British people love old things. Many homes are full of antique furniture that is often over one hundred years old. It looks old and is sometimes very uncomfortable. People like it because it gives a home character. It makes a home look lived in and warm.
But it is not only old furniture that is popular. People in Britain also like old clothes. They wear clothes that are so old they have holes in. Foreigners look at these old clothes and cannot understand why we don't throw them away. The reason is simple: they are like old friends. We feel comfortable in them. It is usually British men who like old clothes the most. Women are more interested in fashion and so buy new clothes more often.
There is another reason why British people like old things: they do not feel relaxed with too many new things. Britain is a place where people like and respect traditions. They are afraid of (perhaps even suspicious of) new ways and new things. There is comfort in the past.
The British love of the old (and distrust of the new) has an eco-friendly side to it; people do not like throwing things away that can still be used. Instead of throwing things out as rubbish, people give them to charity shops or to the church. They are then sold, and the money goes to helping poor people or disaster victims. Charity shops are on every street, selling second-hand clothes and books very cheaply. Churches often have 'jumble' sales on Saturdays when they sell all the things they have been given.
Recently car-boot sales have become popular. Instead of giving old things to the charity shop or the church, people sell them themselves. They go to the local park and use their car-boot as their shop. Other people come and hunt for bargains. If you see something you like, you can haggle (trying to get the price down). For many people this is part of the fun.
Car-boot sales are like mobile flea markets. They often take place on Sundays. Traditionally Sunday was the Sabbath day when people went to church. Now instead of praying to God, many people spend Sundays praying they find a bargain.