What it means to be British

Fairygdmther · 01-24-2006, 05:00 AM

Got this in an email today...

One of the British national daily newspapers is asking
readers "what it means to be British?" Some of the emails
are hilarious but this is one from a chap in Switzerland.

"Being British is about driving in a German car to an
Irish pub for a Belgian beer, then travelling home,
grabbing an Indian curry or a Turkish kebab on the way,
to sit on Swedish furniture and watch American shows
on a Japanese TV. And the most British thing of all?

"Suspicion of anything foreign."

Lynsie

Aj_ · 01-24-2006, 05:06 AM

That sounds about right.

RLacey · 01-24-2006, 05:10 AM

A generalisation, but one with a good deal of truth to it...

*stepurhan* · 01-24-2006, 05:45 AM

I say Lynsie old gel. It's simply not cricket to generalise about we British just because some bally foreign blighter wrote to a periodical, what. .

/ goes off in his bowler hat to have a cup of tea.

*stuboy* · 01-24-2006, 05:46 AM

yup. But there is a lot of very unique British culture as well.

Karmillo · 01-24-2006, 06:01 AM

Like Mars bar Suppers...

seebaruk · 01-24-2006, 06:15 AM

Yeah, I'd agree with most of that, except our curries are vastly different to Indian curries (we invented the tikka masala dammit!), and the only American shows I watch are Family Guy, 24 & the occasional SNL (you can bugger off with your Joey's and Dharma & Greg's!)

And, of course, don't drink and drive kiddies.

Mmm, Belgian beer is so good

RLacey · 01-24-2006, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuboy

yup. But there is a lot of very unique British culture as well.

Absolutely. And we export a fair amount of it. Look at the BBC, or the success of British film such as Wallace & Gromit.

seebaruk · 01-24-2006, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLacey

Absolutely. And we export a fair amount of it. Look at the BBC, or the success of British film such as Wallace & Gromit.

And what we don't export, the Americans tend to steal and remake

LeChimp · 01-24-2006, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairygdmther

"Being British is about driving in a German car to an
Irish pub for a Belgian beer, then travelling home,
grabbing an Indian curry or a Turkish kebab on the way,
to sit on Swedish furniture and watch American shows
on a Japanese TV.

It sounds like you could just change a couple of the words around and you could have a joke describing the American culture

RLacey · 01-24-2006, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeChimp

It sounds like you could just change a couple of the words around and you could have a joke describing the American culture

Heh. That was the one thing I found slightly galling about the email; if you changed a few words it could describe a lot of countries in the world, including America.

Still, it's not actually saying anything entirely untrue. It's not like it's suggesting that us Brits all talk in the Queen's English, or that we're all stuffy and uptight (though I pride myself on attempting these at times)...

Lucien21 · 01-24-2006, 08:27 AM

Actually the Indian Curry popular in the UK was invented in Glasgow (Tikka) so it's not really indian.

Starflux · 01-24-2006, 08:40 AM

The same here; I think every country makes its own version of outlandish dishes and flavours. It is said that the most 'Dutch' meal here is our version of noodles with satéh-sauce.

And boy do I love it ^_^

01-24-2006, 05:00 AM	#1
Fairygdmther Magic Wand Waver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 3,142	What it means to be British Got this in an email today... One of the British national daily newspapers is asking readers "what it means to be British?" Some of the emails are hilarious but this is one from a chap in Switzerland. "Being British is about driving in a German car to an Irish pub for a Belgian beer, then travelling home, grabbing an Indian curry or a Turkish kebab on the way, to sit on Swedish furniture and watch American shows on a Japanese TV. And the most British thing of all? "Suspicion of anything foreign." Lynsie Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Ralph Waldo Emerson

01-24-2006, 05:06 AM	#2
Aj_ Beyond Belief Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Blighty Posts: 2,186	That sounds about right. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Richard Dawkins :: AAI 07 :: NOVA ID on Trial :: Skeptic's Guide :: Beyond Belief :: Out Campaign :: NeuroLogica :: Skepticality

01-24-2006, 05:10 AM	#3
RLacey The Thread™ will die. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 22,542	A generalisation, but one with a good deal of truth to it... Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ RLacey \| Killer of the Thread™ I do not change to be perfect. Perfect changes to be me.

01-24-2006, 05:45 AM	#4
stepurhan Freeware Co-ordinator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: South East England. Posts: 7,309	I say Lynsie old gel. It's simply not cricket to generalise about we British just because some bally foreign blighter wrote to a periodical, what. . / goes off in his bowler hat to have a cup of tea. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ No Nonsense Nonsonnets #43 Cold Topic A thread most controversial, that’s what I want to start Full of impassioned arguments, of posting from the heart And for this stimulation all will be thankful to me On come on everybody it won’t work if you agree

01-24-2006, 05:46 AM	#5
stuboy Staff Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 531	yup. But there is a lot of very unique British culture as well. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ (Already hates your game)

01-24-2006, 06:01 AM	#6
Karmillo woof Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NOT REALLY RIGHT HERE Posts: 4,750	Like Mars bar Suppers... Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ "I've got nothing to lose! Except for...well everything."

01-24-2006, 06:15 AM	#7
seebaruk Chris Barraclough Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London Posts: 2,437	Yeah, I'd agree with most of that, except our curries are vastly different to Indian curries (we invented the tikka masala dammit!), and the only American shows I watch are Family Guy, 24 & the occasional SNL (you can bugger off with your Joey's and Dharma & Greg's!) And, of course, don't drink and drive kiddies. Mmm, Belgian beer is so good Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Games and Tech journo, and broke-arse author of Bat Boy (UK Authors Prize 2010 Winner), Crack (Page Turner Prize 2011 shortlisted) and Dead Dogs (nominated for the Dylan Thomas Sony Reader Award). Check out www.chrisbarraclough.co.uk for promotions and giveaways. Twitter: Seebaruk

01-24-2006, 08:27 AM	#12
Lucien21 Psychonaut Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 5,114	Actually the Indian Curry popular in the UK was invented in Glasgow (Tikka) so it's not really indian. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!

01-24-2006, 08:40 AM	#13
Starflux A Servicable Villain Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: the ocean spire Posts: 1,730	The same here; I think every country makes its own version of outlandish dishes and flavours. It is said that the most 'Dutch' meal here is our version of noodles with satéh-sauce. And boy do I love it ^_^ Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Visit my webcomic Captain August!

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