The culture of the United Kingdom is something very unique in the world. As portrayed by English films and novels, the ‘Brits’ are often painted as stiff and sarcastic. But there are a lot more ‘Dench’ things about the British culture that you ought to know. So ‘Have a Butcher's at these 10 tips to curate that culture as people have in England.
1. Accent.
A lot of UK-based films and a host of Hollywood actors have that crisp and alluring British accent. But how do you get the same? Watching all those exciting James Bond films or Brit Awards will certainly help you to get it right on the tongue. Speak English the Brit way and everyone around would be ‘chuffed to bits for sure!
2. Food.
Food is the melting pot of cultures all over the world. And thanks to globalization, there are cuisines from different countries available at our disposal which is just a click away. Given this, the UK has garnered dishes from all the colonized nations take curry for example. But the traditional dishes never go off the palate of Brits. ‘Fish n chips’, ‘Toad in the Hole, ‘Cornish Pasties’, ‘Shepherd’s Pie’, etc. are the most famous dishes.
If you cannot manage to bake pies and stuff, you could start small by including British favorite ‘Heinz Baked Beans’. Pop them in a saucepan and stir for a while. And Bob’s your uncle, the dish is ready.
3. Customs.
Customs are one of the most integral parts of British culture. Celebrating the ‘Guy Fawkes Night’ or having a ‘Full English Breakfast’ are just some of the very British traditions. Do not fret if you have never heard about it. You can indulge in ‘Afternoon Tea’ the most well-known quintessentially British tradition all over the world. Some of the best-known brews are ‘Earl Grey’ and ‘English Breakfast Tea’.
Afternoon Tea is taken all over the UK at around 3-4 pm. Put the kettle on and serve the tea with some amazing sandwiches and scones. There is a popular debate about ‘milk first or tea’ and ‘cream first or jam’ for the scones. Brits are very particular about how their tea is made and the way of having scones depends on the part of the country they come from. Devon Cream Tea has clotted cream first and then jam, whereas a Cornish Cream Tea has jam first and then cream.
4. Homes & Gardens.
The UK is a country where everybody is obsessed with having a garden. The countryside is laced with stone and brick cottages with thatched roofs and beautiful gardens. If not a countryside cottage, you could turn your home into a little English Paradise.
Try getting wall scones and lanterns for that nicely lit and warm ambiance. You could also get some warm rugs for your home and a rocking chair to sit in front of a fireplace. Planting a variety of exotic shrubs and flowering trees with a splendid lawn could also do. You can then host posh garden parties and invite your friends over to fancy a ‘cuppa’.
5. Complaining of the weather.
Thanks to the positioning of our country, we do not necessitate complaining about the bad weather. Whereas in England, it is most common for people to complain about the bad weather. It can rain anytime there, making the weather fluctuate. Well, instead of complaining about the weather the British way, you could opt for weather-friendly things to do. Read in a lounge chair on a winter morning or snuggle in a blanket when it rains.
6. The UK English.
The English language used in the United Kingdom and the United States is way different than we think. The spellings and pronunciations vary quite a lot. Apart from the basic differences, there a host of interesting phrases used there. Knowing these phrases will keep you top-notch always.
The commonly known phrases are ‘Have a Butcher’s, ‘Swings and Roundabouts’, ‘Bob’s your uncle’, ‘Its’ Monkeys’, ‘The dawn chorus’, ‘Horses for Courses’ , and so on. You can easily go to see a man about a dog and everybody might lose their marbles thinking you’ve gone barmy!
7. The English Banter, Politeness & Etiquettes.
Brits are often known to be rather rude in their sarcasm. Dry English banter is a popular flavor in most movies that lets you enjoy the depths of the language. Politeness is displayed by saying ‘Sorry’, ‘Thank You’ and ‘Pardon me. British people prefer waiting in queues and display the most polite manners at all times. Also, the way you hold your cup while drinking is an essential part of Royal Etiquettes, which is a lesser-known fact.
8. Reading English Authors.
You could sit and read Agatha Christie’s novels day in and day out but still not get bored. Apart from crime and mystery, her books show the little English customs very intricately. Jane Austen, T.J Elliot, Ian Fleming are other famous authors to read.
9. David Attenborough & BBC.
Probably there couldn’t be a person who hasn’t heard about the national treasure of the UK, David Attenborough. His documentary films on Environment and Nature are a great way to curate British-ness in every bit. Watching and listening to BBC would give you insight into the UK accent apart from regular news.
10. Entertainment.
UK has some of the most celebrity artists, singers, and TV shows to boast of. Go away with the fairies with James Bond or Harry Potter movies, and some of the other popular TV shows like The Great British Cook-Off, BGT, etc.
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