What does Britain do which is the Envy of The World?

Generali

JonnyBravo wrote: »

I've no real idea then. You'd be better asking a foreign based forum surely?

Personally I'd agree with your list but put pubs a lot higher.... if your list is in any kind of order that is. (I'm not sure how many foreigners are really interested in our education system apart from those who want to use it.)

The list is in the order in which the things popped into my brain.

JonnyBravo wrote: »

I kid you not and nor is this a facetious answer. With all the travelling I've done I'd rather be in a British pub than any other nations bars. It is the cornerstone of much of Britains social life..... perhaps I'm just looking through rose tinted due to the good night I had last night.

A really good pub is unbeatable. Unfortunately too many don't manage to be even adequate. Thankfully there are enough good and great pubs out there to make up for the lousy ones.

Re the foreign based forum, I'm interested in what Brits think other people think of them, according to you guys anyway.

JonnyBravo

lostinrates wrote: »

Hmm. I quite like a good pub, but, writing as a woman, I'm more comfortable in bars elsewhere I think. Pubs are unique though....different to bars.

Yep fair enough and can understand that.
Many pubs are a strangely male preserve and women enter at their peril. Others less so.

It is probably driven by the fact that many more of us men seem to enjoy the "escape opportunity" that the pub provides. The wife disagrees and insists on coming along!

JonnyBravo

Generali wrote: »

A really good pub is unbeatable. Unfortunately too many don't manage to be even adequate. Thankfully there are enough good and great pubs out there to make up for the lousy ones.

Yes and unfortunately I'd say that London has more than it's fair share of the lousy ones. I say unfortunately, it's not really that unfortunate as I don't live there anymore!

Generali wrote: »

Re the foreign based forum, I'm interested in what Brits think other people think of them, according to you guys anyway.

Well I'd guess I'd agree with most things that have been said at some point. The problem is the opinion varies so much depending on which nationality you're asking.
Try asking people, for example, in the Middle East and you'll get very different answers to those listed here..... but here we all are discussing the opinions of our equally westernised neighbours probably therefore justifying some of the answers you'd get from those in the Middle East.

Just a thought.

blueboy43

History, Pomp & Ceremony
conservatism, phelgmatism
The English Language
Popular Music
Fashion (although places like Japan usually set the pace these days)
Free speech (although Libel laws ludicrous).
Scotland
Sport (Golf & Cricket not just football - the old Wembley was an utter toilet by the way).
Police & criminal justice system and Law.
London
University & Public Schools
Margaret Thatcher & Winston Churchill
Standing alone from 1939-1943
Politics not being corrupt (oh yes).
Pubs (slowly dying in city centres)
Free trade
Eccentrics

It depends on which Country you are asking.

Obviously some on this eclectic list are loathed by other citizens (yes you de Gaulle)

abaxas

Honesty in education (generally speaking people are thought to earn their place at University for example rather than because Daddy went there)

That made me laugh, most uk universities have zero standards, all they want is bums of seats, especailly from abroad.

If you actually beleive education happens an unis, you should work for one, to have your eyes opened.

Generali

JonnyBravo wrote: »

Try asking people, for example, in the Middle East and you'll get very different answers to those listed here..... but here we all are discussing the opinions of our equally westernised neighbours probably therefore justifying some of the answers you'd get from those in the Middle East.

Thanks.

I'm teaching mostly East/SE Asian students so am trying to get my brain around what different 'nations' think of different things. It's a toughie.

wigglebeena

Not pop music anymore that's for sure. Frickin' Coldplay.

I like LaRoux though. She's called Quiffylady around our house.

StevieJ

If I can look forward, what about the weather when global warming really kicks in :eek:

StevieJ

The horse racing industry is probably up there with the best (including the history and tradition).

treliac

We do have some beautiful countryside and wonderfully varied places to visit which embody tradition, history and culture. From quaint little villages and hamlets to the splendour and infinite variety of experience in London and other large cities. It's wonderful that we have so much that is so accessible in a relatively small country.

I think the 'psychological landscape' has changed and is changing quite rapidly now though. There were always gaps in attitude and aspiration but these are widening and I wonder where we are going as we seem to have increasingly less cultural cohesiveness.