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© 2017 Dwellworks
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Discovering the U.K.
People and Culture
The U.K. has been described as one of the world’s most influential countries, while London
has been described as the “world cultural capital.” It has also developed into a broader,
Western culture. Since World War II, the U.K. has become increasingly diverse; many large
cities are now viewed as multi-cultural. Forces like commerce, cultural assets, foreign policy,
and history have shaped this culture into what it is today.
Demographics
The population in the U.K. amounts to about 63.7 million
people, and is an ethnic mix of European, African, Asian,
Indian, and Pakistani, among others. One-third of the U.K.’s
population is located in the southeastern part of England,
London, and the Home Counties which surround London.
Language
English is the primary language spoken in the U.K. Other
commonly spoken languages include Scots, Welsh, and
Polish. The main foreign languages spoken are French,
German, and Spanish.
As is typical in most countries, accents, colloquialisms, and pronunciations vary greatly
throughout the U.K.
Religion
Christianity is practiced by the majority of the U.K. population with Islam and Hinduism also
heavily practiced. Close to one-fourth of the population does not associate with a particular
religion.
Etiquette
Proper etiquette is important in the U.K. and is followed until individuals become more
familiar with one another; here are some general guidelines to help navigate different
situations.
Greetings and Introductions
In the U.K., a handshake is a very common form of greeting. When making an introduction,
introduce the younger person to the older person, the person of lower status to the person of
higher status, and when two people are similar in age and status, introduce the one you are
most familiar with to the other person.
Addressing People
In a business setting, using formal titles initially is important. It is polite to ask, “What should I
call you?” if the person has not yet introduced him/herself. It is also polite to use “Mr.” and