To think most of what people call “British” is actually borrowed from other cultures?

[BlendedByEmpire]

From food to fashion to language, it seems like a lot of what’s considered traditionally British has roots elsewhere. Yet people still cling to the idea of a “pure” British culture. AIBU to think the whole concept is more mixed than most are willing to admit?

I dont think something has to be unique to somewhere or have originated somewhere to be part of its culture. Culture changes all the time.

But i do think trading with the world and 'borrowing' is part of British culture.

I raise you sausage rolls.😅

Yes, we know. You are preaching to the choir, pushing at an open door, bringing coals to Newcastle - just to demonstrate a few English idioms which imply you are telling us all what we already know and pretending you’re making an original intellectual observation.

Give it a rest now.

White British culture is mostly microbial.

I agree. People think it’s about food and arts and architecture but to me, British culture is more about our values and behaviour as people.

I didn’t really put much thought into it until we had a Ukrainian family living with us, and it really highlighted our cultural differences and made me consider just what ‘culture’ is.

British culture to me is made up of complaining about the weather, being sticklers for rules, orderly queues and always being on time; piss-taking humour, our love of really championing an underdog (and then subsequently tearing them down), cheering when someone drops and smashes a glass or a plate in public, putting our children to bed very early, apologising for things when we’ve done nothing wrong, being obsessed with food hygiene, and a thousand other things that make us different from other nationalities.

What I love about being British is our sense of fairness and doing the right thing. We have an amazing sense of humour. And despite everything we’re seeing in the news, we are still one of the most charitable and tolerant countries in the world. I’m very proud of that.

☝ Yes what an absolute shocker!

Of course I realise cultures have always influenced one another, that’s literally the point I’m making. But when people talk about ‘Britishness’ today, it’s often as if it’s this pure, fixed identity rather than the mixed and evolving one it’s always been. I’m not claiming this is a brand-new insight, just saying how often that nuance gets lost in public conversations about identity and pride.

I’ve just sung a piece of music written in the 16th century by a British composer, how far back do we need to go???? We’ve traded since Neolithic times, no culture is “pure” but Britain has plenty of traditions and culture that we can call our own. Starting with our Celtic languages, whereas English is a melting pot as are most languages (French is from Latin roots for instance)

This.
Things like talking about the weather, bonfire night, harvest festival, summer fetes, saying thank you to the driver who stops at a zebra crossing.
It's not really about food or clothing.

You’re not questioning that at all. It’s obvious what you’re doing. And British people don’t have to stand for this type of cultural attack. You wouldn’t dream of saying this about any other nation, denying them a pride in their heritage and unique achievements. It’s not on.

just questioning the idea that it all developed in a vacuum

No-one believes that. You know no-one believes that. As op have said, you are not posting in good faith.

Which countries have a ‘real’ and ‘genuine’ culture then?

Every other nation but Britain, apparently.

But in Maryland USA they invented a larger version called Balti-more.

Ok what is uniquely British that people do that they don't do anywhere else?

I don't think most people really do 'cling to the idea of a pure British culture' tbh. We are all perfectly well aware that lots of what is British today has come from other cultures. The same is true in other countries.

I never claimed it was a groundbreaking discovery, just making a point that still seems to provoke strong reactions in threads like this. If it were truly as universally acknowledged and uncontroversial as you say, I doubt we’d see so many defensive replies. Sometimes the reminder matters just as much as the revelation.

.....and biscuits.

Not very subtle op! All the British bashing is tedious now.

You are not making that point. That point has been made a million times by historians of culture and you are claiming it as an original insight.

I think your second claim is unfounded. Where have you seen people claim things as purely British, and what things exactly? I think you’re making stuff up now.

Have you ever traveled or seen anything of the world? Why bother, if people are all much the same and no culture is different or unique?

We apologise when someone stands on our foot.

I’m not interested in erasing pride, I’m saying pride that refuses reflection becomes fragile. British culture is real and it’s also layered, shaped by centuries of global exchange, conquest, migration and creativity. That’s not a slight, it’s a truth. If we can’t acknowledge that complexity without defensiveness, then maybe the issue isn’t what I’m saying but how threatened people feel by nuance.

OP - did you know that the earth moves round the sun? Some people don’t seem to realise this -at least, I’ve never heard them actually state it. A reminder on that point might be worth it too.

That’s kind of my point though, if everyone has a different idea of what British culture is, then why do some get so defensive when it’s suggested that it’s a mix of influences? I’m not saying people go around shouting “pure British culture” out loud but the backlash to any reminder of cultural mixing suggests some are still invested in the idea, even subconsciously.