Customs and Traditions in England

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 671.

Text C

Exercise 6. Make a computer presentation about Great Britain.

Almost every nation has a reputation of some kind. The English are reputed to be cold, reserved, rather haughty people. They are steady and fond of sports. There are certain kinds of behavior, manners and customs which are peculiar to England.

The English are naturally polite and are never tired of saying “Thank you” and “I am sorry” They are generally disciplined, you never hear loud talk in the street. They don't rush for seats in buses and trains, but they take their seats in queues at bus stops. English people do not shake hands when meeting one another, they do not show their emotions even in tragic situations.

The English are a nation of stay-at-homes. There is no place like home. The Englishman says “My house is my castle” because he doesn't wish his doings to be overlooked by his neighbours. It is true that English people prefer small houses, built for one family. The fire is the focus of the English Home. The fireplace is the natural centre of interest in the room. They like to sit round the fire and watch the dancing flames, exchanging the day's experience. In many houses you will still see fireplaces, sometimes with columns on each side and a shelf above it on which there is often a clock or a mirror or photos.

The love of gardens is deep-rooted in the British people. Most men's conversations are about gardens. It may be a discussion of the best methods of growing cucumbers, a talk about the plot which differs from all the others. The British like growing plants in a window-box outside the kitchen or in the garden near the house. They love flowers very much.

Britain is a nation of animal lovers. They have about five million dogs, almost as many cats, 3 million parrots and other cage birds, aquarium fish - and 1 million exotic pets such as reptiles. In Britain they have special dog shops selling food, clothes and other things for dogs. There are dog hair-dressing saloons and dog cemeteries. In Britain pets can send Christmas cards to their friends, birthday cards. Owners can buy for their pets jeweled nylon collars, lambswool coat for a dog, lace-trimmed panties, nightgowns, pyjamas, and so on. There are special animal hotels at the airports. The English people believe that they are the only nation on the earth that is really kind to its animals.

How do they spend their week-ends? Those who live in cities and towns like to go out of town. They may go to stay in the country. Every Englishman is fond of the countryside in a nice cottage with roses round the porch and in the garden, the fresh air and bright sun. No crowds of people, silence and leisure.

There are some traditions concerning food. English cooking is heavy, substantial and plain. The Englishman likes a good breakfast. To him a good breakfast means porridge with fish, bacon and eggs, toast and marmalade, tea or coffee. It is the same day to day. The English like their toast cold. Tea is part of the prose of British life, as necessary as potatoes and bread. Seven cups of it wake you up in the morning, 9 cups will put you to sleep at night. The midday meal is called lunch. This meal consists on week-days of stew, fried fish, chops, liver or sausages, vegetables. Rice and macaroni are seldom served. Then does an apple tart, or hot milk pudding. From 4 to 6 there is a very light meal called 5 o'clock tea. It is a snack of thin bread and butter and cups of tea with small cakes. At this time everything stops for tea. Dinner (usually at 6 p.m.) is much like lunch and is in many families the last meal of the day. Supper is a snack of bread and cheese and cocoa.

Englishmen have many traditional holidays, such as Christmas, St.Valentine's Day, Mother's day, Easter and others. Some English customs and traditions are famous all over the world. For example, tea and talking about the weather.

Exercise 7. Find English equivalents of the following word combinations:

сдержанный, высокомерный, уравновешенный, специфический, вежливый, слышать, громкий разговор, спешить; очередь, трясти; крепость; действительно; камин; танцующее пламя; обмениваться; опыт; полка; часы; зеркало; глубоко укоренившийся; огурцы; участок земли; экзотические домашние животные; собачьи кладбища; драгоценный камень; шерсть; кружева; панталоны; ночные рубашки; пижамы; крыльцо; толпы; свободное время; простой; овсяная каша; джем (повидло); прозаичность; блюдо из тушеного мяса; отбивные котлеты; печенка; рис; яблочный пирог; легкая закуска; тонкий;

Exercise 8. Answer the following questions and make a short dialog:

1.What kind of people are the English?

2.What kind of houses do English people prefer to live?

3.Are they fond of gardens?

4. Britain is a nation of animal lovers, isn't it?

5.How do English people spend their week-ends?

6. What can you say about English cooking?

7. What is the difference between English dinner and English supper?

8.What traditional holidays do Englishmen have?