Tag Archives: Ketchup

What Makes Us British? Tea, Tomato Ketchup & Moaning About The Weather Apparently

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Being perfectly happy to queue, saying thanks when you have nothing to say thanks for and our ironic sense of humour were revealed as the most common the traits that define us Brits. We don’t agree with the queuing (no one enjoys that) but we do say thanks a lot and are quite ironic.

The study of 2,000 adults found that attempting DIY on a bank holiday, applying red or brown sauce to everything and our love of Saturday night TV are unique to us British.

what makes is british. Tea, moaning about the weather, tomato ketchup

Feeling discomfort when strangers attempt conversation even though you are smiling, moaning about the cold weather, but complaining when it is hot, and our obsession with political correctness also made the list.

A cup of tea being the answer to any problem and not making eye contact on public transport were also top British traits.

Yesterday a spokesman for energy firm OVO, which commissioned the study, said: ‘’The list shows many of our unique qualities as a country and gives a rare insight into how we perceive ourselves and the way we think ‘being British’ is defined.

‘’It shows a quirky range of qualities from our famed stiff upper lip and ability to grin and bear things to our patience and the ease with which we’re able to laugh at ourselves.

‘’Lots of the traits listed centre around putting up with discomfort, not wishing to cause a fuss or being quick to apologise even if it’s not our fault. It shows we still value manners and good spirit, but of course it’s important people feel they aren’t being taken for granted in any areas of life.’’

The survey also revealed that only half of the nation feels they are getting value for money with their current energy and service providers. Moreover, 40 per cent of Brits don’t know if they are currently getting the best deal with their energy supplier.

Over a third of us are worried that changing energy suppliers would be a complex process and want to stay with their current supplier as it is ‘easier than looking for alternatives’.

The OVO spokesman added: ‘’ We are well known for our politeness and ability to accept bad situations, yet so many of us could be saving hundreds of pounds getting a better deal. Switching energy supplier for example only takes five minutes online and the supplier does the rest.”

The study also found getting painfully sunburnt, binge drinking and a love of curtain twitching were a few other traits us Brits are guilty of.

Three quarters of Brits are proud to be British and believe that we Brits are able to laugh at ourselves when things go wrong.

Our fondness of mowing the lawn, obsessing over our pets and not leaving a tip as a sign of poor customer service also made the list.

What do you think? What makes someone British?

19th Raindance Film Festival Highlights

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After Fall, Winter is a sexy love story about a French dominatrix who falls in love with a New York writer in Paris. It is directed by Eric Schaeffer and has the talented Rebecca Jameson in a smaller role. Well worth a watch.

Some of my favourite films that I saw at the Raindance Film Festival were short films.

Death of A Pop Star was an impressive short about A personal physician and the characters in the home of an ailing celebrity. 

Dying Everyday was a wonderful slice of life short from Spain, a short that managed to entertain the audience despite the fact not much happened.

Gin & Dry is a booze heist film set in an old people’s home at Christmas, Oscar Plewes short is funny and entertaining.

Ketchup was a very good film with a tragic ending.

Russell Harbaugh’s Rolling on The Floor Laughing is a high end short film about two grown sons who return home for their widowed mother’s birthday, only to find themselves competing with her new boyfriend for her attention. A well made film that’s worth watching.

Jeremy Craig’s Terrebonne is a visually stunning film. The lead actress is Jessica Heap is a beautiful actress destined to be a movie star.

The Potential Wives of Norman Mao and Exit were also good short films.

I went to the UK Premiere of Bonsai, directed by Cristian Jimenez. The film is from Chile and I thought it was brilliant. Cristian couldn’t be there but filmed an introduction for the film. It tells the story of young writer, Julio, who turns to the romance he had 8 years earlier with the beautiful Emilia when both were studying literature in Valdivia when he gets dropped from writing for a famous author because his asking price is too high. We’re told from the beginning that Emilia dies and Julio remains alone, but don’t let that put you off. It is a wonderful, sensual film. Catch it if you can.

After Bonsai was the closing night gala after party, I bump into Rory O’Donnell and I met some other talented people. I didn’t get home to 2am, can’t wait until next year.