I realised how British I am recently when I had (minor) surgery and was too polite to tell the doctor the anaesthetic hadn’t worked.
I didn’t want to worry her, and anyway, the automatic Brit response to any question is, “Fine, thanks.” or “Oh yes, lovely!”
For example:
Crying with pain at a massage, probably while wearing a Victorian-style bathing suit because good old British sexual repression
Masseuse: “Is the pressure okay?”
Brit: “Oh yes, lovely!”
Two Brits in a restaurant
Brit 1: “There is an actual pube in my meal, under the mould.”
Brit 2: “Oh my god, you should complain!”
Brit 1: “I know. It’s disgusting.”
Waitress: “Hello! Is everything okay with your meal?”
Brits in unison: “Fine, thanks!”
In fact, there’s an entire Fawlty Towers episode based on the premise that Brits are unable to complain, in contrast with Americans. It’s 103% accurate.
But what about other stereotypes? Do we deserve them or not? I should probably put some sort of disclaimer that I don’t represent all Brits but this is my blog, and here I am King.
Anna Kaling - Author 