Sarah Robinson B3 What Is It Like To… Live In England?

Flag The flag that most people assume to be the flag of England is the Union Flag, called the Union Jack at sea: However, this is not actually the flag of England. This is the flag of the United Kingdom, or the united countries of Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This flag combines the flags of said countries, except for Wales, which at the time of the creation of the flag, was a part of England. This is the actual flag of England: 8

Government England has a Constitutional Monarchy. This means that while they do have a King or Queen, the monarch actually does not possess any power in the way of making laws. The current Queen is Queen Elizabeth II: The actual government of England consists of the Prime Minister, who actually rules the country (like our President) and Parliament, who makes all the laws. Parliament is bicameral, meaning it has two houses (like our Senate and House of Representatives). Those Houses are the House of Commons, and the House of Lords. They meet in the Palace of Westminster, which houses the iconic Big Ben clock tower. 6

Money The monetary unit in England is Great British Pounds, or Pounds Sterling, often shortened to just Pounds. This is the symbol for pounds: 1 £ equals 100 pence. The singular word for pence is penny. (sound familiar?) Current coins in usage are: 1 penny, 2 pence, 5 pence, 10 pence, 20 pence, 50 pence, 1 pound, and 2 pounds. Current Bank Notes (Bills) in usage: the 5 pound note, the 10 pound note, the 20 pound note and the 50 pound note. The current exchange rate for Pounds to Dollars: 1 BPS: USD. 5

Schooling Schooling is mandatory in England from ages At 16, a student may choose to leave school for work, or take exams to go on to Sixth form education and later, University. At University, they can earn a 3 year Bachelor’s Degree, a 1 Year Master’s Degree, or a 3 year Doctorate Degree. 3 Most students wear uniforms to school.

Food The traditional English lunch and/or dinner is meat and hot vegetables. In most places, fish and chips (fries) are sold and are usually eaten at schools etc. on Fridays. On Sundays, most people have roasts with Yorkshire pudding. Sunday lunch is the most important meal of the week. The traditional English breakfast is quite substantial. It includes bacon, eggs, sausages (also called bangers), mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, fried bread, and kippers (a type of smoked fish). Restaurants tend to be international (Italian, Chinese, Indian, American, Mexican etc.) Tea is the national beverage. 1,2,7

Special Holidays England has many special holidays that America doesn’t celebrate. At the start and end of May and the start of August, they have one day holidays that are because of trade unions and work limitations. They also celebrate Guy Fawkes Day on the 5 th of November. Guy Fawkes was a man who was burned at the stake for attempting to blow up the Houses of Parliament and the King in the 16 th Century. Boxing Day is celebrated on the day after Christmas, or the 26 th of December. It is the day that employees and servants traditionally receive gifts from their employers. England also does not celebrate the Fourth of July, or Thanksgiving. 1,2,9

English Societal Traits England’s population can be described as generally considerate and kind, especially those of the older community. Because they are a smaller country, and an island no less, they are typically more neighbor like and more involved in their community. While most people are customarily caring and polite, there are a few young people who are rude and uneducated. In England, these people are called Chavs. We would call them gangsters. To most English adults, Americans are much more brash, loud and obnoxious, and the English believe they are more reserved and quiet. On the contrary, to the average English teenagers, the English are much more audacious, and Americans are more restrained. 1,2

Quirky English Characteristics English people drive on the left side of the road; Watch out! English people put vinegar on their French Fries. English people queue up rather than get in line. The English have ‘stiff upper lips’. This means that they try to remain calm and strong through out all their trial The London Underground; Mind The Gap! In an emergency, the English call 999 NOT 911!

English Vocabulary British English 10 biscuit chips crisps flat holiday jam lift lorry mad nappy petrol rubber rubbish solicitor squash telly torch American English 10 cookie fries potato chips apartment vacation jelly elevator truck crazy diaper gas eraser garbage lawyer juice television flashlight

Other Random Facts English people always say they want to either visit or live in USA at some stage in their lives. English people think American accents are cool. No one in England eats cucumber sandwiches, despite most people in America assuming that they came from England! No country has successfully invaded England for the last 1,000 years. 1,2,7

Bibliography 1.Hargreaves, Cathy. Interview. 26 Oct Hargreaves, Katie. Interview. 26 Oct "Education in England." Web. 28 Oct "What is Life Like in England?." Web. 28 Oct Barrow, Mandy. "English Life and Culture." projectbritain.com. Mandy Barrow. Woodlands Junior School, Web. 28 Oct Barrow, Mandy. "English Life and Culture." projectbritain.com. Mandy Barrow. Woodlands Junior School, Web. 28 Oct "English." Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of World Cultures. Ed. Timothy L. Gall and Susan Bevan Gall. 2nd ed. Vol. 9. Detroit: U*X*L, Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 2 Nov Document URLDocument URL 8."Union Jack." Web. 28 Oct "Boxing Day." Web. 28 Oct "English English/ American English Vocabulary." Web. 3 Nov