Why do most visitors to Britain agree that the food is terrible?

British food is often criticized for being bland, overcooked, or unappetizing,

especially by visitors. Moreover, a possible explanation is that most visitors to
Britain do not get the opportunity to sample home-cooked food.
EATING HABITS

Eating habits in Britain reflect broader cultural values, such as individualism and
practicality. Meals are often quick and simple, with little ceremony. Common
British foods include eggs, bacon, crisps, sandwiches, and ready-made meals.
There is less emphasis on "real" or "fine" cuisine, and meals are frequently eaten
alone or in a hurry. Even at home, food and drink are given relatively little
attention. When the British do pay attention to food, it is most frequently not to
appreciate it but to consider its health implications. There was an impressive event
in 2005. The quality of children’s meals at school is bad, so Jamie chef gathered a
petition signed by 270,000 parents to Downing street demanding more money for
school dinner. And then, the government obliged quickly thanks to a comparison
between children’s meals in France and in Britain.

Cultural conservatism and low interest in food have also played a role. British
cuisine was traditionally simple and resistant to foreign influences, but this has
been changing. Today, British people increasingly enjoy foods from other cultures,
such as Indian curries or Mediterranean dishes. Immigrant communities have
contributed significantly to modern British food culture.

What do British people eat?

Because Britain is full of individualists and people from different cultures,

generalizations are dangerous. The most common items are eggs, bacon, sausages,
tomatoes, mushrooms, and even (fried) bread. It is not generally accompanied
by‘chips’ (the normal British word for French fried potatoes).

Typical British meals include cereal for breakfast, after that there was elevense. It’s
a cup of tea and biscuits. At 1 p.m, sandwiches or light meals are for lunch, and
Tea for the working class in the evening meal. Finally, the end of the day is dinner
as the main evening meal. The idea of “making a meal” can even refer to
combining a sandwich, drink, and snack – something not commonly considered a
full meal in other cultures.
EATING ATTITUDES

British people are also showing increasing interest in the pure enjoyment aspect of
food. Attitudes have changed how they watched with enthusiasm, but the quality
still remains poor.

In summary, food in Britain reflects social habits, history, and practicality more
than gourmet interest. While British cuisine has faced criticism, it is evolving with
global influences and growing appreciation for diverse culinary experiences.

Thank you for the presentation on British attitudes and habits. The knowledge that Vy just
shared will be a great foundation to help you better understand how British people eat
out.( chưa chuyển slide VY)
(HISTORY)Not so long ago, going to a restaurant was still a rare event for most British
people because life and habits in Britain were simply not very oriented toward food. The
country had neither a widespread 'restaurant culture' nor a 'café society.
(ẢNH SỐ 2) Regularly going to restaurants was mostly confined to the richest section of
society. For them, being seen at a fancy restaurant could feel more important than the
meal itself.
This was partly because, historically, there was a snobby attitude linked to dining out – a
feeling of social superiority. (có chữ SNOBBY chuyển slide SNOBBERY)
(ẢNH MENU) Most of the dishes usually have non-English names, with French being
the most common. The only exception is puddings, the part of the meal that the British
have always been most confident about.
Another reason why dishes with English names rarely appear in restaurants is because
these places seldom serve traditional British cuisine. This is because in the past, people
very rarely ate out, so when they did, they always wanted to enjoy something completely
different from home-cooked meals.
(CÂU HỎI “WHAT FOREIGN RESTAURANTS ARE POPULAR IN THE UK)
Nowadays, British towns and cities are almost completely dominated by international
cuisine. People are used to a variety of ethnic restaurants, such as Italian, Indian, Chinese,
and Thai.(CHUYỂN SLIDE 4 ẢNH)+ (ẢNH 3 MÓN ĂN TIẾP THEO)
(BẢNG SỐ LIỆU ‘SURVEY DATA”) And now, here is the 2006 data that our group has
summarized from page 186:
In summary, traditional British cuisine is quite limited, and most food in the UK today
comes from international cuisines.
(CHUYỂN SLIDE ‘TRADITIONAL ENG CUISINE – RESTAURANTS)
That is the reson why When thinking about food in Britain it is important to distinguish
between British cuisine and restaurants in Brittain.
(CHUYỂN SLIDE BẢNG SO SÁNH)British food is known for its simplicity and light
seasoning. It often tries to keep the natural taste of the food. Good examples are the
Sunday roast (roasted meat with vegetables) or the full English breakfast – a big meal
with lots of fried food, milk, toast with butter and marmalade, all served with tea.
Nowadays, most restaurants in the UK serve international food. The most popular are
Indian, Chinese, Thai, and Italian dishes, known for their bold and rich flavors that
people prefer. For example, think of Indian goat curry, Pad Thai, Peking duck, or
spaghetti Bolognese. These are much more delicious and exciting than simple roasted
vegetables and meat.
Because of this, British people rarely eat their own traditional food when they go out.
They usually choose international restaurants because these meals offer more variety and
are more appealing.(CHUYỂN SLIDE ẢNH TIẾP THEO)You can now find many
different international foods not just in restaurants, but also in supermarkets.
And now, we come to the more interesting part — Part 3: Types of traditional British
eating places:(CHUYỂN SLIDE “TRADITIONAL TYPE”)
CÂU HỎI “HOW MANY TYPES…BRITAIN?
(SLIDE KẾ TIẾP ‘ workman’café, fish and chip, tea room) Apart from pubs, there are
only three distinct types of traditional British eating places:
(SLIDE WORKMAN’CAFÉ) A Workman's Café (or "caff") is a simple place to eat
that's open during the day. It mainly serves manual workers, but local people also like it
for a filling meal in a comfortable setting. This kind of café is famous for fried food,
especially the Full English Breakfast. So, sometimes people jokingly call them a "greasy
spoon." You'll often see them at roadside stops, where they're also known as "transport
cafés."
(SLIDE FISH AND CHIP) Next up is the Fish and Chip Shop. These open in the
evening and mainly sell takeaway food – food you buy and eat somewhere else. They
specialize in fried fish and chips, which is a classic British dish.
(SLIDE TEA ROOM) Also, there's the Tea Room. These are usually in town centers and
open during the day. They serve a different kind of customer with table service. Tea
rooms offer scones, light meals, and, of course, tea, all in a calm, traditional place.
(SLIDE FAST FOOD) Finally, Fast Food is the most popular way to eat in the UK. This
is because it's quick, has plenty of seating, and is cheap.

1. THE NATIONAL SPORT

Whatever the sport may be, there is a high likelihood that it was first played in
Britain, and an even higher chance that its modern rules were first codified in
Britain.
The public schools in the Victorian era believed that organized competitive games
brought many psychological benefits. These games attracted and developed the British
spirit of "fair play."

Modern sport in Britain today is very different. Sayings like "Winning isn't everything"
and "It's only a game" originated from the amateur spirit of the past. However, for
modern professional athletes, who value professionalism and often speak of "doing their
job well," it is clearly no longer just a game.

A National Passion
Sport probably plays a more important role in the lives of British people than in most
other countries. Schools in Britain still devote more time to organized sports than most
schools in other European countries.
Millions of people take part in some form of sport at least once a week. Many millions
more are regular spectators and loyal fans of one or more sports.

For them, games such as indoor bowling, darts, or snooker are just enjoyable social
pastimes.

Think of any pastime, however trivial, which involves some element of competition and,
somewhere in Britain, there is probably a 'national association’ for it which organizes
contests .

In the 1980s and 1990s, British educational experts believed that activities which set
children against each other and involved winning and losing were psychologically and
socially harmful.
Competitive activities in schools were avoided or their competitive aspects were reduced.
But the thirst for competition cannot be eliminated.
Almost every light entertainment program on British television is now framed as some
kind of competition. The British, it seems, need their daily dose of competition.

A Love of Competition
The British love competition so much that they bring it into other hobbies and pastimes
as well. Gardening is one example.
Across the country, there are competitions where gardeners enter their cabbages, onions,
carrots, flowers, or full floral displays in the hope of being judged “the best.”
The most well-known event of this kind is the Chelsea Flower Show.
Similarly, there are dog shows such as Crufts.

The Social Importance of Sport

The importance of participating in sport is legally recognized in Britain.
Each local authority has a duty to provide and maintain playing fields and other sports
facilities, which are often very cheap or even free of charge.

Every year, events such as the FA Cup Final, the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race,
and the Grand National are watched by millions on television — even by people who
have no particular interest in football, rowing, or horse racing.

Sometimes, the traditions that accompany an event are just as important as the
sporting contest itself.

For example:

 Wimbledon is linked with summer fashion, strawberries and cream, and garden
parties.
 Royal Ascot attracts media attention for the hats worn by women.
 The FA Cup Final at Wembley features traditional activities such as community
singing.

The long history of these events has meant that many of them, and their venues,
have become world-famous.

Wimbledon, Wembley, Lord (famous sporting venues) are spiritual homes of the sports.

Cricket
1. Rules and Global Reach
Before we begin, I’d like to give a brief introduction to cricket and some basic rules.
Cricket is a sport played between two teams, with 11 players on each side. Players score
points called runs, by hitting a ball with a wooden bat and running between two sets of
vertical wooden sticks, called stumps. Depending on the format, a match can last for a
few hours or even several days. At the international level, countries like England, India,
Australia, and many others take part in competitions.

2. Symbolic Meaning
Cricket is not truly the national sport of the United Kingdom when judged by its overall
popularity. Because In regions like Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, cricket is not
very common and is mostly played by middle-class people. Even in England, not
everyone fully understands the rules of the game, and the national team is not often one
of the best in the world.

But why is cricket seen as a symbol of England, even though it's not very popular? Even
if it’s not the most popular sport, cricket is still strongly connected to traditional English
culture: peace, the countryside, summer, green fields, and the unique sounds of the
game.

Cricket is also special because it combines competition with the English dream of
country life.
And unlike other sports, cricket teams are named after counties, not towns, which shows
its traditional roots.

3. The Enthusiasm of Fans

Although not many people go to watch top-level cricket matches in person, that doesn’t
mean they aren’t interested. The main reason is that cricket takes a lot of time, so not
everyone can arrange to go to the stadium. However, many people are still very
passionate about the sport. They follow the matches on the radio or on TV — some even
watch the game on TV while listening to the radio commentary at the same time.
For them, the commentators become familiar and friendly voices. This shows that cricket
is not just a sport, but also a part of their summer feelings and habits.

Football
Now let’s move on to the next sport — the one that most people call “the king of sports.”
Can anyone tell me what it is?
1. Definition and Popularity of Football in Britain
In Britain, the sport commonly known as “soccer” is officially called Association
Football. This name distinguishes the sport from other forms of football such as rugby,
American football, Gaelic football and Australian football. However, in everyday life,
most people in England simply call it football,
. It is not only the most watched sport across the country (except for the south of Wales),
but also the most widely played sport in public schools, and one of the most popular
sports for people to take part in.

Unlike cricket which is considered England’s national sport, in terms of the number of
players and fans, football is truly the sport of the people.

2. The Changing Social Image of Football in England

Football in England has a long tradition linked to the working class, as most fans have
historically come from this group. For many decades, the intelligentsia almost ignored
football, seeing it as a sport not worth paying attention to.
However, this began to change in the late 20th century. The rise of fan-made football
magazines (fanzines), online blogs, and some well-written books about football

opened up smarter and deeper discussions around the game.

As a result, football started to attract interest from many different social groups.
Nowadays, football players are not only known for their skills on the field but are also
considered celebrities as popular as movie or music stars.

This much wider appeal has had good and bad effects. In the past, English football was
mostly male-dominated and had a strong “tribal” feeling. On the good side, it seems to
have reduced the problem of hooliganism.
In contrast, in Britain, only a handful of children or women used to go to football
matches. Perhaps this is why active support for the local team had a tendency to become
violent.

3. Stadium and Attendance

In the past, many football stadiums in England had become old, run-down,
uncomfortable, and even unsafe, which led to a drop in the number of people attending
matches. To deal with this, the government introduced a law that required all stadiums to
become all-seater [Link] change not only improved safety but also helped make
fan behaviour more polite and respectful.

Since the 2000s, the number of people returning to stadiums has increased significantly.
In particular, the number of female spectators has doubled compared to the 1980s,
although they still make up less than 20% of the total crowd.

4. Is Football Still for Everyone?

In recent years, football in England has kind of turned into a symbol of social status
— something more for the upper class.
A lot of companies buying tickets to entertain business partners or clients has caused
match ticket prices to rise sharply, especially in the Premier League. Because of that,
many traditional fans, especially working-class people, can't afford to go to matches
anymore.

And that’s a big problem for the future. Football might never really become a family-
friendly activity, because it’s simply too expensive. A lot of people are being left out of
the experience.

RUGBY
1. Two Versions of Rugby
There are two main versions of rugby: rugby union and rugby league.
Even though they’re organized separately, the rules and the way the game is played are
very similar. In fact, someone who’s good at one version can usually switch to the other
quite easily.
The real difference between the two isn’t so much about how they’re played, but more
about their historical and social backgrounds.

2. Difference between (Table)

Category Rugby Union Rugby League

Time of Origin Came first in 19th ; the Split off in the late 19th century
original version

Main social class Middle class Working class

Popular in prestigious public Popular among miners and
schools factory workers
Professional status Amateur for most of the 20th Allowed professionalism from
century the beginning
Now professional
Popularity More globally popular than Less widespread;
rugby league Mostly in England and some
other areas
Situation in South Most popular sport across all Played but not as prominent as
Wales social classes rugby union
More than football
Although they are similar in how they are played, they have different histories and social
backgrounds.

Rugby Union is the older version and was popular in British prestigious public schools.
It was seen as a sport for the middle class. Rugby League started later and was played
more by working-class people and popular among miners and factory workers

At first, Rugby Union was amateur for most of the 20th century , Rugby League allowed
professionalism from the beginning, but now both versions are professional. Rugby
Union came first so it is more popular worldwide, while Rugby League is mostly
popular in England and some other areas

In South Wales, rugby is loved by all classes, and even more popular than football.

One interesting thing is that fans of both types of rugby are usually peaceful and
respectful. There’s no need to separate supporters like in football. In the future, Rugby
Union and Rugby League might even join together or be run by the same organization.

3. Supporters Behavior
Rugby fans are known for being polite and well-behaved. It’s very rare to see violence or
trouble at rugby matches. Unlike football, rugby games don’t need to separate fans from
different teams, because there’s little risk of fights or arguments breaking out in the
stands.
One possible reason for this is the nature of the game itself — it’s tough and full of
physical contact, which might help release any aggressive feelings. So, the audience
doesn’t feel the need to act out off the field.

ANIMALS IN SPORT
Introduction
Thank you, Tuyen, for your interesting talk about some of the most well-known team
sports in the UK.
Now, I’ll be continuing with the next part of our presentation. My focus will be on a
rather different side of British sport — the use of animals in sport.
After that, I’ll move on to talk about other popular sports in the UK and explore why
team sports tend to dominate the spotlight in British culture. So, let’s begin by looking at
sports that involve animals.
Body (HUNTIN)
These are some traditional upper-class sports that involve animals — often referred to in
a very British countryside way as huntin’, shootin’, and fishin’
Among these, the most iconic is hunting, which in the UK almost always means fox
hunting.
This image shows a typical fox hunt: riders on horseback follow a pack of dogs trained to
track and kill a fox. It’s a deeply rooted tradition — especially in England — dating back
as far as the 15th century.
However, despite its long history, fox hunting has become highly controversial. It was
officially banned in Scotland in 2002, and then in England and Wales in 2004.
These laws marked a major shift, but the reality is more complicated. Many hunts still
happen today by exploiting legal loopholes (lách luật), or even breaking the law.
One key organization fighting against this is the League Against Cruel Sports, founded in
1924. They played a major role in campaigning for the bans and continue to monitor
illegal hunts, gather evidence, and push for stronger law enforcement.
SHOOTIN
Moving on from hunting, another traditional countryside sport is shooting, which
involves using guns to kill birds like grouse and pheasants.
This is a minority sport, mainly enjoyed by the upper class, and often seen as a status
symbol. Wealthy landowners host shooting parties during the season, inviting guests to
private estates to hunt game birds.
One key date in this tradition is on the 12th of August, known as the “Glorious Twelfth”,
which marks the start of the grouse shooting season — a major event in the British
sporting calendar.
Interestingly, although shooting is strongly linked to Britain’s elite, France actually has
more than three times as many licensed guns for hunting as the UK.
FISHIN
While hunting and shooting often spark ethical debates (gây ra tranh cãi), fishing – also
known as angling – is seen as a much more peaceful and inclusive activity in the UK.
It's enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds, either for relaxation or in friendly
competitions.
As you can see in this image, two people are calmly fishing by a river — this perfectly
reflects the sport’s relaxing nature. Unlike hunting, fishing offers a quiet escape and a
way to connect with nature, making it a popular choice for those who prefer slower-
paced outdoor activities.
HORSE – RACING
Apart from countryside sports, animals also play a major role in more organized and
professional events – most famously, horse racing.
In the UK, there are two main types:
 Flat racing, which takes place on a level track with no obstacles
 And National Hunt racing, or steeplechasing, where horses jump over fences and
ditches (mương)
Horse racing became known as the “sport of kings” in the 17th century, and the British
royal family still plays an active role today. Royals not only own racehorses but also
regularly attend top events like Royal Ascot.
Some even compete with themselves. For example, Princess Anne, daughter of Queen
Elizabeth II, was the first royal to participate in the Olympics, representing Britain in
eventing at the 1976 Montreal Games. Her daughter, Zara Tindall, followed in her
footsteps and won a silver medal in show jumping at the London 2012 Olympics.
So horse sports are not just tradition — they’re a royal legacy.
But for most people, the main attraction of horse racing is actually gambling.
Gambling, in simple terms, is the act of risking money or something of value on an
uncertain outcome, with the hope of winning a prize, while accepting that there’s also a
risk of losing. It involves placing a consideration, facing risk, and aiming for a prize.
In Britain, betting on horses dates back to the 17th century and remains hugely popular
today. What makes it special is that it’s often a social experience—something people
enjoy with friends and family during major races. Instead of just aiming to win money,
many people see it as adding fun and excitement to the event.
GREYHOUND RACING
But horse racing isn’t the only animal-based racing sport in the UK.
Another example — more affordable and accessible — is greyhound racing, where
dogs chase a mechanical hare around a track.
This sport shares a strong link with gambling, just like horse racing. In fact, most people
do not just go to watch the race, but to place bets and enjoy the thrill.
Although it’s less popular today, greyhound racing is still often called “the poor man’s
racing” because it’s cheaper and more accessible than horse racing.

Mini Game: “Animal Sport – True or False?”

“Before we move on, let’s do a quick game to test your attention. I’ll read a statement,
and if you know whether it’s true or false, raise your hand to answer.
If you get it right, you’ll earn a bonus point!”
1. “Fox hunting is still completely legal across the UK.”
(Pause – sau đó nói) → “False. It was banned in Scotland in 2002, and in England
and Wales in 2004.”
2. “Horse racing is known as ‘the sport of kings’ in Britain.”
→ “That’s true — even the Royal Family takes part!”
3. “Fishing is mainly for the rich in the UK.”
→ “False — fishing is actually popular with people of all ages and backgrounds.”
“Nice job, everyone! Let’s move on to the next part.”

OTHER SPORTS
a) Now that we’ve looked at how animals are involved in British sport, let’s turn to some
of the other popular sports in the UK. Actually, almost every sport that exists is played in
Britain — from traditional games to modern international sports.
Some examples include hockey, which usually means field hockey and is widely played
in schools and clubs, though ice hockey is also popular in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Basketball is mainly played by men and is becoming more popular, especially among
young people. In contrast, netball, a fast-paced sport similar to basketball, is mostly
played by women and girls, and is common in schools.
Another game is rounders, a traditional UK bat-and-ball game, like baseball. Teams take
turns batting and fielding, aiming to hit the ball and run around four bases to score.
While these sports may not be as famous internationally as football or rugby, they
continue to play an important part in everyday sporting life in the UK.
b) As you can see, there’s a wide variety of sports played across the UK.
However, when it comes to watching sports, team games are generally more popular
than individual ones. So, why is that?
Well, team sports tend to offer more excitement, a stronger sense of competition, and a
feeling of belonging — whether you're a player or a fan. That’s why team sports are far
more popular to watch than individual ones.
By contrast, individual sports like athletics, cycling, golf, gymnastics, or swimming are
mostly enjoyed as activities to take part in, rather than to watch. These sports usually
attract less attention from spectators or the media, except during major international
events like the Olympics, when British athletes perform well.
That said, individual sports are still popular in the UK, especially because of their social
and recreational value. For example, tennis, golf, sailing, and snooker are often played
with friends or colleagues, making them more about relaxing and socializing than the
competition.
Interestingly, the most followed events in athletics aren't competitive races — they’re
actually fun runs, like the London Marathon or the Great North Run. These events
are more about participation and charity than winning. Many people run simply to finish,
often wearing funny costumes to raise money for a good cause.
Although individual sports generally attract fewer viewers, there are two major
exceptions in the UK: boxing and motor racing.
Boxing still has a loyal fanbase, partly because of the excitement of betting. However,
it's not as popular as it once was, especially among younger audiences.
In contrast, motor racing — especially Formula 1 — is gaining a lot of attention. One
big reason is Lewis Hamilton, a British F1 driver with 7 world titles. His success has
brought a new generation of fans to the sport and made Formula 1 much more exciting
for many people in the UK today.

To conclude my part, let’s take a quick look at the British sporting calendar and some of
the biggest annual events across the UK.
At the start of the year, rugby takes centre stage with the Six Nations Championship,
running from February to March.
In March, traditional rowing fans look forward to The Boat Race between Oxford and
Cambridge universities.
April is a big month for horse racing, with the world-famous Grand National capturing
national attention.
In May, it features the FA Cup Final, while June brings The Derby and Royal Ascot —
iconic events tied to British tradition.
Moving into July, sports lovers enjoy two major individual events: the Wimbledon
tennis championships and The British Open Golf Championship.
In August, the football season officially begins with the Charity Shield — a traditional
match between the winners of the Premier League and the FA Cup.
Finally, the year ends with international rugby matches in November and December,
known as The Autumn Internationals, where England faces top teams from the
southern hemisphere.
Altogether, these events reflect not just Britain’s deep passion for sport, but also the
strong seasonal rhythm of its sporting culture — a blend of tradition, competition, and
national pride that continues year after year.

Conclusion
That’s the end of my part. Now, I’d like to hand it over to my teammate Ngọc, who will
continue with the next topic. Thank you for listening!