Forward thinking programs in the States such as behavioral safety, employee work teams, and workplace exercise programs, are a long way off for most British workers. Stress management is just beginning to surface, but it will be some time before it is accepted. In fact, change is extremely slow. In general, everything except the mail here operates at a much slower pace. Answering machines are scorned here and even the largest of companies rarely use them.
More business is conducted by letter.
Indeed, a letter usually precedes initial phone contact, so the communication process is always a few days behind the pace of the States'. As an employee of a consulting firm, I have had several other cultural surprises. In fact, using superlatives is considered brash. The theme running through daily life is proper, proper, proper. Don't call before writing.