Tolerance, queuing up and being polite are among the top traits that make us Brits, new study reveals
Sky Arts launched the study to uncover what it means to be British
HAVING a barbecue as soon as the sun comes out is one of many traits that make you British, a study has revealed.
Always having a stiff upper lip, being tolerant and being culturally aware, are also among the top 40 typically British traits.
More serious character traits, such as respecting LGBT culture, sharing your feelings and being supportive of immigration only just made it into the top 40.
Other classic British activities include dunking biscuits in tea, always talking about the weather and saying sorry too frequently.
Phil Edgar-Jones, director of Sky Arts, who conducted the study, said: “As a nation, there are various traits and activities which people believe define Britishness.
“But many people think this definition is changing over time, especially thanks to the Brexit referendum and our exit from the EU.
“There is so much which is great about Great Britain, but the country is constantly evolving, leading to a different meaning to the phrase ‘being British’.”
The study found talking about the weather is considered the most British trait, followed by queuing for things, always having a roast dinner on Sundays and putting the kettle on in a crisis.
Top 40 signs you're British
- Talking about the weather
- Queuing
- Having a roast dinner on Sundays
- Putting the kettle on in a crisis
- Liking fish and chips
- Using tea as a cure/fix for everything
- Saying 'sorry' too frequently
- Saying please and thank you
- Dunking biscuits in tea
- Going to the pub
- Having a stiff upper lip
- Having a dry sense of humour
- Having good manners
- Sarcasm
- Eating fry ups for breakfast
- Being proud of where you are from
- Pulling together in a crisis
- Not complaining in a restaurant when the food is poor
- Having meals based on what day it is - like Fishy Friday
- Having a barbecue as soon as the sun comes out
- Holding the door open for someone when they're unnecessarily far away so they end up running for the door
- Wearing shorts and sunglasses the second the sun comes out
- Respecting our elders
- Moaning about our commute
- Saying ”right” before you're about to do something
- Being tolerant
- Being squashed on the train by a larger person and pretending you don’t notice when they are half sitting in your seat
- Shouting “WAHEY” when someone drops a drink in the pub
- Never letting your emotions get the better of you
- Putting ketchup on everything
- Uttering 'Aaaah' after taking a first sip of a cold beer
- Loving to hate the Royal Family
- Eating cucumber sandwiches
- Always clearing your plate at dinnertime
- Refusing to eat non-Heinz baked beans
- Being culturally aware
- Not swearing or using bad language
- Respecting LGBT culture
- Being open with your feelings and emotions
- Being supportive of immigration
But almost one in three think the definition of ‘typically British’ has changed since the Brexit referendum.
A love of fish and chips, going to pub and having a dry sense of humour are also thought of as typically British, along with good manners and not complaining about bad food in a restaurant.
But while 78 per cent of Brits would describe themselves as being typically British, the poll revealed that half think what it means to be British has changed over time.
Phil Edgar-Jones added: “Having received over 1,000 applications, the Art 50 board commissioned 50 projects from both established and up and coming artists, from all over the UK, and across all ages and art-forms, that get to the heart of British identity: Who are we?
"The series, which is being produced by Storyvault Films, really celebrates the diversity and creativity of our nation and we are proud to be able to offer our customers a series that celebrates identity in the wake of Brexit.”
Art 50 appears on Sky Arts every night between Monday 25th and Thursday 28th March at 9pm.
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