Top 5 British Stereotypes That Are Probably True

English is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world. And that makes it pretty easy for us to use it in all sorts of situations, without really appreciating how awkward it is to learn for anyone else. Yet, lots of other countries do strive to speak at least a little English, but we Brits aren’t always as enthused about learning new languages. So, whenever we head to foreign shores, we’re often outrageously underprepared for even the most basic of conversations. The ‘Brits Abroad’ stereotype isn’t always fair, but there can be a tendency to slowly shout disjointed-but-otherwise-unchanged English at any non-English speaker. FYI: it’s not helping anyone!

The Brits are known for their quick wit, wise cracks and just generally being a bloody funny bunch. And if there’s one thing we’re especially associated with, it’s sarcasm. Glorious, relentless sarcasm. It’s arguably not only a trait of British people, but you’ll definitely hear it coming from us more than most. In fact, visitors to the UK often seem to suspect it, in every other sentence we say. It’s probably closely linked to the ‘stiff upper lip’ stereotype, with sarcasm enabling us to make light of a bad situation, turning trying times into something to smile about. That doesn’t make it any easier to detect, though.

You might think that British people drink a lot, though that’s not necessarily true. But what probably is true is that we really like hanging out in pubs. And who can blame us? Because you’ll never truly understand the ups, downs and day-to-day delights of community spirit until you’ve stopped in at a proper local public house. One where you know the landlord, you’ve got your own favourite table, you can watch a game, meet your friends and generally chew the fat with other regulars. These places become a home from home, and everyone has their favourite - from the Dog and Duck to the ever-reliable Red Lion.

Not only do we Brits seem to value politeness and manners above most things, and sorry but we do have a habit of apologising for everything, but we’re also all out pros at polite conversation. We don’t always want to make small talk with strangers at the bus stop, but sometimes it’s inevitable. And eventually, it gets awkward. But, once tried and tested topics like the weather and the various pitfalls of our public transport services run dry, we’re often too concerned about coming across as rude to end it there, and walk away. So, we wind up talking and talking and talking.

From rags to riches to the manor born, Britain is tightly bound together by at least one thing; it’s obsessed with its class system. So much so that there are reportedly seven separate so-called ‘classes’ across the UK now! Who knew? Well, we did - obviously. It’s said that your cultural interests can affect which class you’re in, including your weekly shopping habits, favourite supermarkets, and leisure choices. Class seems an everyday and unavoidable aspect of British society, which isn’t always the best thing for us… But it does make for great comedy routines, diverse music and creative, unpredictable film and TV. So, there’s something for everyone!