Buzz
If you're British or well-versed in British culture, these common misconceptions may not surprise you. However, you might be shocked to discover that in some parts of the world, these myths are actually believed! If any of these statements sound familiar, we hate to break it to you, but they are inaccurate. Luckily, Mytour is here to clear things up. Here they are, listed in no specific order:
10. British Nation
Myth: Britain is just a single country.
The terms “Britain” or “Great Britain” describe a region, not a country. Britain is a collective reference to Wales, Scotland, and England, while the British Isles also includes both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. England is frequently misnamed as Britain, and English individuals are often called “British”. Northern Ireland is part of the “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland”, which distinguishes the section of Ireland governed by England (resulting in the suspension of the Northern Ireland government in 1972 and the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2002) from the self-governing Republic of Ireland.
Though it's technically accurate to call an English person British, it is rather vague, similar to referring to a Canadian as “North American” — though it should be noted that Britain is not a continent.
9. Warm Beer
Myth: British people consume beer at room temperature or warm.
I've heard this claim numerous times, but I still haven't figured out where it originated. Walking into a British pub and ordering a beer that isn't served cold would raise just as many eyebrows as it would anywhere else.
In fact, the most popular lagers in Britain are often of the “Extra Cold” variety, and this applies to most bitter beers and ales as well! Nobody, including the British, enjoys a warm beer.
That said, many Americans prefer their beer to be super cold, so an English beer may seem warm in comparison, though it is still served cold. Over-chilling beer can actually ruin its taste.
8. The Book of British Smiles
Myth: British people have poor dental hygiene.
This stereotype is often joked about in comedy shows mocking Britain, but many people mistakenly believe it to be true.
While, like any other nation, a small percentage of the population faces dental issues, overall oral care standards are very high. In fact, one ongoing problem in England is the shortage of available NHS dentists. Just like anywhere else in the world, individuals with bad teeth are the exception, not the norm in Britain.
7. God Save The Queen
Myth: “God Save The Queen” is England’s National Anthem.
That’s right, I said England, not Britain. “God Save The Queen” is the national anthem of Britain, but not of England specifically. Despite this, many English people will insist that this song represents our national anthem, which is a misconception. Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland all have their own national anthems. What makes England different isn’t that its anthem applies to Britain as a whole, but that it actually lacks an official national anthem entirely!
So what happens when England faces Scotland in a football match? We can't both use “God Save The Queen” to open the game. Scotland has no issue, as they can use their own anthem, but England's choice will differ. Common alternatives when “God Save The Queen” isn’t an option (for any reason) include “Land Of Hope And Glory,” “I Vow To Thee My Country,” or “Jerusalem.” All are popular contenders for the title of official anthem, but sadly none are officially recognized, and neither is “God Save The Queen,” which is only official for Britain as a whole.
It may interest you to know that “God Save The Queen” also serves as the official anthem of New Zealand, one of the rare countries that has two anthems of equal status. New Zealand’s other anthem is “God Defend New Zealand.”
6. Absolute Power
Myth: The Queen is the ruler of Britain.
Did I hear you say, “But she IS the ruler of England!”? Sorry, but that’s still not right. The monarchy hasn’t held political power in Britain for many years. Each country within Britain has its own parliament, and they are politically led by their respective Prime Ministers.
While the monarchy technically rules Britain, its power is limited to ceremonial duties. The Queen holds no political authority in Britain any more than she does in countries like Canada or other Commonwealth nations. Although these countries are technically “ruled” by the Queen, she holds no actual power in any of them.
The British monarchy primarily exists today for ceremonial purposes and as a major tourist attraction.
5. How Now Brown Cow
Myth: British people speak the “Queen’s English.”
More commonly, it’s believed that British people speak “posh.” If you look at foreign depictions of British speech, you might encounter this exaggerated accent, which many people in Britain would find just as ridiculous. If you're not sure what I mean, think about Fry's Holophonor tutor from *Futurama*. Sound familiar? Keep reading.
This misconception may stem from how English is typically written in Britain. There's an emphasis on writing “properly” and using formal language to make text more understandable. However, in everyday life, most British people, including myself, don’t speak the way we write.
In reality, Britain is home to a wide range of accents, some so distinct that they could almost be considered dialects. Most of these accents don’t resemble the ‘posh’ speech commonly depicted in foreign media. To hear some of these accents, I recommend watching British TV or films—just avoid the news. Newsreaders are trained to use what’s called 'BBC English' to ensure clarity for all viewers.
Some great examples of British accents can be found in *Trainspotting* (Scottish accent – warning: contains strong language and drug references), *28 Days Later* (Modern London and Manchester accents), and *Sweeney Todd* (Old London accent).
To British people, those who speak in the manner that is often portrayed as 'typically British' can come across as sounding just as pretentious and 'posh'.
4. Free Healthcare
Myth: Britain offers free universal healthcare.
Ah, the NHS (National Health Service)! Many people outside of Britain may not realize that the NHS is not free, nor does it cover every illness or injury. It's funded through taxes and donations, and only certain approved treatments or services are available.
While emergency care is usually provided free of charge, treatment for chronic conditions or long-term injuries often comes with a cost. Some medications are available for specific conditions, but if your illness or required treatment is not on the 'approved' list, the NHS won't cover it. This continues to spark controversy in Britain.
The NHS is also unavailable to non-British citizens, except in emergencies. However, the emergency must occur within the United Kingdom for any treatment to be covered.
3. British Tea
Myth: British people drink an excessive amount of tea.
There are various ways to measure which regions consume the most tea, but one thing is clear: Britain isn't the top consumer. When considering population size, Britain ranks around 3rd worldwide, trailing behind both Turkey and India. Depending on your source, China still outpaces Britain in tea consumption even when adjusted for population.
So, where does this idea come from? It's true that the UK does consume a lot of tea, but it doesn't top the charts. Interestingly, Britain drinks almost as much coffee as it does tea. This misconception may stem from a difference in language. In many places, the evening meal is called 'dinner' or 'supper'. While that's also correct in Britain, the evening meal is often referred to as 'tea'. So, when a British person invites you for tea, they're inviting you for dinner, not just tea, as some may think. This term is also common in Commonwealth nations, where 'come for tea' usually means 'come for the main evening meal'.
In Britain, it's rare for someone to invite you over solely to drink tea, although if you drop by, you'll likely be offered some. Tea is most commonly enjoyed after a meal, as part of dessert, or after physical activity as an alternative to coffee.
Bonus Fact: I'm British, and I don't drink tea—I don't like the taste. And I'm not alone! Many people share this preference.
2. Rain Rain Everywhere
Misconception: It always rains in Britain.
When people picture Britain, they often imagine gloomy weather with rain clouds, storms, and a cold breeze. It’s easy to envision a sense of endless misery. However, when compared to many other regions worldwide, Britain actually enjoys quite pleasant weather!
In winter, the average temperature can be quite chilly, hovering between 0 and 6 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, summer temperatures typically range between 15 and 23 degrees, often reaching higher. Britain is ranked a comfortable 46th in the global rainfall rankings, falling far behind countries like New Zealand (29th) and even the USA (25th).
So, why does Britain have such a reputation for bad weather? It’s likely because winters tend to feel longer than the summers in Britain, and most representations of the country focus on the drearier weather. We all have a tendency to fixate on those colder, rainier times, even though the weather is generally rather mild.
1. Scottish Money
Misconception: Scottish money is legal tender in the rest of Britain.
If you’ve ever tried to use Scottish pounds sterling in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, you may have found that many places will refuse to accept it.
Scottish pounds sterling are not considered legal tender throughout the rest of Britain, and businesses outside of Scotland are not required to accept them. While banks outside Scotland may accept these notes, it’s ultimately up to the discretion of the manager whether or not they’re accepted. So, what’s the difference between Scottish pounds and the pounds used elsewhere in Britain? The answer: absolutely nothing, except for the design on the notes.
Why is it that many places outside of Scotland are unwilling to accept Scottish currency? The main reasons are that it is rarely seen outside of Scotland and is therefore not easily recognized, or that the unique design makes it prone to being counterfeited, especially since most people outside of Scotland are not familiar with it.
If you're visiting Britain from Scotland, it can be frustrating when shopkeepers refuse to accept Scottish money. However, there's no obligation for them to do so, no matter how strongly you argue for its acceptance.
