BellaOnline Forums Travel and Culture English Culture Article Ideas, anyone?

How about national stereotypes - how British people are perceived by other nations - eg. bowler hats and umbrellas for businessmen, etc. (that one probably doesn't exist anymore, but you know what I mean <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

best wishes - Jane

Ah yes, I remember that your trip was interuppted when Tom (my uncle, your grandpa) died. It was such a sad situation, & so sudden, it seemed. What a great man he was, & I truly mean that!

How 'bout an article on one of my favorite areas - the Peak District? Or, in the same vein, odd names of little rural villages in England? I still crack up when I'm there, when I see the sign pointing towards the village of Swallowpit! And that's not even one of the oddest ones! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Oooh oooh...I LOVE THIS IDEA!

I always wanted to know why my parents fought like cat and dog. Well, it took 20 years and hundreds of pounds, but I found out...

My mother's ancestors were Viking invaders...

and my father's came over with William the Conqueror from France in 1066

There's a touch of English culture for you <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Amazing these genetics eh?
Jo

A few SE England village names (often Viking) to start you off:

Walton-on-the-Naze (commonly called "wart on the nose")
Kirby-le-Soken, Kirby-le-Cross
Fingringhoe (lovely bird/wildlife sanctuary here)
Heckfordbridge (they have "The Angel" pub looking after that bit)
Frating Green
Trimley St. Mary, Trimley St. Martin
Chelmondiston (I kid you not)
Cattawade
Horsey Island (pron. with a z)
Copdock
Chipping Hill
Coggeshall (famous for tambour lace and old buildings - beautiful!)
Honey Tye
Flack's Green
Foulness (don't go there, DANGER AREA)
Puttock End

More when I think of some <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Here are some ideas,
Why have some of the best bands come from there, is it genetics, the weather? What did these kids do, practice and hope on some delapidated instruments or where mom and dad rich. Is it thier culture, the beatles broke ground with the long hair, my Dad hated them and guess what, I didn't just like them to rebel, they have real talent, Is Pink Floyd british? I think they are, the environment had led to some amazing talent loved by all. The composition of lyrics and music is conducive to "classics" How do they view food? Is it more like sustenance or is it idolized like Americans do, because I've heard its nothing to write home about. What is the rate of depression, suicide and insanity in regards to the dankness and drizzle. In general what is thier personal hygiene. I've noticed bad teeth and poor bathing or at least thats the general assumption, do they feel we are germaphobic with our 2 showers a day? Where do they Trace thier origins from, where did they come from, straight from caves or was there a migration. Good Luck How about Stonehenge, why do you feel it was created, because of the logistics of moving the rock and such or was it like oh, like thier version of disneyland? Lets talk about moving those Rocks and why didn't the creators write something down about it?

Tobasco <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Pink Floyd are British, yes.
British people love food and cooking - we have loads and loads of cookery programmes - we may not be 'known' for decent cuisine, but we are innovative.
No we do not all think of you as germaphobic - cleanliness isn't one of the things that we think of in relation to the USA, it just isn't an issue. And I can't speak for others, but I have two baths a day (baths because my shower is broken - don't deliberately waste water) and my teeth seem ok to me <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

The weather isn't always dark and rainy - it can get quite hot in the summer - but it's becoming more extreme with global warming.

hope this helps <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> - Jane

HAHAHA! Thanks! It might be awhile before I can get to any of these subjects, as I have old articles in the archives to overwrite, but I definitely love this!

How about "Nottingham - It really exists"

I can think of a few people who once thought otherwise...!

Heehee. Well, I can attest to its existence! I've been there. I'm going back in August, probably, and I'll be doing a feature on it.