It is important to note that a typical English breakfast is quite hearty, usually consisting of bacon, black pudding, fried eggs, bread, tomatoes, and tea. Lunch is generally a simple sandwich or fried potatoes. The most substantial meal is dinner, which is somewhat similar to Chinese dining, where the family gathers together to communicate. Typically, appetizers include drinks, wine, or fruit; soup may be served with butter and bread; the main course consists of fish, meat, and vegetables, along with potatoes and rice; and desserts include snacks, fruit, and ice cream...
When attending a banquet, the gentlemanly etiquette of the British is fully displayed. Many new Chinese immigrants often overlook this aspect when attending British gatherings. Men are expected to wear formal attire, while women typically wear dresses or skirts. Additionally, the British only propose toasts on very formal or special occasions, and these toasts are usually accompanied by a brief speech.
Speaking of British cuisine, one cannot overlook English afternoon tea, which is perhaps the most characteristic aspect of British culinary culture. The tradition of afternoon tea originated in England in the 1880s, when ladies of high society would don long gowns, gloves, and hats, and gather in the drawing room for tea between 4 PM and 5 PM. Today, afternoon tea has become more casual and can be enjoyed at any time, with the important aspect being the enjoyment of a moment of tranquility. To this day, certain afternoon tea etiquette remains essential, such as avoiding discussions on sensitive topics like politics and religion, not placing the tea spoon in the cup, not adding sugar to the tea, and pouring milk into the tea first.
Moreover, to truly integrate into British society, afternoon tea is an indispensable social activity. When new immigrants arrive in the UK, it is often recommended that they host afternoon tea to invite new friends to join them. Due to the immigration monitoring requirements for UK immigration, many Chinese immigrants choose to have their wives as the primary applicants while the husbands continue to develop their careers in their home country. This approach has several advantages: first, the UK investment immigration program recognizes jointly owned property, so it does not matter who the primary applicant is; secondly, many families immigrate to the UK for their children to enjoy internationally leading education, and the wife is more conveniently able to care for the children. However, when the wife resides in the UK, she inevitably faces challenges in making friends and language barriers, and afternoon tea undoubtedly provides a suitable venue and means for communication. Therefore, after Chinese new immigrants arrive in the UK, we recommend that they appropriately invite nearby neighbors or friends they meet at school to their home for afternoon tea to expand their social circle.
