Every country has its own holidays, traditions and customs. It's very important to know them for better understanding the history and life of other peoples. We cannot speak about Great Britain without observing some, of its traditions and customs. If you arrive in Great Britain you'll hear the word "tradition" everywhere. An Englishman has a sentimental love for things and customs because they are old.
In the House of Lords there are two rows of benches for lords and a sack of wool for the Lord Chancellor to sit on. This is so because in the old times wool made England rich and powerful.
The opening of Parliament is an occasion of a very picturesque ceremony. The Queen goes to the House of Lords (according to an old tradition no King or Queen is allowed to enter the House of Commons) and reads a speech which tells what laws the Government intends to make. The members of the House of Commons listen to the Queen standing at the entrance to the House, of Lords.
Horse Guards regiment and members of the royal bodyguard are dressed in traditional medieval clothes which have existed since the 12th century. This dress costs a lot of money but Englishmen stand for it because it is a tradition.
Even the power of the English Queen has more traditional than practical character. They say:"The Queen reigns but doesn't rule". Monarchy in Great Britain appeals to the historical past which is highly respected by the British people.
As you remember all British people (and other nations as well) celebrate Christmas (X-mas) on the 25th of December. They give each other presents and send Christmas cards. Children find X-mas presents in their socks and shoes. The traditional English dinner on Christmas is turkey and pudding. Besides Christmas many people of Great Britain celebrate the New Year.
There is a very interesting New Year tradition in the North of England and Scotland. It's an old custom of First-Footing. The first visitor who comes into a house in the New Year morning is called the First Foot. He brings some symbolic presents: a piece of bread, a coin, a piece of coal which mean that the family will have good luck, will be happy and rich in the coming year.
The First Foot also brings an evergreen branch as a promise of continuing life. To be a true luck bringer, the First Foot must be healthy, young, good-looking and have black or fair hair.
Another interesting traditional holiday is Pancake Day. It takes place in spring and people not only eat pancakes everywhere but... run with them! These races are hold by housewives and the distance is about 415 yards (410 metres).
A bell rings twice before the competition; with the second bell they start running with a pancake on a frying-pan. While running they must toss the pancake three times and catch it back on the frying-pan. The members of the families watch the runners and cheer: "Run, Mum, run quickly!"
As you can see, the British people have very interesting customs, traditions and holidays which have been kept by them for many centuries.
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"I live in a nice town." - She said she lived in a nice town.
"I don't like going out very much." - He told me he did not like going out very much.
"I'm studying Chinese." Irina told me she was studying Chinese.
"I've been to Las Vegas." - He told me he had been to Las Vegas.
"I haven't read the advertisement." - She said she had not read the advertisement.
"We woke up at 7am." - They said they had waken up at 7 am.
"I came back home late at night." - Mum told me she had come back home late that night.
"I won't go to bed so early." - He said he would not go to bed that early.
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