Define Britishness
Discussion
Culture is always a hard one to pin down because the little bugger keeps moving, however I'm intrigued to see what PH makes of the word British and what it means.
IMO I've narrowed it down to this - Someone will always call your bluff and the accuracy of your answer is valued more highly than anything else like saving face or looking cool.
EG a Russian would order the most expensive bottle of wine as a status symbol while a Brit is more likely to order a bottle of something they've at least heard of. (Status vs Accuracy)
EG an Indian would be unlikely to admit that they can not do something and would say 'Oh my brother/friend/elephant knows how to program in that language so I'll get them to help' while a Brit would say 'I don't know how to program in that language'. (Saving face vs Accuracy)
Well that's my take on it anyway, the defining nature of Britishness is that no matter what you say someone will challenge you and our culture is based on the accuracy of how we deal with that confrontation.
So, how would you define Britishness?
IMO I've narrowed it down to this - Someone will always call your bluff and the accuracy of your answer is valued more highly than anything else like saving face or looking cool.
EG a Russian would order the most expensive bottle of wine as a status symbol while a Brit is more likely to order a bottle of something they've at least heard of. (Status vs Accuracy)
EG an Indian would be unlikely to admit that they can not do something and would say 'Oh my brother/friend/elephant knows how to program in that language so I'll get them to help' while a Brit would say 'I don't know how to program in that language'. (Saving face vs Accuracy)
Well that's my take on it anyway, the defining nature of Britishness is that no matter what you say someone will challenge you and our culture is based on the accuracy of how we deal with that confrontation.
So, how would you define Britishness?
As you say, it moves with time. I'm sure it's changed between the island being colonised by people from Africa, invaded by the Romans, Scandinavians, Germans & French (I make no claim for timeline accuracy) And then immigration from our previous colonies & EU states. Before I get flamed I think this is a positive as it tends only to be the go-getters that migrate.
But there is cultural difference between Aberdeen, Bradford, Brixton and Mayfair, so I'm not sure you can paint them all with one brush. The only things I can think of that seem common are the rather unexciting traits of tolerance and "fair play".
But there is cultural difference between Aberdeen, Bradford, Brixton and Mayfair, so I'm not sure you can paint them all with one brush. The only things I can think of that seem common are the rather unexciting traits of tolerance and "fair play".
Of or originating from the British isles would be the obvious answer.
If you mean as specifically relates to the characteristics of the people as opposed to people from other countries then I suppose it really depends what people you are comparing them too. The cliches of the stiff upper lip and never showing emotion are valid as compared to southern European nations, but pretty redundant in Asia.
As a Briton living abroad the stand out thing for me is the sense of humour (shared to a large degree with the Australians) that is completely lost on people of most other nations yet can be brilliant, especially after an absence. Of course a lot of that is based on familiarity and shared experiences. Perhaps two Belgians, Japanese or Brazilians find similar humour in each other's company.
If you mean as specifically relates to the characteristics of the people as opposed to people from other countries then I suppose it really depends what people you are comparing them too. The cliches of the stiff upper lip and never showing emotion are valid as compared to southern European nations, but pretty redundant in Asia.
As a Briton living abroad the stand out thing for me is the sense of humour (shared to a large degree with the Australians) that is completely lost on people of most other nations yet can be brilliant, especially after an absence. Of course a lot of that is based on familiarity and shared experiences. Perhaps two Belgians, Japanese or Brazilians find similar humour in each other's company.
I was walking towards my rugby club along the paved path where there was only room for one. A bloke was coming towards me and when he was about 20 feet away I stepped off the path and onto the soggy grassed bit. The British, or perhpas English, thing was that he did the same. So we walked past one-another, both of us off the path and in the mud. Once past we both got back on the path and carried on our way.
When I got to the club house those in there were laughing at me, saying how silly it looked, but then they all decided they would have done the same. We had a short conversation as to why but the logic proved difficult so we gave up.
Thinking about it though it seemed to me that neither of us wanted to put the other out or to be in debt to them. So if both step off then everything is equal and fair.
Despite it being silly, I would do exactly the same thing again.
When I got to the club house those in there were laughing at me, saying how silly it looked, but then they all decided they would have done the same. We had a short conversation as to why but the logic proved difficult so we gave up.
Thinking about it though it seemed to me that neither of us wanted to put the other out or to be in debt to them. So if both step off then everything is equal and fair.
Despite it being silly, I would do exactly the same thing again.
Tartan Pixie said:
Culture is always a hard one to pin down because the little bugger keeps moving, however I'm intrigued to see what PH makes of the word British and what it means.
IMO I've narrowed it down to this - Someone will always call your bluff and the accuracy of your answer is valued more highly than anything else like saving face or looking cool.
EG a Russian would order the most expensive bottle of wine as a status symbol while a Brit is more likely to order a bottle of something they've at least heard of. (Status vs Accuracy)
EG an Indian would be unlikely to admit that they can not do something and would say 'Oh my brother/friend/elephant knows how to program in that language so I'll get them to help' while a Brit would say 'I don't know how to program in that language'. (Saving face vs Accuracy)
Well that's my take on it anyway, the defining nature of Britishness is that no matter what you say someone will challenge you and our culture is based on the accuracy of how we deal with that confrontation.
So, how would you define Britishness?
I'd have said about 95% of Russians have never even drank wine. Or do you mean the rich ones you meet outside of their own country? If so, that's not really a good representation.IMO I've narrowed it down to this - Someone will always call your bluff and the accuracy of your answer is valued more highly than anything else like saving face or looking cool.
EG a Russian would order the most expensive bottle of wine as a status symbol while a Brit is more likely to order a bottle of something they've at least heard of. (Status vs Accuracy)
EG an Indian would be unlikely to admit that they can not do something and would say 'Oh my brother/friend/elephant knows how to program in that language so I'll get them to help' while a Brit would say 'I don't know how to program in that language'. (Saving face vs Accuracy)
Well that's my take on it anyway, the defining nature of Britishness is that no matter what you say someone will challenge you and our culture is based on the accuracy of how we deal with that confrontation.
So, how would you define Britishness?
On that basis I think you'll find identifying Britishness equally impossible.
Eric Mc said:
And get flattened by an illegal immigrant driving an untaxed and uninsured Ford Sierra.
The unfunny and tragic side to that is it 'really' could happen and worse, nobody today would bat an eyelid!
Britishness?
Virtually disappeared. It's simply nostalgia to many of us now.
Just glad I saw and was part of some of it.
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