Jumping Ponds: Stuff British People Like

Re-posted from Jumping Ponds, 12/7/2009.

In the course of staying in Nottingham, I believe I have collected substantial information on the British psyche. Here is an in-depth study of the things that British people love most.

Going on Strike: British people, and Europeans in general, seem to love to go on strike. Are they desperately trying to keep up with their bills, or trying to feed their families, or trying to survive in a desperate economic climate? Not really. But the boss (usually the government) could probably fork over a bit more cash, and they don't really feel like working today.

Crossdressing: Mostly for the guys, but British people seem to take any opportunity they can to crossdress. Guys love a night at a rave because apparently that's an excuse to wear a pink skirt and tight, brightly-colored leggings. But it's just a rave, you might think. Why does that mean you need to crossdress? I don't know, but even a vague excuse is reason enough.

Quizzes: For a British person, there is nothing quite as fun as proving that you have certain esoteric knowledge that no one else around you has (or cares about). Pub Quizzes are common, and to be honest it is quite fun to drink and test your steadily declining knowledge at the same time. Quiz shows make up a large portion of British programming, including some that don't even focus on the quiz aspect. If you are confused, check out "Nevermind the Buzzcocks", which is a hilarious music quiz show.

Complaining about the weather: It doesn't matter that Britain has the most predictable weather ever. I can tell you that tomorrow that it will be about 46 Farenheit, mostly cloudy, with a high probability of precipitation. How do I know? Because that's what was today, yesterday, and every other day. Why complain? Just move if you don't like it; you know what the weather is like. I'm from the midwest. We get different weather every 5 minutes. I have no sympathy for you.

Obama: I can't explain how much everyone outside of the United States loves Obama. As his popularity in his own country steadily declines, it just increases world wide. Non-Americans don't seem to understand that you can SAY one thing and DO another thing... or nothing. Americans wanted change in policy, but apparently for everyone else, a change in attitude was good enough.

Waiting: Britain is known for its queues, and that is for good reason. There is no sense of urgency in this country. Lines form because people don't get out of the way quickly. Sometimes lines form for no reason at all. Someone has simply stopped dead in their tracks in the middle of a crowded area and caused a spontaneous line to nowhere to form. And the thing is, British people are too polite to ask that person to move. Which is why a nice American "Hey, get out of the way!" is very effective in clearing abstructions.