Lifestyles

Are the British good listeners?

What is understatement?

Do people help charity in Britain?

In Britain strangers don't talk to each other; it is polite to queue for everything; people say "thank you" when they give money to a shop assistant: people open presents in front of people they receive them from. British people are good listeners. Understatement is another character trait of me British. If a continental youth wants to declare his love to a girl, he kneels down, tells her that she is the sweetest and the most charming in the world, that she has something in her, that he would be vi­able to live one more minute without her and so on. In England the youth pats his girl friend on the back and says softly: "I don't object to you, you know". If he is quite mad with passion, he may add: " I rather fancy you, in fact”.

About half the population of Great Britain take part in sport. The most popular outdoor sporting activity is walking about 2 miles. The most popular indoor activity is snooker /billiards/.

There are about 7 million dogs and over 7 million cats in Britain. One in ten people own a dog or a cat. Every year the British spend over 1,5 billion pounds on pet food. They support 380 charities which protect animals. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals /the RSPCA/ is the largest animal welfare society in Britain. It provides practical help and campaigns against animal cruelty. It has over 250 inspectors who make sure nobody breaks the laws which protect animals.

In Britain, people help charity. Once the RSPCA got 1,7 million from an animal lover to help them to prosecute people who are guilty of cruelty. Many charities get letters from the people enclosing a pound or two, saying "This all I can give".

Birth and Christenings. When a child is born its parents may announce the birth in a newspaper. The birth must be registered at the local registrar's office within 6 weeks in England and Wales and 3 weeks in Scotland.

At the christening there is one godmother and 2 godfathers for a boy and vice versa for a girl. No godparents are necessary at a Church of Scotland christening. The Godmother holds the baby during the ceremony. The true role of godparents is to watch over the spiritual welfare of their godchildren until confirmation.

Usually, the friends and relatives give a christening present. Traditionally, the godparents give a silver cup. Other presents include a leather-bound Bible, a poetry book, or a silver spoon.

21St birthday

The 21^st birthday is an important date in any person's life. It is official coming of age. A 21^st birth­day party is generally arranged. All those invited send cards and bring presents. The cards usually have a picture of a key on them, which is a symbol of independence.

Twenty-one today, twenty-one today!

I've got the key of the door,

Never been twenty-one before....

Often the guests bump him 21 times. Now, young people have the right to vote at 18, so many celebrate the 18^th birthday.