Customs and traditions in Great Britain

The English are people that cannot be rushed, i.e. they don't allow others to impose on their views, ideas or opinions. They are distrustful of extremes and resentful of interference. The English believe in themselves. They have not the inferiority complex. They are indifferent (безразличный) to what other people think of them. They are practical and realistic, steady, easy-going and fond of sports. The English people are the world's greatest tea drinkers. They drink tea at meals and between meals; in the morning and in the evening; when they are happy and they are upset; to get hot and to get cold; to calm down and to cheer up.

It is impossible not to mention pubs when speaking about the British way of life. Pubs are the most popular places where people come in the evening to have a beer and a chat.

"Hobbies" are a great English and American tradition. The most popular are gardening and pets. They keep dogs, cats, rabbits and horses. Every year the British spend over 1 billions on pet food.

The population of Britain takes part regularly in sport. The most popular sporting activities are walk-jogging, snooker/ billiards, swimming, football, golf.

Many young people in Britain today accept most of the beliefs, customs and behaviour of their parents. But at the same time they are different. They listen to different music, wear different clothes, have different ideas about life, use different words and behave differently. They are more independent, active, pragmatic and spiritually restrained. They grow up too fast and they are very independent. They face many problems, much cruelty and many stresses. They want to become adults as quickly as possible. They are less interested in global problems, and more interested in examination results which can assure them of good positions. Smart clothes, money and success are in fashion now. They are eager to get education and well-paid jobs. They want to take a confident stand in life and show their self-realization.

Most young people eventually get married, buy or rent a house or a flat of their own and start a family. However, as in many other European countries, more and more young people are living together without being married. Most of them register their marriage only if a child is on the way. And in general people get married later than they used to: women in late 20s, men in late 30s.

In Britain young people like Youth Clubs, thousands of them, for music, games, dancing, or just talking, for example, outdoor holidays with various clubs. Walking, pony trekking (езда в фургоне, запряженном пони), climbing and sailing are very popular. The Youth Hostels Association// Ассоциация молодежных турбаз provides cheap accommodation // стол и ночлег for young people travelling, often on foot, through Britain and other European countries.

Clothes and fashion of the Youth. Most British girls today take a great deal of interest in clothes and enjoy looking attractive. In fact, they think much more about fashion than their mothers did 20 or more years ago. Fashion shops for young people are opened all over Britain. London is considered to be the world’s most important fashion center for the young.  

HOLIDAYS

New Year's Day is a public holiday in the United Kingdom on January 1 each year. It marks the start of the New Year in the Gregorian calendar. For many people have a quiet day on January 1, which marks the end of the Christmas break before they return to work. However, there are some special customs, particularly in Scotland.

At midnight, as the New Year begins, the chimes of Big Ben are broadcast to mark the start of the New Year.

On New Year's Eve (December 31), just before midnight, many people turn on a television to show pictures of one of the four clocks on the Clock Tower on the Palace of Westminster, or Houses of Parliament, in London counting down the last minutes of the old year. At midnight, as the New Year begins, the chimes of Big Ben, the bell inside the Clock Tower, are broadcast to mark the start of the New Year. Champagne or other sparkling wines are often served at this point.

Many people hold parties at home or go out to pubs or night clubs. These parties often continue into the early hours of the morning. Hence, for many people, New Year's Day is time for recovering from the excesses of the night before. For others, it is the last day of the Christmas holiday before they return to work. Some take the opportunity to carry out home improvements or to go for a walk in the country. In many places around the United Kingdom's coast, groups of people dress up in fancy costumes and run into the cold sea.

Many people make New Year's resolutions. These are promises to themselves that they will lead a better life in some way in the coming year. Common New Year's resolutions include stopping smoking, losing weight, eating more healthily, getting more exercise or spending less money. Some types of resolution that would lead to a healthier lifestyle are supported by government advertising campaigns.

In some areas, there are a number of customs associated with New Year's Day. In Scotland many people sing the song 'Auld Lang Syne' at midnight as New Year's Day begins. In Scotland and northern England, it is customary to go first footing. This is the first person to enter a house on January 1. There are many traditions and superstitions associated with first footing. A male first-footer brings good luck, but a female bad luck. In different areas there are different traditions about whether the first footer should have fair or dark hair, whether the person should bring coal, salt or other things and what food or drink that person should be served after arrival.

New Year's Day is a bank holiday. If January 1 is a Saturday or Sunday, the bank holiday falls on Monday, January 2 or 3. Nearly all schools, large businesses and organizations are closed. In some areas stores may be open, although this varies a lot. Public transport systems do not usually run on their normal timetables. In general, public life shuts down completely on New Year's Day.

The New Year's Eve and New Year's Day celebrations in Scotland are known as Hogmanay and may last into January 2, an annual bank holiday. This holiday is marked with parties, specially prepared foods and the custom of first footing.

January 2 is a public holiday when families spend time together in Scotland. 

Hogmanay celebrations generally begin in the afternoon or evening of New Year's Eve and continue into early hours of the New Year's Day morning. Some family gatherings or private celebrations organized by groups of friends may continue through to January 2.

In some areas, the custom of first footing continues on January 2. First footing refers to when someone is the first person to enter a house on January 1. For many people in Scotland, January 2 is a day to recover from the Christmas and Hogmanay celebrations or to spend some quiet time with friends or family members before returning to work on January 3.

January 2 is not a bank or public holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, January 1 and 2 are bank holidays in Scotland. Banks and post offices are closed. There may be limited public transport services or none at all. Some stores and businesses may be closed.

The Hogmanay celebration origins can be traced to pre-Christian observances in mid-winter. These included large fires to tempt the sun back to earth, as well as feasts of the food gathered and harvested in the autumn. Hogmanay was traditionally a more important celebration than Christmas in Scotland but the importance of Christmas recently increased.

Fires are burnt during Hogmanay. This is a tradition from the pre-Christian winter celebrations. In Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, fire balls are made of tar, paper and wire attached to a chain or non-flammable rope. The balls are lit and swung around people's heads in a procession. At the end of the evening, burning balls are thrown into the harbor. In Burghead, Moray, the clavie (a barrel filled with of tar and old casks) is burnt on January 11, the old Hogmanay date.

Popular Hogmanay dishes include: steak pie; lamb or beef stew; shortbread and cheese; Scotch pancakes (small, thick pancakes cooked on a griddle) with butter or smoked salmon; rumbledethumps (boiled potatoes and swedes or turnips mashed with stir fried cabbage and oven-baked); and seven-cup pudding (steamed pudding with dried fruit and spices). Whiskey is a popular drink.

People traditionally ate black bun on Twelfth Night (January 6) but it is now eaten on the last day of Hogmanay. Black bun consists of a pastry case filled with nuts, spices and dried fruit soaked in brandy. It is often made a few weeks ahead to allow the flavors to mature.

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