Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > What is Englishness

[Eamonn]

Following up on recent discussions about Portuguese pubs, it made me wonder what is truely identifiable as English ?

Other countries have national costume - I can't think of anything that could be considered 'English costume' except for possibly Morris Dancers, Pearly Kings/Queens, Beefeaters - but these don't really fit into the *national* category (IMO).

And what about food, Spanish have paella, Italy has pizza or pasta, Germany has sausages - what food is immediately identifiable as English? I discount roast beef, since the Romans introduced that into the country, so it's really Italian! Could it be our English dish is fish and chips? Or possible steak and kidney pie?

England is such a mixed group now (and I'm not implying there's anything wrong with that!) and it seems difficult to define 'Englishness'.

Any suggestions?

[BDG]

Today it could probably summed up by the country's desire to drown Swiss referee's

[baylissboy]

Or the fact that we ALLWAYS lose in a penalty shootout!!!

[MarkyMark76]

Obese alcoholics.

Do people (foreigners) differentiate between Englishness and britishness....?

[Athelstan]

For the answer to the question posed - "What is Englishness" - may I suggest that those really keen to know would be amply rewarded by reading Peter Ackroyd's book "Albion - The Origins of the English Imagination" published by Chatto & Windus ISBN 1 85619 7212. It's 449 pages of inspirational research that demonstrates what is indeed quintessentially English.

As for the swiss ref - I'm on the case folks and if you hear of a messy accident involving a yellow ST4s - please come and rescue me!!!!

[Steve M]

Marky - she's still there, wonder how long for?

[baylissboy]

What do you mean? She's only riding a rollercoaster,isn't she??

[TP]

I keep finding myself being distracted by that 'roller coaster riding' girl!

[MarkyMark76]

Indeed, what do you mean?

[mike916]

sends my eyes funny