Another Question for English People

[alphamale]

Describe the english character, as it is probably perceived by most englishmen themselves.

[godfry n. glad]

Perhaps compare and contrast is in order?

Defining the term "character" would be nice, too...but plunge right in.

[Carnivale Ed]

Give us an example, alpha, do Americans first.

[godfry n. glad]

Very good, Ed. :cheer:

This should be interesting. I wonder how well I'll fit in his "character" traits.

[Leesifer]

Describe the english character, as it is probably perceived by most englishmen themselves

Being an English laydie I obviously can't answer the OP anyway.

[godfry n. glad]

Aw, geez, Leesifer...

That's too bad.

I'd certainly like to hear what you think the English character is, m'lady. Enchanted even. Probably.

[Legs]

Stiff upper lip, good sense of humour, bad teeth

[Leesifer]

Aw, geez, Leesifer...

That's too bad.

I'd certainly like to hear what you think the English character is, m'lady. Enchanted even. Probably.

Right!

Stiff upper lip, good sense of humour, bad teeth

Right again!

I like the m'lady title, thanks godfry. :yup:

[godfry n. glad]

Aw, geez, Leesifer...

That's too bad.

I'd certainly like to hear what you think the English character is, m'lady. Enchanted even. Probably.

Right!

Stiff upper lip, good sense of humour, bad teeth

Right again!

I like the m'lady title, thanks godfry. :yup:

You are most welcome, m'lady. :tiphat:

Sporting a RL surname that is unquestionably English as I do (despite being of typical "witche's brew" American heritage), it rather leads me to think that that's where I came by my bad teeth. Too large for the small mouth they are in. Strong, carie-resistant, but crooked...right? Is that the deal, or is it something else?

As for the rest...well, it seems it got lost in the mix.

[Leesifer]

Apparently, I have too many teeth for my mouth!!! My bottom row of teeth are very crooked. Plus I hate going to the dentist. My maiden name is a particularly English name, apparently.

The word "Tommy" for an English soldier used my original surname!

[Veritas]

Businesslike, efficient, though not as efficient as the Germans, who by the way, the English still want to beat at EVERYTHING, even football, forgetting the war's been over for 60 years.

Controlled, although others would say 'unemotional'.

Aristocratic, although others would say 'snobbish'.

Determined to win, although other nations would say 'bad losers, even worse winners'.

Spoken as a Scottish woman, not an English man, but hey...sue me.

[Leesifer]

Yeah right!

[Veritas]

I think alphamale secretly wants to go into Englishtraining, to become a proper toff and pass himself off as a resident of Blighty, what what? Toodle-pip!

[Leesifer]

As long as he likes a nice cup of tea and a slice of cake, he'll fit right in.

[Veritas]

That was Wurzel Gummidge, wasn't it?

[Legs]

As long as he likes a nice cup of tea and a slice of cake, he'll fit right in.

Sporting a tweed jacket and a walking stick :yup:

[godfry n. glad]

Aristocratic, although others would say 'snobbish'.

Spoken as a Scottish woman, not an English man, but hey...sue me.

Even the workin' stiffs?

Just so you know, I haven't found this to be the case at all. Aloof, perhaps, but not snobbish.

[alphamale]

Controlled, although others would say 'unemotional'.

This is one aspect that americans notice. A cinematic example of this was the classic 1964 movie Zulu, staring the great Richard Burton. Two of the characters in it are an idealistic missionary named Rev. Otto Witt, and a british sargeant-major. The movie recounts the battle of roark's drift, where 139 british are surrounded by 4000 zulus - kind of like an american Alamo. In one scene the sergeant major and his troops are standing stiff, unperturbed and ready for battle, while the missionary is hysterically screaming "we'll all be killed" etc. After enduring this for a few minutes, the sargeant-major calmly says something like "quiet now, there's a good reverend." Later, after one of the skirmishes leaves many brits dead, the sargeant-major is taking roll, and someone says "here, sargeant-major". The sargeant-major looks up disdainfully and says "officer of the day - say 'here sir'". This in a scene where there's dozens of dead zulus and brits piled up all over and they're awaiting the next attack. :D I think it actually was welsh engineers, but it's all british to me.

[Carnivale Ed]

Come on, alpha, do Americans. I'm not mucking around, I'm genuinely interested in how you see your national character.

[Widget]

Richard Burton wasn't in the movie Zulu unless he had some serious dark make-up and was on the opposing team!


wonderful how you keep slipping up alphasnail

[alphamale]

Come on, alpha, do Americans. I'm not mucking around, I'm genuinely interested in how you see your national character.

I'd respond, but I think you're just looking for straight lines for which you will supply the joke. I am sincere in my inquiry about british and english people, because I keep thinking about the idea of an "anglosphere" and wonder about the compatability of the various english-speaking peoples.

[Widget]

Richard Burton wasn't in the movie Zulu unless he had some serious dark make-up and was on the opposing team!


wonderful how you keep slipping up alphasnail

Alphasnail I know your busy between FF and www.ILUVBoys.com but could you answer this response

[alphamale]

Richard Burton wasn't in the movie Zulu unless he had some serious dark make-up and was on the opposing team!


wonderful how you keep slipping up alphasnail

Alphasnail I know your busy between FF and www.ILUVBoys.com but could you answer this response

pervert

[Widget]

Possibly, but Richard Burton still didn't apear in Zulu!

[godfry n. glad]

England has a grand ol' tradition there, too.

If I remember aright, the vicar was a pervert. No?

[livius drusus]

"I was at school with his brother, Bufty. Tremendous bloke. He was Head of my House. Buggered me senseless, of course. Still, taught me a thing or two about life."

-- Four Weddings and a Funeral

[alphamale]

Possibly, but Richard Burton still didn't apear in Zulu!

He did the voice over.

[Widget]

Possibly, but Richard Burton still didn't apear in Zulu!

He did the voice over.


I did the voice over for Star Wars mainly I said "Use the fork Luke , use the fork" .... doesn't mean I starred in it.

[Legs]

-- Four Weddings and a Funeral

Love that film :yup:

-- There's nothing more off-putting at a wedding than a priest with an enormous erection.

[godfry n. glad]

"I was at school with his brother, Bufty. Tremendous bloke. He was Head of my House. Buggered me senseless, of course. Still, taught me a thing or two about life."

-- Four Weddings and a Funeral

:roflmao:

exactly!

[godfry n. glad]

Okay, guys. You should start recommending programs for him to watch. Britcoms, mostly. Most of them are on public television, too. He'll hate that.

I personally think he needs to watch The Vicar of Dibley.

[Legs]

I used to love to watch One Foot in the Grave and Chef!

[godfry n. glad]

Fawlty Towers.

[Legs]

Ballykissangel

[alphamale]

How about reading the OP again?

[godfry n. glad]

Give us an example, alpha, do Americans first.

Now's the time to repeat this request.

[Leesifer]

England has a grand ol' tradition there, too.

If I remember aright, the vicar was a pervert. No?


All our vicars are perverts and the nuns too! :D

[Carnivale Ed]

Come on, alpha, do Americans. I'm not mucking around, I'm genuinely interested in how you see your national character.

I'd respond, but I think you're just looking for straight lines for which you will supply the joke. I am sincere in my inquiry about british and english people, because I keep thinking about the idea of an "anglosphere" and wonder about the compatability of the various english-speaking peoples.
Please, if I just wanted to make jokes, you give me ample opportunity over in other threads. I'm sincerely interested in how you'd approach answering your own question. Summing up a national character in a few paragraphs is a fairly daunting task. I think it would be fascinating how someone of your, shall we say, passionate disposition goes about doing so. It could become the most positive contribution you've made to the forum. What does it mean to be American? British? Australian? Canadian? Kiwi? Is there a meaningful difference between any of these?

[MooseIBe]

I think the perception that non Brits have of us is possibly out of date .. that stiff upper lip thing doesn't really exist anymore :). I would imagine that on the continent at least we have more of a reputation for football hooliganism - unfortunately - than anything else. As English soccer fans don't often permeate the US then hopefully that image hasn't reached there.

[erimir]

Coupling.

Not because I think it has anything to do with the British character (altho it very well may) but because it's just plain funny.

[alphamale]

Here's my take on the British character:

1. A certain toughness - e.g. tough soldiers in combat.

2. A unique sense of humor - I don't know how to describe it but I know it when I see it - on TV.

3. Civilized to a fault (except the football fans).

4. Overly-reliant on government.

5. Maintain a connection with their past via ceremonies, traditions, holidays, etc.

6. Able to stand their ground and "argue" without yelling.

7. Abominable food.

8. Intelligent.

9. Unemotional.

[godfry n. glad]

Here's my take on the British character:

6. Able to stand their ground and "argue" without yelling.

8. Intelligent.

9. Unemotional.

Obviously, he's never attended a session of parliament.

[MooseIBe]

I think the civillised thing is unfortunately probably not true anymore .. not that we're uncivillised but just that I don't think we're any more civillised than anyone else.

And hey! there's nothing wrong with our food :). Much.

[Leesifer]

I say, Moose, old bean, fancy a cup of tiffin and a cucumber sandwich?

[MooseIBe]

I thought tiffin was a chocolatey cake thing!

But jolly wot-o! Bring on!

[Leesifer]

A thousand apologies, old chap, tiffin is indeed a light snack.

Praps I shood av arsked ya if ya wanted a cuppa char, me ol' china.

[Megatron]

7. Abominable food.

I call bullshit!
:rainshit: