UK Culture Guide for American Expatriots

8/9/2019 UK Culture Guide for American Expatriots

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THE UNITED KINGDOMJARED ORKIN, EVAN JACOBS, CHARLES CICCONE, KELSEY TRENTI


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Ireland

Netherlands

Belgium

France

UK | Nearby Countries


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UK | About

UK is comprised of:

Great Britain

Scotland

Northern Ireland

Wales

Also refers to the Islands of Wight, Scilly,Angelesy, the Hebrides and island groups ofOrkney and Shetland


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UK | Population Data


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Total population is over 60.8 million people

Average Life Expectancy (from birth in 2006)

UK: Males 77.46 years, Females 81.73 years

US: Males 75.21 years, Females 80.36 years

Ethnic & Religious breakdown in culture section

95% of the population speaks English, but noofficially declared national language


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0

100

200

300

400

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2008

Population in Millions (1960-Present)

United Kingdom United States


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Literacy 99%

Education

16.48 million enrolledin Pre K-College in2002

Roughly 40% ofpopulation is under 30(education age)

Birth Rate: ~1.1% ofpopulation per year

Marriage Rate: 0.5% ofpopulation gets marriedper year

Literacy 99%

Education

65.31 million enrolledin Pre K-College in2002

45% of the populationis under 30 (educationage)

Birth Rate: ~1.4% ofpopulation per year

Marriage Rate: 0.75% ofpopulation gets marriedper year



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Income ($/year)

0 12500 25000 37500 50000

United Kingdom United States Ireland France Netherlands


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UK | History

Union of the Kingdoms of England and

Scotland began with the 1603 Union of Crownsunder King James VI of Scotland

The actual political union was ratified in 1707

The Acts of Union merged the two countriesparliaments and formed the Kingdom ofGreat Britain


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Major political body is the

British Parliament

UK behaves as a

Constitutional Monarchy

Monarch is Head of

State

Prime Minister is the

head of government

Parliament is the

legislative and judiciary

system

UK | Politics


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UK | Major Industries

Service Sector

Finance - Worlds Financial Center

Manufacturing

One of the most attractive countries forIFDI(Industrial Foreign Direct Investment)

Accounts for over 16% of national outputand over 13% of total UK employment

Many influential companies such as Ford,Rolls Royce, and Bush Traction


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UK | Technology

Heavily saturated

Multi-level competition from global and local technology

vendors - intensified by EU membership

Easy access to broadband internet

Major forms: DSL, Cable, Wireless Internet

40.2 million have internet access (66% of population)

Recent govt. mandate that all citizens must be able toobtain broadband service

Small country = easier expansion of networks

Against Net Neutrality


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34%

66%

The United Kingdom

Internet No Internet

27%

73%

The United States

Internet No Internet


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UK | Cellular Industry

Most cell plansare pre-paid

Fewer subsidies

Tend to be lower-tech phones,though changing

Market is heavily saturated,lots of M&As from the EU

72 million phones in

circulation(1.2 phones per person)

US = 255 million incirculation or roughly 4 outof 5 people have phones


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UK | Business Centers

London

Considered a world city

#1 Financial City in the World (by trade volume)

ManchesterRated best for business headquarters and back office functions(accounting, logistics etc.)

Newcastle

Rated best city location for call centers in the UK

Lowest labor costs in the UK


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UK | Cultural Diversity

No defined language

English is spoken by95% of the UK

Other languagesinclude Welsh,Cornish and Gaelic

Ethnic / Racial Comp.90+% Caucasian

~1-2% each: Indian,Mixed Race, Pakistani

Religion

70% Christian

15% Atheist

3% Muslim


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UK | Human Rights

Common Law vs. Bill of Rights

UK Citizens are free to do whatever they want,

but must abide by laws established by theParliament(but no specific list of inalienable rights orliberties, as in US Constitution)

Universal suffrage mandated in 1928,must be 21 years old to vote

Limited Gay Rights - Civil Unions allowed


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UK | The Queen

International

Ambassador

Power to declare war

Head of the

Church of England

Limited Check & Balance

for the Parliament

Prominent Figurehead in

British Culture

God save the Queen!


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0

25

50

75

100

Hofstedes Cultural Dimensions


Individualism/

Collectivism

Masculinity/

Feminity

Power

Distance

Uncertainty

Avoidance


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UK | Norms & Customs

Common Law

UK does not consider itself part

of Europe

Rapid change is not embraced

Traditional ways are valued

Class system

Friendships are few and specificto needs

Objective facts are valued thetruth

Tend to add questions to theend of sentences

...dont you think?

Individual achievements areemphasized

Brits usually are:

Time oriented

Anxious about deadlines andresults (natural planners)

Not easy to change theirmind


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24/50Breakfast


25/50Lunch / Dinner


26/50Whats for pudding?


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UK | Slang / Terms

Trainers

Braces

Dummy

Bonnet

Spanner

Skip

Single

Return

Ground Floor

First Floor

Draughts

Homely

Table a discussion

WC


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UK | Dress


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UK | Business Dress

Conservative

Laced shoes

No pockets on mensshirts

No striped ties

Excellent qualityNo loud attire(muted colors with

accents)


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UK | Business


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UK | Greetings

Light handshake

How do you do?

Give generous physical space

Use honorary titles, but not toooften

Avoid repeating the other personsname often

Impolite to:

Talk with hands in pockets

Cross your legs

Point with individual fingers

Use excessive hand gestures

Touch others in public


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UK | Meetings

Schedule afew days ahead

Greenwich MeanTime (+5 hours)

Contact throughthird party (referrals)

Hierarchy

Always follow policy

Brits tend to be self-critical

Short-term resultsRestrain emotions

Dont rush towards a

decisionAvoid controversialtopics


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Some quick tips :-)

Always be punctual

Dont ask questions like What part of the UKare you from?

Avoid interrogating, or asking too many

questions

Speak in complete sentences


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UK | Dining & Etiquette

Breakfast in hotels

Lunch between 12 and 2

Dinner between 7 to 11

Lunch at a pub for alight meal

Smoking is bannedin pubs

Know the person wellbefore inviting them out

Most entertaining isdone in restaurants, not

homes

Senior executives eat atthe best restaurants

No business talk afterhours

Initiate your departure


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During Meals

Offer the Seat ofHonor to your guest

Pass items to the left

Dont talk about thefood around you

Keep elbows off table

Dont ask to trypeoples food

Animals are a gooddinnertime topic

(pets)

No royal family jokes

Not polite to toast

people older thanyou or with moreseniority


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UK | Gifts

Not part of doing business

Invite out for a meal or showShout for a round

Bring flowers, champagne, chocolates

Handwritten thank you notes

No refund or exchange policies


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US | Welcoming Brits

Be respectful

Set clearly defined break times

Allow for normal lunch hours instead ofeating at your desk

Do not attempt to hug them, not OK unlessclose


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UK | Sample Company


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Network consists of leading residentialbrokerages

Utilize numerous marketing venues:

Local and regional news publicationsNational and international print media

Use Internet to display the inventoryand market to a worldwide marketplace

Showcase Property


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Business Practices:

Pride the company onapproaching a task withsensitivity, confidentiality,concern and professionalism.

International Training For

Employees:

Emphasize educating theirclients about all the variablesof the market:

Market trends

Economic factors

Neighborhood facts

Financing


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UK | Expat Challenges


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Food differences

Different Media sources

Language

Time Difference


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Transportation

Amenities

Economics

Currency Exchange

1 = $1.675 and up are notes

5 and under is change


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Other Differences

Privately-owned companies vs.government owned

Culture is very arts-centric

Public Works systems are moreefficient than US

Nationalized health care

Public transportation is moreeasily accessible and efficient


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Informational Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs2_J3fV1f8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs2_J3fV1f8


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References

Population Statistics | Wolfram Alpha, GoogleData

Culture | American Expats

Hofstede Graph | International Management Text

British Life | Woodlands School Website
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/http://www.americanexpats.co.uk/very%20british.htmhttp://www.americanexpats.co.uk/very%20british.htmhttp://www.americanexpats.co.uk/very%20british.htmhttp://www.americanexpats.co.uk/very%20british.htmhttp://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/http://www.americanexpats.co.uk/very%20british.htmhttp://www.americanexpats.co.uk/very%20british.htmhttp://www.americanexpats.co.uk/very%20british.htmhttp://www.americanexpats.co.uk/very%20british.htm


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References

Cultural Quirks |2nd Edition by Terri Morrison and Wayne Conway

British Expats | British Embassy Website

Sothebys | Website

Sothebys | More Info

s-international-realty-acquires-six-brokerage-offices/

Misc |
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article3137506.ecehttp://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article3137506.ecehttp://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article3137506.ecehttp://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article3137506.ecehttp://rismedia.com/2009-10-04/william-pitt-sothebyhttp://rismedia.com/2009-10-04/william-pitt-sothebyhttp://www.sothebysrealty.com/en/home.aspxhttp://www.sothebysrealty.com/en/home.aspxhttp://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/enhttp://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article3137506.ecehttp://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article3137506.ecehttp://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article3137506.ecehttp://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article3137506.ecehttp://rismedia.com/2009-10-04/william-pitt-sothebyhttp://rismedia.com/2009-10-04/william-pitt-sothebyhttp://www.sothebysrealty.com/en/home.aspxhttp://www.sothebysrealty.com/en/home.aspxhttp://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/enhttp://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en

Documents

UK Culture Guide for American Expatriots