We wouldn’t be British if we didn’t obsess about the weather!

October 19, 2012

Does an obsession with the weather really define us as being British – well if you look at the newspapers, TV and many news websites it would seem it does! Not a week goes by when there isn’t something in the news about the British weather. This week it’s all about our “weirdest” weather on record, from the driest spring for over a century to the wettest recorded April to June: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19995084 .

Is it such a bad thing when people from other nations define us like this, well perhaps it’s marginally better that the stereotypical British attribute of stiff upper lip, an overriding interest in class and a belief that a cup of tea will cure all ills. Or maybe our love of soap operas or looking uncomfortable while dancing and not saying what we mean are better definitions of being British – I hope not! But these are infinitely better than being known for getting horribly drunk every Saturday night or finding great amusement at other peoples’ misfortune.

What is amazing is that researchers have found that there are 50 typical traits that identify us as British, the list is too long to re-create here but some favourites we shouldn’t mind admitting to are:
– We’re polite, so great at queuing and we never complain!
– Sarcasm – no one does sarcasm like the British
– We love a bargain, DIY (particularly on Bank Holidays) and mowing our lawns
– We can laugh at ourselves.

So despite the awful weather maybe it’s not so bad being British, but don’t talk to me about the traffic!