What are some cultural misconceptions about the British?

Answer 1

I live in England, and have done all my life.
So many people that come over here are suprised by what it is really like, as the media portrays us differently and many have misconceptions of us.
Common ones are:
1) That we drink tea constantly, and tea solves anything, and by anthing I mean ANYTHING lol.
Ok this one is partlt true, British people tend to love their tea. However, plenty don't and make prefer coffee (myself included!). Also, we don't "sit down to tea", and drink with saucers etc that many people think.
Ahem, but I am drinking tea as I write soo...
2) That we all speak the "Queen's" English.
We do not all speak the queen's English, our accents are very broad, and different. More people have regional accents than those that speak the "Queen's" English.
3) That we hav crumpets and toast them on the fire etc.
This isn't true. Okay, occassionally one might do it, but many people think it is common and it is not.
4) That we all say "jolly gosh", "oops a daisys" etc etc.
This is not true, you may get the occassional brit saying it, like any country but these phrases are not used anymore!
5) That we all dress like the queen!
Noooooooooooooooooo...if we did I am sure suicide rate would be higher, lol
6) That we are arrogant.
Some are, some are not...like any country.
7) That we copy americans, and Bush...
No...that is just Tony Blair...we do not copy Americans OR love Bush. We, in general, like the Americans and learn from each other.
8) That we all hunt and go horse racing (i.e. ascot).
No, that is still a tradition, but only a minority follow these "sports". Most do not agree with it.
9) That we have a very dry humour, which no one seems to get.
Yes, true. However, lots of people do not have this sense of humour in Britain. I do and I love it!
10) That we have bad teeth.
Nooo, many people have lovely teeth and get work on them. Some don't, more so than in America, but our society is less surgery obsessed, although we are getting that way.
xxx

Answer 2

Cultural misconceptions:

1.) They all speak the Queen's English
2.) They all have bad teeth
3.) They are all unattractive
4.) They have bad food because they boil everything
5.) They all drop whatever they are doing for high tea
6.) They either live in a cozy cottage in the shire and hunt foxes, or dwell in cramped, heatless bed-sits in London
7.) They have the worst water pressure in the world, which leads to showers akin to standing under a dripping faucet for 20 minutes in order to get clean.

Having frequently visited and stayed with friends in England and Scotland, I can honestly say that only number 7 is true. The. Worst. Shower. In. Europe!

Answer 3

The only one that came to my mind is bad food. So I'm not sure if you are looking for a survey of what the average person thinks or what. Other than that one I think probably is that they do politically whatever the US says.

And searching the web apparently all British have bad teeth. Humor tends to be more black humor. And that you speak funny English.

Answer 4

The main misconception is that they like americans. The vast majority believe americans to be complete cretins.

Answer 5

the Brits love eating Chinese food and they always thought that prince Charles is handsome but in reality he is not hes ugly like a bulldog

Answer 6

Some brits actually love coffee.. its not all tea, crumpets and hobnobs.. the fish and chips thing is true though.. lol.

Answer 7

We are very polite supposedly, can't imagine who thought that one up.

Answer 8

Um that they are all bums I new one once that was not :) Na there all cool

Answer 9

That we give a damn about what anyone else thinks of us!

Answer 10

Bad teeth. And that they say 'cheerio'