Are hot and cold taps a metaphor for British mentality?

Question

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Question context:
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Most European countries use a single tap that allows for the 'genius' invention of 'warm water'!! But Britain sticks to its 'one hot - one cold' setup. Could this be a trait of 'Britishness' or perhaps 'Englishness'?
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AndrewE @ http://www.tenth-circle.com

Ah my dear NettieUK - - - but who is more stupid, the one who asks or the one who replies?

lefang, loved the creativeness of that response!
Just to clarify on a purely technical level: in other European countries such as France, Belgium, Germany etc, the single tap does not just produce tepid water it covers the whole range from cold to hot with warm in the middle. It is a logical solution and stops you scolding your hand under the hot tap!

I find it curious that a couple of people have jumped to the conclusion that my question was inherently derrogatory. Read between the lines ladies and gents...such high levels of sensitivity are the hallmark of insecurity.
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It's also interesting to point out the assumption made by some people as to my being non-British solely on the grounds of my questioning 'Britishness'.
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For the record, I was born in London and my ancestors were Scottish, but at heart these are all constructs that mean very little to me.

Answer 1

It's a bit like driving on the left and insisting on still using pounds and ounces even though the rest of the world has moved on. For some reason we would MUCH rather torture ourselves with alternately freezing and boiling water than admit that Europe has the right idea and install a mixer tap.

We are an eccentric race, to be sure...

Answer 2

Never given it much thought but if it's any help I have just had a new bath fitted with one wall mounted tap, so what does that say about me.

Do you think that we Brits (not just the English) run hot and cold then? Could be that you know where you stand with us Brits as we are not luke warm, but sometimes positive and sometimes negative like the rest of the folk on this planet.

Yes a stupid response to a likewise stupid question.

Perhaps you could let me know what your on so I can avoid it.


Edit: I thought you said dear heart that your question was a metaphor? I am sorry if I sound somewhat agrieved, it is that I get so hacked off with people slagging off the English. We do not deserve it. Do not judge the majority by the few please.

Good 'n' bad in every nation to be sure.

Oh and before you jump down my throat again I know you never mentioned the words good or bad, thick or stupid but the intimation was there.


And a truce is called for we are both as stupid as one another.

Best wishes to you.

Answer 3

I think it's more likely to be caused by the large amount of European households that have metered water. It's much more efficient to use a mixer tap than to fill the sink to get the right amount. As the UK finally starts to become more environmentally friendly, then you'll start to see things like more mixer taps, short and long flushes on the toilet and greater levels of recycling.

I live in Belgium, and here every house has metered water - which means that waste can work out very expensive. We also recycle around 80% of our household waste.

Answer 4

NO.
Taps are not a metaphor they are a way of delivering water to the bath or sink.
It might be a symbol.

Most people I know have mixer taps for the kitchen. Many have them for the bath too. All who have a shower. Most don't have it for the sink which is silly, because it is there that we wash our hands.

I think that we did not have the water in the tank very hot before, so it was alright to wash with the hot tap alone, but now the guidelines have raised the required temperature for health reasons, so for safety reasons we should have mixers everywhere, But we haven't got round to it yet.

Maybe this is an aspect of humanity, I don't think it is specifically British or English.

I feel this particularly because I have two taps in my hand basin and SOMEBODY has lost the plug.

When I lived in South America the bath had two taps but one was fake, and you couldn't use the bath because it was split anyway. That was definitely symbolic of the South American situation.

Answer 5

I'm living in a British-built house in Britain, built in the 1950's. It's still got the original deco-style bath and fittings. There's one tap with two controls, one for hot and one for cold. As far as I know all the houses on the street had the same setup when they were built.

As for sinks, Britain had running water long before most other European nations, but it would have been cold - hence just one tap (cold). People probably started retro-fitting hot taps before mixers were commonplace and the practice stuck.

It's a bit like asking why, in Paris, they insist on using ultra-dangerous lifts that can just about squeeze in one person and an anorexic cat.

Answer 6

i think this is a valid question , it is an observation of our nation that many question our mentality, especially in the plumbing depaftment.
i have often pondered the need only for two taps/faucets, for are we not surrounded by water,we are an island nation, why not increase our delivery system by adding a third tap to dispense salt water from the sea, you could wash up, wash the car ,clothes, flush the lavatory, there are detergents that can be used in salt water that nullify the salt as a corrosive agent.but i digress the questioner has not realised the need for two taps, or the implications of everone converting to a single tap.
a finnancial meltdown would ensue think of the workers who would only have to put one colour code on the top of the tap, you would lose fifty percent of your workforce at a stroke, then their is the union s to deal with strikes ,lockouts sit ins, civil disobediance
more overtime for the already stretched police force, the army would be brought in to quell the rioters of dual tap brigade, then there is the freedom of expression issue, new laws would have to be drafted to cope with the civil actions in the court of human rights, and what about the knock on effect, tea makers would lose revenue,you cannot make tea with tepid water it has to be cold first before you bring it to the boil for thirty seven seconds. the loss of jobs not just in the uk ,but the empire, all those tea wallahs on the dark continent, would lose thier only means of support, thats more aid, we would have to more loans from uncle sam to pay for it all, leave ur taps alone. regards LF

Answer 7

actually many british taps have 'mixers' which means we have running water in varying degree's of heat.
Metaphorically we are a tempermental bunch, 'running hot and cold' but then so is every one else
'Englishness' was always renowned for being calm and unshockable (hence those stiff upper lip sayings!!)
But 'British' is very temperamental we go from degrees of charitable (as in the news focus on and we respond) to Angry and protesting (as in Politics) and what is evident of the World Cup, or football fans are unable to amster a 'normal' mood.
Trait of Britsh perhaps, but not a trait of Englishness!

Answer 8

put up warfare maximum British residences were outfitted with a storage tank contained in the roof area, and this fed right into a warm water boiler. because the storage tank replaced into regularly open it can change into contaminated with airborne dirt and dust, algae or maybe the unusual rat. The chilly water replaced into drawn right away from the mains furnish and is considered secure. contained in the former device if a seal failed on a mixer tap contained in the device it can contaminate the chilly water from the mains, subsequently they were kept separate. at present maximum places have boilers that warmth on call for and don t have a water tank so it s tremendous to drink from the nice and cozy or chilly tap :)

Answer 9

Ask your doctor about an exercise routine. Regular exercise, such as walking three times a week, may reduce neuropathy pain, improve your muscle strength and help control blood sugar levels. Gentle routines such as yoga and tai chi might also help.

Answer 10

The great thing about Britain is that we are given a choice and are intelligent enough not to have to have someone else do the thinking for us!