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The English are 'overweight, binge-drinking, reality TV addicts', says new Rough Guide
Last updated at 19:07pm on 09.05.08On the minus side, England is a nation of “overweight, binge-drinking reality TV addicts”, according to the latest edition of a top-selling tourist guide.
It accuses the English of being quarrelsome, contradictory and “obsessed with toffs and C-list celebrities”.
But before Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells starts spluttering into his Earl Grey, it should be said that the Rough Guide to England pays the country plenty of compliments as well.
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A new guide to England says the country is obsessed with C-list celebrities like Jade Goody
For example, England is “also a country of animal-loving, tea-drinking, charity donors, where queuing remains a national pastime and bastions of civilisation, like Radio 4, are jealously protected”.
The cradle of Shakespeare, Newton and Dickens is described as deeply conservative yet having “a richly multi-ethnic culture” whose people's “warmth is in the humour, a sort of national solidarity that is bred in the bone”.
While it highlights a perpetual collision of culture, class and race, it says the country does still manage to “fit together”. London is praised as a “colossal, frenetic city” with “a unique aura of excitement and success”.
The guide concludes with the slightly back-handed compliment that: “Of the 200-plus destinations across the world that Rough Guides covers, there is none so fascinating, beautiful and culturally diverse, yet as insular, self-important and irritating, as England.”
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It does not name the “C-list celebrities” dragging down the nation but may well have had the likes of Jade Goody, Wayne Rooney and Girls Aloud in mind.
The warts-and-all assessment by the £15.99 guide, which is published around the world, was taken in good part by the tourism body, Visit Britain, yesterday.
“I think readers of the guide would recognise these comments are tongue-in-cheek,” a spokesman said. “Our sense of humour is one of the many reasons, along with heritage and culture, that people come here. “The comments demonstrate the quirkiness of the English personality that is so attractive to many visitors.”
The guide lampoons the national obsession with the weather, saying: 'A two-day cold snap is discussed as if it were the onset of a new Ice Age and a week above 25 degrees starts rumours of a drought.'
It also highlights contradictions, pointing out: “It's a nation that prides itself on its patriotism - yet has a Scottish prime minister, an Italian football coach and a Greek royal consort.”
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A vigorous debate on heavyweight political issues such as immigration, terrorism and street crime is “served up with liberal dollops of celebrity chit-chat”.
Fish and chips has long given way to chicken tikka masala as the favourite dish, and while all things European tend to be distrusted “the English increasingly embrace a continental lifestyle”.
The guide suggests only a sense of humour allows the English to negotiate these contradictions, as well as cope with overcrowded roads and “risible” public transport.
Some of the other comments might test that sense of humour, however.
“The English have become obedient-consumers rather than active citizens, with brand loyalty the nearest thing to religious/spiritual belief,” says the guide.
“The English may have more material goods than they ever have had before, but they also swallow antidepressants by the bucketload.”
The Rough Guide also warns tourists that the English are 'the most contradictory people imaginable adding: “However long you spend in the country you'll never figure them out”.
The Rough Guides series was founded by Mark Ellingham some 26 years ago after he was unable to find a suitable guidebook for a student trip to Greece.
The company was sold to Penguin in 2002.
Reader views (3)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
The "Rough Guide" has been kind and rather under-stated the reality of the situation.
Is the "Rough Guide" geared to attracting other "rough" people to England? If so, then it should be "banned" immediately as we've got more than enough already!
- Fraser, Telford Park
I'd go rahnd and give 'em a seein' to but ahm too fat ta move outta dis chair, too drunk ta drive and Big Bravvers on in a minit.
- Khan Sill-Estate, Hackney
“Overweight, binge-drinking reality TV addicts”? Yes. The truth hurts, but it's nevertheless the truth.
- John, Bedford
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