understanding the americans

To understand the Americans, we must first

understand the English

British people are defined by their awkwardness: they

are either too polite, or they‟re just obnoxious

British Reflexes

Humour, Moderation,

Hypocrisy

British Values

Fair-play, Courtesy,

Modesty

British Outlooks

Empiricsm,

Pessimism, Class-

consciousness

British Awkwardness

Too polite

or

too obnoxious

Ref: Kate Fox, 2005

Why? Because the British identity is mediated by 3

over-riding factors

British Reflexes

Humour, Moderation,

Hypocrisy

British Values

Fair-play, Courtesy,

Modesty

British Outlooks

Empiricsm,

Pessimism, Class-

consciousness

British Awkwardness

Too polite

or

too obnoxious

British Reflexes:

Ref: Kate Fox, 2005

5

Humour: we have a self-deprecating sense of humour –

and it‟s genetic

Moderation: we like to avoid extremes and instead

favour the “happy medium”

Hypocrisy: we conceal their true feelings and opinions

to avoid causing offense

British Reflexes

Humour, Moderation,

Hypocrisy

British Values

Fair-play, Courtesy,

Modesty

British Outlooks

Empiricsm,

Pessimism, Class-

consciousness

British Awkwardness

Too polite

or

too obnoxious

British Values:

Ref: Kate Fox, 2005

9

Fair-play: we have an acute sense of fairness and love

to support the under-dog

10

Courtesy: we have a „negative politeness‟ and try

never to intrude or imposed upon strangers

11

Modesty: we are no more self-effacing, but adhere to

rules which mean we can‟t blow their own trumpet

British Reflexes

Humour, Moderation,

Hypocrisy

British Values

Fair-play, Courtesy,

Modesty

British Outlooks

Empiricsm,

Pessimism, Class-

consciousness

British Awkwardness

Too polite

or

too obnoxious

British Outlooks:

Ref: Kate Fox, 2005

13

Empericism: we reject „airy fairy‟ continental

philosophy in favour of pragmatism

14

Chronic pessimism: we love to moan, but have a fear

of fuss, making complaining completely ineffectual!

15

A nice cup of tea to calm you down...but if the boat does get rocked, a nice cup of tea is

all we need to calm down

16

Class-consciousness: we suffer from „polite

egalitarianism‟ and an indirect, subtle system

One final British truth....

18

The Great British Summer: they love it!