Skip to main content

40 Characteristics of the British Culture that You Really Need to Know.

The British are a uniquly traditional people, steeped in culture and quirky, unique traits and characteristics that have developed over thousands of years.

What comes to mind when you think of British culture? Probably quite differing traditional stereotypes. On the one hand, you might think of James Bond ordering a sophisticated Martini or of stylish celebrities attending Wimbledon. While on the other hand, you might think of the eccentric capers of Mr. Bean. The UK is a multi-nation, multi-ethnic land of diversity and contrast. And yet you’ll find it hard to meet a Brit who doesn’t love a good cup of tea with a nice chocolate biscuit, devenshire tea or a hot buttered crumpet.

There are many cultural quirks that frequently take visitors by surprise – particularly visitors from countries less given to peculiar behaviours! The British quirks range from the sublime to the ridiculous to the downright bizarre, and to help prepare you for these cultural oddities, here are forty of the best, or the worst, depending upon how you judge them.

Enjoy

THE 40 MOST COMMON BRITISH TRAITS

  1. Wearing summer clothing at the first sight of sun
  2. Apologising automatically
  3. Ability to talk at length about the weather
  4. Making a cup of tea in response to a crisis
  5. Finding queue-jumping the ultimate crime
  6. Forming a queue for pretty much anything
  7. The typically British ‘stiff upper lip’
  8. Grumbling throughout a meal, but not telling staff so as not to cause a fuss
  9. Making sarcastic/dry jokes
  10. Having a beer at the airport even though it’s before 8am
  11. Giggling at innuendos
  12. Making a cup of tea when you have no time to drink it
  13. Getting sunburnt on the first warm day of the year
  14. Finding the American forwardness ‘a bit much’
  15. Avoiding eye contact on the tube

  16. Binge drinking at the weekends
  17. Insisting the other person goes through the door first
  18. Searching for a fry-up when on holiday abroad
  19. Mistaking brightness for warmth
  20. Finding nothing better than a bacon sandwich
  21. Not asking for help so as not to ‘put anyone out’
  22. Insisting the barbecue will still go on despite rain
  23. Bringing out fancy biscuits on a plate for visitors
  24. Feeling extremely patriotic during sports events
  25. Indulging in a pint and a packet of crisps
  26. Reading newspapers in the morning
  27. Feeling at home to the tune of EastEnders or Coronation Street
  28. Wearing extra layers rather than putting the heating on
  29. Feeling appreciative that the person in front put the ‘next customer’ barrier on the conveyor belt
  30. Doing anything possible for a light tan

  31. Owning a picnic hamper but only ever using it once a year
  32. Starting a controversial statement with ‘I’m not being funny, but...’
  33. Being vague about your plans rather than decline an invitation
  34. Thanking someone when you’ve done them a favour
  35. Not correcting someone when they pronounce your name wrong
  36. Loving your cat/dog more than your child
  37. Searching your pockets when asked for spare change
  38. Feeling extreme excitement over a Sunday roast dinner
  39. Having mixed feelings towards the ill colleague who is still coming to work
  40. Being skilled in writing a letter of complaint






Comments

  1. Thanks, I think that I've learnt more about the British culture !!!🙏

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The 50 Most Important Idioms for Achieving a B2 to C2 Level of English.

  Due to the complexities of English, nobody, native or second language learner can honestly brag about having a proficient level of the language without a solid knowledge of Idioms.  Every day, in almost every conversation, native speakers will use idioms more than someone who is new to the language, simply because they are more familiar with them and know the context in which they should be used. Therefore, this means that when you, the second language learner uses an idiom in the correct context, that you have a more proficient level of English and therefore you sound more like a native speaker. Below is a list of 50 of the most important general idioms necessary for traveling the B2 to C2 language learning journey. With these idioms, you will be able to listen and speak more like a native speaker, therefore, enhancing your ability to communicate effectively. Study tips for how to learn idioms. The 60 most important phrasal verbs for achieving a B2 to C2 level of English. I...

The 60 Most Important Phrasal Verbs for Achieving a B2 to C2 Level of English.

  Due to the complexities of English, nobody can honestly brag about having a proficient level of the language without a solid knowledge of phrasal verbs and Idioms.  Every day, in almost every conversation, native speakers will use phrasal verbs idioms more than someone who is new to the language, simply because they are more familiar with them and know the context in which they should be used. Therefore, this means that when you, the second language learner uses a phrasal verb or idiom in the correct context, that you have a more proficient level of English and therefore you sound more like a native speaker. Below is a list of 60 of the most important general phrasal verbs necessary for traveling the B2 to C2 language learning journey. With these phrasal verbs, you will be able to listen and speak more like a native speaker, therefore, enhancing your ability to communicate effectively. The 50 Most Important Idioms for Achieving a B2 to C2 Level of English. Study tips for how...

40 of the Most Important Expressions for Achieving an Advanced level of English

  English is full of various forms of common expressions, be it idioms, phrasal verbs, metaphors, similes, slang etc and is basically a phrase or saying that is commonly used in everyday English to express certain ideas or opinions. Understanding English expressions is important for two reasons, firstly because they require a deeper familiarity of the English language to comprehend what someone means when they use them in conversation, and secondly, for those who live, work or study in an English speaking society, they reinforce your ability to understand the world in which you are living. Expressions may seem complicated at first, but they can actually be a lot of fun to learn.  Common Expressions: A New Way to Express Yourself in the English Language The meaning of an expression generally depends on the specific context in which it is used. When someone tells you to ‘break a leg’, for example, they aren’t saying that in a literal sense, but instead are wishing you...