United Kingdom🕣
Island state north-west of continental Europe. Official name – the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Population – 68.1 million (as of April 2021). Capital – London. Official languages: English, Welsh, Scots, Gaelic, Cornish, Irish. Government type - parliamentary constitutional monarchy. Main religion – Christianity.
United Kingdom
Greeting
The handshake is a traditional form of greeting in a business environment. A light, sometimes even limp handshake is the usual way to start and end a meeting.
If you are a frequent visitor to a company, greet only those with whom you work directly, there is no need to shake hands with everyone in the office.
Intensive eye contact is discouraged as it may confuse.
Hugs and kisses are only allowed between close friends and relatives. Physical touching should generally be avoided.
When greeting a woman, wait for her to extend her hand.
Introduction
In formal situations the introduction procedure may still follow a certain protocol, for example,
1. a younger person should be introduced to an older person;
2. the holder of a lower rank or position should be introduced to the holder of a higher rank;
3. if you need to introduce people who are close in age and position to each ...
Exchange of Business Cards
Academic degrees as well as honorary titles are usually indicated on the business card.
British people exchange business cards during the first meeting without any ritual.
In British business practice, business cards are not usually given much attention during the introduction of partners, just a glance at the business card, after which it is put aside....
Small Talk: Overview
The British manner of communication can be generally characterized as polite and friendly. However, they always keep a certain distance in conversation.
The British appreciate humor and see it as the best way to "melt the ice" in a relationship. Their humor is somewhat sarcastic and self-deprecating and can sometimes be difficult for other cultures to understand.
Being restrai...
Preferred Topics
Sports, interesting events in the world (festivals, championships, etc.), music - possible safe topics.
Weather is something the Brits often speak about.
You can complain about traffic jams, parking difficulties, public transport, and rising housing prices (in the last case, don't ask who pays how much for housing)....
Taboo Topics
Religion and politics are the first among dangerous topics. In recent years, immigration and everything related to the situation of migrants in the country has become such a topic.
Personal income, its sources, salary - all this belongs to the sphere of private life and is therefore a taboo area.
Some social issues, such as homes for the elderly and why the British send their pa...
Personal Space
A British person will feel comfortable being more than an arm's length away from the interlocutor.
Physical contact should be kept to a minimum. Only handshakes are a familiar and acceptable form of physical contact.
Patting, hugging, etc. are not accepted in British society.
Expressive speech, abundant gesticulation, and excessive displays of emotion will be poorly rece...
Communication Specifics
British society can now be characterized as multinational and multicultural. Immigrants from Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean introduce features of their native cultures into communication.
The British communication style can be generally characterized as polite and friendly, but at the same time somewhat reserved (without overt displays of emotion).
The British appreciate humor ...
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