Why are the British generally so reserved ?

Just a query .. Or curiosity.. But, obviously, this shouldn't be taken as an universal law, as for sure there are some extrovert British people either .. But , talking about my own experience, most (not all) of the British I've met are particularly reserved , some even quite difficult and introvert to be socialising with.. .So, this could be obviously a great obstacle to extablishing friendship or any other intimate bonds..

Many thanks for your eventual replies!

Wish everyone a good weekend,

Ling

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 1

Blue_Cow

22

Original post by Ling91

Just a query .. Or curiosity .. As sometime this could be an obstacle to socialising ..
Many thanks for your eventual replies!

Ling

British myself, and no idea to be honest. I sort of prefer it that way XD We're all friendly and will gladly invite you round for tea & crumpets and have a good natter about the weather.

I'm definitely less talkative and more restrained in public compared to TSR...

Reply 2

username2965904

19

I think it dates back to Oliver Cromwell's time, aided and abetted by Queen Victoria and then the school system we used to have.

Reply 3

Ling91

OP

6

Original post by Blue_Cow

British myself, and no idea to be honest. I sort of prefer it that way XD We're all friendly and will gladly invite you round for tea & crumpets and have a good natter about the weather.

I'm definitely less talkative and more restrained in public compared to TSR...

Ahahah sounds good, I like tea and crumpets, that is a lovely combination to go with 😋 Hmm.. Just wondering .. Would it be possibly related more to an educational factor .. or more to something dealing with a protection barrier ..So a sort of mean to self protecting from strangers ..

Reply 4

ckfeister

19

Original post by Ling91

Just a query .. Or curiosity.. But, obviously, this shouldn't be taken as an universal law, as for sure there are some extrovert British people either .. But , talking about my own experience, most (not all) of the British I've met are particularly reserved , some even quite difficult and introvert to be socialising with.. .So, this could be obviously a great obstacle to extablishing friendship or any other intimate bonds..

Many thanks for your eventual replies!

Wish everyone a good weekend,

Ling

Polite and respect, go to America to see what people be like if they not reserve.

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 5

Wired_1800

20

Original post by Ling91

Just a query .. Or curiosity.. But, obviously, this shouldn't be taken as an universal law, as for sure there are some extrovert British people either .. But , talking about my own experience, most (not all) of the British I've met are particularly reserved , some even quite difficult and introvert to be socialising with.. .So, this could be obviously a great obstacle to extablishing friendship or any other intimate bonds..

Many thanks for your eventual replies!

Wish everyone a good weekend,

Ling

I think British society strongly encourages a reserved and polite mannerism. From a very young age, one is taught how to behave in public and there is the adage of the "stiff upper lip" and showing self-restraint.

I dont think it is a bad or good thing, it is just a different way of life. For example, Japanese have a different way of living than the Igbos or French

Reply 6

AlwaysBroke.

17

Original post by Wired_1800

I think British society strongly encourages a reserved and polite mannerism. From a very young age, one is taught how to behave in public and there is the adage of the "stiff upper lip" and showing self-restraint.

I dont think it is a bad or good thing, it is just a different way of life. For example, Japanese have a different way of living than the Igbos or French

I think we should close this thread, feels like this is the correct answer.

Reply 7

username2243339

14

Modern Brits aren't reserved at all.
They are emotionally incontinent and often demonstrate this through their prolific use of Twitter and Facebook.

Reply 8

Ling91

OP

6

Original post by ckfeister

Polite and respect, go to America to see what people be like if they not reserve.

Now, I'm curious .. How are the Americans, then ..? Are they generally very different from the British in terms of good manners ..?

Reply 9

Ling91

OP

6

Original post by RivalPlayer

Modern Brits aren't reserved at all.
They are emotionally incontinent and often demonstrate this through their prolific use of Twitter and Facebook.

I feel that, despite of the younger generation they belong to, in real life they are still reserved. Social media is just a vehicle to pour their emotions out, as in their concrete lives, they are unfortunately not allowed to.. Being emotional or extrovert is something that you can hardly see in the British society.. It may be possibly part of being ''politically correct..''(?)

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 10

Ling91

OP

6

Original post by Wired_1800

I think British society strongly encourages a reserved and polite mannerism. From a very young age, one is taught how to behave in public and there is the adage of the "stiff upper lip" and showing self-restraint.

I dont think it is a bad or good thing, it is just a different way of life. For example, Japanese have a different way of living than the Igbos or French

Yes, you are definitely right. But, sometime, having a conversation can be a bit frustrating, because you won't really know what the other person might actually think upon a certain or a few matters, as they are not gonna tell you. 😕

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 11

Wired_1800

20

Original post by Ling91

Yes, you are definitely right. But, sometime, having a conversation can be a bit frustrating, because you won't really know what the other person might actually think upon a certain or a few matters, as they are not gonna tell you. 😕

You just have to get to know the Brit that you are engaging with on a more personal level.

Reply 12

ckfeister

19

Original post by Ling91

Now, I'm curious .. How are the Americans, then ..? Are they generally very different from the British in terms of good manners ..?

Well from the one I know they are nicer than Brits but also more brutual, I'm not that British myself even though born and raised here.

Reply 13

username3434964

21

Original post by ckfeister

Well from the one I know they are nicer than Brits but also more brutual, I'm not that British myself even though born and raised here.

Doesn't being born in Britain make you British???

Reply 14

KawaiiArtist

13

Maybe it's 'cause we live on an ireland lol

Reply 15

Ling91

OP

6

Original post by Wired_1800

You just have to get to know the Brit that you are engaging with on a more personal level.

Well, not easy to know someone in a more personal level, if not many opportunities are normally being created .. Getting people know as friends or even just more superficially is not easy at all if they won't be even approached .. For a start, I've noticed people in the U.K. tend to avoid eye contact very often, not just on the streets or on the bus among strangers, but also face to face ..

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 16

Ling91

OP

6

Original post by KawaiiArtist

Maybe it's 'cause we live on an ireland lol

Ahaha, did you mean on an 'island' maybe..? 😆

Reply 17

KawaiiArtist

13

Original post by Ling91

Ahaha, did you mean on an 'island' maybe..? 😆

I think so xD

Spoiler

Reply 18

Paisley99

16

Original post by Blue_Cow

British myself, and no idea to be honest. I sort of prefer it that way XD We're all friendly and will gladly invite you round for tea & crumpets and have a good natter about the weather.

I'm definitely less talkative and more restrained in public compared to TSR...