Be brave in expressing your needs.
As the British are not familiar with the cultural background of China and know little about China, they should make it clear to each other in advance and clearly tell each other their own needs. Especially when international students live in Britain or share a room with others, some details in life need to be explained clearly. For example: what kind of food can't be eaten, what kind can be eaten and why, what kind of cooking method is acceptable, and explain the reasons to the other party; When do you want to have dinner? Do you need some alone time to pray or think about problems every day? For other personal needs, such as not wanting to use the bathtub but preferring to use the shower, you must explain clearly to the other party why you have such a habit. Because the British themselves will have some cultural differences, they will understand the different needs caused by different cultural backgrounds.
British people's eating habits
Students from China who come to study in Britain are faced with many problems of food, clothing, housing and transportation. Among them, the most important thing is probably diet. After living in China for so many years, it is difficult for me to change my taste and eating habits for a while. In foreign countries, it is difficult to eat food that really suits your taste. Therefore, if you really want to do as the Romans do, you should fully understand the British food culture and eating habits, and try to change your traditional taste, eat as much English food as possible and adapt as soon as possible.
Here are some of the British eating habits:
British people generally prefer cooking methods such as stewing, roasting, frying and frying. They have unique cooking methods for meat, seafood and game, and have a special preference for beef, but they don't eat the heads, feet and internal organs of animals. Potatoes are the staple food.
The British are very particular about breakfast. English restaurants serve many kinds of food, including juice, fruit, eggs, meat, porridge, bread, jam and coffee.
Lunch mainly includes soup, salad, sandwich, baked potato, hamburger, French fries and pizza.
? Afternoon tea? It has almost become an indispensable living habit of the British. Pour cold milk or fresh lemon into a cup, add some sugar, and then pour tea to make milk tea or lemon tea, with various snacks, muffins, fruit pies and sandwiches.
Dinner is also the most important part of British daily life. They usually choose a later meal time, and they all talk while eating and drinking to promote the friendship between diners. The main food for dinner is beef, pork, chicken or fish, potatoes, vegetables, salad, rice or Italian food.
Keep quiet while eating and try to finish all the food on your plate. Put the knife and fork parallel on the plate after eating. If you haven't finished eating, will you present the knife and fork separately? Eight? The glyph is placed on the dinner plate; Be sure to avoid opening your mouth when eating, even if you speak, it will be considered impolite. Eating and talking alternately or putting only a small amount of food in your mouth can avoid this problem. If you have to open your mouth wide, cover it with one hand.
Language exchange
Britain is a country of gentlemen, paying attention to civility, courtesy and personal cultivation. The first impression of the British people is often reserved, but in fact they are modest and humorous. You don't usually take the initiative to talk to people. If they want to chat with English people, they might as well start by talking about the weather, for example, it's really nice today.
British people are very polite to each other. If people meet for the first time, they will shake hands, smile and say: Hello! ? . Use honorifics for elders, superiors and unfamiliar people, and add titles, titles or appellations such as Mr., Ms., Mrs. and Miss before each other's names, which are commonly used among relatives, friends and acquaintances.
If you ask someone for help, no matter who the other person is, your tone should be euphemistic and you must say it. Please. ; No matter how insignificant other people's help or service is, let's talk about it later? Thank you? .
Privacy is very important to the British, so in communication with the British, we should pay attention to some personal issues, such as marriage, love relationship, age, salary, family property status, health status and other topics that should be avoided.
Common sayings can be used in daily conversations with English people. Here are some common ones: Loo? Refers to the toilet (WC). Tube? Refers to the subway. Tea? In some cases, it means dinner pants? Underwear. People say? Pingping? Instead of. Apartment? . ? Rent it? What does this mean? Rent it? . In informal situations, often used? Cheers? Instead? Thank you? . When people say. Is it cute? 、? Brilliant? 、? Magnificent? What do they mean? what's up .
social activity
The British are very hospitable. If a friend invites you to their home for dinner, you should pay attention to the following points:
You must inform your host in advance of the food you can't eat. If you accept the invitation, you must keep it. It would be considered impolite not to go. If you really can't go for some reason, you must let the host know as soon as possible. Try to arrive at the appointed time, not more than ten minutes. You can bring some small gifts to your host: flowers, a box of chocolates or a bottle of wine.
In Britain, items such as clothes and soap are related to personal private life and are generally not given as gifts. The habits of the British and our country are very different in accepting gifts. They often open gifts in front of guests, and the host will give warm praise and thanks regardless of the value or use of the gifts. You should stay for a social conversation after dinner. If you are only invited to dinner and chat, you'd better leave between 10 and 1 or say goodbye after dinner1hour.
Only adults can drink alcohol in Britain. British people regard drinking as part of their social life. Have a drink? This is a way for English people to relax or get together with friends. If you are invited to a party or go to someone's house in the evening, the host will certainly treat the guests to a drink. Some universities often hold cocktail parties when holding social activities, especially for college students. Some meetings or parties are held directly in bars. Of course, if everyone else is drinking in a bar or party and you don't, no one will force you. Non-alcoholic drinks are possible. If you feel uncomfortable going to a bar, you can explain it to your friends and choose a suitable place to go.
If you can drink, remember:
Never drink and drive, it's very dangerous, and the police will impose heavy penalties.
If you get drunk in public, you will be detained.
Many people smoke in Britain. However, in some respects, smoking is more acceptable than drinking. Since the summer of 2007, smoking has been banned in all indoor public places. Including bars, pubs, restaurants, nightclubs, cinemas and public transport. Smoking is prohibited in all subway stations and some outdoor places in London, such as football fields and railway stations. Unless there is another sign (such as no smoking in hotel bars or restaurants), you can call it outdoors, at home, or anything else? Home? Smoking is allowed in some places, such as hotels. If you violate the smoking ban, you will be punished. If in doubt, please check the sign or ask an authority.
Shopping and tipping
It is inevitable for international students to buy things when they live in Britain. Remember: bargaining is the most taboo when shopping in Britain. The British prefer to mark the price clearly, not to bargain. If they think the price of the goods is right, they will buy them, if not, they will walk away.
The British still have the habit of tipping, but only for waiters and taxi drivers. Usually in restaurants, it is about 65,438+00% of the bill, and taxi drivers are 65,438+00%-65,438+05% of the fare. If the service charge is not included in the bills of hotels and other hotels, you should pay 65,438+00% to the staff who are helpful to you. When you are a guest in your host's house for a few days, you should give some tips to the servants who provide services as appropriate. There is no need to tip in theaters, gas stations and other places.
Some services need to be reserved in advance, such as haircut, beauty, glasses, etc. If the reservation is not cancelled 24 hours in advance, the customer may have to pay for it. You should ask before making an appointment.
Other customs and habits.
In Britain, it should be noted that all local vehicles drive on the left side of the road.
British people will consciously queue up in many public places, and crowded places are used to keeping their distance and avoiding collisions.
By the ATM, people will consciously keep a reasonable distance from those who use the machine.
On the escalator, you will consciously stand to the right and let those who are eager to pass through pass from the left.
In Britain, respecting women is an important aspect of becoming a gentleman, and giving priority to women is a well-known code of conduct. No matter whether you take the elevator or other means of transportation, you should let the lady get on first and walk in the street. You should let this lady in. If there is a female guest at dinner, you should pour it for the lady first.
Old people in Britain pay attention to independence and don't like being called old. They don't need help when they walk.
In Britain, if you go to the toilet, you can generally say? Excuse me for a few minutes. Or? I want to wash my hands? Wait, don't just say go to the bathroom.
Some taboos
British people are taboo to use portraits, elephants and peacocks as clothing patterns and merchandise decorations.
For religious reasons, they are very taboo? 13? This number, I think, is an unlucky number. Try to avoid it in daily life? 13? This number, when dining, is not allowed to 13 people at the same table, if 13 is Friday again, it is considered unlucky. Or taboo? 3? This number is taboo to light a cigarette for a third person with the same match.
When sitting down to talk with an Englishman, it is forbidden to spread your legs too far apart, let alone cross your legs. You can't stand and talk with your hands in your pockets. Don't whisper and pat your shoulders in front of them, and don't put your hand over your mouth and watch them smile.
Don't send lilies. They think lilies mean death. Chrysanthemums are only used for Halloween or funerals in any European country, and are generally not suitable for giving away.
It is forbidden for four people to cross hands. Don't walk under the ladder, don't open an umbrella in the house, and don't put your shoes on the table.
Avoid talking about personal affairs, family affairs, weddings and funerals, age, occupation, income and religion.
Can't you show the back of your hand with your fingers? Two? , this kind? v？ Gestures are a hostile act of contempt for others.