What are the qualities of being British?

Question

What does it mean to you to belong to the uk? What qualities must one posses to be considered truly British?

Answer 1

Being broad-minded and tolerant of other cultures is one of the key things I associate with Britain. Also our sense of fairness and consideration. Our calmness - not getting into a flap about things.

Our tolerance of non-conformism and eccentricity - there are many other countries in the world whose culture is much more rigidly conformist.

Out maturity. We had the biggest empire in the world, we've been there and done that and gotten over it.

Our tenacity. We don't give up easily.

Answer 2

Wow....just read all of the posted answers (so far) and I must say I have a different opinion....from the outside looking in, that is. I'm Mexican, born in Mexico but raised in the United States. I've ALWAYS loved the British, whether Scottish, English, Irish (don't know much on the Welsh though) and have always dreamt of going there for a visit. Seeing pictures of the beautiful country side, the history of the nation, your accents, the music, etc. I'm not sure though if I'd be welcomed, seeing in a few posts that anything foreign is not welcomed there. I'm really sad to hear that. :(

Answer 3

We British are by far the politest nation in the world. We are the most generous to other countries, far too generous in a lot of cases.

We are welcoming. We have beautiful county side and contrary to popular belief we are not all overweight and all have bad teeth.

We organise events better than anyone and we have a monarch who has never put a foot wrong. We have produced the best singers and bands in the history too.

I am proud to be British.

Answer 4

Being British is to be the most violent race in the developed world. Violent crime per head of population is so bad that we are the nastiest people around. We are not a friendly race at all, hate all strangers, are exeptionally heavy drinkers and are institutionally misanthropic, especially in the urban centres and most especially in London. All most Brits care about is status and money, as I said, especially in London.
On the plus side, we value privacy and are tolerant of most folk's foibles and weaknesses. We are a very creative and musical nation, we have some world class learning institutions and our science and engineering skills are the best. We have what is probably the best fighting forces in the world, (better than the US at least) and have a very dry and ironic wit. Rule Britannia!

Answer 5

I think Britain is having an identity crisis at the moment. Anyway, the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish don't seem to like the English, so I would say 'Britishness' is a concept that doesn't exist!

Answer 6

A few qualities for the list:

1) Loving and loathing the royals
2) Hating the south, until we all move there
3) Loving sports personalities who don't win
4) Queuing in the straightest line possible
5) Paying more than anyone else for most goods and services
6) Feeling superior to both Europeans and Americans
7) Loving celebrities without respecting them
8) Drinking faster than anyone till me throw up
9) Loving curry more than fish and chips
10) Trusting politians - as far as we can throw them

Answer 7

if the papers are to be believed we must be a fat, lazy debt ridden foreigners.

This is not the case i think we probably moan a lot as a nation, but then with the people we have running the country why not?

i think we are quite a proud nation, especially in sporting events like the Ashes!

Answer 8

To actually love the Nation and to be proud of our heritage and traditions. Preferably royalist, but everyone's entitled to free speach. Also, to be willing to fight for Britain if the proverbial poo hit the fan. To actually stand up and sing our national anthem too.

we also have the best sense of humour in the world.

Answer 9

Exquisite sense of humour.
Ability to laugh at themselves.
Stiff upper lip.
Strong sense of fair play.
Very sporty and fond of Cricket.
On the whole, gentlemanly men and sensible women.
Speak proper English rather than slapdash American expressions.

British men make the best husbands in the world.

Answer 10

there are none! i am ashemed to say im british now. I went to Jordan in September and really saw the effects of what ours and the American government is doing in the middle east! i am ashamed to say that I come from Britain as when you say Britain, people think of Tony Blair... and quite frankly, everyone over there hates him and George Bush!