The British Spirit

The British Spirit The British are known for keeping up appearances, no matter what. They are also known for being very polite in most circumstances. This spirit is illustrated by the slogan “Keep Calm and Carry On”. This slogan is seen by many as a “cute” attitude of the British, but its history is not as cute. “Keep Calm and Preaction Discuss the images in pairs. What impression do they give of the British people? VurderingseksemplarCarry On” was originally coined for a poster during World War II. This was a time when the government really needed people not to panic and instead to keep up with everyday life. You could say that “Keep Calm and Carry On” is a strategy the British have used for coping with difficult situations, such as the world wars or conquering a quarter of the world but then losing power. If you have ever been through a crisis or a big challenge in your life, you know that sometimes you just have to pretend that everything is normal and move on as usual. This is the spirit of the slogan “Keep Calm and Carry On”.

spirit tankesett/tenkjesett keeping up appearances opprettholde en viss levestandard uansett / halde ved lag ein viss levestandard uansett

TYPICALLY BRITISH?

"There may be a time and a place for Remember, just as you might not identify with the ‘Stiff upper lip’, but not at the expense what is typically Norwegian, many Britons do not identify with what is called “typically British”. of your health." When we discuss typically British values, such as Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (2017) “Keep Calm and Carry On”, it is important to be aware that these are stereotypes. The majority of the British people might not identify with these values. This is because: ● England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland ACT LIKE THE BRITISH Generalised Core Values – as voted by the people → Summer clothing at the first sight of sun → → Talk at length about the weather → A cup of tea in response to a crisis → Queue-jumping is the ultimate crime → Queue for anything → Stiff upper lip → Not causing a fuss are four different countries with different identities and traditions. ● British society is multicultural. People from all over the world have immigrated to the British Isles, bringing their own values and views of the world. ACTION 9 Describe the concept of “Keep Calm and Carry On” in your own words. 10 Discuss in groups what the core values to your left say about the British people. 11 Study the quote above and research the term “stiff upper lip”. Explain what you think the meaning of this quote is. What is Prince William Prince William wants his children to grow up able to express their feelings. He works for Heads Together to encourage more people to have an open conversation about mental health as part of #oktosay. Vurderingseksemplar trying to say? When and how can a “stiff upper → Sarcastic, dry jokes lip” be useful? When can it be harmful? 12 Discuss in groups: What does it mean to be SOURCE Challis, C. 2016. The 40 traits of being typically British? Can you think of examples from British – from a stiff upper lip to talking about the films or series you have seen? weather. BT, 9 January. BT.com

circumstances omstendigheter/omstende slogan slagord coping with håndtere/handtere 13 In pairs, make four lists: typically English, typically

Scottish, typically Welsh and typically Northern

Irish. Do an internet search and fill in the lists.

Compare your new information to what is typically British. Discuss your findings in groups.