions were more artificially made and alcohol free.… Barley water, usually flavoured with lemon or other fruit, is a traditional… Squashes and cordials are an alternative to carbonated beverages. They are a non-alcoholic concentrated syrup that is…

Alcoholic drinks.

Beer and cider.

Stout is a globally known style of beer which originated in England, although it came to be associated with Ireland. It has a culinary association… In Britain, "cider" always means an alcoholic drink of fermented…

Wine and mead.

From the Middle Ages, the English market was the main customer of clarets from Bordeaux, France, helped by the Plantagenet kingdom, which included… By the late, 20th century wines from around the world were available to the… Another form of domestic wine production is "country wines" or "fruit wines", which are made from…

Spirits and liqueurs.

Although gin itself is not a British invention, its most popular style, London Dry Gin was developed in England. Gin and tonic has historical roots going back to the British empire, since the tonic was originally quinine taken to combat malaria in tropical climates. Rum likewise has historic associations for the English.

Whisky production in modern England restarted in Norfolk in late 2006, and the first resulting single malt whisky was made available to the public in November 2009. This was the first English single malt in over 100 years. It was produced at St George's Distillery by the English Whisky Company. Previously Bristol and Liverpool were centres of English whisky production.

Mixed drinks

Although the English do not have a strong tradition of inventing cocktails, they did invent the mixed drink known as punch. It is typically made of water, fruit, fruit juice and spirits and served in a large bowl. Pimms is a company which has been selling ready-mixed drinks for well over a century. Pimm's associated with the British summertime and events such as Wimbledon, the Henley Royal Regatta, and the Glyndebourne opera festival. It is often used as the basis of further mixtures including fruit, lemonade, etc.

Mixed drinks can also be based on beer (Lamb's wool) and cider (wassail).

Vegetarianism.

Since the end of World War II when their numbers were around 100,000, increasing numbers of the British population have adopted vegetarianism, especially since the BSE crisis of the 1990s. As of 2003 it was estimated that there were between 3 and 4 million vegetarians in the UK, one of the highest percentages in the Western world, and around 7 million people claim to eat no red meat. The majority of restaurants will have at least one vegetarian meal on the menu.

International reputation.

During the Middle Ages and Enlightenment, English cuisine enjoyed an excellent reputation; its decline can be traced back to the move away from the… In 2005, 600 food critics writing for the British Restaurant magazine named 14…  

Illustrations.

Cost of Living in London.

London is not a cheap place to live. House prices are high and it even costs you more to rent a room or house there.

Here are the average cost of renting in and around London per week:

	Central London	Outer London
Rooms, bedsits, sharers	£118.89	£ 84.79
Studios	£187.50	£123.80
1 bedroom house/flat	£265.12	£160.36
2 bedroom house/flat	£375.70	£212.26

 

The Wedding Day.

It is unlucky for the groom to see the bride on the wedding day before the service. Traditionally the bride wears a white dress and the groom wears a suit (top hat and tails).

The bride may be attended by bridesmaids and pageboys.

The groom and the bride say their vows.

They give each other rings

They sign a wedding register

After the wedding ceremony

After the wedding ceremony guests are invited to attend a meal and further celebrations. This is known as the Wedding Reception.

Guests leave presents for the bride and groom on a table in the room where the reception takes place.

It is traditional for the Best Man, Brides Father and the Groom to give a speech at the wedding reception.

Wedding Cake

It is traditional at weddings to have a special wedding cake at the reception, often with two or more tiers - each tier may be made of a different type of cake to satisfy the tastes of all your wedding guests. It's also customary for the top tier of a three or four tier cake to be kept aside for the christening of the couples first child.

 

 

How to eat with a knife and fork in England.

If you have a knife in one hand, it is wrong to have a fork in the other with the prongs (tines) pointed up. Hold your knife with the handle in your palm and your folk in the other hand…

Bread

A small cottage loaf baked in a traditional bakery in Rochester, Kent.

Cheese.

 

Red Leicester cheese

 

Fish and seafood

Kippers

A shellfish bar

Pies, pastries and savoury puddings

A slice of pork pie

Sausages

Sausages and mashed potato with gravy.

Meals

Breakfast

Full English breakfast with bubble and squeak, sausage, bacon, grilled tomatoes and eggs.

Afternoon tea

Main article: Tea

A cream tea, comprising tea taken with scones, clotted cream and raspberry jam.

The Sunday roast

Sunday roast, consisting of roast beef, roast potatoes, vegetables and Yorkshire pudding.

Dessert

Spotted dick with custard

Dishes

Savoury dishes

Beef Wellington

Sweet dishes

Apple pie

Other specialities

Blueberry White Stilton

Wensleydale cheese

· Chutney: peach; mango; lime;

· Picalilly

· Horseradish sauce

· Green tomato chutney

· Stilton cheese

· Cheddar cheese

· Wensleydale cheese

· Yarg (a cheese)

· Lancashire cheese

· Caerphilly cheese

· Red Leicester cheese

· Double Gloucester cheese

· Curd cheese

· Cottage cheese

· Clotted cream

Food establishments

Pub food

Steak and Kidney Pudding

Chip shops and other takeaways

Fish and chips

Indian and Anglo-Indian cuisine

Kedgeree, a popular breakfast dish in theVictorian era.

Chicken tikka masala, a modified version of Indian chicken tikka. It has been called "Britain's true national dish."

Other

Chinatown in Birmingham, England.

Tea

Black tea with milk

Beer and cider

A glass of Bitter.

English wine

A vineyard at Wyken Hall in Suffolk.

Spirits and liqeurs

A pot of wassail

Scrambled Egg and Bacon Ice Cream, a dish served at The Fat Duck restaurant.

Food writers and chefs

A photographic portrait of Mrs. Beeton, c.1860-5.

The culture of the United Kingdom (watching films).

1. Interesting facts about the life in the modern Britain. 2. Interesting facts about the life of English-speaking countries (Canada,… 3. Interesting facts about the life in the modern USA.

Relations and attitudes to other countries.

American culture is a Western culture, largely based on British culture with influences from other parts of Europe, the Native American peoples,… Attitudes.By and large, Americans value the ideals of individual liberty,… The United States is generally skeptical or hostile toward socialist and communist ideologies, but some of the related…

Culture.

Most jobs are based on a 40-hour work week; that is, five days (Monday through Friday), eight hours per day. The United States has minimum wage laws… Do's and Dont's of American Student Life. 1. Never pick at your nose in public.

Table Manners for a Typical Evening Meal.

2. Wait for others to start eating. Many homes will pray first. 3. Family style meal - food is passed to the right. 4. Try a little of everything - do not take a Lot of anything.

American cuisine in details.

 

The cuisine of the United States refers to food preparation originating from the United States of America.European colonization of the Americas yielded the introduction of a number of ingredients and cooking styles to the latter. The various styles continued expanding well into the 19th and 20th centuries, proportional to the influx of immigrants from many foreign nations; such influx developed a rich diversity in food preparation throughout the country.

History.

Seafood.

Early Native Americans utilized a number of cooking methods in early American Cuisine, that have been blended with early European cooking methods to… When the colonists came to America, their initial attempts at survival… There was a general disdain for French cookery, even with the French Huguenots in South Carolina and French-Canadians.…

Common ingredients.

As many of the New Englanders were originally from England game hunting was often a pastime from back home that paid off when they immigrated to the…

Livestock and game.

Commonly hunted and eaten game included deer, bear, buffalo and wild turkey. The larger muscles of the animals were roasted and served with currant sauce, while the other smaller portions went into soups, stews, sausages, pies, and pasties. In addition to game, colonists' protein intake was supplemented by mutton. The Spanish in Floridaoriginally introduced sheep to the New World, but this development never quite reached the North, and there they were introduced by the Dutch and English. The keeping of sheep was a result of the English non-practice of animal husbandry. The animals provided wool when young and mutton upon maturity after wool production was no longer desirable. The forage-based diet for sheep that prevailed in the Colonies produced a characteristically strong, gamy flavor and a tougher consistency, which required aging and slow cooking to tenderize.

Fats and oils.

Those living near the New England shore often dined on fish,crustaceans, and other animals that originated in the waters. Colonists ate large…

Alcoholic drinks.

Prior to the Revolution, New Englanders consumed large quantities of rum and beer, as maritime trade provided them relatively easy access to the goods needed to produce these items: Rum was the distilled spirit of choice, as the main ingredient, molasses, was readily available from trade with the West Indies. Further into the interior, however, one would often find colonists consuming whiskey, as they did not have similar access to sugar cane. They did have ready access to corn and rye, which they used to produce their whiskey. However, until the Revolution, many considered whiskey to be a coarse alcohol unfit for human consumption, as many believed that it caused the poor to become raucous and unkempt drunkards. In addition to these alcohol-based products produced in America, imports were seen on merchant shelves, including wine and brandy.

Southern variations.

The diet of the uplands often included cabbage, string beans, white potatoes, while most avoided sweet potatoes and peanuts. Non-poor whites in the… The lowlands, which included much of the Acadian French regions of Louisiana…

Th century—21st century.

Similarly, some dishes that are typically considered American have their origins in other countries. American cooks and chefs have substantially… Many companies in the American food industry develop new products requiring… Pre-packaged American meals tend to be high in carbohydrates, fat, sodium, and various preservatives. However, they…

Regional cuisines.

Given the United States' large size it has numerous regional variations. The United States' regional cuisines are characterized by its extreme diversity and style with each region having its own distinctive cuisine.

New England.

Lobster is an integral ingredient to the cuisine, indigenous to the coastal waters of the region. Othershellfish of the coastal regions include… The fruits of the region include the Vitis labrusca grapes used in grape juice…

Pacific and Hawaiian cuisine.

Hawaiian regional cuisine covers everything from wok-charred ahi tuna, opakapaka (snapper) with passionfruit, to Hawaiian island-raised lamb, beef and aquaculture products such as Molokai shrimp. Includes a broad variety of produce - most notably tomatoes, strawberries, mushrooms, sweet maui onions and tropical fruits such as papayas, mangoes, lilikoi (passionfruit) and lychee.

Midwest.

Midwestern cuisine covers everything from barbecue to the Chicago-style hot dog.

The American South.

The cuisine of the American South has been influenced by the many diverse inhabitants of the region, including Americans of European descent, Native Americans and African Americans. The cuisine of the American South, along with the rest of its culture, is one of the most distinct in all of the country.

Cuisine in the West.

Cooking in the American West gets its influence from Native American and Mexican cultures, and other European settlers into the part of the country. Common dishes vary depending on the area. For instance, the Northwest relies on local seafood, while in the South, Mexican flavors are extremely common.

Common dishes found on a regional level.

Ethnic and immigrant influence.

Restaurant industry sales are expected to reach a record high of $476 billion in 2005, an increase of 4.9 percent over 2004... Driven by consumer… A movement began during the 1980s among popular leading chefs to reclaim… Another major breakthrough, whose originators were once thought to be crazy, is the mixing of ethnic cuisines. It is…

Early ethnic influences.

Some of the ethnic influences could be found in the nation from after the American Civil War and into the History of United States continental… · Select nationalities of Europe and the respective developments from early… · British-Americans and on-going developments in New England cuisine, the national traditions founded in cuisine of…

Later ethnic and immigrant influence.

Together with earlier arrivals to the United States (including the indigenous Native Americans, Hispanic and Latino Americans, particularly in the… · Irish Americans - Irish cuisine · Italian Americans - Italian-American cuisine

Notable American chefs.

Regional chefs are emerging as localized celebrity chefs with growing broader appeal, such as Peter Merriman (Hawaii Regional Cuisine), Jerry…    

Illustrations.

Cooking methods

Blue crab was used on the eastern and southern coast of what is now the U.S. mainland.

Seafood

Fish and chips served with coleslaw in the United States.

Weddings in the United States

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weddings_in_the_United_States)

History.

During the 19th Century in America, weddings were usually small family gatherings at the home of either the parents of the bride or the parents of… Today, couples in the United States are waiting later in life to get married.…

Cultural Traditions.

Attire.

Many brides today choose to wear white bridal dresses at their weddings. However, brides before the 19th century just wore the best dress they… Brides often accompany their white wedding dresses with a veil. Sometimes seen…

Before the Wedding.

Many brides have bridal showers before their wedding, during which she receives gifts from the guests. The bridal shower is usually thrown by the bride's chosen maid of honor and is humorous in nature. Although it is often seen as a fun and relaxing time for the bride, it wasn't always seen that way. Bridal showers originated in Holland for brides who were refused dowry from their fathers. A woman's friends would give her several gifts to allow her to have the necessary dowry to marry whatever man she chose.

Many couples will make precautions so that they will not be able to see each other before their wedding ceremony. Today, this is done merely to uphold tradition and superstition, but the idea stems from the early days when marriages were arranged. In these cases, the bride and groom would meet each other for the first time at their own wedding.

Ceremony and Reception.

Today, "giving the bride away" has a very different meaning. The bride's father accompanies her on her walk down the aisle to show… The meaning and origin of the ceremonial kiss that traditionally concludes the… Wedding cakes are widely seen as symbols of fertility. While now they are an enjoyable snack for the wedding guests,…

After the Wedding.

The tradition of the groom carrying his new wife across the threshold has many different interpretations. The act today symbolizes luck and the…

American Traditions.

It is customary to give newlyweds gifts for their new home together at the wedding reception. To prevent duplicate gifts and having to return gifts… Additionally, although most American weddings are typically elaborate and…

Religious Traditions.

Jewish.

In a Jewish wedding both the bride and the groom are walked down the aisle by both of their parents, which is different from other religions.

Jewish couples are married under the chupah, which resembles a decorated tent like structure. This symbolizes that the bride and groom are coming together and creating a new home. This religious tradition comes from the Biblical wedding of Abraham and Sarah.

The ketubah is a Jewish wedding contract. The rabbi reads it under the chupah after the ring ceremony. Many couples frame their ketubah and display it in their home. Traditionally, the ketubah was written in Aramaic, but today many Jews use Hebrew instead. Like most married couples have documents to show they are married. The rabbi reads this contract under the chupah after the ring exchange.

Hindu.

Hindu weddings have some unique traditions as well. These range from the exchanging of garlands (Jaimala), which represents the acknowledgement of acceptance and respect, to the lighting of a sacred fire (Havan), which represents the commitment the couple has to each other. Other traditions include taking seven steps together as a married couple, wearing Henna on the hands and feet, and the groom putting a dot of red powder on his bride’s forehead.

Christian.

Christian weddings have many traditions that are commonly associated with weddings in general. The most important traditions for Christian weddings are the blessing and exchange of wedding bands and the bride and groom each offering his or her own wedding vows.

Types of Weddings Ceremonies.

Traditional/Formal.

Traditional, formal, religious weddings are the most common type of wedding in the United States. Many couples opt to marry in the church of their faith, as it is common for couples to share the same religion. Whether the couple is Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, or any other religion, it is common practice to get married in the church of that faith. However, many couples today do not share the same faith. These inter-faith couples can also have a traditional wedding ceremony. Religious officials have become increasingly cooperative with marrying couples that are not of the same faith.

It is common for traditional or formal weddings to follow certain norms. These common practices include designer dresses, groomsmen wearing tuxedos, elaborate invitations, beautiful flowers, limousine service, and fine dining and live music at a reception that follows the ceremony.

Destination.

Examples of creative locations for wedding include nature parks, aquariums, baseball stadiums, golf courses, zoos, and theme parks. Receptions can… Destination weddings have several advantages. From getting to spend an…

Military.

A couple whose bride and/or groom is enlisted in the Armed Forces may have a military wedding in which the bride and/or groom wears their uniform. A military wedding is considered a formal wedding and guests should dress formally. Oftentimes, the guests will also be in the armed forces and will wear their uniforms as well.

The ushers who are in the armed forces traditionally form an "arch of steel" with their swords or sabers. However, only active duty servicemen participate, as they can only carry their sword or saber if they are active duty. The arch is usually formed at the conclusion of the ceremony, and the head usher signals the formation by yelling "center face." After the bride and groom pass through the arch, the ushers return to their bridesmaids to exit with them. Civilian ushers may or may not stand at the arch, a decision usually made by the bride and groom.

Elopement.

To marry by elopement means that the wedding ceremony is done in secret, usually with just witnesses. Even though eloping seems simple, the marriage's secrecy can complicate family relationships.

Couples in the United States choose to elope for many varying reasons. 46% of couples eloping do so because of parental opposition to the marriage, 20% of couples elope to avoid attention, 12% because of financial reasons, 8% due to an unexpected pregnancy, and 14% for other reasons.

 

Cost of Living in United States.

Prices in United States.

(Last update: January, 2013) Milk (regular), 1 liter 0.99 $ 0.79 1.19 Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) … (Last update: January, 2013)      

Money needed for food (2000 calories, balanced).

 

Property Prices in United States.

Taxi Fares in United States.

 

Top 20 baby names of 2011

(http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-05-14/top-baby-names/54952086/1)

Girls:
1. Sophia
2. Isabella
3. Emma
4. Olivia
5. Ava
6. Emily
7. Abigail
8. Madison
9. Mia
10. Chloe
11. Elizabeth
12. Ella
13. Addison
14. Natalie
15. Lily
16. Grace
17. Samantha
18. Avery
19. Sofia
20. Aubrey

Boys:
1. Jacob
2. Mason
3. William
4. Jayden
5. Noah
6. Michael
7. Ethan
8. Alexander
9. Aiden
10. Daniel
11. Anthony
12. Matthew
13. Elijah
14. Joshua
15. Liam
16. Andrew
17. James
18. David
19. Benjamin
20. Logan

(Source: Social Security Administration).