0Image: The British Empire by Walter Crane via Wikimedia Commons
Britons do have culture, yet whether or not that culture is rich and unique, or much appropriated is heavily debatable. For example, whilst the national dishes of England include fish and chips, and a roast dinner, it equally includes a chicken tikka masala, which originates in Asia. Thus, it is arguable that Britain has a limited culture that is somewhat appropriated from another country, demonstrating the lingering impacts of the British Empire.
Britain is mostly associated with heavy, usually frowned upon levels of alcohol consumption. The infamous drinking culture of Britain and Ireland is unmatched by any other country. In 2024, there were 45,000 pubs operating in the United Kingdom (there are more pubs in the UK than there are people in Liechtenstein!) and this franchise has only grown, but how much of this culture is our own? Whilst Britain may consume the 24th most alcohol in the world, the pints of beer we obsessively order in our local Spoons’ originate in Mesopotamia and the cider we all love down South dates back to the Roman Empire. This makes it doubtful that we can really call drinking culture entirely our own; even though our social scene appears a classic symbol of the British lifestyle, it is evident that we have ‘borrowed’ from other cultures in order to construct our own.
It is evident that we have ‘borrowed’ from other cultures in order to construct our own.
On that note, no matter how we perceive British culture, it is evident that there are genuine, distinct subcultures that are truly and intrinsically British. For example, ‘Beatlemania’ – deep-rooted obsession with British band The Beatles – was one of the first examples of intense fan behaviour, which leaked into other countries, such as the USA. Therefore, it could be heavily considered that British culture as a whole is appropriated but the unique subcultures that are formed do compose small elements of completely British culture and have the power to influence other countries.
It isn’t just musical subcultures that could be considered wholly British, but also sports teams. Football has 3.5billion fans worldwide, and has its roots firmly in Britain. From chants to collecting shirts every year, football fan culture is intense throughout the UK, often leading to riots between rival clubs. Arguably, football is the most prevalent aspect of true and ethically British culture. Furthermore, Rugby was also created in England and played for the first time in Cambridge. This continues to run deep in our culture, with the English rugby team remaining one of the best in the world and the Red Roses recently winning their world cup, and example of a subculture that blossomed and continues to grow within Britain.
The shared, fundamental cultural practices that we associate with Britain seem very much appropriated, suggesting that we have very little culture that doesn’t hinge on the aftermath of the British Empire. However, Britain is slightly redeemed by the unique subcultures that exist within the country, many of which formed exclusively in Britain and went on to travel overseas.
How much of British Culture is “British”?
Britons do have culture, yet whether or not that culture is rich and unique, or much appropriated is heavily debatable. For example, whilst the national dishes of England include fish and chips, and a roast dinner, it equally includes a chicken tikka masala, which originates in Asia. Thus, it is arguable that Britain has a limited culture that is somewhat appropriated from another country, demonstrating the lingering impacts of the British Empire.
Britain is mostly associated with heavy, usually frowned upon levels of alcohol consumption. The infamous drinking culture of Britain and Ireland is unmatched by any other country. In 2024, there were 45,000 pubs operating in the United Kingdom (there are more pubs in the UK than there are people in Liechtenstein!) and this franchise has only grown, but how much of this culture is our own? Whilst Britain may consume the 24th most alcohol in the world, the pints of beer we obsessively order in our local Spoons’ originate in Mesopotamia and the cider we all love down South dates back to the Roman Empire. This makes it doubtful that we can really call drinking culture entirely our own; even though our social scene appears a classic symbol of the British lifestyle, it is evident that we have ‘borrowed’ from other cultures in order to construct our own.
On that note, no matter how we perceive British culture, it is evident that there are genuine, distinct subcultures that are truly and intrinsically British. For example, ‘Beatlemania’ – deep-rooted obsession with British band The Beatles – was one of the first examples of intense fan behaviour, which leaked into other countries, such as the USA. Therefore, it could be heavily considered that British culture as a whole is appropriated but the unique subcultures that are formed do compose small elements of completely British culture and have the power to influence other countries.
It isn’t just musical subcultures that could be considered wholly British, but also sports teams. Football has 3.5billion fans worldwide, and has its roots firmly in Britain. From chants to collecting shirts every year, football fan culture is intense throughout the UK, often leading to riots between rival clubs. Arguably, football is the most prevalent aspect of true and ethically British culture. Furthermore, Rugby was also created in England and played for the first time in Cambridge. This continues to run deep in our culture, with the English rugby team remaining one of the best in the world and the Red Roses recently winning their world cup, and example of a subculture that blossomed and continues to grow within Britain.
The shared, fundamental cultural practices that we associate with Britain seem very much appropriated, suggesting that we have very little culture that doesn’t hinge on the aftermath of the British Empire. However, Britain is slightly redeemed by the unique subcultures that exist within the country, many of which formed exclusively in Britain and went on to travel overseas.
Chloe Burrows
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