To ask you to share what you like about the UK

[Songsofexperience]

The last few weeks, months, years have felt so divisive: the ref, multiple elections, polarised debate, cultural/political/environmental crises etc.
In the spirit of Christmas, I'd love to escape that for a bit. Especially today. We don't know who will govern us tomorrow. Chances are millions of people won't like the outcome. In the meantime, can we celebrate what's good about the place and what brings us together?
I am being unashamedly cheesy here, but I think it would be great to be positive for once!

all the breeds of dogs
tea
brass bands
comedy writing
generally decent animal welfare standards in farming
free range egg stands with honesty boxes
church flower committees

It has nearly always been possible for people from the humblest and poorest backgrounds to improve their circumstances, and even reach the top, with talent, hard work, perseverance, and a bit of good fortune.

I'm not from the UK but I've lived here for 15 years.

There is so much to love about this country and it's a shame it's tearing itself apart at the moment..

So, for me, among many, many other things -

Pubs, the weather, the landscapes, native animals and wild flowers
The BBC, The Office, Mike Leigh, Peter Doig, Martin Creed, Peep Show, John Shuttleworth, Aardman, Still Game
Magic, druids, stone circles, iron age forts, green men, Glastonbury
Cornwall, smugglers, cheese
Summer, fields, cider
Blackthorn, hawthorn
Liverpool, Dungeness, Birmingham
Lucky Jim, PG Wodehouse, EF Benson
The Smiths, Joy Division, Fairport Convention
Quakers, E Nesbitt, Arts and Crafts
Coracles, allotments, corn dollies

Milk in tea.
The NHS.
The relatively mild weather (apologies to those affected by flooding)

Just moved back after 13 years abroad
English all around (not Flemish!)
Cheese (especially cheddar)
Food prices are so cheap
Queuing is understood and the queuing etiquette is adhered to
Tradesmen are honest and don't charge a fortune
Post delivered on a Saturday
Shops open on a Sunday
Phone and internet cost so cheap
Hills
Old buildings
Driving on the proper side of the road
Irony is understood
Three for two means three of a variety, not three of the same thing
Being here
Cider/scrumpy (not cidre)
Dartmoor

and, that whatever the outcome today, we will have a government of whatever stripe - unlike Belgium (yet again), where there is still no real government.

It has nearly always been possible for people from the humblest and poorest backgrounds to improve their circumstances, and even reach the top, with talent, hard work, perseverance, and a bit of good fortune

I have to say, though, I don't really agree that this is true..

Seasonal weather
Attractive public realm and relatively strict planning laws
Beautiful countryside
Green grass
History
Architecture

Oh and the NHS!

Trad climbing

British Comedies
Our Supermarkets
Our obsession with home improvements

Everything is so organised, and orderly. I love it!

The Conservative Party.
Our rule of law
Our lack of bribery compared to countries like Saudi.
Relative peace since WWII.
Climate. I would hate to be in a veyr cold or very hot country. Our history and past - all my ancestors back to the 1700s on all sides have been from the UK (or Ireland)
Countryside
Welfare state - yes we Tories and the Conservative party and this Government supports it (Voet Conservative if you have not been out to vote yet)

Much else. The factw e have had two female prime ministers (both Tory of course as Labour seems to be ruled by old white man who went to private schools).

Proper queuing
Mince pies
Self deprecation
(www.verybritishproblems.com)

I also like(d) being part of the EU.

Beautiful countryside. The literature.

Being legally allowed to walk into any room as long as you say “don’t mind me!”

Things that cause extreme panic:

• Accidentally liking a Tweet
• No milk
• Unknown numbers
• The question "You don't remember me, do you?"
• Lift doors shutting as someone approaches
• “Tickets please”
• “It’s 3 for 2 if you want to go get another one”
• Doorbells

Getting irony.

Liking dogs.

I need this thread. My right to vote expired in September as I have been an expat for too long and am currently not feeling the love.

My grass dies here in the summer due to heat and I do miss green lawns. And I miss the sense of humour.

And malt vinegar.

Nothing else though.

Oops. I missed prawn cocktail crisps. We always have to get a bag of those at the airport when we leave

Wetherspoons and old style English pubs!

Countryside. And the historic places we have in this country.

I live rurally and love it

Brexit has ruined Wetherspoons for good.

The day in February/March when you see the first signs of spring with daffodils and tulips starting to sprout!

Our wonderful Queen.

The lovely light mornings and evenings from April to September.