British Character

Almost every nation has a reputation of some kind. The French are supposed to be amorous; the Germans dull, formal efficient; the Americans boastful, energetic, gregarious and vulgar. The British have been known as superior, snobbish, aloof, hypocritical and unsociable. Though these characteristics have been noted by people from all over the world, the traditional opinion about British was based on the habits of those Britons, who could afford to travel: diplomats, merchants and those who were taught by Public school their «stiff-upper-lip» philosophy.

An unusual geographical position of the country has produced a certain insular spirit among its inhabitants who tend, a little more than other people, to regard their own community as the centre of the world. The British look on foreigners in general with a slight contempt and think that nothing is as well done elsewhere as in their own country. That, perhaps, explains why Andre Mauris, a French biographer and novelist, described Britain as «a far country, far not in distance but in customs and ideas, where it is so difficult for a foreigner to find his depth».

Like any other nation or society, the British like to create an agreeable picture of themselves. They think that their important national values are tolerance, decency, moderation and consensus. The British pride themselves on fair play and a genius for compromise. As seen by outsiders, qualities of the typical British also include reserve and modesty, politeness and helpfulness, a gift for understatement awkwardness with women and children. One writer, contrasting England with neighbouring France, said: «At times it seems that French and English national characters could be expressed in a series of antitheses; wit – humour, logic – tradition, gallantry – courage, thrift – expenditure, taste – comfort, town – country, vanity – pride».

Many more books have been written by foreigners than by Englishmen on English traits, English ways of life and the English character. Their authors are by no means always in agreement. But there is one quality of the British national character which remains indisputable. The British people are known to be profoundly conservative by temperament. They always prefer their glorious past with its reassurance to the uncertainty of the future. Their conservatism on a national scale may be illustrated by reference to the public attitude to the Monarchy, an institution which is held in affection and reverence by nearly all British people, to the old traditions and ceremonies which are so carefully cherished.

National conservatism explains why tradition and creativity are in conflict in Britain and why antimodernism has been a prevalent theme in British culture; in architecture, art, design, craft and manufacture. There was a strong revolt against the brutality of Modernist architecture, against the use of bare concrete and against the high-rise buildings. In the late 1980s Prince Charles openly championed a return to traditional architecture and building materials. The British think it safer to live with the quiet authority of a rural past than the uncertainties of the urban present.