Fairy tale information

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF Published: May 22, 2005KAIFENG, ChinaAs this millennium dawns, New York City is the most important city in the world, the unofficial capital of planet Earth. But before we New Yorkers become too full of ourselves, it might be worthwhile to glance at dilapidated Kaifeng in central China.Kaifeng, an ancient city along the mud-clogged Yellow River, was by far the most important place in the world in 1000. And if you've never heard of it, that's a useful warning for Americans - as the Chinese headline above puts it, in a language of the future that many more Americans should start learning, "glory is as ephemeral as smoke and clouds."As the world's only superpower, America may look today as if global domination is an entitlement. But if you look back at the sweep of hist ...

There is no doubt that the modern English family is very different to any families of the past. There has been a steady rise in the number of single-person households in England, the numbers ranging from 15% in the 1970s to 30% in 2000. Many estimations state that in a further 30 years, there will be more single than married people in England. Not so long ago, this would have been seen as completely unacceptable by English standards. Much like some developing countries today, the English men and  women of the past got married and then stayed married. Divorce was tricky, socially frowned upon and very expensive. It also took a long time to complete, the combination of which was enough to put most people off the thought.Of course, 'modern' views on marriage are very different. Many ...

In England we have a popular term; "Do's and Dont's". This basically means a list of things one should or should not do in a given situation. Here is a fun list of things to consider when in England or dealing with English people! When in England:- Do pay as you consume - Pay for drinks as you order them at bars and pubs! This is not necessary in restaurants, but is vital in anywhere more informal such as a pub or club bar.- Do say 'Excuse me' - If someone gets in your way or you accidentally bump into someone this little phrase will instantly diffuse any worry and will usually get you a smile! It's also a good way to make someone get out of your way.- Do wait in line - A very particular thing in England is forming queues (a line of people waiting for something). For example, you want ...

In England we tend to eat three meals a day. Many people eat their biggest meal in the evening which is often called supper or dinner. Breakfast is usually between 7am and 9am. What do the English eat for Breakfast?Well, this varies a lot from person to person and some people skip breakfast altogether (although it is widely considered unhealthy to do so by most English people). I expect you think you already know what an English breakfast consists of (or dare I say it, the 'full English Breakfast'). Most people would say that the English breakfast was eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms, baked beans and fried bread. According to a survey of commuting workers a more typical English breakfast nowadays is more likely to be a simple bowl of cereal, a slice of toast or bread, orange juice and ...

When people actually use the word 'England', they often mean 'Great Britain' or 'The United Kingdom'. When used this way, the word never actually means 'England.' The history of the British Isles is a long and typically confused one. The United Kingdom is made up of England (capital: London), Wales (capital: Cardiff) and Scotland (capital: Edinburgh). England is the largest part of an island called 'Great Britain' which is also the biggest island in Europe. Great Britain is the name given to the Kingdoms of England and Scotland, and the Principality of Wales.The diverse history mentioned above has given rise to some very different and particular customs and traditions in each of the three countries. When using the word 'England' you should take care that you are not causing offence to ...