Just been introduced to the stiff upper lip mentality of the brits

[auslass]

I'm an aussie who has recently come to UK with my English Husband, and as part of my welcome to Britain induction I think I have been introduced to the “stiff upper lip” mentality. Hub's work have a suspected Covid19 case, HR send out an email, saying it’s ok to come in based on PHE advice, but if anyone isn’t comfortable they can work from home. Hubby's manager on the other hand called everyone (note not on email, so it's not "in writing") and told them to come in regardless, and basically to ignore “the fluffy HR advice” 😂

Is this stiff upper lip? Where does it come from? Why does it exist? Or is this guy just an a-hole?

[Abraid2]

Sorry, that was regarding the stiff upper lip.

[chatwoo]

Stiff upper lip would be your husband's work telling people not to come in, and people going in regardless. Actually not really but the best I can do using your example

[Abraid2]

During colonial times, a lot of the middle classes had to send their children ‘home’ to boarding school while they stayed in India or Africa. My husband’s parents both experienced this, and for various reasons barely saw their fathers after they were eight or nine.

This was a huge emotional schism, but parents were told that they were doing their , for the Empire or for their country, or for the child. I remember my MIL telling me that once, when she was putting my then eight, onto the train to boarding school, 150 miles away, a widowed friend was upset at doing the same with her only child, also very young. My MIL told her that she had to do it for the sake of the child, it was just what was ‘ They had a great fear of children going to local schools and acquiring local Scottish accents!

All those professional class families for the best part of a century doing something similar—it had a profound effect. The children learned that open expression of emotions was almost dangerous. You had to button up and get on with it.

Useful during the Blitz. Not so good when you’re navigating close relationships.

[SmileyClare]

The thing is, based on the PHE advice, it's safe for the employees to go into work (?) that's what the email says.

It is a bit fluffy to add a caveat "if you feel uncomfortable then don't come in" What does that mean? Won't everyone take that as a green light to have a few days off?

[auslass]

Weirdly, his employer has offices in Australia too. They had a training course where the facilitator flew through Singapore.

The girl who flew in does not have Coronavirus, but anyone who attended the training is being told to work from home for two weeks! CrazyZ

[MsChatterbox]

No, not normal. I'm sure there are some employers like him in Australia too. Your husband can follow the HR advice.

[HRH2020]

I think most people are against "skyving off" hence massive focus on presenteeism in the UK.

[YippeeKayakOtherBuckets]

Yeah this isn’t a British thing. It’s an arsehole thing.

Most of us are quite fluffy and love a drama.