I still don't get why shops close at 5pm on a weekday
This.
My wife's from Brazil. After 2 years in the UK she still can't understand why the majority of businesses don't open until 9 & are closed by 5/5:30. She thinks the British are just lazy 
... in Brazil, stuff generally opens 7:7:30 and stays open 'til late evening.
Perhaps UK businesses need to re-think things like opening hours to encourage custome (although they'll never be as convenient as sitting on your sofa clicking a mouse).
The other thing my wife has noticed is the general level of customer service in the UK - i.e. pretty poor overall.
Businesses here generally seem to want to get away with the bare minimum, almost like we should feel privileged enough just to be consdered a customer.
E.g. the greetings card shop we used a few months back: nobody else in the shop, assistant sat behind the counter doing ab-so-lut-ely nothing, we bought some wrapping paper & my wife asks the ASSistant if she can wrap the present - "sorry we don't do wrapping" 
.. well, thanks for your help ... they closed down shortly after. not at all surprised. blimmin useless.
I've been shopping in Brazil where places have re-opened their doors if they spot you arriving after 'closing time', and people actually seem to want to help rather than making you feel like you're inconveniencing them by daring to use their shop ...
