[MoFA] And they said I had no culture

Day 3,761, 09:40 • Published in United Kingdom North Macedonia • by Foreign Office


Man's got culture for days mate.



The culture of the United Kingdom is influenced by the UK's history as a developed island country, a liberal democracy and a major power; its predominantly Christian religious life; and its composition of four countries—England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland—each of which has distinct customs, cultures and symbolism. The wider culture of Europe has also influenced British culture, and Humanism, Protestantism and representative democracy developed from broader Western culture.



British literature, music, cinema, art, theatre, comedy, media, television, philosophy, architecture and education are important aspects of British culture. The United Kingdom is also prominent in science and technology, producing world-leading scientists (e.g. Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin) and inventions. Sport is an important part of British culture; numerous sports originated in the country, including football. The UK has been described as a "cultural superpower", and London has been described as a world cultural capital. A global opinion poll for the BBC saw the UK ranked the third most positively viewed nation in the world (behind Germany and Canada) in 2013 and 2014.

The Industrial Revolution, which started in the UK, had a profound effect on the family socio-economic and cultural conditions of the world. As a result of the British Empire, significant British influence can be observed in the language, law, culture and institutions of a geographically wide assortment of countries, including Australia, Canada, India, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the United States and English speaking Caribbean nations. These states are sometimes collectively known as the Anglosphere, and are among Britain's closest allies. In turn the empire also influenced British culture, particularly British cuisine.



Now, I know from my own first year module, Society and Culture in 20th Century Britain, that man's over here in Britain invented cinema. That's pretty cray.

Films like this classic, Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times became an institution. Although an American production, the man was a British legend.

1888 – The Roundhay Garden Scene, shot in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England by Le Prince, is credited as the first film. It is recorded at a groundbreaking 20 frames per second and is the earliest surviving film. Thomas Edison describes the concept of the Kinetoscope, an early motion picture exhibition device.

Here it is in all it's glory



Not very rivetting admitedly, but there we go. Revolutionised. Of course it didn't take long for the American's to claim movies away from us, but their early 1950s and 60s 'talkies' films were heavily influenced by our culture. Whilst we were over here making crude Carry On Films (Classics BTW), they were making British style detective and period dramas.





Now, we revolutionised Rock and Roll baby. The Swinging Sixties hit with full force and we produced many bands and singers renowned the world over. Names like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin, David Bowie. The list goes on and on. Basically we used to have culture for days.



I prefer to remember this song as the birth of heavy metal, rather than the inspiration of the Manson Murders...



Now, I may do another article on Culture in the UK, (it is afterall going to be partially the topic of my upcoming dissertation) but in the meantime here is an example of modern day british culture.

Cheeky Nandos

A term used by Brits to linguistically torment confused Americans, wherein they "explain" what it means while using as much British slang as humanly possible, for maximum Yank confusion.

"Nandos" is a South African restaurant chain where you can get a respectable amount of spicy chicken and chips (fries) for a moderate price, suitable for sharing among a small group of friends. "Cheeky" is a multipurpose word which, in this context, appears to mean "spicy," "awesome/delicious," and "amusing in a slightly naughty/irreverent way" (because you're eating with your friends, who are a cheeky bunch, leading to a cheeky dining experience overall).

"Cheeky Nandos with the lads," in American, might be "Kick-ass hot wings with my bros" though "kick-ass" lacks some of the subtle connotations of irreverence that "cheeky" posesses.



you know when you go down town with the lads and you all realize you’re hank marvin’ so you say “lads let’s go Maccers” but your mate Smithy a.k.a. The Bantersaurus Rex has some mula left on his nandos gift card and he’s like “mate let’s a have a cheeky nandos on me” and you go “Smithy my son you’re an absolute ledge” so you go have an extra cheeky nandos with a side order of Top Quality Banter





Till next time!
Aaron Mark Daniels
eUK MoFA and Friend