[extropy-chat] FWD [forteana] Typical Brits

[Terry W. Colvin]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/britain/article/0,2763,1352259,00.html

A typical Briton: uptight but witty

  Poll draws out overseas views of the national character, with some 
unexpected compliments and inevitable references to dental hygiene

   Lee Glendinning
Tuesday November 16, 2004
The Guardian

   Would like to meet: someone with a clever wit, a "bulldog" spirit, 
and high regard for tradition. A sense of style, and clean teeth not 
essential. Well, it shouldn't be hard.

  As far as many foreigners are concerned, the aforementioned list 
contains most of the "qualities" possessed by the typical Briton.

  Throw in a huge amount of reserve and this apparently encompasses the 
quintessential British character.

  In an attempt to understand the perception abroad of Brits, The Royal 
Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce (RSA) 
published research yesterday containing a list of British 
characteristics.

  The research, undertaken by poll company Mori, included in-depth 
interviews with groups in Italy, America and India, as well as local 
discussions in Norfolk.

  The opinions of a number of foreign correspondents working in London 
were also included in the analysis.

  Across the board, wit and cleverness were considered a very British 
trait.

  "Cleverness makes me think of British humour," one American said. 
"Clever is a word and concept that I think is particular to Britain."

  However, the Italians thought slightly differently, with some 
describing the British humour as cold: "Their sense of humour ... it's 
like laughing with tight teeth," said one.

  During discussion groups, the report says, the same words came up 
again and again. Reserved. Uptight. Snobbishness. "They treat you with 
cold detachment," one Italian offered up, "but they are not impolite."

An American correspondent said: "It is especially noticeable among 
[British] men, both physical - no hugging, but also a reluctance to 
express emotion in normal discourse ... they are more formal and slower 
to make friends."

  Although some respondents found a contradiction between the British 
"lager lout" and the high level of reserve, one interviewee from 
Chicago explained it away with: "They need relief from all that 
formalness."

  As far as divisions within the UK, some broad generalisations were 
offered. Scotland and Ireland were seen as more rural with sheep and 
rolling hills whereas England was deemed more industrial.

  The Irish were seen to drink more and have a more devout faith, and 
the Scots were seen as more down-to-earth.

  As for Wales, there was some mention made of it being left off the EU 
map, but otherwise, some knew it was green, and there was the odd 
mention made of Catherine Zeta Jones growing up there.

  Paul Crake, of the RSA, was surprised at how kind the other nations 
were.

  "I would have expected more dirt being dished by foreign groups. But 
we had to really push them to say anything at all negative," he said.

  "The one perception the Americans have about us, is of really bad 
teeth, which I think is due to The Simpsons, and they also think that 
the level of reserve really does touch on the British being a little 
snooty, but that's as bad as it got.

  "We beat ourselves up over what we've offered to the rest of the 
world, but it seems they are quite nice to us in return."

  Perhaps. But the Italians certainly didn't hold back on their views in 
matters of style. They said the English have no clue.

  "Elegance is not typically English. Apart from the Lords, they're a 
bit slovenly. They don't dress with care," said an Italian interviewee.

  Britons were not viewed as weak or devious, but rather as 
individualistic and traditional.

  "Britons...have learned how to make their traditions comfortable to 
live in ... the weight of manners here is very great, the weight of 
social conformity at times here strikes me as very severe," one 
American said.

  Britons are deemed tolerant and multicultural, but a Norfolk 
discussion group based in King's Lynn differed in their attitudes to 
minority groups.

  Chinese immigrants were seen as hard-working, but Portuguese, Russian 
and eastern European groups were deemed "spongers", exploiting 
Britain's welfare state.

  When groups were asked about the number of British achievers 
throughout history, the obligatory references were made to Shakespeare, 
Charles Dickens and the Industrial Revolution.

  When pushed to describe British achievements in the last 10 years 
however, the task proved more difficult.

  It may have been the foreign correspondent from India who summed it up 
best.

  "I can't think of anything very much other than the fact its got a 
very vibrant press ... even though the Americans may run the world, it 
is the British who write about it."

  Politeness, pride ... and bad teeth

  Chicago
British politeness and pride is a positive attribute. America's 
impression of Britain is of a nation rooted in romantic visions of the 
Victorian era but they believe Brits need relief from their formalness

  Britons are better dressed than Americans but they've got bad teeth 
and are conceited.

  Mumbai
The British are "haughty" and known for their snobbishness. Those 
questioned considered themselves humble, whereas the British are not.

  They are seen as too closely aligned to the US

  While the British are open and tolerant of homosexuality, they are the 
fathers of racism.

  Milan
UK is "isolationist" and tied to out-dated traditions and customs.

  It is seen as too closely aligned to the US

  The British sense of humour is cold and people treat you with 
detachment but are not impolite.

  They are proud and full of themselves and are exaggeratedly tied to 
the past.


-- 
"Only a zit on the wart on the heinie of progress." Copyright 1992, Frank Rice


Terry W. Colvin, Sierra Vista, Arizona (USA) < fortean1 at mindspring.com >
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