Culture Shock!: Britain

by Tan, Terry

• ISBN13: 9781558686175
• ISBN10: 1558686177
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-04-01
• Publisher: Ingram Pub Services

Summary

Whether you travel for business, pleasure, or a combination of the two, the ever-popular "Culture Shock!" series belongs in your backpack or briefcase. Get the nuts-and-bolts information you need to survive and thrive wherever you go. "Culture Shock!" country guides are easy-to-read, accurate, and entertaining crash courses in local customs and etiquette. "Culture Shock!" practical guides offer the inside information you need whether you're a student, a parent, a globetrotter, or a working traveler. "Culture Shock!" at your Door guides equip you for daily life in some of the world's most cosmopolitan cities. And "Culture Shock!" Success Secrets guides offer relevant, practical information with the real-life insights and cultural know-how that can make the difference between business success and failure. Each "Culture Shock!" title is written by someone who's lived and worked in the country, and each book is packed with practical, accurate, and enjoyable information to help you find your way and feel at home.

Table of Contents

Introduction	5	(4)
Britannia	9	(23)
Britain at a glance	12	(5)
Statistics	17	(1)
London	18	(11)
Take time out for London	29	(3)
The British People	32	(15)
Who is the true Brit?	38	(3)
What are the British like?	41	(1)
The local social scene	42	(1)
At work	43	(1)
Of laughter and lament	44	(3)
A Babel of Sounds	47	(10)
Accents first	48	(3)
What, rather than where	51	(3)
Touch	54	(1)
Park bench introductions	55	(1)
Helping the blind	55	(1)
Sign language	56	(1)
A Historical Perspective	57	(17)
The Church of Rome and the beginning of Protestantism	57	(6)
Religious Britain	63	(5)
Art	68	(6)
The House of Windsor	74	(8)
The British Way of Life	82	(60)
Dyed-in-the-wool habits	82	(4)
Institutions	86	(4)
Food	90	(8)
Ethnic food	98	(2)
The ethnic shopper	100	(1)
Restaurants	100	(5)
Punctuality	105	(2)
The family	107	(7)
Marrying for residence	114	(1)
Retirement	115	(2)
Pets	117	(4)
Traditions	121	(9)
Customs and celebrations	130	(8)
British politics	138	(4)
Integrating into British Society	142	(27)
Manners	142	(5)
The rule at work	147	(2)
Setting up a business	149	(2)
Renting accommodation	151	(5)
Money, conversion	156	(2)
DIY	158	(5)
Medicine	163	(6)
Education	169	(17)
Choice of schools	171	(1)
English as she is spoke	172	(1)
Learning English in Britain	173	(1)
Education	174	(1)
The state system	175	(1)
Curriculum 2000	175	(1)
The national curriculum	176	(1)
Independent schools	176	(2)
Boarding schools	178	(1)
Special education	178	(1)
Security and safety	178	(1)
Racism	179	(7)
Leisure Activities	186	(50)
Media	186	(15)
Entertainment	201	(7)
Sex and sleaze	208	(1)
Transport	209	(8)
Weather	217	(6)
Holidays	223	(3)
MOT	226	(1)
Sports	226	(8)
Parks	234	(1)
Window shopping	235	(1)
Soaking up the sun	235	(1)
Night birds	235	(1)
In Public	236	(26)
Racism	236	(6)
Violence	242	(5)
Fashion	247	(12)
Dirt	259	(3)
Cultural Quiz	262	(9)
Glossary	271	(2)
Resource Guide	273	(19)
Further Reading	292	(2)
The Author	294	(1)
Index	295