Top 10 interesting facts about the UK

Once upon a time, Great Britain was considered one of the most influential countries in the world – its government had countless colonies around the world that declared their independence through revolutions and less radical methods.

Since then, the political significance of the country has changed somewhat, but in many ways its people have remained true to themselves and retained the stiffness, politeness and English humor inherent in true Englishmen.

We bring to your attention a list of 10 interesting facts about the UK for children in grade 3: short excerpts from the history of the kingdom that will help you better understand the peculiarity of British life.

10 Londoners prefer Indian cuisine

Incredibly, England and India have a lot in common. This is explained, of course, by the fact that the British government headed India for many years, and during this time the peoples managed to adopt various features of culture from each other. This concerns not only the language and the obvious love for tea, but also the cuisine.

The British do not have a national cuisine as such (except for a full British breakfast and a variety of puddings), but in almost every restaurant in London you can find a dish with origins from India on the menu.

Some representatives of the English youth do not even know that such popular dishes as chicken in tikka masala sauce or in creamy tomato sauce, paneer cutlets with potatoes and spicy gravy are not the finds of their country at all, but traditional Indian dishes.

9. Dynasties are one of the foundations of the social mentality

The stiffness and snobbery of the British have long been a hallmark of this people. They are also extremely skeptical about visitors. And all because dynasties are still important for most of the country’s population, especially of the older generations, even though the division into classes has long been a thing of the past.

A true Englishman will be more willing to communicate with a poor representative of a “big name” than with a rich and successful “upstart”.

8. Thrift is the main feature of the British

Charles Dickens wrote the story of the stingy Scrooge at the end of the 19th century, but stinginess and stinginess are still among the main features of the British. This manifests itself both in everyday life and in communication.

First, the relationship to water. Precious moisture has always been very expensive for the inhabitants of the island, and although the plumbing system has now improved, the inhabitants of Britain still use two taps in the sinks – one for hot and one for cold water. When the sink is filled with mixed temperature water, it is used. To others it may seem unhygienic, but the British prefer to save on bills.

Secondly, in the bistro, visitors are sometimes asked not to throw away disposable plates after eating, but to return them to be washed and reused later.

And thirdly, there are rumors that it is almost impossible to borrow money from a real Briton – people are reluctant to part with their savings.

7. Personal time and space for the Briton is sacred

It is quite difficult to make a close acquaintance with the British – in a conversation you will talk about any abstract topic. In conversations, residents of London and other cities try not to touch on such controversial topics as family or politics, preferring to talk about the weather.

Extra emotionality is not welcome here either – kisses or impulsive hugs at a meeting: personal space is considered unshakable and violating it without the permission of a person is simply impolite.

The same applies to time – if the British invite guests to a certain hour, then late arrivals are not welcome, as well as early arrivals, even if it is only friendly gatherings.

6. English humor is quite specific

Native English humor has also become a well-known feature of the British.. Perhaps that is why comedies produced in the UK are still not very popular in the world – far from everyone can understand complex jokes.

The main components of a good English joke are the maximum of intelligence and sarcasm, as well as slowness: sometimes jokes stretch for 10 minutes. the sexual life of society.

5. York is the most haunted city in Europe

One of the most popular tours in York is the haunted house tour.. There are many of them in the city: most of all ghosts, according to legend, are concentrated in what remains of the walls of York Castle. They regularly hear the cries of children, and strange blows, and even steps. Indeed, there were many deaths in this building – at one time there was a prison there, and in the 12th century the Jewish community committed a group act of suicide.

There are also many ghosts in the city itself: a “scraping girl”, whose family died during the plague, victims of a former orphanage, or Roman soldiers from the barracks once located here.

4. William Shakespeare is the most famous writer in the world

In recent years, the name of William Shakespeare has been surrounded by all sorts of hoaxes – they said that the writer did not exist at all, and his works were written by “literary slaves” – but it never occurs to anyone to deny his creative heritage. His plays, written in the 16th century, are still relevant today.

Curiously, as is often the case, Shakespeare’s works are more popular abroad than in the UK itself, where they are included in the school curriculum – According to statistics, after graduation, few Britons return to the writer’s books, but in the world, plays are read with pleasure.

3. Form of government – parliamentary monarchy

Despite the fact that parliamentary monarchy still exists in many countries, it was in England that it became a hallmark of the mentality.

The British are very fond of the royal family and follow the events in their lives no less than gossip about movie stars or music stars. Suffice it to say that the recent weddings of young princes – William and Harry – gathered a whole crowd of residents and guests of the country in front of the palace, where they were on duty in the hope of seeing the newlyweds.

It should be noted that dissatisfaction with the monarchs is also growing among some Englishmen – the luxurious life of the family in the palace is very expensive for ordinary residents due to high taxes, while they do not take any part in politics, because all decisions are taken by parliament.

2. Windsor Castle is the largest royal residence in the world.

The royal family’s castle in Windsor has long held the record for the largest area.. Over the 900 years of its existence, it was rebuilt numerous times. Now it covers an area of ​​more than 45 square meters, and the number of rooms exceeds a thousand.

Excursions are organized for tourists to the castle, so that they themselves appreciate the puppet theater, the queen’s chambers, large servants’ quarters, and the location of the whole garrison of soldiers responsible for the safety of the monarchs.

1. Great Britain includes 4 countries

Every student knows that London is the capital of Great Britain. But only a few realize what is really The United Kingdom includes 4 full-fledged countries with their own capitals – England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

London is not only the main city for England, but for the whole of Britain, because it is the political, cultural and economic center of the country.

At present, not all countries are satisfied with such an alliance – news about the imminent separation of Scotland or Ireland appears in the press every now and then, but so far the situation has not changed.