BRITISH CUSTOMS AND TRADITONS

1. Why is it important to learn and remember the customs, traditions and holidays of a country? It is important to remember the holidays of your country, because they help the older generation to pass the national values onto their children. Young people can figure out who they are in this world. Holidays and traditions give them a sense of belonging and a sense of security: they realize that they are a part of nation, which will always support them and give advice in a difficult situation, so they will never feel lonely. Holidays also unite people. They give people enjoyable memories and are fun.

When we learn the traditions of the country we travel to, we find out a lot about the nation: they represent the spirit of the nation, their beliefs and values, their national character, customs and good manners. If you don’t know a tradition, you might feel lost or make some mistakes. Sometimes you might even seem disrespectful.

2. Do you know anything about British national holidays?

England is a country that knows how to celebrate well.  England has many annual celebrations and traditions.  Official holidays are called bank holidays, because banks do not work on these days. there are a lot of religious holidays in the country (Christmas, Easter, Good Friday), state holidays connected to the Royal Family (Queen’s Official Birthday, Royal weddings), historical holidays (Guy Fawkes Night, May Day) and other holidays such as New Year and Remembrance Day.

New Year is celebrated on the 31^st of December In England, the largest celebrations take place in London, with fireworks exploding over the London Eye at midnight.  Big Ben chimes and people sing Auld Lang Syne.  Most of the crowds in London are gathered at Piccadilly Circus or Trafalgar Square. But the largest celebrations take place in Scotland, where New Year is the most popular holiday.

Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day: It takes place a week before Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of Lent. Pancakes in England are eaten with lemon and sugar or golden syrup. Pancake races are still popular in many villages and towns.

Good Friday, remembering Jesus’ death on the cross,  is also a bank holiday.

In the Christian calendar, Easter is the most holy day of the year as it celebrates Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

May Day often includes dancing around a Maypole, eating cake and meeting spring. People also choose their May Queen.

Queen’s Official Birthday is celebrated in June. Very often British monarchs had birthdays in winter or autumn. Celebrations were impossible, that’s why an official date was chosen. On this day there are parades, concerts, parties and official ceremonies.

Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night takes place on the 5^th of November. It celebrates the fact that the King and the Parliament were saved in 1605. Guy Fawkes and his friends wanted to blow up the Houses of Parliament to stop the cruel policy against Catholics. But they were caught. The doll of Guy Fawkes is burnt on this night. Also people watch fireworks, make huge fires and have fun.

Remembrance Day helps the British remember the victims and soldiers of World War I and World War II. On this day people often wear poppies.

3. Can you describe the favourite British holiday – Christmas?

Christmas is the most famous and popular holiday of the year.  Christmas season in England is absolutely lovely!  It begins quite early, in November. Christmas trees can be found in many city centres, with the most famous being the Norwegian tree in Trafalgar Square, London. 

On Christmas Day, a special Christmas dinner or lunch is served.  The menu is usually traditional – roast turkey; potatoes and other vegetables such as carrots and parsnips; Yorkshire Puddings; mini sausages wrapped in bacon; and Brussels Sprouts.   

Before the food is served, the breaking of the Christmas Crackers is the usual tradition. 

Later in the day, the Queen’s Christmas message is broadcast on television and radio.

Boxing Day on the 26th of December is an additional bank holiday. People usually spend time with families and holiday guests.  Typical activities include eating Christmas leftovers, going for walks, playing games and watching sports.  The name comes from the fact that in the past in cities there were special boxes, where people could leave Christmas presents for the poor.

4. What is the most popular topic of conversation in Britain and why?

The British love talking about the weather. They always complain about rainy days and are surprised when there is no rain and the weather is fine. The British even say that they have no climate, only weather. This happens because the weather in Britain is very changeable: in the morning it can rain, in the afternoon it is cold and foggy, but in the evening it is warm and sunny.

The weather is so unpredictable, because the British Isles are on the way of battling air masses: hot air comes from Africa, cold weather comes from Russia. The Gulfstream, a warm current in the Atlantic Ocean brings warm and rainy weather. That's why the climate is mild. But many parts of the UK get up to 221 rainy days a year. A typical Englishman always has an umbrella.

No wonder the British have many weather idioms. They say “it’s raining cats and dogs” when they have a heavy rainfall. When something is really easy they say “it’s a breeze”. When they feel ill, they say “I feel under the weather”.

5. What questions will you ask a British teenager about their holiday traditions?