TSaveCulture3 9/2/05 4:21 pm Page 82

TIMESAVER CUSTOMS & LIFESTYLE IN THE UK & IRELAND The British home and lifestyle

British customs
A famous saying is ‘When in Rome do what the Romans do’. This means that
when you visit a country, you should copy the customs of the people who
live there. Imagine you are going to Britain. How well do you know
what the British do? Try this quiz and find out.

1 You are introduced to your classmate’s friend, Chris.

Do you …
a) kiss him on both cheeks?
b) shake* his hand?
c) just say ‘How are you?’ or ‘Hi’?

2 You’re a guest at someone’s house. You’ve never

been there before. You need to go to the toilet.
Do you say …
a) ‘Can I use your bathroom?’?
b) ‘Where’s your toilet, please?’?
c) ‘I need to go to the toilet.’?

3 You are invited to your friend’s house for dinner.

Do you …
a) take nothing – a gift isn’t expected*?
b) take a small gift such as a bunch of flowers or a
small box of chocolates? 6 You accidentally bump* into someone. Do
c) take a large present, such as a big box of chocolates, you say …
or a cake? a) ‘Sorry!’?
b) ‘Oh, dear!’?
4 You want to buy some stamps in the Post Office. c) ‘Pardon!’?
There are some people waiting. Do you …
a) decide where the queue* ends and stand there? 7 You arrive at someone’s house. Do you …
b) go to the window and try to get the attention of a) take off your shoes and walk into the house in
the clerk? your socks?
c) ask loudly, ‘Who is last?’ and stand behind them? b) wipe* your shoes well on the mat but keep
them on?
5 You have to be at a friend’s house at 10 o’clock. c) take off your shoes and put on the slippers your
You’re going on a day trip with his family. Do you … host offers you?
a) turn up at twenty to ten to show you are keen*?
b) turn up just a few minutes early? 8 You are going to bed. Do you say …
c) turn up at twenty past ten as it’s rude to be on time? a) ‘Goodbye’?
b) ‘Good night’?
c) ‘Good evening’?

Count up your score and read the results. 17-24 Wow! Are you sure you aren’t British?
You will fit in perfectly*!
1 a1 b2 c3 2 a3 b2 c1 3 a1 b3 c2 4 a3 b1 c2 11-16 Not bad. You may make a few gaffes*,
5 a2 b3 c1 6 a3 b1 c1 7 a1 b3 c1 8 a1 b3 c1 but you won’t upset people.
0-10 Oh dear! Every country has its ways of doing
things. You need to learn them before you go!

The best answers have a score of 3. Compare these customs with your own country.
Which ones are the same or similar? Which ones are different?

82 TIMESAVER CUSTOMS & LIFESTYLE IN THE UK & IRELAND © MARY GLASGOW MAGAZINES, AN IMPRINT OF SCHOLASTIC INC.
TSaveCulture3 9/2/05 4:21 pm Page 83

TIMESAVER CUSTOMS & LIFESTYLE IN THE UK & IRELAND The British home and lifestyle

Millions of foreign students go to the UK every year to study English, especially in the summer. They often stay
with British families (host families). They experience real British family life and learn a lot about the culture.

Read some students’ impressions of life in the UK. Match the beginnings and ends of the sentences.

1 I find it difficult to sleep a the sound of the milkman, but I like the fresh milk on my cereal!

2 The hot and cold water in the bathroom b they do things after dinner like sport or going to the pub.

3 The family eats early at 6 o’clock, but c which they heat in the microwave.

4 We eat an amazing variety of food d comes out of separate taps – the hot water is boiling!

5 My family eats a lot of supermarket dinners, e they prefer to pick me up by car – it’s very kind of them.

6 The dog is allowed to sit on the sofa f because light comes through the curtains.

7 Some TV channels don’t have commercials g and the cat sleeps on the bed!

8 On Sundays in the town I’m staying in h so it’s great watching a programme without breaks.

9 They don’t like me using public transport after dark, i from all over the world – it’s great.

10 In the mornings I get woken up at six o’clock by j nearly all the shops are open.

Do you think the comments are positive, negative or neutral?

Are any of these things true for your country? *What is it in your language? Find out!

TIMESAVER CUSTOMS & LIFESTYLE IN THE UK & IRELAND © MARY GLASGOW MAGAZINES, AN IMPRINT OF SCHOLASTIC INC. 83