U.K. Lifestyle!

United Kingdom, apart offering an opportunity to take world class education also allows a wonderful opportunity to experience the country's vibrant culture. Although the UK is relatively small in size, it offers a wealth of attractions. It is a nation which is as diverse as it is accessible and affordable. UK cities and towns display a rich and varied historical and cultural heritage. In Britain you will find most people are kinder to you if you behave politely, respecting local people and customs. You may sometimes upset people by things that you say or do, even if these things seem perfectly normal in your own culture.

Certain important aspects of living in UK are:
Greeting people:
British people are quite reserved when greeting one another. Greeting can be a bright 'Hello' 'Hi' or 'Good morning', when you arrive at work or at school. The usual formal greeting is a 'How do you do?' and a firm handshake, but with a lighter touch between men and women.

Food:
The staple food of England consists of meat, fish, potatoes, flour, butter and eggs and is traditionally based on beef, lamb, pork, chicken and fish and generally served with potatoes and one other vegetable. The most common and typical foods eaten in England include the sandwich, fish and chips, pies like the Cornish pasty, trifle and roasts dinners. International students staying with British families can expect to eat the same sort of food as their host family. If a student is residing with a host family, the host families will, of course, take into account any special dietary restrictions that he/she may have for religious or other reasons.

Table manners:
The British generally pay a lot of attention to good table manners. Even young children are expected to eat properly with knife and fork. It is impolite to start eating before everyone has been served. Never chew with your mouth open. No one likes to see food being chewed or hearing it being chomped on. It is impolite to have your elbows on the table while you are eating. Don't reach over someone's plate for something; ask for the item to be passed. Never talk with food in your mouth. It is ok to eat and drink something while walking down the street, unless you want to seem posh.

Dinner Invites:
If you cannot eat a certain type of food or have certain dietary restrictions, it is alright to tell your host several days before the dinner party. Arrive on time, but try to avoid being too early as your host may not ready to receive you too soon. Take a bottle of wine or some flowers or chocolates to give to the host as soon as you have arrived.

Personal Space:
British people like to have a lot of their own personal space. They want their own privacy. Some people may worry that if they make friends with you, you may not understand their social customs. They may also worry about interfering with your own personal space. If you are a woman, a British man may worry that you will feel threatened if he starts speaking to you. If there are several spare seats in a public place, most people will sit away from other people. People don't touch others very much, and will usually apologise if they touch someone accidentally. It is rare for people to go to someone's house without having arranged it first.

Religions in Britain:
Britain is a part of global village of many tribes with parallel worlds of religious scholarships and practice. The government in the UK is strongly in favour of a multi-racial society and you will find a range of religions followed in most towns and cities throughout the UK. The Skyline of the major cities in Britain - London, Glasgow, Cardiff, Leicester, Bradford, Birmingham, now has a new horizon shaped not only by the familiar spires and towers of churches but also by the domes and minarets of mosques. Religious communities in the UK have built a number of temples and other places of worship.

Leisure:
People enjoy various indoor and outdoor activities in England. The most common leisure activity in the UK is watching television. The second most popular activity in Britain is visiting or entertaining friends or relations. The British are known as a nation of gardeners. Most people have a garden on their property. Gardening has been a popular pastime. Sports and physical recreation have always been popular. Local governments provide cheap sport and leisure facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, parks and gold courses. People go to watch other people play sports like football or take part in sports themselves.

The British are particular about manners, dress and speech. They are famous for their politeness and self-discipline. They also have a strong sense of humour.