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Ah, Britain—my old love. From the fabulous invention that is tea time to the country’s storied history, impressive architecture, and most of all gorgeous parks, I’ve been enamored with British culture for as long as I can remember.

However, like some of the nation’s more errr creative meals (beans on toast, you might be delicious but I’m looking at you), its culture also has some quirks. Absolutely fun and uniquely witty? Definitely! Chaotic to the max in an oh-so delightfully and distinctly British way? You can count on it.

To show you the depths and bizarre niches in British humor and everyday culture, Bored Panda has collected some of the best examples of things that will make you wonder whether, this time, Brits have gone too far. Personally, I hope Britain will never change—it’s far too entertaining to watch from the sidelines.

Psst, Pandas, I’m off to make myself a spot of Earl Grey, so have a scroll down and remember to upvote your fave pics. And be sure to check out Bored Panda’s exclusive interview about the role that British humor plays in its culture with London-based comedian and comedy writer Ariane Sherine.

#3

Historical Figures Lined Up For Reopening Of Museum Of Gloucester

Historical Figures Lined Up For Reopening Of Museum Of Gloucester

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British humor, let alone culture, gets more difficult to define the closer you look at it. At first glance, everything seems to be clear-cut: the Queen, the Victorian era, rading P. G. Wodehouse's books, looking posh, sounding posh, pip-pip, cheerio, drinking tea and eating crumpets, liking ships (and having lots of them!), and the Beatles to name a few iconic images. You can probably picture these without much effort.

#4

If You Can Read This, You Are Not A Train!

If You Can Read This, You Are Not A Train!

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#5

There Is Something Terrifying Happening In Brighton, England

There Is Something Terrifying Happening In Brighton, England

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But once you start thinking about it, British culture becomes harder to define precisely. And naming a few examples of what’s overwhelmingly British doesn’t get to the essence of what makes British humor, well, British.

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#7

A Fine Example Of Sophisticated British Humour

A Fine Example Of Sophisticated British Humour

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#8

Front Seat On A Double Decker Bus

Front Seat On A Double Decker Bus

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Julie C Rose
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same in New Zealand - those seats are ALWAYS taken first on the double decker bus I catch.

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#9

When The Pubs Have Been Closed For 4 Months, A Bit Of Rain Won't Stop These Lads

When The Pubs Have Been Closed For 4 Months, A Bit Of Rain Won't Stop These Lads

TheForthWallBreaker Report

I wanted to get a better handle on the link between humor and culture, so I reached out to comedian Ariane who’s working on a number of witty projects. Who better to talk about what makes people laugh than a British comedian who knows what the entire thing is all about?

#10

When The Council Forget About A Sinkhole In Your Town

When The Council Forget About A Sinkhole In Your Town

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#11

It Gets Confusing

It Gets Confusing

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#12

Breakfast Trifle

Breakfast Trifle

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Professional comedian Ariane told Bored Panda that humor plays a “huge role” in British culture. And this isn’t bound to change anytime soon. “I think it is inherently witty and quirky but coupled with a huge dose of irony and self-consciousness,” she noted that British wit often has a dollop of self-deprecation mixed into it.

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#14

Found An Angry Note On My Car Today. I Replied

Found An Angry Note On My Car Today. I Replied

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According to Ariane one of the best things that sum up the essence of British humor is the Very British Problems book series that also has a Twitter account. “It's sarcastic, petty, ridiculous, embarrassed, self-conscious, and underpinned with the knowledge and awareness of how silly Brits are,” the comedian said.

#16

This Is The Most British Headline I Have Ever Seen

This Is The Most British Headline I Have Ever Seen

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#17

My Local Cinema Being A Little Pessimistic About Reopening

My Local Cinema Being A Little Pessimistic About Reopening

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#18

The Joys Of Living In Britain

The Joys Of Living In Britain

Jonesy27 Report

I also talked to Ariane about the impact that British soft power, films, and media have globally. In her opinion, the way that British culture is characterized all around the world is slightly inaccurate and doesn’t represent the reality of being a Brit.

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#20

Got A Baked Bean Mug For My Birthday So Naturally I Did The Right Thing

Got A Baked Bean Mug For My Birthday So Naturally I Did The Right Thing

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nanashi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love baked beans. If I'm ever exiled from my country I hope Britain will take me in because I love baked beans.

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InfectedVoice
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am a rare Brit that doesn't like baked beans, this looks nasty.

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Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

😅😅😅don't say it out loud you might lose the citizenship! I also hate them but I'm not British

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Rowan_boi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did you line it with toast? OMG WHAT IF SOMEONE MADE A TOAST MUG!? THEN PUT BEANS IN IT!

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Jods
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why create washing up? Eat ‘em straight from the tin like my dad still does much to my mother’s disgust.

dc1 avatar
DC
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Baked beans are great! When you get blue, and you lost all your dreams - there'nt nothing like a campfire and a can of beans!

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D K
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My favorite baked beans in a turquoise blue can 🤤

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Aly
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks like one of those photoshopped bean images

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Rowlie
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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FUKASE404
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that is not the right thing lad, that is very very wrong

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Cip IESAN
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Baked beans are great, BUT NO SUGAR! Baked beans must be like this: https://www.google.com/search?q=iahnie+fasole&safe=off&sxsrf=ALeKk01tkL-2BbQ4RwBVbFu8PJdVvW_wnA:1621520901056&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiC77WKvNjwAhXuhP0HHSz8CB0Q_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1760&bih=843

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They’re not all as glamorous as the stars you’re used to seeing on your TV screens (though I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that all brits have a secret use-in-an-emergency top hat and monocle kit; pity I haven’t been able to prove it yet).

#22

An Actual Job Here In The UK

An Actual Job Here In The UK

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Hans
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She soon will be promoted to mince pie research and development evangelist.

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#23

Google Maps Accurately Capturing U.k. Life (Leeds)

Google Maps Accurately Capturing U.k. Life (Leeds)

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#24

Northumberland... Lowest Population Density In England... Just How I Like It

Northumberland... Lowest Population Density In England... Just How I Like It

blueskybel Report

“When people think of us, they think of the Royal Family, iconic images like London buses and phone boxes, afternoon tea, period dramas, and posh people—like Hugh Grant in Richard Curtis films!” Ariane explained how the world tends to think when it thinks of the UK.

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#25

A House Overtaking A Boat On The A30 Today

A House Overtaking A Boat On The A30 Today

iago1984 Report

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“They see us as charming and antiquated and think we're adorable. Spoiler: we're not really like this! Which they'll find out if they ever visit Britain, but I guess most people never do, so we remain cute and posh in their imaginations,” she said.

This proves that even a lack of travel can have its upsides, namely, maintaining the illusion that all brits are as charismatic and gorgeous as the delightful Mr. Grant.

#29

Cheerio Germs

Cheerio Germs

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At first I was thinking "hang on, aren't cheerios American" lol. Was thinking of the cereal not the colloquial term for goodbye.

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#30

At First I Thought It Said Cornhole

At First I Thought It Said Cornhole

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#31

Mom Brought A Slice Of Bread To Try Out Toasters

Mom Brought A Slice Of Bread To Try Out Toasters

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Aski Markup
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know the pain. You think you've just bought a great little toaster. Open it up, and flipping a third of the bread sticks out when toasting. Why do they do that?!

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#33

Found This In The Staff Room After The Morning Meeting...

Found This In The Staff Room After The Morning Meeting...

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#34

Its Bank Holiday, Payday Friday. The Efforts For A 17:00 Post Work Pint Fill Me With National Pride. Liverpool

Its Bank Holiday, Payday Friday. The Efforts For A 17:00 Post Work Pint Fill Me With National Pride. Liverpool

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#35

A Bloke Tucking Into Full English Breakfast On The Tube

A Bloke Tucking Into Full English Breakfast On The Tube

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Hilary Mol
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, as long as you don't spill it on someone else's shoes, enjoy your breakfast!

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#36

Looks Like A Rave

Looks Like A Rave

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#38

Breaking!!! Breaking!!! Hat Found!!!

Breaking!!! Breaking!!! Hat Found!!!

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#39

Coronavirus Restrictions Are Being Eased Too Quickly

Coronavirus Restrictions Are Being Eased Too Quickly

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Sasy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My tongue always picks my pastries...it is very reliable that way.

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#40

Who Amougst Us Hasn’t Dreamed Of Smelling Like Cherry Bakewell Tart Or Love Hearts?

Who Amougst Us Hasn’t Dreamed Of Smelling Like Cherry Bakewell Tart Or Love Hearts?

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#41

Truly A National Tragedy

Truly A National Tragedy

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#42

The Waitrose Way

The Waitrose Way

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#43

"British Cuisine Is Bad" - Oh Yeah? Think Again

"British Cuisine Is Bad" - Oh Yeah? Think Again

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#44

British Town Names

British Town Names

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Kira Okah
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should I point out Stone? Or Tring? Mudchute? Cockfosters? Beer? Cockermouth? Thong? Been to all of those personally. How about I plop some Welsh in here and mention the village of Ysbyty Ystwyth.

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#45

Came Across This House That Uses A Baby's Gate As A House Gate, Interesting Choice

Came Across This House That Uses A Baby's Gate As A House Gate, Interesting Choice

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey if it works. Seeing as the rocks are uneven, a baby gate kind of makes sense since the ends are adjustable.

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#46

To Be Honest Asda, I'd Rather You Got It From The Cow

To Be Honest Asda, I'd Rather You Got It From The Cow

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#48

Bands Will Put Their Name On Anything These Days

Bands Will Put Their Name On Anything These Days

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#50

Pie On A Barm! Why Not!

Pie On A Barm! Why Not!

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Note: this post originally had 52 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.