Each quarter, Director magazine - the publication related to the UK's Institute of Directors - includes the "After Hours" supplement. Brimming with charming advice, such as how the weather impacts the British summer social scene or how to cruise Scotland to find the finest whiskies, the latest issue takes a look at British national identity.
Interesting to SwelledHead was the comparison drawn by how the British see themselves and how they're see by others:
The British see themselves as: Others see the British as:
Rational and fair minded Reactionary and slightly bonkers
Passionate Cold and aloof
Adaptable and accommodating Quaint and charming
Humorous Funny
Culturally fragmented Civilised and cultured
Polite to a fault Polite to a point of rudeness
Ironically amusing Sarcastic and ridiculing
Understated Ambiguous
Is this a fair or accurate assessment? To my mind, on the whole it would seem to be, but as an invented concept, being British - or indeed "Britishness" - is something that is difficult to define or agree upon. It's an elusive notion that alters with whomever you ask. It's definitely there, and it can be a real moneyspinner both at home and overseas. You may know it when you see it, but you'll never pin it down. Perhaps therein lies its allure.
