Business Culture, Britain and the External Paradox

Business Culture, Britain and
the Eternal Paradox
Darren Ingram
December 2015

© 2015 Darren Ingram. All links are correct at the time of publication. No endorsement or specific recommendation is made unless clearly stated. DarrenIngram.com About.me/DarrenPIngram
Business Culture, Britain
and the Eternal Paradox
Darren Ingram
December 2015

Introduction

Challenge: To Say
Something Different!
Many of you know me…
so you know all about Britons?

So take a 60 second tour
BBC “2012 Olympics” countdown promotion that packs in
a lot of Britishness in a very short space of time!
BBC

Is there such as a thing
as a British business
culture?
What is Culture?
What is British?

Can they even
go together?
Source:Flickr/Harry_NL
Source: Etsy

Lots of Things To Say?
• One problem is that MOST people know
SOMETHING about the United Kingdom.
• Often foreigners know MORE about “Britishness”
than the locals. Are we too lazy or just blasé?
• What about the history, food, drink, nature, sights,
sounds, which attracts over 32 million foreign
tourists annually (2013) - making the country the 8th
biggest tourist destination?

Is Britishness a state of
mind rather than just an
accident of birth?

There are only
generalisations:
Britons love “invisible rules”
Whatever happened to the stereotypical Briton?

“Britain is
Changing”
Has the “Great” fell out of
Great Britain?
Is the Kingdom still United?
We used to have a real
Empire!
democraticaudit.com

Small Country
• A relatively small country, but still
travelling about can be a very “big
deal” requiring much planning.
• Traditions exist, but traditions are
often held as traditions rather than
observed.
• Big differences can be perceived
over small distances between
neighbouring towns and cities.
Source:ifitweremyhome.com

From 1886….
Source:Wikipedia

The British Empire…
Showing “past glory” and possessions
Wikimedia

… to today (the underlined bits)
Source:Wikipedia

Even “The
Brits” don’t
always know!
UK = GB + Northern Ireland
GB = England, Scotland,
Wales
Source:Pixabay

Confusingly?
Isle of Man = British Crown
dependency
Isle of Wight = largest island in
England
Jersey/Guernsey = Crown
Possessions
Shetland Islands = Scotland
Source:Wikipedia

But it is all the same!
Different names for the same thing?
BritishCouncil

Today?
• World’s 22nd most populous
country (official estimates
64.1m, unofficial estimates 70-
80m).
• Diverse country, yet still c.
87% white (2011 Census).
• World’s sixth largest country
by nominal GDP / 10th largest
purchasing power.
123DigitalMaps

A Very Small Country
Yet there is space to move about!
TheLightsofBritain-BritainFromAbove-BBC

But they speak….?
• 92% (49.8 million) of residents aged three years and
over claim English (English or Welsh in Wales) as their
main language.
• Of the 8% (4.2 million) who had another main language,
79% could speak English “very well or well”.
• 138,000 people surveyed could not speak English at all.
• Official figures probably under-reported.
Source: 2011 Census

• About 1% (546,000) speak Polish, c. 0.5%
(273,000) Punjabi & (269,000) Urdu.
• Regional differences of English (as secondary
language) understanding: 72% in West Midlands
versus 84% in South-East.
• 22% (1.7 million) residents in London had main
language other than English: 3% in North-East
and 7% in the Midlands.
Source: 2011 Census

Universal Language?*
*Regional differences notwithstanding

Official Language
English as a majority language (dark blue)
English as a minority language (light blue)
English possibly used/understood (the rest)
Source:Wikipedia

Often, they don’t “teach
English” in England -
strange as that sounds!

Accents & Dialects
• Dialects are linguistic varieties
which differ in pronunciation,
vocabulary and grammar from
each other and from Standard
English (which is itself a
dialect).
• The accent is the difference in
pronunciation - interestingly a
word that is rather difficult to
say and spell in English for
many.
• The English language evolves
and changes.
Source:AndrewJack

Word Differences
• Many words can be familiar in both languages but it is
not guaranteed. A Chinese person who learned
American English might not understand the meaning in
British English and vice versa.
• Sometimes the context might make it clearer.
• Pants - trousers (British), under garments (US). Also a
form of abuse.
• “I want to buy some pants” (in USA): What will you get?

• Living in the United Kingdom, you CAN be easily
confused due to the mix of different “versions” of
English being used.
• Dialects, very different localised words and different
implementations of “English” make a difference.
• Just one word: bun, bread roll, roll, bap, batch, barm
cake, flour cake, bin lid, blaa, bulkie roll, buttery,
cloverleaf roll, cob, dinner roll, finger roll, French roll,
Hoagie roll, Italian roll, Manchet, muffin, nudger,
onion roll, oven bottom, Parker house roll, Stottie…

Be Careful
• Fanny (a name; US slang for buttocks; British and other
slang for the vulva)
• Durex (brand of male condom in UK, previous brand and
continued derivative name for adhesive tape in Australia)
• Get Off (an instruction or act of leaving something (i.e.
getting off a boat). In British English it might also mean
“snogging”, in U.S. English a lot more…
• Toss, Tossing (throwing something in the air, also a
reference to self abuse)

Rhyming Slang & Vulgarity
• Apples & Pears (Stairs)
• Alans (from Alan Whickers =
knickers)
• More “advanced” humour from
sources such as Roger’s
Profanisaurus (Viz magazine)

British Vocabulary?
At least to some American ears
Source:Buzzfeed

More That Just Words

Stereotypes

ImagesviaGoogleImages,Individualcopyrightmayexist.

Stereotypes
Everywhere

Accurate Stereotypes?
• We love tea?
• We are pale?
• We have bad teeth?
• We drink a lot/love pubs?
• We love to queue?
• We hate to talk to strangers?
• We are very sarcastic?
• We like to say sorry a lot?

Or Not?
Britons love to queue?
No! … 5m 54secs is the
maximum average, claims
research in 2013.
Britons queue well? Probably,
but try getting on a bus at 9.30
in the morning!
Source:DailyExpress

British Understatement
• Orders and directives are not always clear.
• Tone and word range can matter (indirect, subtle,
suggestive).
• “Perhaps we can ask Darren to finish the report for
Monday” in a meeting can actually be an order for
someone to demand that Darren “pulls his finger
out” (both verbal or written).

British Words &
Phrases
• So many words and phrases in English aren’t English.
(Bungalow - Gujarati; Cash - Tamil;
Juggernaut/Shampoo - Hindi).
• Pull your finger out (RAF/Military?).
• I Don’t Belieeeeeve It (TV - One Foot In The Grave).
• The British language is a magpie, borrowing from
everywhere. Watching a soap opera can be a great way
of picking up contemporary culture (but not necessary
“manners”).

Euphemisms & Slang
• A euphemism is “the substitution of a mild, indirect or vague
term for one considered to be harsh, blunt, or offensive”.
• “… word or phrase which pretends to communicate but
doesn’t. It makes the bad seem good, the negative seem
positive, the unnatural seem natural, the unpleasant seem
attractive, or at least tolerable. It is language which avoids,
shifts or denies responsibility. It conceals or prevents
thought.”
• Also known as Doublespeak, a theme of George Orwell’s
famous novel “1984” - yet he didn’t use that term, instead he
used the terms “doublethink” and “newspeak”.
Source: http://lynnschneiderbooks.com

Source:http://lynnschneiderbooks.com;sophia.org;pinterest.com

British Humour or
“Humour”

British Humour
Sometimes an acquired taste!
Self-deprecating
Defensive measure
Capable of “offence” yet not
normally with malice
Political Correctness
“stranglehold”?
Source:Pinterest

Seaside Humour
A very important part of Britishness!
Bamforth/TheTimes

Humour
• Often very cutting edge, self-referential,
observational, requires a degree of thinking!
• It can require a “dirty mind” or interpreted in two
ways.
• A lot of comedy stands the test of time.

• Some might be just plain weird.
• Some might be visual or rely on stereotypes.
• Some might be outdated or hard for foreigners to
understand, such as the class system, yet to Britons
it can be something very special.
• Capable of adding new words and phrases to the
English language, just to confuse the unwary!

Catchphrases
“Yeah baby!”
"I'm free!”
"You are awful... but I like you”
"You stupid boy”
"It's all done in the best possible taste!”
"You dirty old man”
"Don't mention the war”
"I'm the only gay in the village”
“I shall say this only once…"
“Nudge Nudge!”
“Yeah-but-no!"
"I don't believe it!"

Don’t Mention The
War
Fawlty Towers “The Germans” 1975-10-24
GreatestComedyCatchphrases,C4,2008/YouTubeandoriginalcopyrightowners

Visual comedy can
often be enough!

Ooh Betty!
Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em “Father’s Clinic” 1973-12-20
Youtube/BBC

British Moaning
• Britons love to moan (and
Australians love to talk about
“whinging Poms”).
• Strategic pressure valve,
allows a modicum of criticism
without being offensive or
upsetting.
• “Putting the world to rights”,
especially in the pub, can be
very British!
Source:BritishBookstore

Food & Drink

The Brits Drink…
• The days of the “boozy lunch” are consigned to
history.
• Work hard, play even harder. There is no need to
emulate the British behaviour of drinking until you
throw up, invariably in the street, kebab in hand,
before indulging in fisticuffs sans Queensberry Rules.
• That said, going to the pub can be a good way of
meeting Brits and learning what makes them tick.
Coffee and soft drinks are available!

Tea is not the default drink any
more

Favourite Foods?
• Fish and chips, roast beef dinners with Yorkshire
pudding or bacon sandwiches often lead surveys.
• Curry (Chicken Tikka Masala) a recent favourite.
• “Going out for an Indian” is still very, very popular.

Diversity In Food
Use Your Imagination
Use Your Tastebuds
Marks&Spencers

Images:Wikipedia/Flickr

Images:Wikipedia/Flickr
Pork Scratchings, Jellied Eels & Spotted Dick
Can You Guess?

Chefs…
From the first famous “TV
celebrity chef” Philip Harben
to perhaps the most
infamous Gordon Ramsay.
Source:Wikipedia/BBC

Source:YouTube/MTV/Iltalehti

Britain is changing…

Doing Business Has
Changed
Old-fashioned handshake could
seal many deals. From Lloyd’s of
London to the Stock Exchange
(motto: “Dictum Meum Pactum” -
My Word is My Bond) an
Englishman’s word was once
good enough.
Today… better get it down in
writing to keep the lawyers
happy, even if most will still
follow “old principles”.
Source:DailyTelegraph

Cultural Melting Pot
• From days of Empire, Britain has been a “cultural melting pot”.
• Contrary to reports, the country still is overwhelmingly
supportive of foreigners, especially if they come to better
themselves, enrich the country and do their bit to contribute to
their new homeland. It is just “scroungers” and “benefit tourists”
that annoy, whether home grown or imported. Anything else
“just isn’t cricket” as we say…
• Internationalisation still helps make Britain what it is.
• London is France’s sixth-largest city (!) - people still flock here.

No, I’M sorry…
• As much as stereotypes dictate, Britons still hate to
be embarrassed, to stand out, to be offended or
cause offence.
• Sometimes it is easier not to start a conversation in
order to avoid possibly causing offence. There are
exceptions to every rule.
• British behaviour draws heavily from rules that are
not necessarily written down but, naturally, every
true Briton knows them…

Introvert or Extrovert?
• Personal space and freedom highly valued.
• Open and friendly yet harder to get to the “inner
core”?
• “Let’s have lunch” is something one means, not just
says.
• Too polite? Straight answer to a straight question?

A List Of Don’ts…
• Greeting strangers with a kiss is generally frowned
upon, ditto hugging, backslapping and too much
“touchy feely” - if in doubt a firm handshake is more
than sufficient.
• Asking too many “overly personal” questions, such
as income, private life, political views, etcetera.
• Being overly-familiar in many circumstances. If in
doubt, let the Briton take the lead.

A List Of Do’s…
• Be on time for any appointment: Allow more time
when using public transport for example. Being
fashionably late is for fashionistas. Punctuality for
business is particularly important.
• Keep your word. Under-promise and over-deliver.
• Remember that many “common conversation
points” in some cultures, such as race, politics and
religion can be “conversation killers”.

To Give…?
• Gift giving is not a typical part of British culture. Token
gifts for a birthday, Christmas or as a special thank you
notwithstanding in some situations.
• Socially, a nominal gift to the host/hostess may be
appreciated.
• In the business world, a gift can be a ticking time bomb
and can create more problems!
• Of course, expressing thanks need not cost anything:
just time!

Hello!
• Hello! How do you do? (It’s not a question - it’s
something to repeat)
• Hello! Pleased to meet you! Likewise….
• Firm handshake: not too hard, not too weak,
definitely not sweaty!
• Manners Maketh Man (or Woman)

Business
Dress
Informality can be accepted
Conservative dress
advisable
Smart is not scruffy
If in doubt and it matters,
ask!
Source:Pinterest

Did Your Mother Teach
You?
• Don’t stare
• Don’t spit
• Don’t pick your nose AND investigate its contents
thereafter
• Don’t draw attention to yourself
• Do “excuse yourself” (flatulence, burps, collisions,
everything really)
• Do use PLEASE and THANK YOU. Excuse Me also useful!

Bribery
Corruption
Brown Envelopes
Facilitations…
• However you call it, it just isn’t
done.
• Well it is, but it is highly
frowned upon, no matter what
you call it.
• Indirect bribery? Quo prid quo.
• Where is the line drawn? Is it
worth it?
Source:ComplianceConsultants

Classless, flat hierarchy…?
• Class system slowly changing
but Britain is not a classless
society.
• Respect for authority still
exists, often in an invisible
way.
• Britons can be cynical,
combative, disrespectful yet
respectful.
• Invisible boundaries still reign.
Source:SatiricalBlog

Workplace Rules
• Many rules can exist: most are
never written down.
• There will be someone,
somewhere who loves to take
charge and arrange things.
• Contributing to a present
collection, tea rota etc can be
important. Endless
sponsorship forms and selling
for schools too!
Source:TheMirror

Pub Etiquette?
• Office roles can be reversed:
you can be more “equal” in this
social setting.
• Buying your round (alcoholic or
not) is more common than in
other countries.
• Back channel diplomacy
possible.
• Hitting your boss is still not
recommended but you are
more likely to get away with it
here!
Source:DailyTelegraph

The Queen
Queen Elizabeth II (89) is the
world’s longest-reigning
monarch (63+ years), Britain’s
longest-reigning monarch too
(after Queen Victoria, 63 years
216 days).
Broad public support although
possibly “last in the line”.
HMG/BuckinghamPalace

Britain Supports…
• The Queen and younger
Royals (Prince Charles is less
supported).
• The low cost of the Royal
Household (about 53
pence/Briton/year).
• Britons can criticise “The Firm”
but foreigners should be
careful. A “British
Compromise” should be
deployed if you must be
critical…
Source:TheGuardian

Patriotism
The British Way - not as they do in the former colonies!
Source:BBC/Getty

Britain Is Changing…
• Britain has always been changing and it will
probably always change.
• Britons dislike change and value tradition, yet are
surprisingly open to new things.
• Embrace and extend could be a business slogan for
Britain.

Most Brits Can’t Get It Right
• Culture of being scared to “fly
the flag” and show patriotism.
• Unlike Finland, flag poles in
private gardens are not
commonplace.
• No real concept of “flag days”.
• Can the Union Flag (“Union
Jack”) be reclaimed?
Source:KentOnline

• The broader (wider) diagonal white stripe should be at
the top left hand side of the flag nearest the flagpole.
• Fly the flag upside down? Technically it is “Lese
Majeste” (insulting the Crown), a crime.
• Not that so many Britons strictly observe flag etiquette!
• If the Government can’t get it right…? In February
2009, the BBC reported that the flag had been flown
upside-down by the UK government at the signing of a
trade agreement with Chinese premier Wen Jiabao.

There’s So Much To
See & Do…
You can probably Google it better!

It’s Not Easy
Being British

First World Problems?
Stereotypes at play again!
Buzzfeed

So What Makes Britons
Tick?
• There is no real, single
property (and has there ever
really been) that defines
Britishness.
• Yet there are many different
properties, often hard to
describe, that do make a
Briton.
• Britishness can be learned yet
you can’t easily and knowingly
learn it. It will assimilate you -
resistance can be futile.
Source:Wikipedia

Thank you awfully for
your kind attention!
Please do not hesitate to ask any questions

Questions?
Disagreements?
Darren Ingram
darren@ingram.fi
linkedin.com/in/DarrenPIngram
about.me/DarrenPIngram

Business Culture, Britain and the External Paradox

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