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

Snooze

Generali wrote: »

Economically, Politically and Socially that is.

Just wondering what people think.

Having lived in 3 countries including the UK I have perhaps a different view to some posters.

My list would be:

Relatively uncorrupted politics with little pork barrel spending
Football (esp Wembley, old and new)
BBC foreign News Reporting
Honesty in education (generally speaking people are thought to earn their place at University for example rather than because Daddy went there)
Honest police
Chocolate box countryside
Pubs

The NHS and state education aren't on the list for a reason.

To clarify, I'm not talking about what British people like but what foreigners admire about British life, political, economic and social.

:rotfl:

I would have thanked for your post had it not been for your inclusion of those two. I can only assume you were drunk when you wrote those lines!

R

nearlynew

This is the sort of thing we should be doing.............

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8410946.stm

misskool

Actually, I'd also like to add the English gentleman. I bet a lot of English people don't notice it but I do. ALMOST every single man I've met will hold the door for you and let you through first.

ThrowingStonesAtYou

Reality TV shows where people compete for record contracts.

brightonman123

pubs
music
open countryside
generic honest / helpful attitude

oh, and page3. (i'm a man, its my job :-)

el_gringo_3

As a foreigner thats lived most of his life in the UK, i'd say that some of these things are spot on, but their are others mentioned that are complete and utter wishful thinking at best.

It also depends where your from. Books and their availability are very big deal to me , wheras you can keep your p*ss beer and tacky pubs. But I'm from Germany. If I was a Yank i'd probably think that books were expensive and harder to get hold of, and the beer and pubs were great. It also has to be said, your all good at shopping, and I don't know of anywhere else I've been able to buy the assorted crap I can in England at 4am in the moring, which can often be a lifesaver. Fashion in England is also pretty damn good in comparison, which I spose goes hand in hand.

Somethings posted on here are a total myth - the legal system being standout - I believe Britains numbers 'inside' are well above what most of Europe considers normal, and the ability of the rich and famous to get their way is legendary on the continent. I'd go so far as to say the British are well known for excellent ability in the complete opposite, and up there with the Italians and Russians in terms of criminal know how and skill - British gangsters, scammers and drug runners are all well known in massive numbers the world over, and the slang term for a bribe in a large number of countries is 'the white mans handshake', thanks to British corruption in colonnial times.

carolt

StevieJ wrote: »

Has anyone mentioned the English language yet, it must be good most of the world seems to be using it

Yes, I did - see my post!

Agree - wonderful language, fabulous variety of ways to say the same thing, nuances, irony, references...such a subtle, beautiful thing.

And so hard to teach as a result - slippery as an eel.

StevieJ

carolt wrote: »

Yes, I did - see my post!

Agree - wonderful language, fabulous variety of ways to say the same thing, nuances, irony, references...such a subtle, beautiful thing.

And so hard to teach as a result - slippery as an eel.

Oh BTW Carol, I believe Tomato is a fruit

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=27819105&highlight=#post27819105

wageslave

Kindness. A sense of decency.

I work in an airport and a few weeks ago a Somalian woman was stranded after missing her connection. No one noticed her at first, certainly I didn't. The day wore on and still she sat dressed head to toe in a hajib.

To say her English was basic is exaggerating but it was better than our Somalian.

It turned out her parents, her husband, her two children had all been killed in the nightmare that is her country. She was here to live with, well it never became entirely clear who she was here to live with. Her sister we think. She had twelve quid in her purse.

By days end the entire airport was galvanised. She was escorted onto an internal flight to her destination with several hundred pounds stuffed in her pocket.

Everyone gave.

This kind of thing isn't rare, it happens regularly.

There is a great deal wrong with this country but nothing at all wrong with the people.

Frankly who gives a toss how anyone else perceives us?

Really2

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

Sarcasm, we are the best in the world by far.

then fish and chips.

Then errrr.....

Stiff upper lip old chap.