7. Analyse some national traits of the British people and their traditions, their private life, eating traditions, love of sports. How did geography and history affect the British character?

Some of the British national traits are resulting from the British way of life. Its geographical position was one of the most important factors which contributed largely to making a distinctive character of its inhabitants. The British are known as a people self-assured, absolutely confident in their national sense of superiority. The British display a very wide toleration of individual differences among themselves, and even among others. The British have some very rigid codes of behavior, notably the public-school code. Individuals who do not do the right things and do not avoid doing the wrong things soon find themselves rejected. For example, it is part of the Englishman's code not to intrude upon his neighbours and their way of doing things. They have their lives to live in their own way, and he has his.

The British are really conservative; they love familiar things in familiar places. They are against any suggestion that some modification of their habits, or the introduction of something new and unknown into their lives, might be to their advantage. On a national scale their conservatism may be illustrated by the attitude to the monarchy which is held in affection and reverence by nearly all English people. Local corporations, universities, schools and societies have their own private traditions. They like to think that their private customs differentiate them, as groups, from the rest of the world. Self-assurance, willingness to tolerate eccentricity, law-abidingness, a curious mixture of conservatism and enterprise - all these are generalizations which hold reasonably true of all classes of the British people. The English countryside is many things to many people. Every Englishman is a countryman at heart. Many years he may have lived in the city, but he does not believe he really belongs there.

The village with its church, pub, fishing, cricket, animals, everywhere, especially dogs and horses - all this creates an ideal image of Britain. We should also add to this picture the seaside, a passion for gardening and a love for old customs and traditions. The British people may be conservative about the times they take their holiday, but they have shown themselves very ready to take to new places. Each year more English people go to different parts of continental Europe. Many take their cars, with tents and caravans; others use the travel agents' scheme for group travel and hotel booking. Most people in Britain work a five-day week, from Monday to Friday. Schools, colleges and universities are also closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

On Saturday afternoon the most important sporting events of the week take place - football, rugby, horse-racing and other sports. Some people go and watch; others sit and watch the sports programmes on television. The British are great lovers of competitive sports. Saturday evening is the favourite time for parties, dances, going to the pictures or the theatre, in fact for "going out" generally? If the weather is fine, people may decide to go out for the day. Organized amateur cricket is played between club teams. Rugby is very popular at schools where they have good playing fields for that. Golf & tennis are played by great numbers of people. Another popular game is bingo or lotto, which is usually played in halls or former cinemas. Hunting is a popular sport among the rich.

Sunday is the day when most people are engaged in some activity such as gardening, washing the car, taking the dog for a walk. Another most popular activity on this day consists of a visit to a pub -either a walk to the local pub, or often nowadays a drive to a more pleasant country pub.

The usual meals peculiar to Britain are the English breakfast (early morning), lunch (midday), afternoon tea (4.00-5.00 p.m.) and dinner (7.00-9.00 p.m.)

BREAKFAST is generally a bigger meal than they have on the Continent. The usual English breakfast is porridge or cereals with milk or cream and sugar, bacon and eggs, jam or marmalade with buttered toast, and tea or coffee.

LUNCH is generally eaten about one o’clock. When at home they have cold meat, potatoes, salad and pickles, with a pudding or fruit to follow. Sometimes they may have a mutton chop, or steak and chips, followed by biscuits and cheese. Some people like a glass of light beer with lunch.

AFTERNOON TEA is a sociable sort of thing. Tin classic afternoon tea consists of small sandwiches, bread, butter and jam, scones, sponge cakes, biscuits and sometimes buttered crumpets.

DINNER (7.00-9.00 p.m.) is the ordinary evening meal for sonic middle-class people. Lower class people call it supper. Dinner usually begins with soup, which is followed by fish, roast chicken, potatoes and vegetables, a sweet, fruit and nuts. Coffee and cigarettes are served in the sitting-room.

SUPPER (9.00-10,00 p.m.) is usually a light snack and may include an omelette or sausages, sometimes bacon and eggs and sometimes just bread and cheese, a cup of coffee or cocoa and fruit.