consideration for others

Manners, politeness, and punctuality are highly valued in England, according to some almost to a fault. Phrases like please, thank you, sorry, and “would you mind..?” are near to an involuntary reflex. However, this value goes beyond simply “Holding the door open unnecessarily for someone when they're far away so they end up running towards it” or “minding your p’s and q’s.” According to the United Kingdom Values Survey, the English people value caring and compassion at an individual level; on a national level, they value the provision of community services and support for the general welfare of others. Likewise, the reserved nature of the English can be attributed to a desire not to impose or infringe upon others.

loYalty

Friends and family are important relationships to the English and are very likely to be considered in the decisions they make. Similarly, they tend to be fiercely supportive and protective of any group for which they feel a sense of belonging, from sports teams to pride in their country. Kate Fox, social anthropologist, author, and English native, goes so far as to declare that the English even treat their weather as family stating that “one can complain about the behaviour of one’s own children or parents, but any hint of censure from an outsider is unacceptable”.

"Fair play"

Despite the integral nature of the class system in English society, they also have a strong sense of fairness and justice. Kate Fox notes that “we accept that there will be winners and losers, but feel that everyone should be given a fair chance, providing they observe the rules and don’t cheat or shirk their responsibilities.” She suggests that this value influences etiquette in multiple aspects of English society and is the cause of the English love of queuing, compromise, and codes of conduct such as round-buying in pubs.

humor

One of the top 5 values of the English people according to the UK National Values Assessment Report, humor is more than just the appreciation of a good joke; it informs their behaviors and way of life. Almost all interactions with and between the English have some undercurrent of humor, and it’s often understated, self-deprecating, and ironic. It is used to make points that would otherwise be viewed as rude or too critical, to bring up difficult topics, or to make light of a bad situation. In English culture, there is no “inappropriate” time to make a joke.

independence and individuality

The National Values Assessment also states that the British people “appreciate freedom and autonomy and prefer not to be reliant on others.” The English also frequently refer to themselves as “eccentric.” While in some places this may be seen as a negative term, in England it seems to be a source of pride. The individual’s right to make their own decisions, think for themselves, and hold their own opinion is highly respected.

respect for order

Aside from the love of queuing mentioned previously, the English also exhibit strong respect for rules and order. They are known for acting in a patient and calm manner and avoiding “kicking up a fuss”. Although they may not have many rules, if there is a “correct” way to do something, this is what should be done. Objections should be made in the proper manner, through the proper channels.

hofstede's cultural dimensions

Although these dimensions are based on the UK at large, with over 80% of the population residing in England it’s reasonable to assume these values are a fairly accurate representation of England.

PDI (35): A low power-distance score indicates the English tendency to equality and a rather loose and informal hierarchy of power in the business setting. Team members tend to be encouraged to be vocal and participate, and bosses are relatively approachable.

INV (89): A high score in individuality shows a culture that values privacy, thinking for one’s self, and pursuing personal fulfillment and achievement; each member is expected to consider themself and make their own decisions.

MAS (66): While outwardly modest with a dislike for boasting, a score on the masculine side of the spectrum indicates a society that values success, achievement, and competition with fairly distinct emotional gender roles for women versus men.

UAI (35): With a low score on Uncertainty Avoidance, the English are seen as fairly flexible in their planning (or lack thereof) and are comfortable in uncertain situations. While the end goal may be clear, how they get there may not be planned in detail.

LTO (51): Scoring neutrally on time orientation, it cannot be said that any particular emphasis is placed on short-term or long-term gains, the past or the future. While the English might see value in their past and traditions, it’s likely they will not cling to these unduly if it gets in the way of progress and success.

IND (69): With a relatively high score in indulgence, it can be inferred that the English value enjoying life, having fun, and having leisure time. Individuals feel free to pursue whatever it is they enjoy or desire.

Worldview

Kate Fox suggests in her book Watching The English that the English worldview is primarily filtered by three things: empiricism, Eeyorishness, and class-consciousness. The English are pragmatic and down-to-earth, displaying more trust in measurable and concrete facts as well as their own experience of the world than in theory or hypotheticals. She defines Eeyorisness as “chronic pessimism, our assumption that it is in the nature of things to go wrong and be disappointing, but also our perverse satisfaction at seeing our gloomy predictions fulfilled – simultaneously peeved, stoically resigned and smugly omniscient”. However, she notes that it’s a unique sort of “sunny pessimism”. While the English may fully expect the worst to happen, they also fully expect to find a way to survive and endure it. While being gloomy and complaining are perfectly acceptable, giving up or expressing any form of true despair is not. Lastly, she suggests that the class system still impacts “taste, behaviour, judgements and interactions” in England. According to Fox, these divisions are mainly perceived through behavioral cues instead of economic factors, and class-consciousness is “hidden, indirect [and] unspoken”. Differing classes may be viewed as either common or stuck-up, and people still develop expectations of others' actions based on this perception.