What is unique about british culture?

Answer 1

I don't live in England or any United Kingdom nation but I do come from a British family. As far as health and child health is concerned they have less access to their medical care and the more expensive treatments but everyone who is a citizen is not denied the national social medical care. They can choose to have private health insurance however. Sometimes and elderly person needing heart surgery cannot get it because they are considered too old or unhealthy to qualify for the operation. It can take months for anyone to get the proper treatment they need. Their drugs tend to cost less than in the USA and they have medications that are not available in the USA. The nurses there are called sisters. The surgeons are called "misters" and not doctors even though they are doctors. All the other doctors are called doctors.

The mortality rate in the British Isles is different than in the USA because they have a different environment, social care and a different diet.

The fact that they live on an island causes their culture to be unique in that they have smaller communities and many different types of communities. They have villages, towns, farms, large cities and ports, coastal tourist communities, communities built around their universities (such as Oxford) and large cities such as London.

Their history is many centuries old and was influenced by many European people groups and cultures. They have many places around now that have been around for many centuries which are very beautiful and striking. They are proud of their heritage and deserve to be.

Their government is a monarch with a parliamentary type of democracy. They have a royal navy, royal army, royal marines and air force. The militaries report to the Queen or King. The King or Queen is not like the President of the USA. They have a Prime minister.

Throughout their history they had an aristocracy that basically controlled the general populace and the parliament. Now there is a labor party which is supposed to represent the general populace.

Their law system is based on a similar law system as in the US and France. But, they continue to observe the old ways of the Judges being called "My Lord" and they still wear robes and white wigs on top of their hair.

The police are not all issued guns. Many have billy clubs and other things to use to subdue criminals. The Brits have less guns in their possessions than the people of the USA or other countries. They have a lot less gun wounds there.

They have been accused of being stoic. They appear to be that way because it is considered "improper and impolite" to be gregarious, loud mouthed, over emotionally expressive or comical. They are fun, loving and a happy people overall but they may not express the level of their feelings at the level Americans and Canadians have been know to express.

The concept that they are prim and proper was true of their society up until the last two generations. Today the young people can be just as rude and outspoken as their American and Canadian counterparts. This can upset the oldest generation there.

Often foreigners will say they dress in such dark colors but really that is not true. In the winter when it rains the most you will see them donning coats that are not super colorful but in the small amount of summer they do have they will dress brightly with great patterns on the fabrics. You have to keep in mind their clothing reflects their climate and location where they live. You might see a farmer in coveralls, overalls, jeans and Wellingtons (like a rubber boot) and perhaps a heavy coat (like a Mac or heavier).

The language there is English and is quite different from the English Or American English spoken in the US. They have words and phrases that Americans do not recognize. For being a small island or islands rather they have a lot of different accents and dialects that are regional. In the USA they have quite few regional accents but not nearly as many as the Brits have there.

Their food is unique too. Who else serves kidney pies? They even eat fish called kippers for breakfast and their bacon is different from other places. They love to eat fried fish and chips (a thick piece of potato fried). Tea is a beverage that is consumed as much as Americans drink coffee, soda pop and water combined. They even add milk to their tea which makes some Americans turn up their noses at the idea of putting milk into hot or cold tea. American prefer ice tea but the Brits prefer hot tea. The Brits who consume the high fat diets suffer from obesity, cardiovascular diseases and early deaths. More and more children and teens have grown obese with the addition of American restaurants such as McDonalds. (A real tragedy)

Transportation is different too. They emphasize public transportation and many do not own a car. Some people use their cars to travel long distances or to take to Europe. There are some who have never owned a car. Their cars tend to be smaller because of populations density and narrower roads in London and in the villages. They have a very small but powerful car called The Mini Cooper which is very popular and growing in popularity with Americans. Their other fabulous car is the Range Rover. For the very well off, they can drive Rolls Royces or a couple other types of vehicles.

Music, arts, performing arts, literature, popular fiction are very much a part of their culture and they have been leaders in the arts around the world.

The people revere their monarchy. Some other countries say why don't you get rid of that ancient practice of having a monarch but the Brits would not even consider it since it is a vital part of them and their heritage and culture. The royal family has served in the military with distinction and they serve their nation in humanitarian ways and to deal with international matters. They are a fine representation of all that is wonderful about the Brits.

The Brits are proud of their military forces and the people who serve in the military. The well educated, affluent people and ordinary Brits do not mind serving in the royal forces. Some will serve a twenty or thirty year stint and then move onto public or private sectors to work until they retire.

One thing the Brits don't like is having to pay high taxes to support their social services (including medical) and to sustain some of their imperial possessions. Other countries have this problem too but for the Brit it can feel like they are the only ones having to pay such high taxes and keep less for themselves.