Stop Calling Yourself British if You’ve Never Done These 9 Things
Being British is about more than a passport or birthplace. It’s about embracing and loving all the quirks, traditions, and experiences that define life in the United Kingdom. Whether it’s queuing, loving a cuppa tea, indulging in fish and chips, or enjoying a full English breakfast, there are certain things that someone who calls themselves British should have experienced at least once. But how many of these iconic British experiences can you actually tick off? In this article, we’ll dive into nine classically British things, habits, and rituals that are essential to British life. From complaining about the weather to attending a Sunday roast, there are some things that are so iconically British you have to have done them to call yourself a Brit.
1. Queueing
British culture deeply instills the practice of queuing. Whether it’s queueing to wait to pay for your groceries, waiting for the bathroom, or waiting to get on the train, the British queue and do it very well. Though it tests people’s patience, it allows for everyone to get a turn at what they want.
People view it as a symbol of politeness and fairness. Queueing demonstrates acceptable social etiquette, and it happens everywhere you could think of. Any place where people need to wait for their turn will turn into an orderly queue. This characteristic speaks to the politeness and fairness of British people. If you’ve never found yourself in a queue, are you even British?
2. Cuppa Tea
Drinking tea has been a part of British culture since the 17th century. It’s an integral part of everyday British life. For most Brits, it’s about more than just a cuppa. It’s about the daily ritual, moment of comfort, and time to connect with others. Every British household has their own meaning of what makes a perfect cuppa too. Whether you add milk or sugar is a personal choice, but using boiling water is a universal rule. If you’re not enjoying your favourite cup of tea, are you truly British?
3. Complaining About the Weather
British culture includes weather complaining, so if you haven’t heard or complained, you likely aren’t British. It’s so common to complain about the weather that it’s more uncommon to find someone who doesn’t. The British are known for discussing, critiquing, and complaining about the weather regardless of what the weather is doing. It will be too hot, too muggy, too breezy, too cold, too rainy—you name it, and the Brits have complained about it. It’s not uncommon for the British to experience four seasons in one day! The unpredictable nature of the weather intensifies their complaints. But it’s not all done in a negative way. The Brits use the complaints about the weather as small talk and icebreakers, as the weather is a universal experience among everyone.
4. Eating Fish and Chips
Fish and chips is an iconic and loved British culinary tradition. If it’s not up there on your list of favourite foods, are you even British? It’s such a beloved part of British culture that many consider it part of British national identity. It’s more than just a traditional meal, though. It’s also the ultimate comfort food, especially when served with your favourite cup of tea!
5. Watching or Playing Football
Stop calling yourself British if you’ve never watched or played football. The British are incredibly passionate about supporting their football teams! From local matches to international tournaments, the excitement and camaraderie that football brings is unmatched. Whether you’re cheering from the stands or gathered around a television with friends, the thrill of the game is woven into the fabric of British life.
6. Enjoying a Full English Breakfast
A full English breakfast is one of the most favoured meals among the British. It’s hearty, texture rich, and packed with flavour. In fact, it’s so iconic that if you’ve never had one, you might want to just to ensure you keep your British status. The full English breakfast is about the experience and not just about the food. It is made with plenty of different things, giving a full flavour profile and a variety of textures. It’s the perfect way to start a weekend or holiday morning.
Full English Breakfast:
- Fried/scrambled eggs
- Back bacon
- Sausages
- Baked beans
- Grilled tomatoes
- Mushrooms
- Black pudding
- Toast/fried bread
- Hash browns
7. Loving Your Hometown Pub
At the heart of British social life and culture is their hometown pub. The British see it as more than just a place to get a drink at but rather a community spot for people to gather and share food and drink together. Many pubs host game nights, karaoke, and live music, which helps to build a regular crowd and offer some hilarious entertainment. Pubs make the British feel a connection to the past and give everyone a place to escape the daily stresses of life. If you’re not a big pub lover, are you even British?
8. Apologising All The Time
The British are notorious for being ultra polite, and that’s where apologising all the time comes in. The British even apologise for things they have no control over. If you’re not constantly apologising for everything all the time, are you sure you’re British?
9. Having a Sunday Roast
The Sunday roast is a vital part of British culture and tradition. The Sunday roast is about more than a meal but rather a social event celebrating time spent with loved ones. The weekly ritual is about bringing people together and enjoying some delicious comfort food together.
The Takeaway
In conclusion, there are some things that are so fundamentally British that if you’ve never done them, we can’t help but wonder how British you are. From queuing, enjoying the perfect cuppa tea, complaining about the weather, eating fish and chips, watching or playing football, enjoying a full English breakfast, loving your hometown pub, apologising all the time, and the Sunday roast are all deeply ingrained in British culture and part of what makes the British who they are.
