How to actually preserve British culture and values?

[constantcycle]

Seeing all of the flag-flying and marches in the name of "preserving British culture" and "promoting British values," I was wondering if anyone has any advice on how to actually do these things rather than stoking division and hatred?

I already support museums, visit the National Trust sites and national parks whenever I can, and buy from local businesses as much as possible. I love listening to British music and attending events with local artists. I do my best to buy local produce, and I love a good farm shop when I can afford them! I also take lessons in my local language, one of the several dying British languages people are doing their best to conserve. I'm thinking maybe I should find some volunteering opportunities too.

Is there anything more I could be doing, or that others may not have considered? I'd love to see this sudden surge in patriotism used for the good of British society and all of the diverse communities within it!

You are a good citizen! I wondered about volunteering too. Do you have any religious beliefs? Are you musical? Country dancing? Opening your garden on open garden days? Taking a stall at your local farmers' market and selling homemade cakes?

If anyone thinks the flags are intended as a symbol to preserve British culture I have a bridge to sell you 😂

Well it is fairly difficult really, when there are so many people living in the UK with their own heritage, culture and values. Are we to deny theirs and impose ours on them, or do we celebrate all this diversity and encourage positive inclusion?

I think visibility and passing our important messages and experiences through the generations. I learnt so much from my grandparents stories of being evacuated and conscripted, but there are few people left to tell them now. So we have to repeat them, make it clear that we never forget and we don’t let it happen again.

on the softer side- the building, design, historical institutions- wow! Support your local universities, churches, any original
expensive buildings 😀 learn about your local history.

In a jar with a pound of sugar?

The flags really aren’t anything to do with British culture unfortunately. The other things you described are. Those things are what we all should do. For me, British culture includes afternoon teas. That’s something I like to do quite often ☺️

The flagshagging is not about ‘preserving British culture’. It’s about hate and division promoted by Tommy Robinson of far-right racism fame.

Some naive people think it’s about patriotism but they are delusional. It’s nationalism not patriotism. Its cringe.

I suggest you go along to one of these marches and observe in person how „cultured“ the protesters typically are.

Genuinely, what do you define as British Culture ? That most British of food the chicken tikka masala takes inspiration from the subcontinent and the colonial past. Yes, I do know that it a "made up dish" to suit domestic tastes, though that is my point really. The British Culture is a melting pot of influences from all over the world.

The biggest thing imo is living standards and our services- if those don’t improve we’re doomed

Basically? Just don't be a twat.

And being very little interest in what the op describes as British culture and I suppose others will have their interpretation of British culture but suspect they'll be poles apart.

First you need to define what is meant by British culture and British values. And how, exactly, are these being eroded?

You’re very naive if you think that this is what people like Tommy Robinson are espousing.

I was wondering if anyone has any advice on how to actually do these things rather than stoking division and hatred?

I think OP is aware of what Tommy Robinson is espousing.

Totally agree,the constant barrage by certain sections of the media, your country is being invaded,look they're getting everything,look what your not getting,it's constant.
I don't believe Britain is going to Hell in a hand cart ,yes things aren't rosy in the garden but I don't think it's worse than even two,three years ago.
I'd love to know the unite the kingdom marchers interpretation of British culture.

Which includes not dropping litter, not talking hugely loudly in public on your mobile and queuing nicely.

That might just be manners.

Going for a drink in the local, quiz night, occasionally poker, home watch meetings, going to table top sales and jumbles.

The pub used to be a huge focus for local communities. Not so much now. I think one a day is closing.

Strawberry pick your own. Walking in the countryside. Walking to the local shops.

I think speaking English when out and about is important. It's something that makes people feel that there's a community. If you don't live in an area where many languages are spoken then you just won't get how weird it is and it can be unsettling.

Well, it’s sort of my point that the flags aren’t being used as people say they are! As I say, I’d love to see more people actually doing these things, rather than just using it as a front for hatred.

I consider British culture to be a mix of all the cultures who have and who continue to influence us- a combination of unique countries, history both good and bad, a mix of cuisines, and diversity of religion. I want to be able to celebrate all of these things, and would love more ways to do so! What I love most about Britain and British society has always been the diverse, accepting, melting-pot culture where I’ve learned so much about different people and communities. All of this monoculture, white British supremacy rhetoric seems to be the worst of our culture, and contradictory to all of the things I love about the country!

If you don't live in an area where many languages are spoken then you just won't get how weird it is and it can be unsettling.

I live in London, so often hear foreign languages being spoken around me. Why on earth would that be unsettling? What is it that you’re frightened of @Northquit?

It's a euphemism for only having to encounter white people when out and about I think

@constantcycle That's a lovely balanced view that appreciates other cultures, unfortunately for a sizeable portion of the population what's currently happening is pure intimidation.
The extreme far right have always fed off of people's insecurities and fears and the reach of social media makes that very easy gone are the days when they relied on newspaper sales, leaflets, stickers to spread their message.

Agree with everyone saying the marches, sudden increase in flag waving and painting red crosses on roundabouts is more about negativity and hate against anyone not white British born in a nutshell.

So many times, I ask people expressing concern for disappearing British culture about what specifically they mean and yet they never can expand beyond derogatory comments such as ‘soon we’ll be a minority in our own country’.

Interestingly I love watching old social history films and it’s incredible how since the 60s people have expressed concern at the old ways disappearing, fears of modernisation and loss of community. So it would seem that it’s because they’re experiencing the march of ‘advancements’ and modern ‘progression’ including the changing nature of the employment market, changes in sexual behaviour, lack of suitable housing - it’s all there from the 60s. Yet people talk as though this is a new thing and all because of immigration. So whilst I don’t want uncontrolled or unsustainable immigration of course, it amazes me how people throughout history will just go for an impossibly simple scapegoat and on the back of that just create chaos in a bid to remove that element and ‘reclaim’ ‘the way it used to be’ - without acknowledging or realising this has naturally been under change for many decades!

And the mad thing is I’m a child of hardworking immigrants who has embraced the culture as I see it as in I was polite, law abiding child, went onto uni. Adore history and in fact never had a holiday abroad as I prefer to put coin back into local business and just adore Britain so much ill often visit the same place twice to learn more about the history and fund it continuing. My will already leaves pretty much everything to the National Trust as I have no dependants so that it may continue in Britain for future generations. I love the English language amd have studied as a hobby more about it and how phrases came to be as well as old words not so commonly used. But amongst my white British born peers both as a child and adult, I seem to know far more than them about their own culture if this is part of it and they frequently think I’m mad for only ever holidaying here since it’s frequently much more expensive then flying abroad for a bit of sun. As a teenager in the 90s, I also worked at Oxfam before it was cool lol - I remember people putting the Oxfam plastic branded shop into an old Tesco or Sainsbury’s bag such was their ‘shame’ at having come here and even my own sister wouldn’t come in and would only wait outside for me at end of shift! Bit I dogress I guess other than to say to me helping out with your free time felt like British culture to me.

Anyway, apologies for this ridiculously long rant but I just feel so blessed my parents came here and - oh and I love love scones with real clotted cream and tea 😅. But so much more I could say I do like go to pantomimes, folk festivals, antiques fairs and to me this is preserved British culture but no one ever replies to me, they just make hateful comments about not being welcome here which again brings me back to what many other PP have said it’s always ever been something much darker that is their agenda.

What are British values?

Some of the cultures and values held don't value women or the lgbt community very highly. What about those?

I think values and culture change over time anyway. Victoriana values and culture are very different to the 1960s and the 1600s.

I think the best we can do is thoroughly teach history that says why we are where we are now, but looking at art, music, dance and theatre too and the evolution from one firm to another. I think we try that a bit.

I think in particular understanding our form of democracy and monarchy is important. I was surprised how few youngster knew what black rod was all about. I also think people need to understand what is meant by a Christian country.

Traditions like clog dancing and maypole dancing are only kept alive if people do them.

Don't allow Sharia law like they have in Austria.