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  • Overview
    • Economy—overview: The UK, a leading trading power and financial center, is one of the quartet of trillion dollar economies of Western Europe. Over the past two decades the government has greatly reduced public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with only 1% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil reserves; primary energy production accounts for 10% of GDP, one of the highest shares of any industrial nation. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance. GDP growth slipped in 2001-02 as the global downturn, the high value of the pound, and the bursting of the "new economy" bubble hurt manufacturing and exports. Still, the economy is one of the strongest in Europe; inflation, interest rates, and unemployment remain low. The relatively good economic performance has complicated the BLAIR government's efforts to make a case for Britain to join the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). The Prime Minister has pledged to hold a public referendum if membership meets Chancellor of the Exchequer BROWN's five economic "tests." Scheduled for assessment by mid-2003, the tests will determine whether joining EMU would have a positive effect on British investment, employment, and growth. Critics point out, however, that the economy is thriving outside of EMU, and they point to public opinion polls that continue to show a majority of Britons opposed to the single currency. Meantime, the government has been speeding up the improvement of education, transport, and health services, at a cost in higher taxes. The CIA Factbook
    • Cultural Profile
      Now, here is a country that most people have some opinion of.  Britain has been exporting its culture for centuries, and with that comes the legacy of misunderstanding that the culture hasn’t changed since Dickens.  Not everyone is like Jeeves; although you will find some if you try!  Be suspicious of books that suggest you should toast the Queen at dinner; it is the sort of practice that might get you laughed at! Still it would be memorable and maybe true for Government banquettes. 
          If this is your first encounter with real live Brits it is best to put your previous exposure through the media on hold.  Over the past decades Britain has gone through dramatic changes. It is torn between its strong ties to the USA, its commitment to the Commonwealth of Nations and its membership of the European Union.
                When greeting someone shake hands and maintain eye contact, which is a sign of respect and interest.  A common greeting is “How do you do?”  Respond with “How do you do?”  Avoid answering as you would in the US with “good” acceptable responses are “not bad, and you?” “OK thanks” but when you don’t know someone stick to “How do you do?”
                Avoid other forms of contact such as two-handed shakes, hugging and backslapping. The weather is always good for small talk as is the traffic.

      How should I address people I meet? Start formally; John Smith would be Mr. Smith.  Take your cue from them, if they refer to you by your first name (sometimes called Christian name in Britain, don’t be offended they don’t realise it might not be your religion) then that is your cue to use theirs.  However do not change it.  If they call themselves David they mean David not Dave.
          As you know Great Britain is made up of England, Scotland and Wales and the United Kingdom (UK) is made up of, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The English, incorrectly,  use England to describe the whole of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the other countries don't.  It will justifiably upset them if you do, this lot have been at war for centuries, don't start another one!

      How should you dress?        Avoid the Sherlock Holmes look at all costs.  Some country folk wear tweeds but everyone is OK with a dark suit, plain shirt and tie for a business meeting.  Britain is not as formal as it used to be but it is best to wear a suit at least for the first meeting unless you have better information on the company culture.  It is more formal than the US.  People make jokes about loud shirts and ties and it is not a safe thing to start out with.  In some circles it is best to avoid ties with diagonal stripes as they tend to indicate membership of an alumni or military association and you may be asked what it signifies.  In a casual situation anything is generally OK, avoid baseball caps though.
                Formal business meetings may take time to get started by US standards, there you are, half awake from jet lag, and ready to give the presentation of a lifetime and John Cleese over there is offering around the coffee. It is important to go through the formalities of getting know everyone before the show starts, they are sizing you up, show respect and conceal impatience.  They will ask you for your presentation when they are ready.
                Coming from other European countries?  The food has improved a lot and Britain has become a major wine centre for Europe.  There are restaurants run by people from almost every culture in the world.

      Eating.       There is a wide variety of restaurants from fast food brands to the unbelievably expensive, so watch out for the price.  If you are on a business dinner observe the use of the knife and fork, Americans tend to cut the food up and then change hands to eat it with the fork only.  This is bad manners in Europe although perfectly acceptable in the US, practice at home using the knife in the right hand and picking up food with the fork. Keep the sharp end of the fork pointing down at all times, do not use it as a shovel, this is discouraged in children as soon as they can cut up their own food and you don’t want to be mentally placed in that category.  Eating with the hands is not as common, if you want to pick up your food wait and see what the locals do. 
                A sandwich is not considered to be a meal, expect one slice of meat.
                Americans can be shocked by the outspokenness of people and adult content in the mainstream media. Continental Europeans can be surprised to see how much more like the USA Britain is than their home country.
                It is a relatively small highly populated country, or in US terms the population of Colorado, Texas, North Dakota, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Michigan, Kansas, Indiana, Idaho, Illinois, and Oregon all living in Oregon. Social norms have been established over the years to make it easier for people to share the same space and it is important to observe them. Privacy is regarded as important; population density has not risen to the level of some countries where privacy is no longer possible in some areas.  In Britain personal space is cherished and respect of other people’s space is important. This includes being a noisy neighbour.  Leaving your car running outside on a cold morning, assuming you can afford to, is not acceptable for instance.  If you are coming from a more spacious country encourage your children to speak quietly, observe what others do in public.
                Like most European countries, Britain is a mix of the old and new.  Architecture in the inner cities suffered more from the misguided urban planners of the 1950’s and 60’s than any other event.   Some cities were devastated, others survived, don’t think every town looks like the calendars and tourist brochures, but many really do and there really are small villages of 400 year old cottages just as they have always looked.
                Although a relatively small country, it still takes a lifetime to explore fully, tourists on a “this is Saturday so it must be Stratford upon Avon” tour are generally despised by the locals.  If you go on your own, the locals are used to tourists, and will be eager to help.  People are generally very patient if you don’t speak the language well, however be careful of local dialects that are very hard to understand.
    • People Going Global offers specific UK-USA training as part of our suite of cross-cultural training programs.

    • Language and Culture for Business (LCB) is concerned solely with business language, and as the name also implies, they have the expertise to give you expert guidance in international business culture. Because LCB is 100% funded by the European Social Fund, it won't cost you a single penny!

Dr Frank Burdett of the National Centre of Language and Culture for Business writes for People Going Global: 

LANGUAGE & COMMUNICATION (UK)

The main thing to remember is that the British do NOT quite say what they actually mean! eg: “That may be a possibility for us” usually means “Yes, it sounds great, but I need to go away and think about it” 

The British are brought up to be restrained, courteous, polite and unassuming. They will be vague and hint at what they really mean: “I don’t mind if I do ”means “Yes, please”. It is all understatement and subtlety. They are terrified of appearing to be “forward”.

In business, everything will take time and cannot be hurried along. But just because British businessmen and women seem reserved and slow to make decisions, this does not mean that they lack commitment or motivation. Be patient, listen very carefully, and you will get a decision in the end. Meanwhile, just enjoy a nice cup of tea!

Culture Shock!: Britain by Terry Tan
Part of the useful series on culture shock, available for most countries around the world.  Worth a read, for tips on visiting.
London at Your Door (Culture Shock! at Your Door) by Orin Hargraves Part of the useful series on culture shock, available for most countries around the world.  Good basic information on Britain with London as a base.  Don't go to live in London without it.
Passport United Kingdom : Your Pocket Guide to British Business, Customs & Etiquette (Passport to the World) by Timothy Harper, Tom Watson (Illustrator), Barbara Szerlip (Editor)

Notes from a Small Island.  Bill Bryson A personal view of Britain through the eyes of an American who had lived in Britain for twenty years.  A very good insight into the nature of a variety of regional British attitudes not found elsewhere.

I'm a Stranger Here Myself.  Bill Bryson A humorous account of an America returning to the United States after twenty years living in Britain.  An interesting view on some aspects of American everyday culture especially for Britons coming to America.  Worth reading for sheer entertainment.

Divided by a Common Language by Christopher Davies, Jason Murphy Never underestimate the number of differences between British English and American English. T his book has been showcased on nationwide PBS channels and will be a valuable addition to your library.
Brit-Think, Ameri-Think by Jane Walmsley, Gary Jolliffe (Illustrator) An irreverent and indispensable guide to understanding the great cultural ocean that divides Britain and America.  rave reviews at Amazon.com.
Understanding British English : Bridging the Gap Between the English Language and Its American Counterpart by Margaret E. Moore Never underestimate the number of differences between British English and American English.  If you are thinking of moving across the Atlantic or work with people from there, try this book.  It's packed with words from many sources. The author clearly understands English on both sides of the Atlantic.

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