English Life

For those visitors to this web site who are unfamiliar with England, here are a few observations, facts and pointers about the country where I reside. They exist on this page in no particular order.

• In English supermarkets bottled water is more expensive than milk.

• Don't buy a car in England. Go abroad and buy the same vehicle at a fraction of the cost.

• For the most part the police don't carry firearms. Yet.

• Television programs, movies, books and magazines can be censored or even banned.

• A licence is required by law to recieve television programs.

• It is perfectly legal for the government to levy tax on the tax component of something that has already been taxed.

• The National Health Service is the biggest employer in Europe.

• 87% of the cost of petrol is the tax component.

• The population of England are not citizens, but subjects of the Crown.

• In general, women retire at the age of 60, and men at 65.

• In Government, elected officials (Members of Parliament) are not required, in the least, to reflect the views of the people who voted them into power.

• A national census is carried out every 10 years - the next one is in 2001.

• In England we drive on the left.

• Although Viagra was first formulated in England, the National Health Service cannot prescribe it, due to cost resrictions.

• There are 5 national television channels - BBC 1, BBC 2, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

• For hetrosexuals the age of sexual consent is 16, and marriage is legal at the age of 16.

• For homosexuals the age of sexual consent is 18. Single gender homosexual marriage is not legal.

• The minimum age for entry into the army is 16.

• Voting in elections can be exercised from the age of 18.

• The English flag is a red cross on a white background.

• Fox and deer hunting are still legal in this country.

• Money follows the decimal system. There are 100 pence to the pound.

• As of November 2001 the English ten pound note has a portrait of Charles Darwin on it.

• The largest bank note denomination in general circulation in England is the 50 pound note.

• There is a twice weekly national lottery.

• Lottery tickets can only be purchased by people over the age of 16.

• Fish and chips are still very popular. And can be purchased at Fish and Chip shops.

• 95% of all primary school teachers are women.

• Children are legally required to receive education between the ages of 4 and 16.

• Race and gender prejudice are illegal. Age prejudice is legal.

• In general, condoms are sold in packets of 3.

• The recreational use of cannabis is illegal in this country.

• The medicinal use of cannabis is illegal in this country.

• Prostitution is illegal in this country.

• The standard, access to, and level of treament by the National Health Service depends on your location. Sometimes, the side of the road on which you live can determine the treatment that you recieve.

• There is no death sentence in this country.

• Traffic flows really, really, really slowly in major cities. If you are lucky.

• There is a flourishing trade in illegally imported alcohol and tobacco goods, which is due to progressive heavy taxation by successive governments.

• Pornography is illegal in this country.

• If you are visiting this country, try the soft drink 'dandelion and burdock' - it is very nice.

• In general, the electrical system is 240 volts.

• The sea around this country is generally a medium grey colour.

• British beer is splendid.

• British hotels are expensive.

• Birmingham is Britains second city.

• In general, British people believe it is better to own their place of residence rather than rent it.

• It is compulsory to wear seat belts when driving, or being driven, in a car.

• It is illegal to fly a kite higher than 200 ft in this country. Unless you have special permission.

• Giant, out of town shopping centres are very popular in this country.

• The phone number for the emergency services is 999.

• There is no legal obligation for the police or fire service, in this country, to attend the scene of a crime or fire as the result of any 999 emergency call.

• The most popular newspaper is called 'The Sun'.

• In British law criminal suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Whatever crime they may, or may not, have committed.

• Social drinking, outside the home, mostly takes place in public houses, or pubs.

• The opening hours of pubs are currently governed by laws that were instituted as social restrictions in the first world war.

• It is illegal to buy a drink in a pub if you are under 18 years of age.

• It is illegal to buy cigarettes if you are under 16 years of age.

• There is no requirement to be able to speak English if you are, or qualify to be, a British subject.

• In Britain the water supply is fluoridated.

• Some museums and art gallerys charge an admission fee. Some don't.

• Travelling by train is very expensive. It is amongst the most expensive on the planet per mile travelled.

• Drinking a nice cup of tea is still very popular.

• The major road systems between large cities are called motorways.

• The M25 is a major motorway that completely circles London.

• It is perfectly legal to bury a deceased relative in your back garden. Most people don't.

• Smoking is illegal on the underground train system in London.

• Share ownership is very popular in Britain.

• England is divided into areas called counties.

• In built-up residential areas it is illegal to be noisy after 11pm.

• Britain has a minimum wage.

• Motorcyclists are requred to wear a crash helmet when riding their motorcycle. Unless they are Sikhs.

• The speed limit for private cars on British motorways is 70 miles per hour.

• If you visit Cornwall, which is in the west of England, try eating a Cornish Pastie - they are great!

• Currently, the most popular spectator sport in England appears to be football.

• In English schools, children follow a national curriculum.

• Local taxes are determined by the value of your residence and are paid directly to your local council.

• There are many regional accents in England.

• Bank interest rates for saving and borowing are higher than those of the rest of Europe.

• Most home owners finance their house purchase by means of a large mortgage, which is generally repaid over 25 years.

• As of 15th March 2000 the average British worker pays 37.4% of their earnings in national and local taxes from their wages.

• The English never prepare for winter and are always taken by surprise when there is a decent snowfall.

• Almost everyone has a mobile phone in England, even small children. The English Atheist's mobile number... will not appear on this page.

• The English mainland has not been occupied by foreign invaders for nearly 1000 years.

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