To think everyone loves traditions/culture unless it is our own? (UK)

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This week has made me wonder about the above. I find so many people appreciate and enjoy tradition and culture when they are travelling overseas, but back in the UK will declare it outdated and embarrassing.

Things such as religion and places of worship are almost romanticised when abroad in certain countries, but back here are considered ridiculous by many. And I can’t help but think if we were watching from afar at a country who had just lost their Queen, the same people who are moaning this week would find it quite beautiful that people were wearing black and events were cancelled.

Is it just me who finds that culture and tradition are appreciated until they are on our doorstep?

Are you serious? The whole nation is in mourning (rightly so) and you want MORE?

Stop being so fragile, people up and and down the country are marking the Queen’s death.

This thread will descend into ‘we can’t even say happy Christmas anymore’.

I agree. Very minor example but I saw a post on Instagram(it was tongue in cheek) saying they asked the waiter if they could have chicken on their Greek salad and the Greek waiter said no, because then it wouldn't be a Greek salad 🤷🏼‍♀️😃 I thought imagine that being England for something similar! They'd not only be adding the chicken they'd probably change the whole traditional dish to suit!

@Rosewaterblossom that doesn’t make any sense, they don’t call it Greek salad in Greece…

No I wasn’t really referring directly to the Queen passing away, it is something I have been wondering for many years but this week has reminded me of it . And it isn’t really about wanting more. I probably didn’t explain very well!

I’m referring directly to specific people who will cringe at and dislike traditions being played out locally, but think it is wonderful when they witness the same happening in another country.

Yes they do.

I don’t think it’s an unfair observation. I think the UK, particularly the British are partial to a bit of self-loathing, we do like a moan.

That’s not to say that in some areas it’s not entirely appropriate but some do seem incapable of appreciating the better points without trying to diminish them by countering with unrelated bad points. It’s not particularly healthy or conducive to a particularly healthy society.

It’s as though different standards apply when referring to another country. I get that it is different when it is on your doorstep and affecting you, but it just seems hypocritical to think something is beautiful and traditional in another country, but outdated and silly in your own!

No, they don’t 🙄

It was a bit of a tongue in cheek post

Places of worship are heavily visited even in UK. All cathedrals are always buzzing and usually you hear English spoken around way more than other languages (might be of course different in London i think) so that's not particularly great example. I make sure to visit local churches wherever I go for the architecture, many people are the same.

I don't know amyone romanticising religion home or abroad I am not sure what you mean by it

@Cornettoninja Yes you’ve summed it up much better than I did. I do think a lot of traditions here are mocked and it is fashionable to declare yourself embarrassed to be British. I wonder if the same happens in other countries..

In Greek households its Horiatiki, or village salad. In every single greek restaurant that has an English menu it's Greek salad. The waiters will bring you a Greek salad if you ask for one in Greece. Stop being smug.

Can you give some examples? I am really not getting what exactly do you mean🙈 sorry

You’ve just disproved your own argument. It’s not called Greek salad in Greece.

Nonsense. I was in a cathedral yesterday and it was heaving. As others have said, currently it’s wall to wall coverage of the Queen’s death and all the ceremony around the proclamation of the new king, etc. You try expressing anti-British traditions views on Facebook right now.

There’s not really such a thing as “UK culture or tradition” though is there?

We’re 4 defined countries that have defined cultures, traditions and even languages.

Yes it is. In the same way English breakfast is called English breakfast in England.

^HarpicHarpy
Yes they do.^

Phishy: No, they don’t 🙄

Yes they do

@Bubblebubblebah I think religion is the best example, however I was reluctant to use it since I didn’t want the thread to become a religion argument. But I’ve travelled to Malta many times and discussed it with various people over the years who have also been there. So many observed how beautiful the presence of religion is over there, small examples like the bus drivers having a cross hanging from the mirror and other relics on the dash. However the exact same people have said what a waste of time church is at home and how could anyone possibly believe any of it.

I just feel when travelling, witnessing very old fashioned activity is seen as beautiful and a sign that culture has managed to carry through into the modern age. Yet here we seem keen to leave it behind because it no longer has a place in modern society. It think it stems from a lack of pride in our country.

I agree but there are commonalities that are distinctly of these islands. Even our differences are an identifying part of the UK. The range of accents and local dialects are wild for such a small area of land.

You yourself said it’s called Horiatiki in Greece

The allowances made for tourists who struggle with the language are irrelevant.

No, they don’t

I have always thought the British love a bit of tradition! Every big royal occasion is full of pomp and the streets are filled with crowds of people.

If you think the British hate and shy away from their own traditions I can only assume you haven’t seen a television screen in the last three days.

It is generally English things. People are okay with Scotland and Wales.

It is only a tiny minority of people who gripe about stuff. English culture is popular generally - look at football, music, TV.