Customs and traditions

In Japan they usually invite guests home at weekends, in the early evening, about seven o’clock. Before the guests come, the hostess must tidy the front garden and clean the entrance hall. Then they must spray it all with water to show that they welcome guests with cleanliness. The guests usually bring presents and when they give this present to the host they say:’ I’m sorry this is such a small present’, but in fact they have chosen the present very carefully. When the meal is ready the hostess says, ‘We have nothing special for you today but you are welcome to come this way’. You can see that in Japan too should try to be modest and you should not show off too much. If you don’t understand their culture you will think this is very strange.

When they have foreign guests they try to serve traditional Japanese meals like sushi, tempura or sukiyaki but when they have Japanese guests they serve all kinds of food such as spaghetti, Chinese food, or steaks. When guests leave, the host and hostess see them out of the house and wait until their car turns the corner of the street; they wait until they can’t see them any more.

In Spain what they love most is going out to eat in bars and restaurants. There is a big choice and they can go from one bar to another trying different things and having a few drinks, usually wine or beer. But sometimes they also like to invite people in their homes.

Usually they invite guests for informal meal. They cook Spanish omelette, which is made with potatoes, onions and eggs, fried in olive oil. Then they have things like cheese, ham- Spanish ham is very different from English ham, and if you buy the best one, called Jabugo, is something delicious, worth trying. And then things like olives, anchovies, mussels. They drink wine or beer. Some people may bring a bottle of wine or something for pudding. They usually meet late in the evening, about eight thirty or nine. Of course they dress casually; they just want to be relaxed and comfortable, and talk and laugh together.

OXFORD

Oxford was an important town even before the University came into existence. The University of Oxford may be said to date from 1214 when the first charter was granted by the Pope.

The college corporate institutions with special rules and privileges came into being during the Middle Ages, but at first only graduates were full members of them and it was not until the 16^th century that all undergraduates were admitted to them.

The thirteenth and fourteenth centuries saw many quarrels between the students and the townsfolk. Subsequently the King gave his support to the University which gained considerable influence over the town and its trade.

The ground on which Oxford is built is actually a peninsula, bounded on the west and south by the Thames.

Academic life in Oxford is full and varied. Some of the occasions are solemn, some exciting. The three principal annual events are Commemoration Day, Congregation Day and Convocation Day.

Every college of the University has its own library, and many of them are very large and comprehensive. The principal museums of Oxford are the Ashmolean, and the University Museum.

Oxford is not only one of the oldest university cities of Great Britain, but a thriving industrial town as well.