332Kviews
40 Funny “Very British Problems” About The UK Just Being The UK, As Shared On This Twitter Page
Brits are seen as reserved in manners, dress, and speech. They're also famous for their politeness, self-discipline, and, of course, their sense of humor.
But just like the rest of the world, they have problems, and if you really want to get to know someone, taking a look at their challenges and the way they tackle them is a great place to start.
Created by journalist and writer Rob Temple, the internet project called Very British Problems offers exactly that; a glimpse into British people's everyday life, with all of its awkwardness taking center stage.
Considering it has 5.3 million combined followers across various social media platforms, I think we're safe to assume there are plenty of funny and painfully true insights.
More info: verybritishproblems.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
This post may include affiliate links.
We managed to get in touch with Rob, and he was kind enough to tell us more about Very British Problems.
"It started in 2012 and since then has basically been a diary of my day," he told Bored Panda. "I'm a typically awkward Brit and people seem to relate to what I encounter in my day-to-day life."
As Rob pointed out, a lot of similar accounts that also pay homage to British humor simply repost already popular memes. And there's nothing inherently wrong with that. But his is different. It features mostly his own little thoughts that he has as he bumbles through existence. It's human.
For a more comprehensive look into what Rob has created over the years, check out his website where you can find Very British Problems books, mugs, and even gear.
There's also the upcoming The Very British Problems Quiz Book that should come out in October.
"Everything I write is very personal to me, so to see my gentle observations have struck a chord with so many people is bonkers," the humble man behind the project said.
"The most relatable problems that the British face are definitely based around manners, etiquette, queues, weather, and tea!"
Rob said Brits mostly deal with these problems by moaning and laughing about them.
"[We] love to find the humor in difficulty, no matter how small or large those difficulties are. If a British person was in the middle of falling off a mountain, they'd probably make a joke about it before commencing with screaming. It's just how we deal with life," he explained.
Anything but actually phoning - the prospect gives me heart palpitations.
more like "I never actually got changed out of my pyjamas and I'm not going to"
To get a better understanding of British humor, and, in turn, the content of Very British Problems, we can check out what Ricky Gervais, the co-writer, co-producer and star of the hit BBC series The Office, which was on air for two years and adapted for a U.S. series for eight seasons, thinks about it.
"Brits are more comfortable with life's losers," he said. "We embrace the underdog until it's no longer the underdog. We like to bring authority down a peg or two. Just for the hell of it," Gervais explained.
"Americans say 'have a nice day' whether they mean it or not. Brits are terrified to say this. We tell ourselves it's because we don't want to sound insincere but I think it might be for the opposite reason," the comedian said.
"We don't want to celebrate anything too soon. Failure and disappointment lurk around every corner. This is due to our upbringing. Americans are brought up to believe they can be the next president of the United States. Brits are told, 'It won't happen for you.'"
"Tea?" "Yes, please, I'd like some tea without milk." "I am afraid I am going to have to execute you."
Gervais finds differences between American and British humor everywhere from mass media to mundane conversations.
"There's a received wisdom in the U.K. that Americans don't get irony. This is, of course, not true. But what is true is that they don't use it all the time. It shows up in the smarter comedies but Americans don't use it as much socially as Brits."
Do them kettle dodging barbarians from the colonies really microwave their tea? Or is that a horrific urban myth?
The horror! Can you imagine going to someone’s house for a brew and they stick it in the microwave?!
"I'm sorry, I'm going to have to ask you to leave your own house"
Load More Replies...
Kettle breaks, mad rush to purchase new one asap. Microwaving tea is not to even be considered in a civilised nation
I’ve been to one colony where they heat the milk and stick the tea bag straight in it. No water involved.
How do you feel about heating water in an electric kettle? I may be from the Midwest USA but we don’t even microwave tea in this house! Gross!!
This is the actual reason - Tannins! It's all about the right temperature releasing the right mix of flavonoids from the tea. Tannins are bitter. Water too hot (AKA boiling) BITTER tea, not hot enough it won't release sufficient flavours. Microwaves are notorious for heating water unevenly for a start with hot and cold spots within a cup. It is also pretty hard, without a thermometer, to know exactly how hot your water is out of a microwave (again you do not want it boiling). With a kettle the temperature will range from 93-97 degrees by the time it's poured on your tea.
Load More Replies...
I didn't believe this until I went to America a few years ago. I was slightly confused as to why my partners mother was packing a kettle and she informed me that she needed it to make tea as the house we were renting would not have one and she was right. I still find it odd that people will microwave tea.
I remember when in s3 of Broadchurch DI Hardy microwaved tea and as an American I was just like ok whatever but apparently the internet was frickin RAGING like he had been the one to commit that series' crime O.O
I don’t microwave my tea. But I do use a water cooler with hot water and make the tea with that. I live on the West coast of the US.
I live in Texas. I have a coffee maker & an Iced tea maker. Texans drink hot coffee, cold tea. Every day. At least, we do.
I microwave the water for my tea, then pour it over the teabag in another cup. Is that bad?
Microwaves heat water unevenly. In one mug you will get hotter and cooler zones. Other likelihood is that the water will be too hot and make the tea bitter as it releases too many tannins. Or the water isn't hot enough and the tea won't release sufficient flavours. It is, in fact, very scientific. A lot of people don't know the difference because they haven't taste tested it with enough teas to see. It does, actually, make a huge difference.
Load More Replies...
So when the "tea's gone cold," y'all just give up on it?? Pour it out and brew more? In the colonies, we only microwave beverages to reheat them...not to initially heat them haha.
Reheating isn't really the issue in the UK tbh (though I can never be arsed). It's getting the temperature right to brew the tea initially. Too hot and you end up with bitter tea because boiling water releases too much tannin. Basic science. Microwaves don't heat water equally and you end up with hotter and colder pockets. People don't know the exact temperature of the water from a microwave and yet a kettle, by the time it's finished and you get it to the cup, gives you the perfect temperature.
Load More Replies...
I steep my tea in kettle boiled water. Alas it's Canada so it gets cold in 3 minutes so it goes in the microwave for 30 seconds - to WARM UP! Never reboil your tea. It is then that dreadful anathema, stewed tea. I accidentally did that recently. Omg.
I defy any British person to tell whether a hot cup of water was heated by a microwave or a kettle. Can't be done
If the water was boiling the tea will be distinctly bitter, absolutely can be done. A lot of people don't have the experience of good tea making and so might not know, or have crappy taste buds.
Load More Replies... What's wrong with microwaving tea? It gets it just as hot as a kettle, and faster. (I'm not being smarmy, just an American who prefers to steep my tea in water straight out of the insta-hot filtered tap, but will use a microwave when away from home. So please be gentle in your reply!)
Because tea made in this way tastes very different i.e. totally disgusting
Load More Replies...
"We use it as liberally as prepositions in everyday speech," Gervais explained.
"We tease our friends. We use sarcasm as a shield and a weapon. We avoid sincerity until it’s absolutely necessary. We mercilessly take the piss out of people we like or dislike basically. And ourselves. This is very important. Our brashness and swagger is laden with equal portions of self-deprecation. This is our license to hand it out."
Something tells me he'd also be a fan of Very British Problems. If he already isn't, of course.
Or funeral, when you've reached a certain age that's more likely lol.
I feel the British heritage from my mother's side allows me to relate completely with this and with many of the other things on this list
Having never been in England, but reading this thread up to post #55, gives me the impression that Brits all consider themselves equal to what we in the US call introverts.
My last job I made it a point to always do this when I was annoyed. If you really pissed me off I would say "this is why we have an email trail so you could go back and reread what I already said"
"I'm off to bed". = .."Don't disturb me unless someone important died"
Yep, lots of yellow lawns right now! Lots of cracks in the earth in fields but fortunately no talk of a hosepipe ban as water levels are quite healthy.
For me it's 'I'll add it to my Netflix list'. That list has been getting longer and longer for years
I love, "Right, shall we?" No man has ever said that to me but I live in hope
Discovering you REALLY SHOULD have worn suncream and now resemble a lobster.
Not any longer...or, rather, not for much longer. How such an irreverent boob ever managed to become elected in the UK is beyond understanding.
Load More Replies...
I knew it…. I was always meant to be British and the stork took a massive wrong turn….
These sound like middle class English situations rather than British in general.
Working class here, and every last one of them is right on. Except depending on what part of the Isles you reside in, you will not sound like Hugh Grant but more like Jimmy Nail. Or his counterparts elsewhere.
Load More Replies...
I'm American (but 80% of my Ancestry is UK), and I LOVE (black) tea with milk-NOT microwaved (EWW), I love almost all British cuisine, and I completely relate to how they respond to these situations. If I had any way to be able to get citizenship in the UK, I'd be there tomorrow!!! I've only gotten to visit once, and my mother-in-law was from there (she passed away in 2001). All my husband's cousins and aunt and uncle live there. I LOVE British people! They also have the funniest sense of humor!!
I laughed so hard! I'm a Brit TV fan, comedies and crime dramas, and this is all so familiar to me!
Not any longer...or, rather, not for much longer. How such an irreverent boob ever managed to become elected in the UK is beyond understanding.
Load More Replies... I knew it…. I was always meant to be British and the stork took a massive wrong turn….
These sound like middle class English situations rather than British in general.
Working class here, and every last one of them is right on. Except depending on what part of the Isles you reside in, you will not sound like Hugh Grant but more like Jimmy Nail. Or his counterparts elsewhere.
Load More Replies... I'm American (but 80% of my Ancestry is UK), and I LOVE (black) tea with milk-NOT microwaved (EWW), I love almost all British cuisine, and I completely relate to how they respond to these situations. If I had any way to be able to get citizenship in the UK, I'd be there tomorrow!!! I've only gotten to visit once, and my mother-in-law was from there (she passed away in 2001). All my husband's cousins and aunt and uncle live there. I LOVE British people! They also have the funniest sense of humor!!
I laughed so hard! I'm a Brit TV fan, comedies and crime dramas, and this is all so familiar to me!
