British Culture

[hc4361]

What is your idea / definition of British culture?

[Islay]

My idea of British culture is all inclusive, the wonderful different persons you meet and food you eat all colours and 'cultures' becoming this 'British Culture' just wonderful.

[kvalidir]

Yes that, the idea that we are all inclusive, all welcoming, ever changing and expanding to new ideas. A tolerance and strength to appreciate difference and assimilate it to re-work the whole and make something new.

[hereIam]

Roast dinner on a Sunday, cricket on a village green in summer, eating ice cream and candy floss at the seaside, dog walking in the park, barbeques as soon as the weather changes and bobbies on the beat (although that is sadly becoming a thing of the past). I could probably think of more.

[hc4361]

You don't get that in many parts of Britain, Islay.

What you advise a foreign tourist to the UK to do if he wanted to experience British culture?

[Jackdaw33]

Now that we're on the way out of the EU we'll soon know what British culture was, and will be again.

[emmie]

family meals, round one big table, lots of noisy chatter,
fish and chips, a pint or two, friendly police, even the NHS,
moans about the weather, getting on with life even after a catastrophe like the Blitz or the latest terror attacks.
people chatting and actually smiling when the weather is kind.
and a whole lot more..

[hereIam]

Hope so JD.

[hc4361]

I do think that somepeople from other countries have strong ideas about us - we're either Midsommer Murder types going to church and village fairs or drunk louts throwing up and having sex in the street

[Islay]

Well there appears to be some that feel the British culture is midsummer nights dream

[emmie]

hc
chucking up after a night out isn't the preserve of the young in Marbella. been there done that..

[hereIam]

Good one em - fish and chips, forgot about those !

[Islay]

Lol fish and chips doesn't even have its origins in 'British culture'
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/11140147/The-exotic-history-of-British-fish-and-chips.html

[maggiebee]

Think a couple on here need to take off the rose tinted specs. This might have been the way it was in the past but doubt if we will ever go back to it. Let's face it, the "British" culture (if it ever existed) is now multicultural and I embrace it.

[hereIam]

Lol so what ????

[emmie]

how many countries can claim to have original food, not adulterated by other cultures.
none.

[emmie]

not rose coloured specs, this is how my family and friends go on about their lives.

[Islay]

Lol hereIam you are so see through!

[Mamyalynne]

Whilst we can agree on lots of things, family, weather grumbling, roast dinners etc - I don't think we can easily encapsulate 'British Culture'.


My views as someone born 63 years ago in a thriving Northern Mill town, heaving with diversity may be a long way away from someone living in a village that has change due to encroachment by new builds.

I feel blessed to have had such a rich and varied life, meeting so many people from all over the World, exchanging views and sharing cultures etc.

What would I tell a Foreign tourist to look for? Well it would depend on what interested them, our wonderful countryside, some great historic buildings and museums would be a start.

[hc4361]

My list of British culture includes:

AmDram
Real ale in a real pub
Fish and chips
Traditional seaside
Punch and Judy
Music
Sunday dinner
Working mens clubs
Church
Strong women
Storytelling - in books, tv, radio

[237SJ]

I think most of our culture is in our past. We don't live it anymore in the way that countries such as India live theirs. Ie - they still eat Indian food, practice their religions, wear Indian clothes, speak their languages and practice their strong traditions. Most foreign tourists want to see our historical culture. I don't meet many that want to come here and see a lot of the countryside.