Language

Linguistic diversity in the UK comes from the huge number of languages that are spoken, and especially from how English itself is spoken. Accents among native English speakers give away regional and class origins. Try to learn how to decipher the various forms of English so that you will have an idea of the many signals that locals are reading into each other’s verbal expressions.

Relationships

The UK scores very high on the individualism index, below average on power distance and uncertainty avoidance, and above average on the masculinity index. The UK is one of the most multi-cultural societies in the world. Many of the traditional networks, the exclusive and insular club mentality, and the perpetuation of the class system, comes from British education. 

Business Climate

Be aware of what creates socioeconomic status and understand the contradictions that come from the present colliding with the past. Avoid being locked into either elite associations that are unsuccessfully standing in the way of social change or contact at one social level and that are likely to exclude you from business opportunities. Find ways to build on present trends in which equal opportunity, mobility and diversity are increasing in importance.

The Pew Global Attitudes Project is an interactive database that allows users to explore public opinion trends in 55 countries on topics ranging from attitudes towards the U.S. to peoples assessments of their own lives to views about globalization, democratization and extremism and other important issues.

The country ranks as no. 16 (of 180 countries) on Transparency International’s 2008 Corruption Perceptions Index.