Are you British and do you see yourself in this report?

Quote:

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Queueing, moaning, boozing, and talking about the weather.
By our own admission, these are the traits that make us British.
Researchers asked 5,000 adults to pick out characteristics - good and bad - that define the national character.
Turned out nice again: Talking about the weather, queueing and sarcasm are among the three things that define Britons

Our obsession with discussing the weather came top of the list, chosen by 58 per cent of those polled.
More than half said we are the politest nation when it comes to queueing and 48 per cent considered sarcasm as our highest form of wit.
At number four was our liking for watching soap operas, fifth was getting drunk, and sixth was our love of a bargain.

Rounding out the top ten were nosy curtain twitching, having a stiff upper lip, being addicted to all television and, finally, moaning.
Other British traits include leaving things to the last minute and being unhappy with our weight.

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Daily Mail

I agree with all of that, except moaning comes top. I am struck more and more, each time I go back there, just what a nation of whingers the Brits are, in general. There is a huge contrast between the people here who, in general, do not have time to moan and just get on with it. It is actually one of the reasons why I stayed here so long.

I have definitely noticed the whining/whinging/moaning on here, especially in the Chat threads. I am amazed, pretty much on a daily basis, how some can go on and on over the most trivial inconveniences. Things that most would simply deal with and move on, seem to be a basis for flaring tempers and self-righteous indignation. The smallest thing can turn into an entire discussion. I will say that I do not see much of that here on the Forums, which is probably why I enjoy them and all of you on *this side* so much.

I prefer Victoria Wood's comment that the only way the Brits would ever rise up in revolt against the Government would if they banned caravanning and car boot sales!

Do you mean other people don't talk about the weather? How strange.

The French must certainly top that list with complaining. Every group of French people I've known or frequented or worked with openly admit that they complain about life all the time. 'Raleurs' is the term many of them use.
I think the art of discussing the weather is also ingrained in them as they'll often say they're talking about 'la pluie et le beau temps.'

Whenever I've traveled in the UK however, I'm always amazed at how some of the stereotypes you see in films are true. Queuing comes to mind and also, indulging in many breaks over some form of hot beverage several times a day.
I also have seen the difference between the civil type of society and the sports fans' behavior but, I always figured it was the catharsis involved there.
I just don't think the Brits have the top place on the list of complaining.

I bet the US version would have to include lawsuits for everything under the sun. I doubt if there's anywhere on earth where so many frivolous lawsuits occur. This makes me wonder if it's not because we've lost the art of just getting things out of our systems and talking it out instead of seeking someone's assistance from outside of the circle to settle disputes. Maybe complaining serves a purpose.

The US would also take a major hit on the weight issues too, sadly enough.

Whenever I talk about the weather, I always feel that it's an obvious, lame attempt at conversation.

If you ever want a good explanation of why the Brits love a good moan or talking about the weather I would heartily recommend "Watching the English" by Kate Fox. It is a very entertaining read that will make non-Brits laugh and Brits cringe (and laugh as well - the ability to laugh at yourself being a vital British characteristic of course).

Thanks Snowman. I just ordered it from Abe books. Got one used one very cheap so I am happy!

I just looked online for a copy and found this excerpt, about a train delay, which made me howl in laughter!

"Such problems seem to have an instant bonding effect on English passengers, clearly based on the 'them and us' principle. The opportunity to moan or, even better, to indulge in witty moaning, is irresistible. The moan-fests prompted by delayed trains or other forms of public-transport disruptions are very much like weather-moaning: utterly pointless in that we all know and stoically accept nothing can or will be done to remedy the situation, but enjoyable and highly effective as facilitators of social interraction."

I couldn't copy and paste it, had to type it all out, but it was well worth it to share, I think. I just wish a used copy would have been cheaper. That tells me it must be a valued book.

I should wait a while Sandy, mine was only 1 pound 80. There may be more later.

Moaning must be spreading globally now that the economy has taken a downturn. I hear a lot of moaning these days, and even indulge in it myself if I happen to watch the stock market. (Not a good thing to do right now. )

We do talk about the weather, but then it's partly that being situated where we are, the weather is almost always unpredictable and surprising.
Unlike a continental climate.
We had snow, heavy rain, blazing sunshine and high winds last week. I was going shopping today, but the place I wanted to visit is flooded. In two days time, it may be back to cold crisp blue skies...or not.

We also complain a lot about things, but most of take a while to get really angry which is a quality I value greatly.

I do find some posts from the other side of the pond puzzling, sometimes over-reactive and humourless, verging on aggressive. And I never get involved passionate patriotic discussions, the mindset terrifies me.
So, maybe I prefer grumbling, and self-depreciation...but then I'm English. I've got a copy of the book you mentioned, I agree it's a good read.

I lived in the U.K. for many years, and I would not say that the Brits are the international spokespeople for "sarcasm".
They are the masters of the use of "irony", which is a compliment. While sarcasm and irony are similar, they are easily confused. Irony is sarcasm without the wit, and I miss the British wit. I do not miss the conversations about the weather.

It's shame that along with red pillar boxes (is that what the British call "mail boxes?) and some old army posts, the British didn't leave their love of queuing behind when they quit Israel in 1948. It is an admirable trait and one sorely missing here. Can I share a joke? Back in the old days of the USSR, a researcher asks a Russian, an American and an Israeli what they think of the long queues that have resulted from the meat shortage. The Russian asks "What is meat?" The American asks "What's a shortage?", and the Israeli asks "What's a queue?"