Discovering the UK 2023

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 67.4 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. 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, it is normal to call colleagues and clients by their first name. Referring to someone’s title ‘Mr’, ‘Mrs’ etc is not necessary, unless the person introduces themself in this way.

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Discovering the U.K.