Etiquette.
Handshaking is for first meetings and reunions. People meeting regularly do not shake hands.
The greeting “How d’you do?” expects the reply “How do you do?” Understatement may give the impression of coolness and indifference. An old-boy atmosphere is cultivated, not overt stand-offishness which is avoided. The most important symbol of rank is the car. A chauffeur is a sign of absolute seniority. On a social level it is important to be a “nice” person, courteous and unabrasive. Some where a gentleman amateur image is still cultivated. False humility and self deprecation are more typical than self- assertion, especially by senior people with their juniors. Politeness and reserve are reflected in conversation which is typically imprecise and vague, full of hints.
For outsiders used to clarity and decisiveness, this can be misleading. In everyday conversation it is best not to question the assumption that British television is the best in the world and the British weather is the most interesting.
Humor is expected at all levels and on all occasions. Not to be entertaining is regarded as deficiency. The only public figure exempt from this expectation is the sovereign. In a culture where the direct display of feelings is suppressed, humor is a cover for embarrassment and aggression. It can be self deprecating, ribbing, sarcastic, jocular, racist.
Finding a job.
In 1994 for the first time in British history more women than men had jobs. Over 200000 part time jobs were created in 1993 and most of them went to women. At the same time a 100000 full time jobs disappeared in Britain. And it was mostly men who lost their jobs.
Many women with children take part time jobs. Some of these women may want to work full time. But can not do so because it is difficult for them to find someone to look after their children. In Britain there are very few nurseries for young children. Partners often have to look after the children, while women work part time in the early morning or in the evening. It is more difficult for single mothers to take on even part time work, because they must earn enough to pay someone to look after their children.
No qualifications, no job.
There are now fewer jobs for the unskilled people in Britain. In 1977 88% of men without qualifications had jobs, in 1991 only 67% of men without qualifications had jobs. If there is any unskilled work it is offered to women, because despite laws for equal pay, women are still paid less than men.
People in Britain, who are unemployed sign on every two weeks and claim their unemployment benefit. When people say, that they are on the doll, it means that they are receiving unemployment benefit. Some people can not claim this money even though they do not go out to work, single parents, for example. Instead of receiving unemployment benefit, they receive income support. People on income support receive less money than those on unemployment benefit. Between 1991 and 1993 the number of people receiving income support rose from 4.1 million to 5.6 million or 10% of all Britons. Many experts know that people on unemployment benefit or income support do not have enough money to live on.
Britain used to have many manufacturing industries. But since the Second World War its service industries, especially banking and retailing have expanded. Between 1951 and 1991 the percentage of people working in service industries rose from 36 percent to 71 percent. The number of people working in manufacturing industries has gone down. Heavy industries including steel manufacture and ship building have been replaced by high technologies manufacturing industries, such as airplane engine manufacture and pharmaceuticals.
The City.
The City is a part of London. It used to be the old Roman and Medieval town of London. But it’s now the area of London with all the banks. The City is now one of the most important financial centres in the world. Although the City is only one square mile, three hundred thousand people work there. It contains 8500 companies and 524 banks from 76 countries. The city earns 10 billion pounds a year by selling its financial services. In 1994 London had 40% of the world’s foreign exchange trade buying and selling the foreign currencies. Far more than its nearest rival – New York.
Made in Britain.
In Britain there are only a few successful large companies, but many successful small companies. The large companies often invest a lot of money in research and development (R&D) to find new and better usually high –technology products. Successful small manufactures and companies in Britain often make expensive products. These companies are successful because they use first class materials, have excellent quality control, and the workers are proud of what they make. They include “J. Barbour & sons”, which makes waterproof jackets, “the Morgan motor company”, which makes elite cars, “Quad electro acoustics” which makes top quality hi-fi equipment, “Wilkin & Sons” which makes jams.
Here are some ads helpful to find outabout British business life:
Welcome to J. Barber & Son Quality Butchers... We are a long established traditional family butchers, specialising in cooked meats and sausages. We sell top quality Scotch beef, lamb, pork chicken, venison and duck bought from local wholesalers or straight from the farm.
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Focus on quality: Already established as one of the finest butchers in Aberdeen, J. Barber & Son has since gained a reputation of quality and high standards throughout the county. We offer genuine local produce from traditional farming methods, which ensure the finest quality produce. Price: For the level of quality, our prices are very reasonable, and we can offer many great deals, whether you want a single order or are a catering company requiring bulk orders. Service: We like to offer a personal service to our customers. Our staff are extremely knowledgeable and friendly, we are always happy to help! |
J.
Barbour & Sons
A Barbour "Stockman" coat (with hood).
J. Barbour & Sons Ltd is a British clothing manufacturer and importer, founded in South Shields, best known for making waterproof and outdoor clothing. The company is noted for its hard-wearing outdoor clothing, in particular the Barbour jacket which has become a genericized trademark for waxed jackets.[ The company was founded in 1894 by John Barbour, from Galloway, Scotland, who began selling oilskins in the port of South Shields. It currently holds royal warrants to supply "waterproof and protective clothing" to HM Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and HRH The Prince of Wales. In addition to its waxed and quilted jackets, the company produces sweaters, moleskin clothing, corduroy clothing, and tattersall shirts. It has also entered the "waterproof-breathable" market with own type waterproof liners, cordura external fabric and polar fleece sweaters. Some Barbour products contain outdoor-orientated features such as snug-fitting collars, "storm cuffs", waterproof pockets with drainage holes and wide "game" pockets. In recent years the company has tried to modernize its range towards a younger image, while maintaining the traditional countryside range. Since 2004, Lord James Percy, younger brother of the Duke of Northumberland, has been involved in the design and marketing of the company's shooting clothing.
Some customers keep Barbour waxed jackets for years, sometimes decades.[citation needed] Among such people, the wear-and-tear on the garment can be addressed by Barbour’s repair service, which patches and reinforces jackets.
The mainstay wax-cotton jackets continue to be made in Britain. Most of the other lines are now imported.
The Morgan Motor Company is a British motor car manufacturer. The company was founded in 1910 by Harry Frederick Stanley Morgan, generally known as "HFS" and was run by him until he died, aged 77, in 1959.[1] Peter Morgan, son of H.F.S., ran the company until a few years before his death in 2003. The company is currently run by Charles Morgan, the son of Peter Morgan.Morgan is based in Malvern Link, an area of Malvern, Worcestershire and employs 163 people. Morgan produced 640 cars in 2007. All the cars are assembled by hand. The waiting list for a car is approximately one to two years, although it has been as high as ten years in the past.The visitor centre and museum feature a guided tour of the factory and exhibits about the company's history from Edwardian times until the present day, developments in automobile technology, and a display of automobiles.
