Units if Length
1 inch = 2.54 cm
12 inches = 1 foot = 30.48 cm
3 feet = 1 yard = 0.9144 m
22 yards = 1 chain = 20.12 m
1 mile = 1.609 km
6080 feet = 1 nautical mile = 1853 m
Units of Weight
1 grain = 64.8 mg; 1 dram – 1.772 g
16 drams = 1 ounce = 28.35 g
16 ounces = 1pound = 0.4536 kg
14 pounds = 1 stone = 6.350 kg
1 pint = 0.5683 lt.
2 pints = 1 quart = 1.137 lt.
8 pints = 4 quarts = 1 gallon = 4.546 lt.
Attitude to Nature and Animals
Most of the British live in towns and cities. But they have an idealized vision of the countryside. To them the countryside has almost none of the negative associations, which it has in some countries, such as poor facilities, lack of educational opportunities, unemployment and poverty. To them the countryside means peace and quiet; beauty, good health and no crime. Besides they think that the countryside represents stability.
Even if they can’t get into the countryside, many British people still spend a lot of their time with “nature”. They grow plants. Gardening is one of the most popular hobbies in the country.
British are very fond of animals. It is said that they often treat their animals as if they were people. Pets are considered the most important members of their families, and in fact the British people spoil their pets while they’re rather strict with their own children. When you stay at their place, they watch closely their pet’s reaction to you. If the pet does not like you, they’re sure to take dislike to you too, or at least get suspicious and you’ll never be invited again.
They have special shops, hotels, restaurants, holiday resorts and cemeteries for their pets. (e.g. Rossendal Pet Cemetery in Lancashire is only one of them)
And! British Rail employ cats, who are officially recognized as employees. Their job is to catch rats. There’s usually one cat per station. Their pay (tax-free) is food, and they also get medical treatment free of charge. While Scotland Yard (in London) has a special force of Police Dogs. It was first used as an experiment in 1938 and proved very much efficient.
When the British were asked what they would do if they met a beggar and a stray dog, and who they’d help; they answered that it would be the dog because a person can take care of himself, while the poor animal can’t even ask for anything.