34 things you don’t know about English culture!

Want to understand English people and their culture better? In this listening and culture lesson, I’ll talk you through some of the things you might not already know about life in England. For example, I’ll explain to you why some English people wear paper red flowers in the month of November. I’ll explain some of the things you may have observed, but don’t quite understand if you are new to English culture - such as some of the weird adverts you may have seen on television with talking meerkats in them. There are lots of topics to cover in this lesson: holidays, life events, the big brother state, culture, and more. Join me and learn more about life in England, while improving your listening comprehension at the same time. See how well you understood the lesson by taking the quiz at www.engvid.com/34-things-you-...
Like this lesson? We have so many videos about English life and culture. Check them out now: • Flirt and be romantic ...
TRANSCRIPT
Hi, everyone. In this lesson I've got many, many things about English culture that you may have seen but you don't understand, so I'm going to break them down and summarise these things that, if you're not from here, from an outsider's perspective might be: "Oh, that's different" - something you don't understand yet. All of these topics could in themselves be English lessons on their own, so if you're particularly interested in a topic, what you could do is go and research it for yourself after this lesson.
So let's start with... This lesson is broken down into topics, the groups, the different things about English culture. We'll start with charity. In England you may see people walking around wearing red poppies. "Poppy" is like a red flower - it's made from paper, and you see this around the time of November because on November the 11th there is a special day to commemorate-which means, like, remember-the people that died fighting in World War I, and all the wars after that. So this is a charity event to raise money for the survivors of those wars, and to remember the horrors of war. So people walk around with the poppies on, and on television if you're watching around that time of year, in particularly... In particular on the BBC, people will be wearing their red poppies. So, if you didn't know what the red poppy was about, that's what it's for.
Next we have charity fun runs. A lot of people are very into running and saving money for charity at the same time. So, sometimes they wear a fancy dress costume; sometimes they run in a costume which is really, really hard to wear or heavy or difficult in some way. So, the people that go in these races, before they all race, they'll go around asking everyone you know: "Can you sponsor me? Can you give me some money for my run?"
Next we've got Red Nose Day. Red Nose Day is a charity television event where on the BBC they raise money for the charities they support. Some of there... Some of them are in the UK, and some of them are global charities. And their theme... the thing they mainly are famous for is getting people to wear red noses on that day when it happens. And now you'll more likely see in particular chain shops, big shops that have a partnership with Red Nose Day, you'll see you can buy t-shirts of Red Nose Day. So, when you buy something in that shop, money goes to Red Nose Day. They get all famous people involved doing silly things, and it's just one day on television where they try to have fun and raise money for their charities.
It's quite similar to Children in Need in terms of... This is another charity event. In terms of how they do it - get the celebrities in, make some comedy with the celebrities. But Children in Need is raising money for children's charities; and instead of the Red Nose Day thing, they have Pudsey Bear and that's their mascot; their... The thing that represents them is their bear, and they... People also watching at home can raise money themselves with their friends and families, and people at school perhaps by baking cakes, having a clothes... An old clothing sale, something like that. People will get involved with these events and give their money to charity.
The next topic I want to look at is advertising. When you go to a different country and you watch the television and you see the adverts, some of the adverts stick in your mind and you think: "That's weird" or "What's that about?" So, here are a few of those kinds of adverts. We have number five, which is: "Compare the Meerkat". "Compare the Meerkat" has been... They've been doing it... I don't... I'm just going to guess, here, maybe 10 years. It's an insurance company, and at some point they decided to use meerkat animals to sell their insurance, and it was really popular and everybody loved it, and thought it was cute and funny. And now it's kind of confusing that they are still an insurance company […]

[@charlesvanderhoog7056]

Thank you very much. This is quite elucidating, for English culture has some obtuse elements. There is one fun thing you omitted: Only English call themselves British, Only English talk about England as Britain. You never hear that from someone from Scotland or Northern Ireland. They call themselves Scots and Irish. I consider this a telling element of English culture.

[@rml4289]

I am english and refer to myself as english, but many people call me british, not myself

[@WindhamBrayWyattRotunda]

Quite frankly this video is absolutely crucial important for me!!

[@evancortez2]

Interesting - here in America we also have an insurance company that uses an animal as a mascot, in this case it's Geico and they use a gekko - interestingly enough the gekko talks with an English accent - I wonder who came first, the Geico gekko or your meerkat?

[@mustafabelal38]

I adore your accent, Jade. 💙

[@Bellasie1]

Funny I was about to write the same thing...

[@alexanderivanov135]

either do I

[@oldsurvivor60]

Hi jade! I say “hi” because you’re for me like an old friend... To tell the truth it’s a long time since I decided to learn some English.. At that time I met you and I felt in love with your accent and you way to be during your wonderful lessons. So I writing mainly to say you thanks from the deep of my hearth! Because of you I begun to love England (or better say UK .. I love Scotland too)... Now I feel UK like a second homeland... I had been travelling around your country lots of times... North and South.... From East to West (Cornwall is like a dream with open eyes!).. and so on... Next summer I’ll be in Brighton with my wife for my vacations. Some Italians say me that I’m not normal (they think I’m a bit mad) because I choose an English beach instead of an Italian one! :-) :-) ... I replay them saying the guilty is an old friend from London, her name is Jade! :-) :-).... So told, speaking about the lesson I’d like to say something about the differences between North and South.. Last year I was in Liverpool attending a sort of lesson about the history of the Beatles and I said to myself in English “ Dammit! That English is so difficult to understand!!”. Next to me there was a middle age man that was able to understand my words (maybe I said them instead of think them), so he said to me “Don’t worry my friend! I see you’re probably foreigner, but to tell the truth I’m English from Derby in the South and I can’t understand everything they say like you! They’re English is like pure s..t!!”... :-). Ha! Ha! In Italy too sometimes there are problems between north an South… People are the same the world over!

[@DIONISISPOLITIS]

Although I have being listening to a lot of english youtube teachers, only recently i discovered you dear Jade...i think that your are my favorite now...good job...

[@mdy7791]

Informative. Please do a lesson about UK education system. Thanks.

[@GreatestAndGreatest]

MD y You should recommend a topic directly on EngVid web page. It’s more likely for them to read it 😊

[@mikaelolsson144]

As a Swede I get get a bit sad that UK has left the EU, so many similarities.

[@hgjhgjhgification]

Dutch as well.

[@wangdangdoodie]

Don't be sad. Freedom should be embraced and celebrated.

[@dawg7915]

Don't be sad, one has nothing to do with the other. the UK just got tired of being the bank for the EU. The similarities are still there.

[@ghlscitel6714]

They wanted it. You should not stop someone who is intentionally going on a journey.

[@user-rg5nm9jk5s]

I like your lessons very much, thanks and best wishes for you!

[@zoelalala3]

Love this kind of video Jade! Appreciate your hard work!!!

[@TonyBrizzante-cf9bd]

Jade, I appreciate your excellent explanation and love your accent.

[@tritito]

Very useful information Jade, Thanks

[@Ommbye]

Thanks good video you just amazing teacher.

[@paulorobertopedroso9933]

Thanks Jade, i learn to much with you, i love your british accent- Paulo From Brazil!

[@KhalidNageb]

Thanks, jade. It’s open eye of the lovely culture, helpful tips. Amazing video and hope you the best.

[@albertoviale7259]

Great video, very useful

[@lucaqingdao744]

I love you and your speaking jade

[@Bellasie1]

It is an invaluable video for anyone wishing to understand more of the English culture and feel part of it, having been raised outside. On top of that, just listening to this beautiful language with this particularly typical accent is a treat for me. England has a fascinating culture. I love the quiz at the end, what a great idea!

[@yaozosaibe1873]

It is so great to see you since I saw you in this vhannel. And this video, of course, is inspiring as well as educational! Thank you for your coming back. I am so happy to see you doing great.

[@pliniolimajunior5185]

Super !! Thank you Jade !

[@marwayahyaal-qadhi7372]

Many thanks dear 🌹🌹🌹

[@Rodrigo-bv7uv]

Just loved the wonderful class. Thank you Jade! You're definitely one of the coolest person on the internet!

[@GuilhermeTeacher2008]

You're excellent. I love learning English from you. Thank you!

[@Luna.3.3.3]

We wear poppies in Canada as well - but that stands to reason since we were a British colony and still part of the Commonwealth

[@albertobozzetto8939]

Thanks so much, Jade, amazing lesson!!

[@aromatermini]

Great video, you have covered a lot! Good job! I think Dutch are very relaxed about eating on the go, the do eat in trains something like chips with mayo.

[@aminekessar]

Lady Jade, one of the most beautiful accents I've ever heard in my life of English student :) unfortunately you stopped making videos in your channel... We miss Jade Joddle!

[@elenabonacini9267]

This is so useful! I will be moving to the UK in October to study at university. I'm literally scavenging the Internet for videos like this! Thank you Jade. Will enormously appreciate more content about English culture and lifestyle.

[@Franciscoluche]

Super interesting!!! Thanks. 🤗❤️

[@CallieMasters5000]

You should have mentioned trainspotting, bird watching, and plane watching.

[@HavalKurdistanPeace]

Thank you!

[@mouradannaba2677]

INTERESTING VIDEO ! I've watched all the video and i think you've missed the most important thing that we love in england ! FOOOOTBAAAAAAAALLL 😂 THANKS JADE WE LOVE YOU

[@bobdobalina2931]

I hate football. It is mindnumbingly boring. I nominally follow Arsenal as my dad worked in the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich which is where they got their name from, but frankly I haven't seen a single football result for any team for over twenty years.

[@user-sf2nx5yv9b]

I don't understand exacltly what about she is talking, but she is very cute! ;)

[@vasyapupkin8883]

Hi Jade! Here in Russia you can eat "on the go", but we think that it is unhealthy. Maybe it is because of the cold weather, nobody likes frozen food )) Great video! Very interesting! Thanks for sharing!

[@ElmundodeMarycarrio]

Hello Thank you

[@carloshortuvia5988]

Jade, you're the best!

[@edinagaspar722]

Bank holidays do not change, it is 1st of Jan, Easter Friday and Monday, first and last Monday of May, last Monday of August and 25th and 26th of December (this is the only one that might slip a bit because if any of the days are on ths weekend, then the Friday and/or Monday before/after are the days off

[@MrAndKost]

It is exellent

[@brazucapipoca]

I love you videos Jqde specially for many people who livingh here in UK and dont knownothing abouth the Country

[@marcosolza3698]

Dear Jade, you are the very best teacher over the world by far. I pretty apreciate your accent, your rithm and your entonation. By the way, I only miss some reference to bantering or banter between friends or colleges and I'd like, if possible, you to drop out some video about that kind of stuff. Woud it be possible? Best wishes!

[@ricardomatos2686]

I've always found your voice sweet. Good to see you again.

[@golden220student7]

Thank you so much Jade 🙏🌹

[@ahmedibrahimtantawy]

I really like your videos Jade, they are informative. You speak clearly, so that your videos are always understood, I like your accent, as well I even stopped learning Cockney ☺

[@nibirhossain5063]

Thank you Jade ❤️ for this video

[@hasibikram8069]

Great one🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@mhamedalmari5854]

I wanna sites to practice speaking, can you help me. Do you have any recommendations.

[@davidwealthyguerrero3738]

Cool as usual! Thanks 4 sharing! Hugs. =)

[@PriwetGUYS]

Please make more videos :) Great accent, by the way! 😁

[@kippen64]

As an Australian, I do a lot of the same things.

[@dianasalinasdeugarte1338]

Jade you are great teacher. Thank you. Anyway I'd like to ask you how third Conditional and mixed conditional work, because I get confused easily. Thank you again. King regards

[@jessicafindlay6061]

Americans wear poppies for Veteran's Day/Nov 11 as well

[@alexandervideo78]

Thank you Jade, you're the best!

[@lucyqian3159]

Great help, thanks!

[@mehmeteminbayram1653]

could you make more video like this one? this is so helpful.

[@owyss-nh8vw]

Great and well done

[@adpadua]

Thank you for all the content, Jade!

[@hameedsaleh7210]

Thanks lady teacher for your lessons & nice accent.

[@mevlutakdag3947]

I can say it is not rude or weird eating on the go in Turkey but it is sometimes thought that some people or little children who havent got any money to afford that kind of foods can fancy.

[@gulbaharalioglu1289]

No:) , eating on the street is totally fine in Holland. Think of fries, vietnamese food , dürüm etc.

[@localdriver]

An interesting selection of topics.

[@Bellasie1]

Regarding the funerals, how common is embalming, and has the practice been less common in recent decades? Regarding eating on the go, it is also perfectly normal in France but in Japan it is not acceptable. The concept of a person being a National Treasure also exists in Japan.

[@user-me5mv5lm4i]

Great stuff

[@mhamedalmari5854]

Thanks for all your videos, I really like your accent

[@alekseyzubov925]

Hi everybody from Russia :^) Great lesson. I have watched with interest. Many things knew before. My crucial problem in England related with "Bin Wars", it took time to accept rules with garbage!

[@g0dp3dr0]

Good video thx

[@tonysroomchat4827]

Jade, i need to say something to you. I Love these lessons led by a cute professor!!

[@haidarhabib3707]

Great

[@ckline5486]

Hi Jade! I know you took some time off in the past to figure out the direction of your channel. I was pleased to find you are back! Your videos are really great. I am so glad you have found your direction. You are beautiful, fun and interesting and I subscribed today. Here is a phrase that was popular in 1970's America when I was a little boy, "Keep on trucking". It means, "keep going, you are going fantastic." God bless you little sister. I wish you much success. : )

[@Derrek84]

The aversion towards people from the capital is also common in Poland. Certain parts of the county don't like each other but almost noone likes people from Warsaw. They're usually regarded as annoying snots.

[@ahmedalmalky4676]

Excellent teacher

[@sibonozen3876]

Thank you

[@alternativevlog1180]

Your forgot to mention Royal Family is big thing for brits

[@meenki347]

I'm only interested in learning proletarian culture and proletarian English. I realize that this is considered poor English by many middle class people. But, I find it particularly interesting.

[@carero22]

Did you have hagelslag on you bread in Amsterdam?

[@imalejandraa]

Loved this lesson xxx if anyone wants to practice their english we can do it throught skype, let me know 😊

[@theway5258]

Please smile my professor!

[@cclinton3372]

Thanks Jade, i love your video and you are beautiful!

[@cripticdestiny]

can you inform us more about british holidays? i didn't know one whole month of easter holidays is still a thing

[@asparadog]

You can get a passport within one day, but this is usually very expensive and is not worth the effort.

[@georgeunknown6381]

A little weird sounds UK English after American :)

[@antonyhewson4412]

Love your channel..anything teaching people about our beautiful culture is a good thing..shame they dont promote this in schools instead of teaching only other cultures are great..other cultures get london shut down for the day (notting hill), eid and ramadam, while we get st georges day which people think you are a racist thug if you are out draped in a flag..good on you.

[@UrbanArtCentral]

Kinda disappointed you did not have a section specially for 'food' :)

[@UrbanArtCentral]

oh u do, on the 2nd half of the video, my bad!

[@ocrekoala]

I like your teachings, but this video lacks quality in the image (The sound is perfect) I do not know how to explain it and if it also happens to everyone. Anyway thanks very much

[@GreatestAndGreatest]

Manuel Q ocrekoala The image was great. Probably you had problem with the buffer or something like that 🙂. Try using another browser, perhaps.

[@IncApu2025]

Jade mamacita!!😍

[@melvin9993]

Hi there, Please prepare a video and explain phrasal verbs with pop and pop itslef

[@gpknkee]

lovely lady Jade :)

[@aryamansharma1108]

please do a video about the royal family 👑

[@Effaly_]

I wish I was British. 😢

[@IncApu2025]

Que poca autoestima.

[@GUFSZ]

You mentioned rambling. Perhaps it would be intersting and useful to make a video about the rights of way in England and Wales, because this right is so different to other european countries.

[@masn9997]

When I did my Erasmus degree course in Leeds I remember almost every single person was wearing that kind of red poppy on their cloth. I was really shocked when saw it actually.

[@Elephantstonica]

This list is so middle class it makes me want to dress up as Buttons, and shin a lollipop man.

[@danielmiguelanez8429]

godscop999, what else would you add to the list?

[@tomrox8921]

I love you!

[@reptoidcommand1060]

Hi Jade...darling video of course.. I'm surprised you're not in British Airways' employ...why you could draw in at least a few billion bucks with your consummate charm. Anyway, I wrote another poem.. ...on the posh thing you know. It's so good I had to sit on it a couple of days to be sure that I'm not delirious instead of genius... I'll put it up tomorrow after a final touche' .....Ciao !!

[@zed9918]

hi! i miss your personal vlogs, how are you?

[@muhammadarshaad116]

I am very ambitious to learn English and I get English pitch through engvid

[@S.Sarajlic]

She is still alive.

[@sarakh9261]

Hi Jade, it's been a while since you last uploaded a video. I hope you're doing fine. Just checking up. 💕

[@ahosanhabib2569]

oh, so sweet mom you & your class. i like you

[@user-kj8yl6sn2z]

Good evening . We want help. Books to learn spelling for intermediate and higher levels so that we can read scientific books and novels without help? Who found a solution to the problem, tells us. I have a problem with reading long and new words?

[@laurentc4402]

your accent is so lovely for a french , so sexy ... you have done a great job