Chapter 5: Attitudes
Stereotypes and changes
Britain = ‘land of tradition”, this is based on what can be seen in public life.
Examples:
the annual ceremony of the state opening of Parliament
the military ceremony of ‘trooping the colour’
changing of the guard outside Buckingham Palace
the red buses.
BUT in everyday life, British people don’t follow these traditions because they are
too individualistic.
Some typical British habits aren’t typical any more:
the wearing of a bowler hat (the London city gent)
traditional English breakfast (people eat continental breakfast right now)
image of tea-drinkers is outdated
afternoon tea has always been something done by upper-class people and
retired people.
Love of queueing:
British people love to queue doesn’t mean they enjoy it.
‘queue rage’: when people are abusive or violent about a delay or a perceived
unfairness in a queue.
Why do they queue? the English care more about (un)fairness than about
anything else.
English vs British
English culture dominates the cultures of the other three nations values among
all people are very similar.
Anti-intellectualism: intelligent people aren’t loved
lack of enthusiasm for education
teachers don’t have a high status in society
traditionally, upper and working class not interested in their children going
to the university has now certainly decreased
still unusual for parents to arrange extra private tuition (schoolgeld) for
their children even when they can afford it.
Stereotypes and changes
Britain = ‘land of tradition”, this is based on what can be seen in public life.
Examples:
the annual ceremony of the state opening of Parliament
the military ceremony of ‘trooping the colour’
changing of the guard outside Buckingham Palace
the red buses.
BUT in everyday life, British people don’t follow these traditions because they are
too individualistic.
Some typical British habits aren’t typical any more:
the wearing of a bowler hat (the London city gent)
traditional English breakfast (people eat continental breakfast right now)
image of tea-drinkers is outdated
afternoon tea has always been something done by upper-class people and
retired people.
Love of queueing:
British people love to queue doesn’t mean they enjoy it.
‘queue rage’: when people are abusive or violent about a delay or a perceived
unfairness in a queue.
Why do they queue? the English care more about (un)fairness than about
anything else.
English vs British
English culture dominates the cultures of the other three nations values among
all people are very similar.
Anti-intellectualism: intelligent people aren’t loved
lack of enthusiasm for education
teachers don’t have a high status in society
traditionally, upper and working class not interested in their children going
to the university has now certainly decreased
still unusual for parents to arrange extra private tuition (schoolgeld) for
their children even when they can afford it.
