Enjoy your rest.

http://www.iconicbritain.co.uk/

Nathan

Definitely think we have phrases that are used but they vary regionally . I have lived in many different areas of the UK and notice big differences in terms of workd used. My current colleagues smile whenI refer to someone being poorly or talk about break time rather than interval.

Big Ben - more for the English than the British but would agree with Sally now about London Eye / wobbly bridge as shown on The Apprentice

Oh yes we have dry wit and a sense of humour as evidenced in many staff rooms - more obvious with people you know well rather than strangers / acquaintances.

No to classy -
In Scotland kilts would also be included in formal wear for men

I have never come across women of note being called mum. Pupils sometimes call me mum by mistake ! Mam is used in some areas as another word for mum ( I have come across it in Manchester and the NE)whilst Ma’am is for the Queen.

Our local theatre rarely puts on Shakespeare.

No - as geographers we are very aware that this is not the case. By networking with other teachers we become aware of areas other than our own.

Hope that helps Nathan.

As Tony suggests Britain is a much more diverse country than demonstrated -diverse in terms of culture, economy ,language, theatre … the list could go on.

I live in Ireland and yet i class myself as British - i can speak some Irish and have a dialect that the Simpsons would struggle to cope with. My culture (in it’s widest terms) is drastically different than that the Simpsons portrays. Yet i class myself as British - but not the British portrayed. Stangely where i live being British has political connetations and stating you are British can both open and close doors to opportunities.

Could i suggest (somewhat timidly) that the Simpsons portrayal is more of a stereo type of Englishness (apologies Tony and Sally) with a focus being on antiquated ideals of Victorian England - which i believe for some is the iconic period when England still felt the epitomy of a respectful country.

The reality of Britishness really would now be too difficult to portray (due to the diverse multicultural nature of Britain in 2008) and consequently it is easier to use an old outdated stereo type than to attempt to create one now without being offensive.Possibly in our ever litigious society, The Simpsons creators know that antiquated sterotypes cannot possibly offend ( just like the old Paddy Irish man jokes).

There is no doubt though in my mind that Big Ben does represent Britishness , as does the Queen, Buckingham Palace and Windsor Park - but so do many iconic bulidings that for most, happen to be in England!!

Kind regards
Julieq