What's the greatest aspect of british culture?

[-]

InfectedByEli@reddit

Being correct about most things but far too humble to make a fuss about it.

[-]

Ok-Train5382@reddit

Read this as queefing and the other comment on it made no sense

[-]

Had to scroll way too far for this. Went travelling to Europe and believe me you could spot the British travellers. Waiting for the coach and anyone who was British was forming some sort of queue in the tight space. All none British were forming a sort of crowd. The reason I mention this is there are times when gathering vs queueing is more effective but we the British will always form a queue even when not necessary. In this European example queueing was the most effective. I felt like a meme.

[-]

North_Still_2234@reddit

Understatement is quite good.

[-]

Krkboy@reddit

The English language - a great gift to the world. Being a native speaker of British English is like winning the linguistic lottery.

I currently live aboard and the amount of jobs, pleasant conversations and good shags I’ve got because of my accent is something I’m very grateful for..!

[-]

CalCapital@reddit

Can you please share what country you found the jobs and shags, asking for a friend

[-]

Krkboy@reddit

Tell your friend I live in Japan

[-]

PainExtension3272@reddit

What ship do you live aboard?

[-]

Krkboy@reddit

I don't live on a ship...

[-]

RuneClash007@reddit

You said you live aboard though

[-]

Krkboy@reddit

See what you did there. Touche

[-]

Icy_Preparation6792@reddit

Where do you live? Asking for a friend

[-]

apoetsmadness@reddit

The other side of that coin is, that not many native english speakers are able to speak a second language (compared to other countries where they have to learn english)

[-]

Krkboy@reddit

The flip side of that though, is that when you say a second language you mean English, and most people learn this for economic reasons, not because they’re interested in Anglophone culture. Whereas if native English speakers want to choose a second language when can invariably choose one we actually like. And being native speaker of English is a massive privilege and still carries a lot of prestige.

I think it’s also true that while many Europeans are bilingual in English, it tends to stop there. No many of them are fluent in each others languages.

[-]

SeahorseQueen1985@reddit

My business teacher at school told me the English language is the product that's been most successful worldwide. I agree.

[-]

Kirstemis@reddit

Our ability to take the piss and puncture pomposity.

[-]

CharringtonCross@reddit

Village. Church, bells, vicarage, pub, pretty houses, countryside. So cute.

[-]

Competitive_Alps_514@reddit

'd suggest that we are the nation of the voluntary group, the committee, the grassroots 'getting off your bum' to run a little organisation to solve some problem. It could be the local 'loons' (I mean that kindly) obsessing over some Victorian water tower through to scouts through to giant entities like the National Trust or some local family trust funding parents of disabled kids to get respite nights away.

[-]

Ok_Onion7335@reddit

Humour we are very funny

[-]

JustLetItAllBurn@reddit

We're so funny it hurts. Every day, it hurts so much. Because we're funny.

[-]

PlasteeqDNA@reddit

Seconded. Very funny often unintentionally hilarious even going about your normal day to day lives.

[-]

JoesRealAccount@reddit

Hahahaha!

[-]

plasticface2@reddit

Football, music and our language.

[-]

pencilrain99@reddit

Our total pig-headed unwillingness to look facts in the face seeing us through

[-]

tinybrainenthusiast@reddit

Our tolerance of foreigners and other cultures.

[-]

BalthazarOfTheOrions@reddit

What is there that requires tolerance?

[-]

pencilrain99@reddit

Them being foreigners

[-]

TheSunKingsSon@reddit

As an American who has visited numerous times, I’d say the UK work ethic is quite admirable. On my first few visits to London, I misread people on the underground in the mornings as being rather cold, but I grew to understand that they’re just going to work to get shit done. Pockets of the US still embrace a strong work ethic, but many seem to think work is for suckers, especially after Covid and lockdowns.

[-]

Honey-Badger@reddit

I think you've totally misunderstood something there mate.

[-]

TheSunKingsSon@reddit

Sorry? For having an opinion?

[-]

ScatterCushion0@reddit

Having an opinion isn't wrong, it's just based on an inaccurate interpretation of the scenario.

Which is also cool, because it shows how the same event can be seen through different lenses. One's a bit more rosy tinted than the other.

[-]

Honey-Badger@reddit

Yeah. The completely wrong option. You've completely misunderstood why people are cold to you whilst they're commuting to work.

[-]

TheSunKingsSon@reddit

Of course, you know why people were cold to me whilst they’re commuting to work.

[-]

Honey-Badger@reddit

Yes. Because we are indeed quite cold in London. None of us are focusing on work lol, we find American 'I've not had a day off in X many years' work ethic pathetic as you get shafted by your employers and we would never accept to be treated as such

[-]

Big-Parking9805@reddit

People not speaking on the underground because they're in their zone for getting to work.

Probably my favourite comment I've seen on Reddit.

A lot of people can only think of the 5:30pm pint at 8 in the morning on the tube - if they can think at all 😁

[-]

TheSunKingsSon@reddit

I’ve had about 10-15 jobs here in various sectors. Some treated me poorly, some treated me tremendously. Probably no different here than there.

[-]

pajamakitten@reddit

That's not really true. We just do not talk to strangers that much in parts of the UK. It is not about focusing on work and we do not have anywhere near the protestant work ethic the US does. All you saw is reserved Brits going about their day, most probably wishing they did not have to go to work at all.

[-]

Lopsided_Soup_3533@reddit

I mean I gotta say most bits probably think American attitudes to work are bizarre. Things like no paid leave is anathema to a lot of us. I don't quite agree about commuters either. I think the tube in rush hour is miserable and I'm sure lots of ppl are thinking about a whole range of stuff rather than being laser focused on work

[-]

Fluffy_Race_3766@reddit

I'll clarify by saying that I'm ethnically Asian but me and my parents were born in Britain. The thing I've found is great is our attitude. The way we act around other people is appreciated basically anywhere. Ive been all over the world and no one complains about how we behave(when we aren't mad drunk). I think it's the thing we probably overlook but when you go to other countries you will find that Americans are too loud and kinda don't care about how they are affecting others and other cultures usually don't jive aswell as British culture does. When I say our attitude I mean that we don't shout when talking, we say sorry even if we don't think it's our fault, ect. Also tea is great.

[-]

Electus93@reddit

Hmmm not sure if Spain or Greece (or basically anywhere in Europe with a beach) agrees with you

[-]

emil_@reddit

Spanish people are, in general, some of the rudest i've met so i don't think they count...

[-]

Pedantichrist@reddit

Griselda Pascual might have disagreed with that.

[-]

emil_@reddit

Did you also have a physicist's name in case i used 'matter'?

[-]

Pedantichrist@reddit

No, in that instance I would not mind.

[-]

emil_@reddit

Is that because if you don't mind, then it doesn't... ?

[-]

Pedantichrist@reddit

That’s the puppy.

[-]

Fluffy_Race_3766@reddit

To be fair I haven't been to Europe. The one place I've never been despite it being the closest lol

[-]

Lopsided_Soup_3533@reddit

Yeah we have an awful reputation as drunken morons in much of tourist Europe. And it's not undeserved.

[-]

tntyou898@reddit

There's pro's and cons but generally, I don't think we really care about people. Like if your gay, white trans or straight we treat everyone all the same. No special treatment but not acting nervous around anyone. You see some Americans who for some reason, have to acknowledge and pander to people with certain characteristics. For us, everyone gets the cold shoulder equally.

Of course there is discrimination but I think it's blown up more than it actually exists. I think the majority of the population is very very tolerant

[-]

ScatterCushion0@reddit

Our one defining trait is apathy, internally ans externally. Things have to be extreme for us to take any kind of action, and even then it's usually half-arsed.

There are a handful of movers and shakers still (trying to) make their - and by extention the rest of us - marks on the world. The rest of us are just trying to get by with as few ripples as possible.

[-]

alvaropuerto93@reddit

As a Spaniard living for 11 years in the UK I can tell you that this is probably the thing I absolutely love the most about living here. I am from a very small city where people tend to be very judgmental about any aspect of others life and it feels absolutely wonderful not to have that around much.

[-]

Minimum-Platform518@reddit

Knowledge on the weather

[-]

Poch1212@reddit

Humour.

Job culture IS great

Práctical people

[-]

shredditorburnit@reddit

Our treatment of bad politicians. Saw Nigel on the telly get a call in from someone who said that a major change had made him give up on the EU and support reform. Nigel asked him what the change was. The caller replied "I got kicked in the head by a horse".

Priceless. I hope we never change that part of ourselves :)

[-]

Big-Parking9805@reddit

That's more the sense of humour, but the bad politicians have been in charge many times.

[-]

shredditorburnit@reddit

Undeniably, but we do at least get to treat them with the respect they deserve. I've enjoyed Liz Truss becoming a national joke, even if we did have to weather her "leadership".

[-]

Big-Parking9805@reddit

I'd rather have the woman talking about pork markets on a global stage than being in charge of trying to rip the arse out of the economy.

A lesson for all should be - Just because you play Instagram Thatcher, doesn't mean you should be PM.

[-]

shredditorburnit@reddit

Agree completely.

Also lol at the delicate flowers down voting me for saying something mean about their incompetent leaders. Thought they were all in favour of free speech? Oh well, guess I'll cry myself to sleep tonight knowing not everyone agrees with me.

[-]

sgbea_13@reddit

No other race can queue like us!

[-]

FireLadcouk@reddit

At this moment: a sense of democracy. It’s not perfect. But it’s not a show. People aren’t being legally allowed to buy votes. We arent allowed to vote for convicted felons.

[-]

alvaropuerto93@reddit

One thing in my opinion is absolutely fantastic in the UK is the insane amount of investment in arts that I notice at least comparing it with other countries. It’s undoubtedly hard not to notice the big amount of worldwide praised musicians, actors, bands, writers and cinematic and tv productions that originates in the UK.

[-]

Whulad@reddit

The pub

[-]

DimiRPG@reddit

Sarcasm and self-loathing. Tolerance. General politeness.

[-]

friedchicken888999@reddit

What culture

[-]

SSMicrowave@reddit

Have you ever left the UK and lived abroad? That will help you under.

[-]

60sstuff@reddit

The Pub is our greatest institution in my opinion. Many are palaces to drinking. Beautiful carved Victorian wood with big plaster and masonry. They are third spaces. People come together and in the warm conversations flows. The beer is often good and if your drinking cask ale you are partaking in a centuries old tradition. I love the pub. Mainly because whatever life throws at you, whatever is going on in this world bad or good it doesn’t really matter once you have a pint in front of you. It’s so simple and yet so great.

[-]

Top-level comments to the OP must contain genuine efforts to answer the question. No jokes, judgements, etc.
Don't be a dick to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on.
This is a strictly no-politics subreddit!

Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.