■British Society, People and Culture
◆ The United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is important not only to know these geographical distinctions, but also the strong sense of identity and nationalism perceived by the populations of these four nations.
The terms “English” and “British” do not refer to the same thing. “British” indicates someone from England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. “English” denotes people from England. People from Scotland are “Scots”, from Wales “Welsh” and from Northern Ireland “Irish”. Make sure that you don’t call someone Welsh, Scots, or Northern Irish “English”.
◆ The Class System
Although in the past few decades, people from different backgrounds have had more opportunities to receive higher education, wealth distribution is changing and more upward/downward mobility is taking place, the British class system is still very much complete although in a more subconscious way. The playing field is leveling but the British still seem to classify people according to class.
Class is no longer simply related with wealth or where one lives; the British are able to sort out someone’s class through a number of complicated variables which include demeanor, accent, manners and comportment.
◆ A Multicultural Society
Once a very homogenous society, since World War II, Britain has become increasingly diverse as it has accommodated a large number of immigrants, particularly from its former colonies such as India, Pakistan and the West Indies. The blending of ethnic groups and cultures make it difficult to explain “Britishness” nowadays and a debate breaks out within the nation as to what now really composes a Briton.
◆ The Stiff Upper Lip
The British have been historically famous for their stiff upper lip and “blitz spirit” as displayed during the German bombings of World War II. This “grin and bear” attitude in the face of hardship or embarrassment continues to be alive today.