British character

One of the most striking features of British life is the self-discipline and courtesy of people of all classes. There is little noisy behaviour, and practically no loud disputing in the street. People do not rush excitedly for seats in buses or trains, but take their seats in queues at bus stops in a quiet and orderly manner.

The British are naturally polite and are never tired in saying "Thank you", "I'm sorry", "Beg your pardon". If you follow anyone who is entering a building or a room, he will hold a door open for you. Many foreigners have commented on a remarkable politeness of the British people.

The British don't like displaying their emotions even in dangerous and tragic situations, and ordinary people seem to remain good-tempered and cheerful under difficulties.

They don't like any boasting or showing off in manners, dress or speech.

Sometimes they conceal their knowledge: a linguist, for example, may not mention his understanding of a foreigner's language.

HALLOWEEN

Halloween

Hey, hey, for Halloween!

Then the witches shall be seen,

Some in black, and some in green,

Hey, hey, for Halloween!

You should be very careful on the night of October 31. This is the night when witches and ghosts come out!

Halloween is the most famous of witches' festivals. They ride on brooms through the midnight air to meet with the Devil. Black cats, their best friends, usually accompany them.

Poor cold ghosts come out of the lonely woods and fields and warm themselves in people's houses.

Ghosts and witches are not the only ones who come out at Halloween. From their hiding places come hundreds of demons, skeletons, goblins and other supernatural creatures.

Children in the US, Great Britain and Ireland like Halloween very much.

In the weeks before October 31, they decorate the windows of their houses and schools with pictures of witches, black cats and bats.

They make lanterns out of pumpkins. They are called jack-o'-lanterns.

Black and orange are traditional Halloween colours.

On October 31, children dress up as ghosts and witches, skeletons and Draculas, and have noisy parties.

Sometimes they go to the people's houses and ring at the door, shouting "Trick or treat!" The person who opens the door must give the children a treat — some sweets or cookies. If not, the children play a trick on them. For example, they can throw flour at the window or draw a funny picture on the door.

Halloween parties are great fun.

APRIL FOOL'S DAY

Most European countries "celebrate" April 1st in some strange way, either by mocking the simple-minded or honouring the fool.

Most of the tricks played on this day are far from original, and many have been used so often that they have become traditional.

The most common form of the joke is to send a simple-minded person on some fruitless errand. Naturally, children are the easiest victims. They may be sent to get a dozen cock's eggs, or a stick with one end, or a litre of sweet vinegar, or, probably, a leather hammer, or a pint of pigeon's milk.

A popular joke is to say that something is wrong with your victim's dress (when in fact everything is in order) or that a cockroach is crawling over his or her clothes (there's no cockroach, of course).

At school children try to pin notices like "Kick me", or "I'm a fool" on each other's backs. Teachers have to be very careful or they, too, might find themselves walking around with a silly sign on their backs.

Some jokes are not so harmless. For example, you may step into a basin of water placed secretly where you are sure to step into it. You may get salt in your coffee instead of sugar. You may fall on the floor because your trousers are sewn up or your shoe-laces are tied.

These jokes may be silly, but they succeed again and again.

On April 1st television and radio services join in the fun. They tell unbelievable stories and advertise nonexistent goods. Newspapers print long articles which turn out to be jokes. Often, you have to read the long article to the very end to realise that you have been fooled.