One more thing. What I noticed about the Brits while living there for three months, was that they do not brag. Not like Americans who love to tell you all about themselves and their accomplishments (and their children's) within a few minutes of meeting you. No, the Brits consider it "poor form" to brag, not posh at all. And to me, it was refreshing. And even the professors at King Alfred's college where I stayed, would just introduce themselves by their first name. Later, through someone else you might find out more.
An example of this was a student at Westgate school where I was student teaching. The senior students at Westgate school were required to write a research paper about some aspect of Winchester history and Winchester overflows with history, everything from very early times to the time when it was the capital of England, to Jane Austin's home to the famous Winchester Cathedral. They were allowed to leave the campus during school hours to do this. One student decided to study the hill fort, St. Catherine's Hill, which overlooks the city.
He wrote a paper in which he figured out and measured where the support structures had been. His paper was later published in a prestigious journal and although I could tell that the teacher who told me this was very proud of the student, this was what he said, "The lad was quite clever." "Quite clever" was the ultimate compliment.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/discover/south-downs/explore/st-catherines-hill/
Now, the caveat--I understand that with social media, which is all about bragging (sharing), that has changed a bit, with Brits enjoying sharing their travels on Facebook, etc. So much of this is cultural, and culture does change.
And I do like to hear/read about other's travels and experiences--so to me that is not bragging but sharing information and a way to learn. So, it's "tell me what you are doing, where you have been, what are you reading?"
An example of this was a student at Westgate school where I was student teaching. The senior students at Westgate school were required to write a research paper about some aspect of Winchester history and Winchester overflows with history, everything from very early times to the time when it was the capital of England, to Jane Austin's home to the famous Winchester Cathedral. They were allowed to leave the campus during school hours to do this. One student decided to study the hill fort, St. Catherine's Hill, which overlooks the city.
He wrote a paper in which he figured out and measured where the support structures had been. His paper was later published in a prestigious journal and although I could tell that the teacher who told me this was very proud of the student, this was what he said, "The lad was quite clever." "Quite clever" was the ultimate compliment.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/discover/south-downs/explore/st-catherines-hill/
Now, the caveat--I understand that with social media, which is all about bragging (sharing), that has changed a bit, with Brits enjoying sharing their travels on Facebook, etc. So much of this is cultural, and culture does change.
And I do like to hear/read about other's travels and experiences--so to me that is not bragging but sharing information and a way to learn. So, it's "tell me what you are doing, where you have been, what are you reading?"
We visited Switzerland recently,and experienced an odd sense of isolation. My husband could speak some "high" German, which helped us navigate, but on the street walking, no eye contact was made.
ReplyDeleteI am reading a Garrison Keillor book. Fellow Mid-Westerner, farm boy, great sense of humor. I need that.
I am intrigued by the differences. Here if you smile, people smile back. In Europe, people are private and there is the public face and the private face. Also, I remembered to say Guten Tag every time I entered a store in Germany, but everyone seemed very serious. I would not live anywhere else but here, despite our "flaws."
DeleteHi Natasha. There is a lot of accurate observation in your post as ever but it's tempting to stereotype races and nationalities. Often, in sitcoms for example, Americans are portrayed as loud, brash and uneducated. That certainly doesn't apply to ALL of them ;-)
ReplyDeleteIncidentally to Susan, above, I really enjoy Garrison Keillor's books. I first picked one up because his name sounds like a volume of the Encyclopaedia Britannica!
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s fabulous Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
You are so right, but the differences are interesting. I also think that geography influences behavior. In our past, we lived far apart from each other and had to depend on our neighbors' help, being friendly helped. GK is fun to read. Love his voice too.
DeleteHi Nat - I'll go over and read the St Catherine's Hill post shortly .. I wonder what the student is doing now?!
ReplyDeleteI mix and match on my blog as you know .. bringing in some history, some education, occasionally tying it in to some thing personal ... as recently the Himba people in Namibia ...
But thanks for giving us Brits a bit of a pat on the back ... now to see this clever lad .. cheers Hilary
Still have not mastered the instant connection thing. But it was fun to look back on my experience in the UK.
DeleteSame thing in Sweden where I am from. They had an episode about it on that show, Welcome to Sweden, the other night, and I giggled in recognition, none of that "Hello, how are you?" stuff you get in the US. I lived in London between the ages of 19-22. I know it has changed a lot, but I believe the character of the British will never change. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to uncover if you experience it first hand, but if you cannot, reading about different cultures and their social customs is OK too. And there are reasons. . .
ReplyDelete