Culture in

the UK
What is Culture?
Culture is defined as ‘the customs, arts, social
institutions and achievements of a particular nation’.
Cultural values are a shared set of beliefs, attitudes
and principles that influence a community’s
behaviour.
 Cultural Values
1 2 3
According to Hofstede’s The class system is a Social etiquette in Britain
cultural dimensions, the UK hierarchical system generally means queueing,
is an Individualist country determined by birth. There being on time, saying
at 89. The British are are generally four tiers from ‘excuse me’ and respecting
known for being private working class, middle class, others’ space.
and individual people with upper class and aristocrats.
the concept of ‘minding You cannot really move
their own business’, between classes but this
generally avoiding eye system does not apply to
contact in public. foreigners
 Why are Cultural
Values Important?
Social etiquette: Social etiquette in the UK means queueing,
courtesy and minding your own business. This allows for citizens to
act in a civil manner to one another and encourage tolerance.
Class system: understanding the class system can help foreigners
understand the thinking of British people. The class system affects
the upbringing, food and even slang used. For instance, working
class people can be referred to in a derogatory term called ‘chavs’.
They typically will call ‘dinner’, ‘tea’, consisting only of a cold meal.
 Why are Cultural
Values Important?
Family dynamics: Most British families dynamics differ depending on race, however, for most, families
are structured less rigidly than Asian families with parents being called by first name.
Work environments: Wirkers are expected to be professional and punctual by respecting the time of
others. Communication, whether in a professional setting or not, is generally indirect through
politeness, requiring an understanding of nuances in speech.
Social settings: Indirect communication is furthered through mock-warm expressions such as ‘visit me
anytime’. This cannot be taken at face-value and requires a follow up message to ensure you will
meet. Close, physical contact is not usually permitted unless very close, and prolonged eye contact
will leave them very uncomfortable.
 Indonesia vs UK
Individualism: Indonesia is a more collectivist country than the UK,
often placing more importance on family than anything.
Power Distance: Indonesia respects elders or those higher in status
more compared to the UK. In the UK, people are taught to question,
sometimes authority, and favour equality.
Status and Achievements: In the UK, ‘modesty’ is encouraged where
one will downplay their achievements in speech but internally want
those to read between the lines. In Indonesia, gengsi is important by
appearing successful outwardly.
 Why are Cultural
Values Important?
Individualism: This is positive in that the citizens can think more about optimising their
lives and immediate family. This also allows for more freedom of thought and opinions.
However, this can lead to neglect of outer family, lesser involvement with family and
disrupted harmony within a group.
Class system:The class system provide some benefits, for instance the working class in
providing pride in their class and work. However, it is mainly disadvantageous as it
makes citizens feel stuck within their class, affecting their friendships and feelings.
Social etiquette: This is beneficial as it keeps the public tolerant of one another with
unspoken rules. However, British culture makes it difficult to know exactly what the other
wants/is thinking, harming friendships if this is not understood.