Business Culture, UK Style

Darren Ingram November 2014

Business Culture, UK StyleDarren Ingram

November 2014

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_NLSource: Etsy

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

Source: Daily Telegraph/Flickr

There are only generalisations: Britons love “invisible rules”

From 1886….Source: Wikipedia

… 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 they speak….?• 92% (49.8 million) of residents aged three years and over spoke

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

Bernard Shaw - Pygmalion*The English have no respect for their language, and will not teach their children to speak it. They spell it so abominably that no man can teach himself what it sounds like.

It is impossible for an Englishman to open his mouth without making some other Englishman hate or despise him.

German and Spanish are accessible to foreigners: English is not accessible even to Englishmen.

* Possibly better known through the musical “My Fair Lady”

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

Language Varies

It might look English but it is not necessarily British English: even within the country, words and phrases can have different meanings. Knock up (awaken; make pregnant) Durex (contraceptive brand, in Australia known as a sticky tape)Fanny (Americanism for rear end, in England vulgar slang) Pissed (drunk; unhappy) Hamburger Bun: batch, bread roll, bap, bun, bread cake, etc….

From John Bull…John Bull is a national personification of Great Britain in general and England in

particular … usually depicted as a stout, middle-aged, country dwelling, jolly,

matter-of-fact man.

Source: Wikipedia/Historic-UK

… to Britons undertaking “the Grand Tour”Sadly this export needs no explanation!

Source: Daily Telegraph

Britain is changing…

Doing Business Has ChangedOld-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: Daily Telegraph

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 DressInformality 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: Compliance Consultants

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

Source: The MirrorSource: YouTube

Source: BBC

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: The Guardian

PatriotismThe 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.

Source: Impactphoto/Google/Daily Mail

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

Fish & Chips…? Source: Daily Telegraph

Source: Independent

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: The Mirror

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”).

Stereotype or not?• Britons love to queue?

no… 5m 54secs is the max average claims research in 2013

• Britons queue well?probably… at least compared to foreigners who haven’t learned this

• Pensioners have queue blindness?often… try getting on a bus at 9.30!

Source: Daily Express

British Humour• Sometimes an acquired taste

• Self-deprecating

• Defensive measure

• Capable of “offence” yet not normally with malice

• Political Correctness “stranglehold”?

Source: Pinterest

Source: Pinterest

Source: Typepad Source: Daily Telegraph

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: British Bookstore

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: Daily Telegraph

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

Questions?Disagreements?

Darren Ingram !

darren@ingram.fi linkedin.com/in/DarrenPIngram

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