Ok, so everyone has stereotypes. We can’t escape them. Now accepting that fact, it is then important to distinguish between what constitutes a ‘good’ stereotype and consequentially what is a ‘bad’. A good stereotype may be something we deem to be a fair representation of that thing we are considering, or alternatively something that has positive connotations. A ‘bad’ on the other hand could be something that is particularly damaging when used to evoke a representation of the topic in question.

Therefore with no further delay, I shall present what I believe to be the top five positive symbols of England and its culture and openly defy anyone who may disagree.

Top Symbols

5.  English Cream Teas

In at five is something that is not particularly national but more so regional. Whoever would have thought that Devonshire clotted cream and a nice little scone would complement the good old English tradition of tea so well? Most English citizens are completely ‘foreign’ to the tea room experience, but I urge all those cream tea virgins to get knocked up with a scone and tea as fast as possible.

4. Red Telephone Boxes

Number four takes us to the most traditional of English or even London images; that of the red telephone box.  Since Edison invented the technology we English invented the style in which to best compliment the cutting edge. Walk the streets of England today and be charmed by their presence, watch as increasing technology fails to kill their presence in the physical landscape of today. I say long live onward the red telephone box!

3. London Taxi’s.

Their patrons may not be so classy, but there is nothing too shabby about the London Taxi. Its dark sleek exterior provides no falsities to the luxurious innards of this tamed beast. Creep inside one, escape from the harshness of a cold winter and cruise the streets of London, there really are no better way to see the sights!

2. Rural Village Life

Your dad might be your brother’s sister, but there is nothing wrong with hailing from the quaint recesses of the English countryside. The thatched cottages, the nosy neighbours, the perfect serene image of the little English village could not be more complimentary to this very nation. Stroll around the cobbled streets,  conference in the village hall,  spread some village gossip, just leave with your dignity intact.

1. The Beatles

I would say the greatest symbol of English culture is probably its biggest cliché. They hail from Liverpool, they play music, they were visionary geniuses, they inspired millions…it has to be The Beatles. You would be an idiot not to know who these guys are.

So that’s it, were over for the time being, but stay tuned for the soon to come ‘Five Worst English Symbols Post’!