13 British traits foreigners hate | The most annoying bits about the Brits

Here are 13 British traits all foreigners hate! As a foreigner who lived in England for 4 years, these are the British traits that annoyed me the most. I don't mean any shade to the Brits - I love you guys! And I hope to move back to the UK soon! But I thought it would make an interesting topic to discuss British traits that annoy foreigners living in the UK.
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Hey! I'm Alanna - a twenty-something documenting my life as a Canadian living in England.
I share the ups and downs of an expat living abroad and what it's really like living in the UK. It's not always easy, but there's been so many wonderful experiences, too. I post a KZbin video every Tuesday and an additional video every Saturday on my Patreon account. I also livestream every Wednesday and Sunday at 6:30pm GMT on Twitch.
Alanna x
#britishtraits #britishculture #lifeintheuk

[@jamespaton3853]

I am from Yorkshire and my wife is from Lancashire, our relatives didn't speak to each other. The war between us ended in 1485. But, you know, some things are difficult to get over.

[@blaynsaw1990]

Strange you mention that, I was reading up on Northumbrian blood feuds just yesterday after researching the real life Uthred the Bold, the Mrs and I have been binge watching The Last Kingdom lately 😂

[@olixz]

Don't blame them I'm still not over it!

[@sequri]

I'm Yorkshire born and Lancashire bred. The East/West divide has never been anything like as significant as the North/South, IME. I've worked in London & the Home Counties, and in Scotland (as well as both Yorkshire and Lancashire), and boy will you know that you’re an outsider there. Cockneys are fantastic though (salt of the earth), though disappearing rapidly, I expect.

[@nigewood4945]

1485?! Seems like only yesterday.

[@hume6900]

I get you, James. It’s the long British memory. In 1970 my father took us back to Scotland where he emigrated from in 1954, to meet the rest of the family. We were on a tour of Stirling Castle and my younger sister got separated from the rest of us. She had moved up to the front so she could see. To make a long story slightly shorter, she was acting as translator between the couple beside her and the guide as Texan and heavy Scottish accents don’t mix. The guide noticed and after asking where she came from and she answered, he asked her what her name was. This is where it gets interesting, she answered “Ann Shirley Monteith”. Other than immediately pointing to her and yelling at her TRAITOR, he never looked at her again. He looked through, around, over or under her, but, never again at her or spoke to her. Even worse in my book, he never explained why to any of us in the tour. So when we got back to the car, Ann asked my Dad for an explanation. He told us that the Earl of Menteith, (the original spelling of my maiden name, Monteith), betrayed William Wallace to the English. He was caught and the punishment was as follows: hung, drawn and quartered from the nearest bridge; the name Menteith and any derivatives there of banned from Scotland; and finally in their minds to add insult to injury the Loch of Menteith was renamed Lake of Menteith. Now the controversy is whether or not the Earl was a Menteith or a Stewart at the time. But for something that happened in the 1300’s, I mean really!

[@mollykeane2571]

I’m British and have never ever heard a fellow Brit say our way is the best. It’s simply not necessary to say it.

[@bmac8993]

As soon as old John foreigner realises this the better the world will be !!

[@jsmithmultimediatech]

The only time can think of anything remotely like that is the army (of course with their slogan being BE THE BEST) though is on par especially special forces with the US, like comparing the SAS with Delta Force or the SBS with SEAL Team 6 etc

[@mollykeane2571]

@@jsmithmultimediatech I don’t know about the SEALS but Delta Force was modeled on the SAS.

[@bmac8993]

@@jsmithmultimediatech if delta want an exchange to 22 they need to do selection like anyone else don't think it's the other way round. Also the fella who formed seal team six I think he did some time with sbs , he had a saying when he was setting up selection for it which was" you can either do it the easy way or the British way" a rather nice complement. His book regarding him setting up seal six is well worth a read .

[@gdfggggg]

Was I the only one who got the joke?

[@simonholyoak8869]

The “stiff upper lip” is just another word for stoicism. It means facing adversity with calm and coolness. An admirable trait. One doesn't bare one’s soul to strangers. Once we get to know you we will open up. It isn’t good to burden people with your worries. Talking about the weather is a way of breaking the ice with people you’ve just met. We don't like getting in peoples’ faces.

[@nigeldonaldson1647]

WHY isnt it good to "burdon" people with worries" Simon Holy oak? Ladt Di never saw it that way did she?, being de-humanised is NOTHING to be proud of, neither is snobbery & look at nazi Germany, a prime example of millions being wrong seeing everything as pure logic without emotion & millions of deaths as a consequence, wouldnt "one" agree? it's also important to know that Hitler visited this country before his "rise to power" he admired snobbery & opportunism and most ironically we came to war with him later of course. more irony it's those that are privilaged that dont have worry's that are most likely to have your philosophy. those that don't live in the real world only disneyland ivory towers

[@simonholyoak8869]

@@nigeldonaldson1647 it just isn't done old chap. Lady Di was the first, or most prominent at least, advocate of today’s victim culture. Blame everyone else, take no responsibility for yourself. She was no saint she was a human like us all. Her charity works were done in the full glare of publicity for her own advancement. This does not make her a bad person. All privileged people do it. As do the sycophantic celebrities they tow along. Most get on with the day to day struggle to survive and are content to do I remarked good deeds without fanfare.

[@nigeldonaldson1647]

i had a feeling you'd reply to my comments. I'm sure that there are those that see Diana as a class traitor like...Stephen ward back in the 1960s(which cost him his life) , BUT i can remember Joan Collins herself saying of Di "I know acting & that wasnt acting, and of course its no secret that Joan bless her is a true thatcherite tory as surely as the patronising Cilla Black was also one. (& theres knowone more 'stoic/po faced than the conservative party is there) I don't say you should whine to perfect strangers BUT too much formality can give the impression to foreigners that were ironically ill mannered someone might say hello or high there" & someone here might either not reply or say "hello" grudgingly.particulrly the middle- upper class afterall the first cummunication we all make is verbally, our principality are meant to be just that & NOT soldiers, let's not forget Lady Di was duped into that infamous interview, speaking of that im under the impression you are or were in the armed services, could this be true? But in conclusion you ARE right about opportunist celebritys i agree 100%

[@simonholyoak8869]

@@nigeldonaldson1647 Di wasn't a class traitor as she was ruling class and privileged

[@lemsip207]

@@nigeldonaldson1647 I agree. Diana would sometimes tell complete strangers negative things going on in her life when carrying out visits but I can't remember what they were and people loved her for that. The Royals didn't. When I meet stoic people who think I shouldn't talk about negative things or show emotion in facial expressions and tone of voice I remember that the stoicism was what Hitler admired about the British and why he wanted to invade and conquer Britain and that the British invented concentration camps which the Government used in Kenya. Hitler copied them.

[@user-he1sr2cr1h]

I'm British and would like to try to clarify Some Things, The expression "To keep A Stiff upper lip" it actually refers to when you have a task, job, or objective that is not easy to complete But it has to get done. its not a life style or group of people its just a motivational British phrase. I think it did originate during the war though. Hot tap and cold taps is because the hot water in houses is not drinking water. What we have in most houses is A water tank in the attic and they are not fully sealed containers (bats and birds have been known to get in there) and the hot water tank is filled by the attic tank, also the upstairs cold taps (Bath, toilet, upstairs sink) are fed by that tank so be careful when brushing teeth(drinking water upstairs). The reason for the tanks is to increase water pressure and to be more efficient. People in the country-side are very friendly and will always say hello when passing them, Unlike towns and citys where people are what it seems to be like their stuck in there own little bubble's unaware that there are other people in the world at all. The moaning/complaining.... yes but its just something we do like small talk, Complaining about the world to each other i think makes us feel good because it's like O yea they have the same problems i do and that way its a bit better because least I'm not the only one. The class thing does exist but i don't encounter as much as you think but yeah it is a thing. However if you come across some one who lives in a huge Victorian mansion and/or talks soooo posh you can barely make out whet there saying you are going to have strong opinions about them and "some not all" are stuck up there own rump. The only thing i say that is better than other places is that we use Celsius rather that Fahrenheit because C just makes sense. And what is the deal with the cup's measuring system over in North America that is just bizarre when you can just use a set of scales to get a precise amount and it make cooking instructions very simple to follow no guess work. yeah we do talk about the weather but it changes so much from day to day i think its natural when its freezing 1 week and heat wave the next :) Sarcasm and teasing........ We do like to tease our friends. If some one is working or preoccupied and we are relaxing we will be like oooo im soooo comfortable or mmmmm this cider is soooo cool and refreshing to wind them up :P it's all light hearted. Also the amount of different accents is mind blowing, Just drive 50 to 60 miles in any direction and you will find a different accent. Yes Drinking is a bit of a problem here. Yup we are horrific tourists, you got that right its shameful. But, that is what we me when we say "Right i better be off" means, right i better be off......... lol. We don't like to cause a fuss unless something is actually properly wrong or if someone is purposefully rude and then you will hear about it! Red-sauce is absolutely 100% not a thing that its said here, it is ether "Ketchup" or "Tomato Sauce" however "HP Brown sauce" is a condiment and i don't like it's very vinegary. Well if you made it through all that thanks for reading! Just my personal thoughts on the matter :-D

[@spark_6710]

Your comment here was the BEST I've read so far !! 👍👍 I am Japanese living in U.S.for 33 years now.That story of water / hot water in attics & poor birds & bats going in there was icky & sad ,terrified me ,actually ! Lol.I learned something here today ! And all things you said here made senses & nicely said ! Not in a very British sarcastic manner. It was very interesting ! I still can't figure out whether Welsh or English do the most binge drinking ! LOLLOLLOL We Japanese are notoriously known for it ( I DON'T drink Lol. ) ,it's worse as we can't digest alcohol ,so they puke everywhere !!! Lol. I believe that stiff upper lip thing is from wars as well ! I think I've watched some video saying that !? A long time ago. You did really well at explaining everything here & more accurately & in the nicest way ! Please stay safe ! 👍💜💜💜🥁🐉🎤🎶💕💞P.S.reg.measuring cups ,Americans are not very detailed people ,they do everything roughly ! Lol.I like cup measuring ,maybe I am too Americanized now ! Lol.😆

[@user-he1sr2cr1h]

@@spark_6710 O well thank you, That brightened my morning 😆 stay safe 👍

[@sarahroberts7374]

Im in the North & people say Red Sauce instead of Ketchup 🤣🤣🤣

[@suzannahmontreal1051]

Canada does use the metric system. In fact, they're only three countries in the world that still use the Imperial system: USA, Liberia and Myanmar. 🌍

[@ciskoshuggs822]

What a comment. If there was an award for best comment you'd be the runaway winner.

[@jacketrussell]

26 minutes of complaining.........see, you're British already. 😘

[@bernardthedisappointedowl6938]

A perfect observation, ^oo^

[@kathryncollins9780]

Do all British people have Jack Russels and raise hedgehogs? I'm joking about my question but I will be moving there in a week (Surrey)

[@highpath4776]

@@kathryncollins9780 No need to apologise.

[@daniels5607]

to true :D

[@user-vc5ci6ll6j]

Kathryn Collins i mean you say it’s a joke but I like it Britain and have a jack russel and a hedgehog

[@SaharaGadge]

Hopefully, the British trait of being able to laugh at ourselves will be in evident in the comments!! 🤣

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

I hope so! lol

[@johnturner4400]

SaharaGadge. Good luck!

[@dunkindoughnut167]

@@AdventuresAndNaps we are always right, it's just a fact.

[@bicolouredprawn]

I doubt it. Incoming gammon!

[@SaharaGadge]

@@AdventuresAndNaps Well, it's about 95% positive at the moment. I'd chalk that up as a win!! 👍

[@greyman3515]

I like the honesty of the British acknowledging class. In Australia people boast of a classless society, in reality it is anything but.

[@tygertyger77]

Just an FYI re: taps. The taps were like that because back in the day most places had a storage tank in the attic for the water (and immersion heater). This water was stored, and so was unfit too drink, hence why hot and cold taps were separate, the cold tap was just fed from the mains. A lot of houses in the UK haven't been modernised to combi-boilers, so a lot of places still have two separate taps. They are being changed slowly though, most people now go for combi taps if given the choice (I managed a building company for 20 years)

[@richardpoynton4026]

tygertyger77 Interesting, I never really thought about it, but your explanation makes sense

[@Jemma1487]

Yh I remember them they took up the whole cupboard space upstairs, and were very dangerous as there was few cases of them exploding due to being left on and constantly heating basically like a kettle, sad case when I was 9 a 4 year was badly burned in the bath when this happened 😢

[@tygertyger77]

@@Jemma1487 Yup, they could be a bit dangerous if not properly maintained (and lagged-insulated) I only got rid of mine about 7-8 years ago. best improvement too my house I've made (and I include my shower in that :D )

[@zoerose4110]

We still have one. Our house is from the 1700s and we are just fine with two taps. What doesnt kill you makes you stronger!

[@bluesmachine1006]

True, we’ve recently had our water tank in the attic removed. Apparently they’re illegal now due to risk of water stagnation/contamination. The plumbers were amazed when they found it. Now we’re all mains supply. We’ve also got our first mixer tap in the kitchen and it’s far superior to separate taps!

[@Englishham]

As a Brit living in the US I am always telling people we Brits are right 😆

[@richinleam]

And you'll be correct!

[@kevoconnor145]

Because we are.

[@davebirch1976]

Even when we're wrong.... We're still right 😂😂😂

[@Englishham]

@@davebirch1976 true dat

[@4svennie]

Do the day/month/year against month/day/year thing with them at the end of this month. They'll defend the month/day/year way to the hilt, but as you leave, just say, 'hmm well anyway, if I don't see you next week, happy 4th of July' and listen as they say it back.

[@mikegerrish3459]

I never argue about hot and cold taps - I don't want to faucet on people!

[@rodneyshinkfield9465]

mikegerrish: nice one! I find using a plug helps to mix hot and cold in the sink!

[@MeStevely]

Rodney Shinkfield I know! It ain’t rocket science.

[@rodgeyd6728]

😁

[@flytrapjohn]

Very good.👍

[@techauthor324]

I remember pointing this out before. There is a practical reason for having two taps. Try leaning over a basin with a central mixer and see how quickly and often you bash your forehead.

[@bonidle726]

The leg slap is normally a cue to the wife to begin her “goodbye tour”where she circulates for another hour. Whereas my goodbye tour consists of”Bye!” - end of tour.

[@johnbell3621]

Does that imply that you want her to go out the room to do the dishes or make the sandwiches? While you watch the racing on the "telly" drinking another "beer".

[@Jamie_D]

For me it's done semi subtly when i want to leave but don't want to say i want to go because i don't want to seem rude :)

[@MulletRecords]

Brilliant... crying with laughter!!!! :D

[@oakdeepvastforest2924]

Now that was REALLY funny.

[@bobbye8071]

Binge drinking! Right I've never been so insulated so much in my life so I'm off to the pub to drown my sorrow's with a couple or ten . Bollocks the pubs are closed, and it's raining again!

[@highpath4776]

Tea, from 7am to 10pm

[@spark_6710]

@@highpath4776 I do that all of my life ! Lol. And I am Japanese !!! English people told me that even they don't drink tea as much as me !( used to have 11 to 13 cups a day !!! Now down to 6 to 8 a day ! ) Turkish drinks tea the most in the world ! Please stay safe !💜🥁🐉🎤🎶💞

[@zapkvr]

And the pubs close in the middle of the day, what's that aboot?

[@thegrandmuftiofwakanda]

Have you tried Canadian beer? It's piss.

[@ShalomBrother]

You should move up north, the weathers shit, we drink like pirates for half the money you’ll pay down south but people will talk to you.

[@delenathewriter2855]

I live in London and this is so true! I will for sure be moving up north!

[@fallofcamelot]

Reginald D Hunter who is a African-American comedian living in the UK said it best “Class is what you use when you want to be racist to people who look like you”

[@ianprince1698]

spot on.

[@paulrk4110]

Agree and cast racism is just the same. You can be the same colour and be treated like dog doo doo on a shoe just for being a different cast, yet you both look the same 🤔

[@MrBillmartin1]

Class has nothing to do with racism. You obviously don't understand. If someone has more class than you you think they are racist.

[@Hoganply]

@@MrBillmartin1 Class isn't just socioeconomic, though, it's mixture of things, including differences in culture and values, albeit mostly superficial ones. Therefore, if one's bigoted in a racial sense, it's because one considers that person of a different class, either because of ideological entrenchment or fallaciously attributing cultural or political differences to physical ones, which can go all directions.

[@zapkvr]

Nice

[@bewareofsnow]

My wife's a foreigner and it took her many years to "infiltrate" a British friend group. Everyone was very nice and friendly to her, but would make absolutely no attempt to involve her in anything. It was a tough time and my heart goes out to anyone going through it at the moment.

[@giddygrub7176]

☹

[@zoerose4110]

Maybe they just didn't click with her. Maybe she needed to find some real friends instead of trying to fit in with the wrong group.

[@aragornsonofarathorn9376]

this is painful to read 🙁 it's weird because I live in cheltenham where most people are friendly..... I thought lol I always seem to make friends with people from all over the country and outside the country and I have to admit, pretty much everyone of them said they found it almost impossible to make friends here and I was one of only a few that had become friends with them. being a southerner but not a londoner I can only speak about where I'm from but I will say the people I've met from Birmingham, liverpool, Manchester, Yorkshire, Newcastle and Glasgow have all been some of the nicest most genuine people I've had the pleasure to know. so maybe its true 😂 are my fellow southerners all so unfriendly? oh and shout out to my welsh and Irish friends too 👍 they are some real last maltezer sharing people 😊

[@The-D33J]

@@aragornsonofarathorn9376 Can agree with this. I'm from the West Midlands but moved down to the Cotswolds for 18 months, there were only a handfull of people there who willingly socialised with us, 2 who were original locals and the rest were from elsewhere in the UK or other countries.

[@princesshassim6009]

That's OK, i'm a Brit living in Canada and her lot gave ME the same treatment, but don't let it get out....in Canada they like to think that doesn't happen here.

[@ParcelOfRogue]

In the west of Ireland, if you don't like the weather, you can just wait 15 minutes and it will totally change

[@Lori79Butterfly]

ParcelOf Rogue 😂 this also said in New England, western Canada & anyplace where you’re near the ocean!

[@philroberts7238]

That's true' It'll be a completely different kind of rain! :)

[@zapkvr]

Sounds like Geelong

[@mel_by_the_sea1549]

I'm a West Country girl in England with a broad accent. Apparently this means I'm an uneducated bumpkin who drives a combine harvester and chews straw all day lol I do, however, love a nice cold glass of cider .. me luvver LOL

[@rachelpenny5165]

I used to get that where I live now. I grew up in rural Devon, but now live in Hampshire. Because of my accent you would get people thinking that I was thick, despite the fact that I got a degree in Biology. I just let them think what they want.

[@mel_by_the_sea1549]

@@rachelpenny5165 good for you, me too :)

[@Lambchop2701]

I’ve just moved to rural Devon! I didn’t realise there was such a pronounced accent but there definitely is. We love it! We learnt there is a whole new timescale here called ‘dractly’! 😂

[@Lori79Butterfly]

Mel_By_The_Sea that’s the American from the south that aren’t southern belles!😂

[@Fr3ddyUK]

Ditto. I have mixture of a mild Dorset and a stronger Somerset accent. Which it appears a lot people have a hard time understanding. Oh well, back to me cider and vimto while talking to Daisy the cow :p

[@17thMustang]

I've heard that the Americans think they are they best in the world, however the British know that they are.

[@RoastLambShanks]

I heard this story on a military channel. I can't remember where it took place, I think Afganistan. During joint operations the US Marines turned up and set up their camp, barracks and put up a sign over the door saying "US MARINES - SECOND TO NONE". When the Royal marines turned up, they set up their camp next the US Marine's camp. Their sign over their door said "ROYAL MARINES - NONE". :-D

[@robbiemcneil34]

@@RoastLambShanks ah ha ha love it

[@nswinoz3302]

Got to love the Brit’s sense of humour! NSW in Oz

[@beverleybunn5084]

Nice one

[@arcturus8218]

johny no one has a inferiority complex of yanks you plonker!

[@Mariazellerbahn]

3:20 Separate taps are better for hgeine reasons. A hot water tap will fill a heating tank from a header tank whereas a cold tap will come directly from the mains. The header tank, usually in the loft or attic can often have dead birds, flies or wasps floating in it and a mixer tap will compromise your drinking water.

[@VerticalBlank]

In general all the stand-off-ish-ness is cancelled if one or other of you has a dog: dogs are the ultimate ice-breakers in Brit society and I suspect in others too.

[@imperialdebauchery5988]

In Chinese culture, they're a dinner invitation.

[@VerticalBlank]

@@imperialdebauchery5988 Oh look daddy, I found a racist shitbag.

[@paulduckett6496]

When we go to restaurants we complain about the food amongst ourselves, then the waiter asks everything ok?, The standard answer is yes thanks

[@comteroi9219]

lool. You are my spirit animal.

[@drdonothing7991]

Two faced? No! I agree with this. Don't like the food? Don't go back, but this is people's jobs. No need to make their difficult job worse. Only once did I complain cos it was atrocious (sausage and mash in which there was so much gravy the mash was fully submerged so it was like some lumpy potato soup).

[@ulysses2162]

I remember once when me, my partner and daughter (she was only little at the time) decided to try this Italian restaurant in town. I whispered to my partner that the food wasn't great and that we shouldn't come back again. And when the waiter came with the bill, my daughter pipes up "My Dad doesn't like this place and we won't be coming back!" My face went like a beetroot, and I felt smaller than the table. She was trying to get me killed or something. 😂

[@spark_6710]

LOLLOLLOL That's very English to me !! LOLLOLLOL I am Japanese, though ,but I got that !! Lol. Please stay safe .👍😆💜💜💜🥁🐉🎤🎶💞

[@spark_6710]

@@ulysses2162 That's so ~ADORABLE !!! LOVE YOUR DAUGHTER ! LOLLOLLOL. Kids are brutally honest !! Which people thin k I am the way ,too ! Lol.Please stay safe !😂🤣😆💜💜💜💜🥁🐉🎤🎶💞

[@sepgorut2492]

"The Brits love to argue" - no we don't!

[@Alcogod]

Yes we do.

[@sepgorut2492]

@@Alcogod No we don't!

[@Alcogod]

Erm...yeah we do.

[@MillsyLM]

Is this a 5 minute argument or the full half hour?

[@sepgorut2492]

@@MillsyLM Time's up. I'm not arguing any more.

[@michaelnewton3121]

The knee slap paired with "right!" Is sooo accurate

[@HeyItsOlive415]

I was wondering why I've never believed the English complain much despite being born and living in England. And then I visited my Italian relatives recently and I'm sorry, if you want to hear people complain, you need to spend time with the Italians.

[@mariacurtis9247]

My partner is British born Italian and whines and complains most of the day about anything that crosses his mind lol

[@steveblack6910]

Micheal Cain in The Italian Job, talking about Italy, 'and remember, in this country they drive on the wrong side of the road.' What more to be said?

[@JamesThompson97]

22:15 - we don't complain to the waiter because we don't want to get our food spat in.

[@rodneyshinkfield9465]

James Thompson: quite right - I would never dare to sent food back! lol I once watched a BBC programme showing what could happen in a restaurant - nearly put me off eating in a restaurant for life!

[@MeStevely]

Or worse.

[@comteroi9219]

This is one of the reasons I never eat out at restaurants. After working in one, I would never eat from one. It's just so wrong.

[@geoffreystephen6840]

That's exactly why I don't complain!

[@rebeccasimantov5476]

Good point...also I wouldn't want to cause a scene...

[@stanleyknife1967]

Glad you persevered with us! Weather is kind of used as an ice breaker to start a conversation or fill an uncomfortable silence.....(looks away to avoid eye contact).

[@cherylperryman4026]

I’m a Texan in the UK, we talk to everyone, at the grocery store, pumping gas, in line for anything. When I got here I had to double check incase I was growing horns, because they act as if you do. Someone said to me, at least we don’t tell you to have a nice day if we don’t mean it. Sorry, It’s our way of saying good bye, I miss hearing have a nice day, or have a good one. And please what’s up with eye contact, that I don’t get. Great point of living here, when you finally make friends you know they are for life, but that time until you do is sooooooooooo lonely, so acknowledge a stranger, you may make their day “a good one”

[@tarkadal5563]

The thing is you can in fact talk to people you meet in the street here. I think the problem is Americans don’t know how to choose their moment. They talk to people who are clearly not interested in conversation. My perception is that Americans aren’t very perceptive. Not all Americans but many. And some forget their manners. Sometimes an act of courtesy or good manners shows that person you are worth talking to. One thing I’ve come to understand is that we Brits as well as most Europeans have a complex social etiquette. Conversation needs to come naturally and be worthwhile. This is why we often perceive American conversation, like American humour and television, to be inauthentic or fake. Just don’t try to force conversation on people just for the sake of having conversation. Conversation has to be mutual and worthwhile. KZbin search ‘Harry Enfield American Tourists’. It is somewhat exaggerated but you might see what I mean from a British perspective

[@jonbell6355]

I smiled all the way through this. Made me feel proud to be British, where faults are a plus not a negative :)

[@lewisbatchelor2728]

Complaining IS British culture. I'm proud of that.

[@emmamaclean737]

We do love to complain lol

[@lewisbatchelor2728]

@Bollocky Bill depends where you're from hahaha

[@BenJamin-ny1kw]

What about all these Americans called Karen? If people think the Brits complain, watch the public freak out videos on youtube. They are tremendously funny.

[@ajkey2266]

Thus why we antipodeans call them 'whinging poms'

[@mrc1500]

I always love the Aussie joke: Q. How can you tell which plane is full of British holiday makers? A. It's the one that is still whining after the engines have been shut down. :-D Self-deprecating Brit, BTW.

[@spark_6710]

Lol.😆💜💜💜🥁🐉🎤🎶💞

[@WestieDoodle]

absolutely hilarious!

[@stretfordenders4013]

Edward sweeney of Merseyside would be right up that street he moans on his holidays vlogs u couldn’t make it up

[@garethg7111]

I'm just shocked that anyone could hate any of these lovable traits.

[@michaelhoodleeder]

These lovable traits wear pretty thin whenever you try to get close to English people. I think they're going through an identity crisis. Once they get over the fact there is no empire, maybe they will be able to move forward more optimistically.

[@roseypuddin8805]

@@michaelhoodleeder I think we got over the empire bit 40 years ago. What we hate is the American empire

[@princesshassim6009]

A word to the wise, Canadians are largely OVER-sensitive. I should know cos i'm British and i have had to live with em for ten years..

[@briantitchener4829]

@@michaelhoodleeder You obviously didn't recognise Gareth G's very understated dry British humour there. The trick is--don't take it so literally.

[@mikeball6182]

@@michaelhoodleeder After dominating England for 400 years Scotland had far more invested in the empire. Great Britain was a Scottish idea.

[@TheFatwelder]

"Brits are always complaining !" You have just spent 26 mins complaining, which makes you a real Brit.Welcome home Alanna.😍😍😍

[@butIwantpewee]

I remember on holiday in Florida, I was waiting in a queue for an attraction to open at 10am and as it was about a billion degrees at that time in the morning. As I waited I decided to get all continental and touristy so I sparked up a conversation with the attendant in my usual British way, "it's warm isn't it" I said, standard British protocol. She looked at me like a turd she had just scraped of her shoe and replied "what did you expect, it's Florida" I decided to be silently passive aggressive in response to such aggression.

[@eldeano9964]

You should have responded with something like: I didn't expect anything, as you can tell by the accent, I'm not local.

[@ianjackson5128]

Perfectly acceptable to understate the high heat with an obvious understatement like that, i would have done the same

[@myyoutubeaccount4282]

You should of said, oh my god your speaking my language I didn't expect that in a foreign country.

[@spaceskipster4412]

Did you know it's a "white privilege" to burn in the sun now. ..!!! 😂 😂😂😂

[@nicolataylor6011]

I would have called her out on it and simple said.. Why are you so rude I was only making small talk..

[@ShaunLevett]

I have to say as a Brit, these aren't stereotypes, they are facts. My friend went to teach in Korea and made a lot of American friends there. One of the rules the Americans had was to never have a drinking contest with a Brit.

[@mikeball6182]

Try it with a Korean!

[@stuartcarden5402]

I'd immediately lose respect for anyone who said "red sauce" as an adult. Of course I wouldn't say anything and I'd still likely be friends with them (don't want to cause a scene) but I'd never fully trust them again.

[@robertlamb4518]

....in some greasy spoon cafes the sauce is so dubious it's more honest to call it red sauce rather than assume it actually has tomatoes as an ingredient!.

[@zapkvr]

Red sauce to distinguish it from worcestershire sauce which we used to call black sauce. There was no soy sauce in Australia in the sixties.

[@ChimpScape]

Oh I fucking hate that shit.. Brown sauce is brown sauce but ketchup is ketchup, or tomato sauce.. Not "red sauce"! I actually do lose respect for people when they say that, haha 😂

[@ChimpScape]

@@zapkvr Worcestershire sauce is totally different though.. it's not red and is very watery whereas ketchup is red and much thicker, so why butcher the name of ketchup to distinguish between two things that are nothing alike? 😆

[@bobbyboko6317]

Older generation stiff upper lip younger generation floppy lower lip

[@edenc5320]

Brilliant

[@ciskoshuggs822]

I'm stealing this quote lol! Thanks.

[@bobbyboko6317]

@@ciskoshuggs822 You are welcome 😂

[@zapkvr]

Agree. Good job

[@necronom]

I don't know what red sauce or ketchup are, it's called tomato sauce.

[@Bexyboo88]

Exactly this ^

[@MichaelWaite]

Absolutely. Who on earth have you been speaking to in your patreon group? Toddlers?

[@stevewest9954]

I call it tomato ketchup. Maybe I am posh

[@NicholasJH96]

People I know use both Ketchup and Tomato Sauce which to most people in my area knows anyway, when people say red sauce I think what the hell are you on about

[@mariawhite6227]

Tommy sauce

[@michaelnorris45]

‘Ow much?!! (Northerner on being told price of London pint)

[@dinerouk]

I can relate to that!

[@kevinwainwright31]

Do you mean anyone above the Watford gap

[@elaineb7065]

Me reading this: does this mean that's a sore price or are you sure that's the price??? And does it even make a difference???

[@Richard_Ashton]

Where I grew up, the house was so old that there were only cold taps in bathroom and kitchen. My dad installed a wall-mounted water heater to get hot. Those houses were pulled down at least 4 decades ago. My current home has only mixer taps. I was told that the taps in France were marked C and F for 'cold' and 'freezing', but I was taught French at school and learned that it was an indication of the plumbing standards, not temperature.

[@sharonlock6452]

Let's face it though if we cancelled every BBQ due to bad weather then we'd never have one

[@grapeman63]

Quit complaining about the weather! You'll give us a bad name. Haven't you been watching?

[@lemsip207]

The weather has to be just right not too cold or too hot and not wet. Best in the late afternoon or early evening. When the weather is hot I only want to eat salads, fruit and ice cream.

[@lemsip207]

@@grapeman63 Because the wind and dampness makes it feel even colder in winter that's why there is a wind chill factor taken into account when looking at the temperature. It might be 5C but the wind chill factor will make it feel more like -2C. Also the humidity in summer makes it feel warmer.

[@benspinks342]

Whenever I see a combined tap I still think, “oooh posh!” 😂

[@flytrapjohn]

🤣

[@chrissymoss514]

"a combined tap" ... AKA , a mixer tap! 😂😂😂

[@highpath4776]

Or stupid. If a washer fails you have lost everything. You can live without one for a while as you wait to get to fix it

[@kentix417]

Yeah, let's suffer years for that one moment when a washer fails. That's a good trade.

[@zoerose4110]

@@kentix417 The ceramic washers fail all the time in our kitchen sink tap. Long live the separate tap.

[@johnjamesflashman6856]

Without the "stiff upper lip" we would never have had an Empire. :)

[@andrewgarner2224]

@inside outside upside downside Oh I don't know, we can still go to a significant number of other countries and be understood in our own language. And remember if that doesn't work just speak louder they eventually understand us.

[@zapkvr]

Victoria was the first Empress. She was German. She barely spoke English when she was growing up.

[@maaziy_ghaziyIYI]

But then came along a German guy with a funny moustache and an Indian mendicant who had upper lips even stiffer than yours and who finally ended your empire once and for all.

[@miketriggs2156]

Surely our most hated trait must be the phrase “I claim this land on behalf of the queen”

[@leematthews6812]

Come on Alanna, let's have more of this whining. You're becoming assimilated into BritCulture. Join us....

[@theinsideouter6371]

Hey Alabama do you still have slaves

[@collodion1884]

@@theinsideouter6371 What?

[@tsrgoinc]

I personally thing you’ve just mentioned all our best features, 😂🤣😂

[@dirtyden1]

As a Northerner I can confirm even i found it a little weird that strangers just don't randomly talk to you in the South. Even though I met some very lovely and very colourful Londoners.

[@MrScotchpie]

When you come back to the UK you want to live in the North, either North England or Scotland. I think your perceptions will change a lot.

[@busesofthenw7706]

I recommend scunphorpe

[@MrTom1379]

We don’t complain we moan , I’m moaning that you said complain 🤣

[@greghilton7797]

And I'm complaining the you call it a moan. Its a never ending whine.

[@justmeish1997]

It's not a whine it's a whinge

[@MrPaulw6692]

Oh stop your bellyaching 😂

[@stee-vo3332]

MrTom's right,it's a moan. Far too low pitched and monotonous to be a whine and too continuous to be a whinge. Just moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan 😂

[@joebutlersnr7017]

I'm gonna complain about your complaining , sorry your moaning haaahaha.

[@matthewhortop7828]

The British way is usually because it was invented here...

[@beverleybunn5084]

Nice one

[@cragzuk]

Yeah, when it comes to British, Canadian and American, British means " The Original and The very best".

[@franticstorm7411]

@Jason Wong Then again we can always invent a virus, let it escape and spread around the world without telling anyone and then blame someone else for it. That sound familiar?

[@kathryncollins9780]

@@franticstorm7411 Did know that Obama was the first to coin "Kung Flu" ?

[@zapkvr]

Like imperial measures which the US still can't ditch. That's so funny

[@CrazyInsanelikeafox]

Complaining to friends, family and even strangers, is therapy for us.

[@pch2230]

George Orwell described his childhood as "lower upper middle class", and if you're British you instantly know exactly what he meant.

[@mattbunce2509]

From UK - Only watched the first 30 seconds, but my prediction is the video should be titled "13 things foreigners haven't yet realised are correct" 😉

[@lolazal1]

🤣

[@greghilton7797]

You'd be right about that too.

[@san8524]

You mean working class (lower class) or as they’re now known “essential workers” 😅

[@paulm2467]

It's strange that, due to Coronavirus, people have only recently realised that most of us do jobs that don't really matter and in most fields, the higher the pay the more the world can do without you.

[@heleneg525]

We have class distinctions in the US, too. However, they tend to be based more on level of education rather than place of birth.

[@Raysnature]

@@heleneg525 Oh place of birth has very little to do with it. It's about what my ancestors were doing about five generations ago. 😃 By just about any measure I'm now (lower) middle class as were my parents; however my grandparents were most definitely working class and therefore, however you want to measure it, I still consider myself working class too. It's very much an inverse snobbery thing going on. 🤣

[@mingle95]

Yes its working class. Stereotypeing other places, is usually done in fun or should be. Common with football fans.

[@AshleyMunday]

The word you're looking for is serf. Canon fodder is an acceptable substitute.

[@chris5pens]

There's the British way and there are mistakes:)

[@toffeenut1336]

Difficult to separate the two

[@GeoffreyBronson]

We turn into absolute monsters online, on holiday and after a few pints but apart from that we're a lovable bunch

[@zapkvr]

Those bus tours can be pretty horrid

[@callumbush1]

You Brits should get a petition together and send it to the home office saying that she's an assest to the UK and give her permanent residence!

[@medieval1001]

Hell no she hates our taps !

[@AthAthanasius]

/sign

[@sutzmiah4638]

Correction.. It's not 'low class' we say 'working class' And working class people are very proud to be.

[@Frank-mm2yp]

As another commenter already put it they are now called "'ESSENTIAL WORKERS"; at least as long as the pandemic lasts. Then it will be back to being "working class".

[@Frank-mm2yp]

@Jkinsg92 If you are able to "work" at home in your underwear,(if you wanted to) than you are not an "essential worker". Trust me on this one...... The world will continue just fine with or w/o your spread sheets.

[@olixz]

Salt of the earth haha

[@rescyn1190]

Frank Straight from the school of ‘I reckon’. Arrogant tosspot...

[@bethanyhunt2704]

As an Australian who lived in the UK for 20 years, I agree with all of this :) The pathological politeness - never asserting yourself - eventually drove me crazy. So nice to be able to express yourself here in Aust!

[@carlthompson1247]

The stiff upper lip is a good thing. Do not like cultures which get emotional all the time.

[@curlyfm]

I heard that during the colonial times when British boat were attacked they would fight back, but the foreign boats would pray to god. 🤷🏼

[@extremelyreligiousdolphin750]

Agreed.

[@keithbird8910]

Fair points, well made - but with all our faults, we're still the best bloody nation in the world!

[@CPetchelli]

If carlsburg did countrys....

[@lyuboslavpetrov9187]

What the actual hell

[@keithbird8910]

@Pingu Wetone In the opinion of all rational thinking people . :)

[@zzzzz77771]

@@lyuboslavpetrov9187 Did you hear that wooshing sound?... That's the sound of the joke going straight over your head..

[@zzzzz77771]

@Pingu Wetone isn't it always someone's opinion when something is subjective... Congrats on pointing out the obvious, Einstien...

[@Nanonic001]

Watching the English taught me that Brits talking about the weather is one of the best ways to break the ice and talk to them!

[@dinerouk]

Allana 'you win some and lose some' is a philosophy that would lelp anyone in life!

[@shaungillingham4689]

I spent some time in British Colombia, in Canada. It was a beautiful place, I loved it. The only thing that surprised me was the way the people were afflicted with vebal overload. I'd go to buy a morning newspaper & say the usual curt "morning" & they'd ramble on & on & tell me their life story when all I wanted was a paper, I'd have to make my excuses, like my salads getting warm & take off at top speed. Yes the English are the best & we are always right.

[@daviz10]

Hence the phrase "Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun" lol. I find it must be the verity of British weather that makes it a topic. For example the other day the sunburn on my neck was hurting as it got pelted by hail stones. Where else does that happen?🤷🏻‍♂️

[@TheCanadiangirl4]

My Dad uses that phrase too.

[@AthAthanasius]

Oh you poor naive soul. Try making friends with people from the US Mid-West (at least, there are probably other regions this is true of as well). The phrase "If you don't like the weather here, just wait five minutes, it'll be different" is common. That and remarking on how it was "in the 80s yesterday and today it's down to the 30s!" (they're using Farenheit obviously) and the like is also common. UK weather is static by comparison. And we don't tend to get the fun of REALLY big thunderstorms or tornadoes either. On the whole the UK is lucky to have relatively boring weather. Thank the Atlantic for acting as a big heat sink, both to keep us cooler in Summer, and help keep us warmer in Winter. It generally smooths things out for us. Continental Europe is a big enough contiguous land mass to override the effect. And, yes, I now totally demonstrated the Brit trait of talking about the weather at the drop of a hat ;) .

[@greghilton7797]

Australia!

[@RobJP94]

We're so classist. My mum calls everyone common literally just on their accents, really winds me up.

[@aankwenti]

it's just the old people

[@mdx7460]

Anthony Lalangley he just said ‘literally just on their accents’. Didn’t know speaking with a certain accent was a bad way to behave 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@christina5545]

Hi Alanna! I’m so glad I found your channel as I’m a New Yorker who has been living in Manchester, UK for 2 years now. Your honesty and ability to highlight the amazing and not so amazing in the UK is so refreshing. So nice to hear someone else notice these traits in the UK as I haven’t met any Americans this way, and when I mention certain things to my British husband, well you guessed it, he argues. He can never ever admit anything that’s done here is not as good as some place else. It’s extremely frustrating. Just glad to see I’m not alone!

[@Dave-hu5hr]

We do English better for a start love.. 😂

[@christina5545]

Hmm I’d argue that living in the North West…

[@thetrevor861]

Hi Christina, and welcome to the UK. Don't argue with your husband. NOT because he's male. NOT because he's 'the boss'. Because he is a Brit, and therefore correct. Apart from mixer taps, I will agree with you and Alanna on that one. Cheers !

[@RobertBlow]

I'm from Derbyshire and as far as I am concerned a bright young lady like yourself would be a asset to our country. I would give you a pass now if I could. Good luck with the application process.

[@spark_6710]

That is so sweet of you ! Please stay safe !👍💜💜💜🥁🐉🎤🎶💕💞

[@bencux]

“RIGHT! ...well I won’t keep you any longer - I’ll let you get on!” (Because I’m desperate to get the hell away from you, but this way I make it seem like I’m doing YOU a favour! 😎)

[@omegasue]

Actually when someone makes the first move to leave, I breathe a sigh of relief with the thought that "I'm next out the door".

[@zoerose4110]

Im so grateful for this the phone now is worse you cant get people to go away, we have things to do. In wales we dont even go this far our greeting is Shwmae which is hello how are you replied back with shwmae we never answer how we are and we are on our way.

[@afpwebworks]

Yep, this video was as brave as I thought it was going to be as soon as I saw the thumbnail. And it speaks volumes for the wit and wisdom of the British that the common tone of the comments is laughter and agreement. Another rivetting, funny, charming video Alanna. Thank you for doing this each week. It's a highlight of my life nowdays

[@davidgillettuk9638]

I wouldn’t call it a stiff upper lip, it’s just that when things get tough we don’t go scurrying for a safe space.

[@andrewdking]

Quite right. I was in a hotel on Lake Garda in Italy. In bed and there was a minor earth tremor. The Italian staff fled. To me it was just mildly amusing / interesting. The real irritation was the person rattling the walls with their snoring in the next room.

[@Uniquecapture]

I remember a relative telling me that he was in the cinema when the film stopped to announce an air raid. After the announcement the film resumed and everyone stayed where they were and continued watching.

[@Trent_Uk]

there are two levels of stiff upper lip the first is the "wartime stiff upper lip" which is we can cry when this is all over the second is simply not burdening others with your problems

[@sirpercarde709]

As a second generation Canadian, my grandfather was from Bolton, everyone talks about my pasty white, nobby knees. My arms will burn even with long sleaved shirts. As Noel Coward would say, "Mad dogs and Englishmen...."

[@scrummydoo]

Bolton,,,,, it's up there with the best,

[@keithgrafton5006]

Upper class, middle class and working class. Ive never heard the term "lower class" used in the UK.

[@amandaely9983]

Keith Grafton that’s for the non working class 😉

[@douglasgreen437]

Lower class is what upper middle class people call chavs

[@FleX_94]

Lower class are benefit bums

[@m101ist]

One trait about foreigners the British dislike, is finding fault or being negative about Britain. 😳

[@DennisSinnott]

As a Brit living in the U.S - and hearing your observations on British habits - especially those living in the south of the country - I thought was spot on. The obsession of how much a pint costs in London, was really funny!

[@michaelrawson6261]

Video only a couple of minutes in, still watching. "Today..... might be a mistake ..." brave, courageous Alannah...! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@lilpipskweek6448]

Alana dont you understand that as Brits it’s hard to be humble and perfect in every way

[@douglasgreen437]

Oh lord it's hard to be humble when your perfect in every way, I can't wait to look in the mirror as I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be an incredible guy...

[@davew4998]

@@douglasgreen437 Hmm. Shame about the spelling or grammar. Your should be you're. Otherwise you're perfect.

[@Lambchop2701]

Douglas Green I love our British sense of humour but sadly some people just don’t get it!!

[@RichDoes..]

as for the weather ... we have 4 seasons ... usually in each day x

[@billydonaldson6483]

The weather is something you could use as an icebreaker with strangers.

[@lwaves]

When you start a video with that disclaimer, you know it's going to be a good one. It was fantastic, funny and nicely handled by you, Alanna. I mean, you're not wrong about any of these. They mostly don't apply to the majority these days but they do apply, hence why they are stereotypes. We can find it hard to talk to strangers and talking about the weather is our icebreaker. It changes so often that it's an easy topic to start that affects all. Complaining about it is a way of life for us. If anyone is mean to you, they need to take a long look at themselves as you always deliver these things nicely and with a sense of humour. If they don't get that then they are the problem, not you. :-)

[@achloist]

I’m so relieved you only came up with 13 Alanna, bless you lol

[@stephenphillip5656]

Part 2 of this series follows...

[@annother3350]

Unlucky for some

[@hairyairey]

@@stephenphillip5656 of a 100 part series...

[@provablepaul8726]

The 14 one was Canadians complaining about us lol

[@LordMountararat]

My dear old thing, I came across your blog/KZbin channel completely by accident a while ago and I've very much enjoyed reading a Canadian view of the Motherland. I've just watched the "Traits to hate" video and personally, I found it entertaining, witty and it made me laugh out loud at several points. I've often been described as a "professional Englishman" so I thought I ought to come back with a few comments: 1. Taps - yes, you've got us there. Mixer taps are, of course, the way forward, but what would happen, thinkest thou, if you needed to draw a pan of hot water and a pan of cold water at the same time? Imagine the scenario.....you're running late for work. You need to shave (well, YOU don't, but stay with me) so the hot tap is on full. At the same time, you notice your prize-winning dahlias are wilting and desperately need water - with two taps you can water your flowers whilst running your washing water. (Convinced? Me neither!) 2. Complaining - surely the birthright of all freeborn Englishmen is to complain? What with the weather (see below), Covid-19, the rubbish on television, dishonest politicians etc etc etc there's nothing more comforting than whinging with like-minded curmudgeons. The only time one is allowed to speak on public transport is when a train is cancelled, when the correct procedure is to make eye-contact with your neighbour, shrug and make a witty sally regarding how the country is going to hell in a handcart. 3. Class divisions - Is one of those things. One of the most popular hymns people choose at weddings (presumably because they sang it at school) is "All things bright and beautiful", which contains the verse "The rich man in his castle, the poor man at his gate. He made them high and lowly, and ordered their estate." THAT is how ingrained it is! But it is also more nuanced. At the very top, there is the aristocracy, with the monarch at the summit. Then there are the middle classes, which sprawl and range from the very rich to the "moderately comfortable", then the working classes (plural, as there are so many within that:skilled, semi-skilled, unskilled) and below that, a whole underclass. Over this is laid celebrity culture, where one can become super rich, but remain common as muck. Then there is the divide between town and country, which exist in an atmosphere of mutual hostility and suspicion. 4. Stiff Upper Lip - personally, I think this a marvellous trait. At the Battle of Waterloo, the Duke of Wellington was riding along the British line with his second in command, the Earl of Uxbridge, when a cannon ball slammed into the Earl and took off his leg. Uxbridge turned to the Duke and calmly said "Good Lord, I've lost my leg", to which the Duke replied "Good Lord, so you have". At the same battle Lord Fitzroy Somerset, having had his shattered arm amputated asked the surgeon to bring it back as his family signet ring was still on the finger. You can't invent that stuff. It comes from centuries of breeding, bad school dinners and vicious beatings. It also goes back to the weather (see below). If you have a climate as irascible as Britain, you will naturally imbibe a measure of stoicism with your mother's milk. 5. Stand-offishness - Anglo-Saxon reserve is rather charming, don't you think? I'm being rather raffish here by emailing you when we haven't been formally introduced, but what the hell, one is only young(ish) once! I think there is a lot of Austen's Mr Darcy that still survives in a certain type of Englishman, thinking particularly of his line that "my good opinion, once lost, is lost forever!" but once you make friends with the English, they are true and loyal. I maintain that this is why, uniquely of the European powers, Britain was able to transform its empire into a free association of friendly nations in the form of the Commonwealth. 6. Weather. Yesterday in London we had sunshine, wind, rain, thunder, hail and sunshine. When your climate does so much, it provides a constant talking point and also a useful opening gambit if conversation falls flat, as everyone is guaranteed to have an opinion. The vagaries of the British climate are also key to our inborn stoicism (see above) 7. Playing fast and loose with the sun. This is what comes from having run India and much of Africa. As ever, dear Noel puts it better than I ever could: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJrJfYN9npmLbKM 8. It depends on what you call binge drinking? Maybe a sherry before lunch, 1 or 2 glasses of wine with lunch, followed by port. Pimms on the lawn in the afternoon. In the evening, a martini or two before dinner, half a bottle of wine with dinner and brandy to finish......unless one has a whisky nightcap. 9. London and the Provinces live in a state of perpetual mistrust and suspicion. I grew up in deepest, darkest rural North Devon, but have lived in London for the last 28 years, so I can see both sides. The whole sage of Brexit was this situation writ large. London was resolutely and vocally pro-Remain. It is no coincidence that every other region of England (ignoring Scotland and N Ireland) voted to Leave. As much as any other reason, they wanted to stick it to London. It is also the reason why the Labour Party crashed to such a dreadful defeat in last December's election - the party was seen to be only interested in the concerns of the urban middle classes. 10. The art of obfuscation in Language - very closely linked to the stiff upper lip (above). It is a truism that Britain and North America are divided by a common language. An incident from the Korean War demonstrates this admirably. The British Gloucestershire Regiment (c.650 men) was defending an isolated position when it was attacked in a major offensive by 10,000 Chinese soldiers. When a US General telephoned the Gloucesters to ask how things were, the colonel, with classic understatement, replied that "things are a bit sticky". The general assumed there was nothing serious and reinforcements were not sent for some time. 11. Guilty as charged! At least I was, until I saw my father in action. My father was a professional head chef and we were once served a sub-standard meal - my father's complaint was utterly perfect. Concise, clear, friendly, with a little wit and all was resolved in an instant. I feel I learned at the feet of a master! 12. See item 4 and 6 regarding weather-based stoicism. my photograph albums contain numerous pictures of me holding umbrellas over barbecues. One of the joys of an English Summer. 13. What do you mean we love to argue? Who do you think you are? And by the way, what's all this "red sauce" nonsense? It's "Tommy K"!!! Finally, thank you for another entertaining video. I hope my reply is taking in a similarly light-hearted vein. All best, Lord M

[@intuitivecoachtheresa]

Being from the U.S. and having studied in Canada, I found the standoff-ness alive and well there too, but more so with younger people and in the big cities. Out in rural areas people are SOOO friendly, more than the states. It's wonderful.

[@markhemzy8433]

The best mirror to see yourself in is the mirror of someone else's eyes. Even though perceptions can be subjective , they still help to give a different perspective of how we are. I love the fact that you see the best in us and the worst in us and are brave enough to share it. I always love reading Bill Bryson's books because he lived in the UK for decades and actively loved being in the UK and that shows in his writing which is why his criticisms carry more weight. I laughed at your observations and thought they were brilliant. Keep them coming and good luck with the visa.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

That's so kind, thank you!!

[@dinerouk]

I like Bryson too!

[@timbayliss4153]

@@AdventuresAndNaps Dear Adventures and Naps, I have been a good British fan, and I have watched all your videos. I would want to welcome you to my Britain any time. I believe an ideal society, is for everyone including us British, to respect each others countries, abroad and in Britain, and keep showing the good sides of each other. Thank you.

[@timbayliss4153]

Could I also ask you please, what is the Canadian side of the coin, regarding shooting burglars, and other scary intruders? Do you have to be in a certain Canadian state or county, to get away with it?

[@spaceskipster4412]

@@timbayliss4153 they keep a pet grizzly! 🐻 🇨🇦 😂

[@thomasstokes288]

The British sinks are the best sinks. Where do I send a complaint to?

[@benk9397]

Not only that there the only proper sinks too!

[@crashbox7130]

Steady on chaps. Stiff upper lip. what what. It's a nice sunny day so I'm just going to sit in the garden to get a tan. No need for sun cream. I've also got 24 cans of cider in the fridge, I should get through them in the next hour.

[@AthAthanasius]

Eh, I'm a Brit and I think lack of mixer taps is stupid. The majority of time there is no need to be running both hot and cold **and not mixing them together**. I carefully set my hot water heater at a temperature so that I can just about stand it once it's running fully for hand washing, whilst definitely still being hot enough for things like washing dishes. I'd much prefer if my bathroom sink had a mixer tap. Thankfully the kitchen one does.

[@jimrodda]

@@crashbox7130 love that comment, I wonder if the sarcasm works? or be taken seriously 😂🍻🇬🇧

[@funkyneil2000]

Are we talking about sinks or basins?

[@CyclingCornwall]

really enjoyed your views on brits , hope comedy career goes well when you return, yes we are a nation of stoics and introverts (stiff upper lip) and perhaps we are to proud of that . The hot and cold taps ,you will find the sink has a plug so you can mix enough of each to desired level and temperature to wash hands etc.

[@garryarden3322]

My complaints in order. 1 Weather. 2 Late buses and trains. 3 Queues in shops. 4 Rubbish on tv. 5 Weak tea in cafes. 6 Lack of excellent fish and chip shops in local area, once was common place now very rare.

[@Les_Hewitt]

I could add about 10 more things to your list but I'd just be a complaining Brit :-D

[@DaveBartlett]

For someone who lives as close in the world to the USA as you do, (and who has spent time recently in the states,) It intrigues me that you consider the "our way is the only correct way" attitude to be a British fault/attribute.

[@williamkinnell79]

There is a sink bowl under the separate taps, use it to get the water to the correct temperature that suits you then turn off the taps. Lots of love WKK

[@obugger]

I think the reason we talk about the weather so much - and we do! - is because it's so unreliable. We're a windy little rock in the Atlantic so our weather can change several times in one day. This messes up plans, wrecks days out etc and means we're always wearing the wrong clothes so we're too hot, too cold, too wet etc etc.

[@oliverthew856]

The 'stiff upper lip' thing is engrained input culture due to quite a brutal history. For example the world wars, the potato famine and and countless other battles in our history we have been brought up for generations on the 'keep calm and carry on' attitude

[@oliverthew856]

I would exactly say that's a bad thing so I don't understand why all tourists from other countries hate us for it

[@angelique_cs]

I kind of appreciate the stiff upper lip attitude. It makes me feel better when talking to my English friends especially in this time of pandemic and unrest. Thanks for the video and reminding me it's Tuesday

[@BenJamin-ny1kw]

Especially after terror attacks. The stiff upper lip is the way to show resilience in the face of those that wish us harm.

[@motorcyclemadness6006]

Ben Jamin exactas that guy that tackled the terrorist on London Bridge with the narwhal tusk didn’t come out on top for nothing....

[@mogznwaz]

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON

[@lemsip207]

At the beginning of lockdown last year it was the optimists who were happier as they thought it would be all over in a month but it actually lasted longer than that and when we weren't in lockdown we were still in partial lockdown as you had to make an appointment to go to the library or museum. I knew of people who went to pieces on day one of the first lockdown and one of them threatened to sue me as I had blocked him on Facebook as he had been so nasty towards me since news of the pandemic broke and Italy had gone into lockdown. I blocked his phone number as well. These are the same kind of people who panic buy in food shops and buy enough food to last a month because there is snow on the ground which will melt in a day or two. How did they cope when shops were closed on Sundays and when there was a bank holiday on Monday as well.

[@c.j.5141]

Hey from the UK 🇬🇧 Loving you’re videos as always. As a Brit, personally it’s nice to see what we’re like from an “outsider”. Some of these I didn’t realise and can only apologise for but probably won’t change lol I also personally ‘like’ the stiff upper lip sorta trait (in small doses) 😅I suppose it’s a very stoic trait which I would be very happy to hold my head up high to 😊 Please keep the videos coming, loving them as always ❣️

[@stevenjohnson4190]

the single tap thing.. you know you can put the plug in the sink, dont you?

[@Alex.H.B.1970something]

😂 that's a step of logic that is too far for foreign people.😅

[@stevenjohnson4190]

@@Alex.H.B.1970something lol indeed

[@simonforde9449]

Hi Alana - have lived in Ontario and Michigan, and 20 years on the continent. So can agree with many or most of your observations. My own counter-reflections are: 1) I think your point about class awareness is a very southern English thing. In the midlands and north, where I have spent 15 years of my life, as to 18 in the south-east, I am entirely unaware of this class attitude. There is an awareness of where you are from (e.g., a Yorkshireman will tease a Lancastrian, someone from Bradford will certainly comment on someone from Leeds), but it has zero to do with class. It is about geographical affiliation, which I think is similar to Canada and elsewhere. 2) I reckon there is a certain self-defence reflex of Brits defending British things. I have spent 20 years on the European continent where absolutely everything British, literally everything, was considered to be wrong. Plus something that they wanted Brussels to have obliterated. If you are under constant attack like this, you tend to be self-defensive about your differences. And, yes, some traits you pointed out are annoying - e.g., complaining, though we have won the World Cup for the last fifty years, at least.

[@nicholasthorn1539]

Even by English standards I'm shy and reserved yet I never hesitate to talk to strangers if I want to. I usually know instinctively if it's "safe" to do so but it's always a conscious decision. Did you ever feel or hear that we don't talk to each other unless we've been introduced? That's possibly true in certain situations but on the whole it's rubbish. I would say that here in the South of England we don't talk to each other unless there's a good reason why we should, a good example of course being the weather

[@nigeh5326]

Every nation has its own myth about being better. It’s there from when you are born so that you grow up with a pride in your community, town country etc..

[@DMGamanda]

Classes are ingrained in our culture but I think a lot of foreigners make the mistake of thinking that we see those classes as one is better than the other. A lot of the working classes are super proud of it and even if they make a tonne of money would still be working class. It’s def not people looking up or down at people.