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Curiosities

Unusual Traditions of England

This country has its own special traditions, which may seem very strange to some and shock others. It is worth noting that the culture and traditions of England have played a crucial role in its current form.

A separate interesting fact about England is the language of this country. Yes, it is English, but here it is not quite the same as in the USA or other English-speaking countries. Local English is distinguished by its aristocracy, but this applies to the so-called conservative dialect, which is mostly used by aristocrats, politicians, at official receptions, meetings, and so on. It is easiest to learn this English with an Englishman, and English courses with a native speaker, for example here http://thefrog.ru/kursy/obuchenie-s-nositelem, can help. Often, the traditions of England are more interesting to learn in English.

So, what interesting traditions are there in England?

Subtle humor

The first interesting tradition will be local humor. Not everyone understands what it is, as modern films, television, books, and other cultural media prefer toilet humor, as it is more accessible to ordinary people, and it is easier to write such jokes. Subtle English humor is the ability to joke simply and unobtrusively, without excessive vulgarity.

An English lord leaves home. The servant sees him off and asks: "Sir, if the lady sends me for you, tell me where you should not be looked for?"

But this is only one side of British humor. In fact, it is so multifaceted that it deserves a separate article.

Politeness

It is said that the British are always polite by nature. And although in modern youth society this is no longer so relevant, in the company of most residents of Foggy Albion you will not hear swearing, mockery (except very subtle ones – see the point above) and vulgar anecdotes. But this is not the end of famous British politeness.

• The British constantly apologize, and there is even a saying that if you see a Briton in the morning, you can be sure that he has already apologized at least once.

• They are disciplined and never speak loudly on the streets, and if they do, they apologize.

• They never push to get a seat on the bus, but on the contrary, they will offer a seat to someone else (this rule even applies to the older generation).

• The English do not shake hands when meeting.

• The English try not to show emotions in public even in tragic situations, regardless of the difficulty.

Royal Guard

The Royal Guard is not only a military formation performing the duties of protecting the monarch, but also one of the most recognizable parts of British culture in the world. From the outside, this position seems very attractive, and it is actually very respected, but to get into the ranks of the Royal Guard, you need to meet many requirements.

A guardsman can be a man at least 178 cm tall. The traditional huge hat is passed down by inheritance, that is, the soldier leaving the position passes it to a junior. The soldier must endure the service with utmost dignity: no unnecessary movements are allowed, a stone-faced expression is mandatory. On duty, a guardsman cannot turn around just like that – everyone knows this – but besides that, he cannot speak or smile.

Tea drinking

The unusual traditions of England highlight one special for any of the British Isles – tea drinking. There is also a term for this: "traditional English 5 o'clock." Over time, many different rules for making tea have developed; George Orwell himself identified eleven main ones, but only some of them have survived to our time.

English tea must be with milk. Tea leaves are put into a warmed teapot – usually 1 teaspoon per cup of water, plus 1 extra teaspoon just in case. Usually such tea is brewed for about five minutes. In warm cups, first pour a few teaspoons of hot milk, and then the tea itself, necessarily through a silver strainer. The teapot was covered with a fabric cozy – so that the tea would steep better. In old times, the host of the house offered guests different varieties or mixtures of teas of his own making.

Cold – it hardens

In this, the British are somewhat similar to Russians. Here, cold is not only not considered something bad; on the contrary, it is customary to think that the stronger the cold, the more resilient people are. In this understanding, the English are true Spartans. For this reason, British houses are very cold in winter, and sleeping with a hot water bottle is common. No daredevil will walk in the frost in a T-shirt or light clothing; wearing two sweaters and woolen socks is also normal. This is partly due to the fact that the English have had to save on heating and water for centuries, and such a lifestyle, maintained for centuries, has hardened them like nothing else. That is why the British never complain about the constant local fog.

An American descending the steps of a plane at Heathrow, seeing the fog: "Ugh, what nasty weather! And how long will this continue here, do you know?"

Londoner: "Alas, sir, I cannot say anything definite. I have only lived here for thirty-five years."

The English are homebodies

The English say "My home is my castle." It was in "English law" that this doctrine was first formulated, allowing a homeowner to use any means to defend their property. But that's not the point now. The British do not like neighbors intruding into their lives; there is a fine for that. They prefer small houses designed for one family.

The heart of any English home is the fireplace; many families have traditions of gathering around the fire and talking about everything. Near the fireplace, family heirlooms and family photos are often placed, and it was from England that the tradition of hanging stockings for Santa Claus on the mantelpiece originated. While in other countries a fireplace is a fire hazard, the English are allowed to have one if certain safety rules are followed.

Traditional holidays of England

Holidays and traditions of England are an extremely interesting topic. To understand the British people, it is worth considering the first.

Not the most unique, but the most beloved and ancient holiday is Christmas. It is even more popular than New Year, which is just another holiday here, like Valentine's Day. Although for the record, in Scotland, Hogmanay – New Year's Eve – is the biggest holiday of the year.

The second most popular is the Queen of England's birthday, although this claim is often disputed. The Queen's actual birthday is on April 21, but it is also celebrated on the second Saturday of April, that is, twice a year.

And on November 5, Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes Night, is held, commemorating the 17th-century attempt to blow up the London Parliament. On this night, by tradition, his effigy is burned, fireworks are set off, and bonfires are lit, all marking a kind of farewell to autumn.

Customs and traditions of England in English can also be found here: https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Культура_Великобритании