I Was Told I Had A "Quintessentially British Outlook"

[Strike For The South]

So I had the pleasure of meeting a few exchange students from the continent (Belgium and France) last night and this is what they told me, granted they had to be loaned the word quintessentially as there English was limited.

What is odd is that politics never came up, neither did anything personal. Just some pints and some laughs.

Now I realize what your all thinking "why care what some idiot French woman thinks of you" I know, I am over-thinking things, but I have had a few and the comment fascinates me.

Am I really this colored by that island? Are the Australians? Kiwis? Canadians? South Africans (not the boers)?

Do we share some sort of common bond?

Food for thought, I suppose

[Sasaki Kojiro]

I'm told it's common in other countries to refer to "anglo-saxons" in general.

[PanzerJaeger]

I see it.

[Lemur]

Sure, why not? Agreement with PJ.

I did publicity for a project in Jolly Olde Englande, hit a lot of BBC radio stations, decided to keep my humor very tight. Didn't want them to think I was one of those broad, buffonish Americans.

Day two or three, a radio host looks at me with confusion and says, "Well, you're very dry, now aren't you?"

I think this was like winning a Marathon against nothing but Kenyans.

[Vladimir]

That's what I usually say to my girlfriend.

[Major Robert Dump]

I thought you were British. What was up with the accent when we met? Are you not really a royal marine pilot?

[Fisherking]

Actually she was telling you that you are a bore and brushing you off.

British outlook? From a French Woman! Your toast.

[Vladimir]

Actually she was telling you that you are a bore and brushing you off.

British outlook? From a French Woman! Your toast.

Your toast? Like chipped beef on toast? Beans on toast? Why are you so interested in his breakfast?

[Fisherking]

Your toast? Like chipped beef on toast? Beans on toast? Why are you so interested in his breakfast?

Because there is no salami going on that baguette.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

So I had the pleasure of meeting a few exchange students from the continent (Belgium and France) last night and this is what they told me, granted they had to be loaned the word quintessentially as there English was limited.

What is odd is that politics never came up, neither did anything personal. Just some pints and some laughs.

Now I realize what your all thinking "why care what some idiot French woman thinks of you" I know, I am over-thinking things, but I have had a few and the comment fascinates me.

Am I really this colored by that island? Are the Australians? Kiwis? Canadians? South Africans (not the boers)?

Do we share some sort of common bond?

Food for thought, I suppose

I don't think it's Americans in general - I think it's you.

I mean that in the best possible way, you manage to combine the better parts of the American and English outlooks.


Actually she was telling you that you are a bore and brushing you off.

British outlook? From a French Woman! Your toast.

Possibly, or alternatively she was paying him a compliment - the French in particular consider the Americans to be loutish and crude. You also have to remember that a French exchange student who comes to the UK or US probably has a more favourable view of the English than one who stays home.

[Vladimir]

Wait a minute? Where you at Mad Dog's when this happened? Maybe it was the plaid miniskirts.

[SwordsMaster]

I'm told it's common in other countries to refer to "anglo-saxons" in general.

Not in Ireland. There it's more 'dirty prods'.

[gaelic cowboy]

Not in Ireland. There it's more 'dirty prods'.

Actually we prefer the terms "Brits" or "Huns" when espousing some casually racist/sectarian opinions, only rarely have I heard the term "Prods" used.

[Greyblades]

People call us huns?

[gaelic cowboy]

People call us huns?

Indeed they do Greyblades because your monarchs are basically Germans

House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Saxe-Coburg_and_Gotha#United_Kingdom)

If you want to hear it being used regular then Glasgow is best, although it may become extinct now Rangers are bust.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Indeed they do Greyblades because your monarchs are basically Germans

House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Saxe-Coburg_and_Gotha#United_Kingdom)

If you want to hear it being used regular then Glasgow is best, although it may become extinct now Rangers are bust.

I had assumed the racial slur would be "Anglo" or "sassonack" life the Scots - mind, the Welsh have you all beaten with "sais", which is actually a cognate for the English "Orc".

[Vladimir]

If you ever go to Baltimore, US, you'll get called hun a lot.

[gaelic cowboy]

I had assumed the racial slur would be "Anglo" or "sassonack" life the Scots - mind, the Welsh have you all beaten with "sais", which is actually a cognate for the English "Orc".

It's probably a word that came into use from WW1 which later is associated with Unionism, then later still it become associated with Rangers fans.

The term then comes back across the Irish sea with people naturally assuming it's all about Rangers supporters, largely due to people forgetting the royal connection.

This is generally the most sensible explantion for the word although no one has ever proved it conclusively.

On your point about Sassanach that is merely someone who comes from Sasana which as you know is the Gaelic for England.
Basically the Welsh dont have a differant word English as were both using the same word essentially Q and P Celtic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-Celtic_and_Q-Celtic_languages) so if this word is a cognate of Orc then were using it too.

However the term is not broad enough to insult/define a British person who could have been a unionist from Wales, Scotland, England and Ireland.

[Major Robert Dump]

Flo from Mels diner said Hun every episode. I think there is a drinking game for that

[rvg]

Flo from Mels diner said Hun every episode. I think there is a drinking game for that

Doesn't every diner waitress say that? I don't think I've met one that didn't.

[SwordsMaster]

Actually we prefer the terms "Brits" or "Huns" when espousing some casually racist/sectarian opinions, only rarely have I heard the term "Prods" used.

Heh, Brit, sure. I hear prods a lot for some reason. Funny thing happened in a pub in Belfast. I stopped to ask for directions - those interminable red-brick industrial revolution buildings all look the same to me. So the barman gives me the 'D'ya know whereuare, bua'y?' 'Whay don't ya go back across to your cuntry?' So I go 'Do you know what the best thing is to ever come out of Belfast?' He says 'What?' 'The road to Dublin.'

He didn't give me directions.

[Catiline]

Anyone that claims to be a Royal Marine pilot is a Walt (http://www.arrse.co.uk/wiki/Walts).

[Fragony]

'quintessentially' what the que is that a word

[InsaneApache]

'quintessentially' what the que is that a word

My good fellow, the word defines englishmen. Pip pip. :toff:

[Kadagar_AV]

I'd take "You look English" as quite the insult...

[Fisherking]

I'd take "You look English" as quite the insult...

:on_panda:yes, that too.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

I'd take "You look English" as quite the insult...

It would stick as an insult if the English looked anything like each other.

Actually - I think I've worked out why we have this reputation, because as a people we're not that bad looking. Oh, sure, we have too many people overweight, but I think it's the girls that let us down. Specifically, its not that they're bad looking it's that they lack poise.

French girls develop poise as teens - on average young French women appear more mature and are better presented than English women of the same age, but I'n not convinced they are, on average, actually prettier.

[Sigurd]

'quintessentially' what the que is that a word
quinta essentia : the fifth element...Superior to the classical 4 elements. Etymology is fun :sneaky:

[Fisherking]

... I think it's the girls that let us down. ...


My wife prides herself on being able to tell what country people are from by looking at them.

Physiology and dress mostly. She is exceptionally good at spotting Brits and Amies from their looks.

Now, I am not that good at it and I don’t know that much about the looks of men. I would not say that British men are any worse looking than most IMO. And I am not making a blanket statement about British women but the female British tourists I keep running across visiting Germany and Greece to a large percentage should have stayed home rather than embarrass their fellow countrymen.

You see couples with kids (usually ugly kids), and I think, the guy is not that bad, who put a gun to his head and made him marry that? At times I have wondered why Englishmen continue to breed. And I must say they are mostly English. Irish, Scotts, and Welsh women are usually much better. Why?

Everyone has different standards of beauty. And no country has a monopoly on ugly. I am just saying what I notice.

[Vladimir]

quinta essentia : the fifth element...Superior to the classical 4 elements. Etymology is fun :sneaky:

That's wrong. Everyone knows the fifth element is love.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

My wife prides herself on being able to tell what country people are from by looking at them.

Physiology and dress mostly. She is exceptionally good at spotting Brits and Amies from their looks.

Now, I am not that good at it and I don’t know that much about the looks of men. I would not say that British men are any worse looking than most IMO. And I am not making a blanket statement about British women but the female British tourists I keep running across visiting Germany and Greece to a large percentage should have stayed home rather than embarrass their fellow countrymen.

You see couples with kids (usually ugly kids), and I think, the guy is not that bad, who put a gun to his head and made him marry that? At times I have wondered why Englishmen continue to breed. And I must say they are mostly English. Irish, Scotts, and Welsh women are usually much better. Why?

Everyone has different standards of beauty. And no country has a monopoly on ugly. I am just saying what I notice.

I wouldn't disagree with any of that.

That leaves you with a conundrum though: how can you have a population that produces perfectly presentable men and unattractive women?

I would suggest that the women you see basically don't know how to look after themselves, they can't do their hair or their face, they can't control their weight and they don't know how to dress or how to move with a modicum of grace.

Are all English women like this?

Certainly not, but enough are that it has become a stereotype that people expect, so if you see a woman who is not these things, you might not realise she is English. Likewise, you wouldn't expect to see a short, dark haired, plump Swede.

[gaelic cowboy]

Heh, Brit, sure. I hear prods a lot for some reason. Funny thing happened in a pub in Belfast. I stopped to ask for directions - those interminable red-brick industrial revolution buildings all look the same to me. So the barman gives me the 'D'ya know whereuare, bua'y?' 'Whay don't ya go back across to your cuntry?' So I go 'Do you know what the best thing is to ever come out of Belfast?' He says 'What?' 'The road to Dublin.'

He didn't give me directions.

Ha I am reminded of some loyalists mobbing Blair shouting "Go Home" rather weakly it must be said, funny thing is according to there reasoning surely he was home.

[Fragony]

My wife prides herself on being able to tell what country people are from by looking at them.

Physiology and dress mostly. She is exceptionally good at spotting Brits and Amies from their looks.


So can I really, you would have to tattoe it on their head for it to being any less obvious.

[Greyblades]

Not much fun being on the recieving end of the nationality bashing, I must say.

[Fisherking]

Not much fun being on the recieving end of the nationality bashing, I must say.

No usually it is American. But everyone could get a dose of it now and again. Every country has its problems.

And if you will admit it, it’s usually the English doing the bashing, where you come from…but I doubt you ever made a jibe about others and sheep.

[Greyblades]

No usually it is American. But everyone could get a dose of it now and again. Every country has its problems.Eh? I didn't say it was usually english, or even to that effect.


]And if you will admit it, it’s usually the English doing the bashing, where you come from…Considering everyone where I come from is english that is techincally correct, but not on this forum as far as I've seen, it's usually Fragony doing it.

[Fisherking]

I’ll have to watch that.

I thought Frags just joined all the other pots when they are pointing out that the kettle is black.

[Fragony]

I’ll have to watch that.

I thought Frags just joined all the other pots when they are pointing out that the kettle is black.

I'll also do the white ones. If I can

[Vladimir]

I'll also do the white ones. If I can

Asians, Latins, he'll do them all!

[Fragony]

Asians, Latins, he'll do them all!

Which begs question, what fish are you interested in Fisherking.

[Fisherking]

Usually clown fish but sometimes a mega mouth shark sneaks in.

[Fragony]

Usually clown fish but sometimes a mega mouth shark sneaks in.

That's one way to put it

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

I’ll have to watch that.

I thought Frags just joined all the other pots when they are pointing out that the kettle is black.

Both Frags and Kadagar have a long history of telling us exactly what they think of British or English women.

Personally, I've always thought there's something mean about this particular jibe - English men have English wives, sisters, mothers and girlfriends. Being told our women are ugly is an insult by proxy, as opposed to "cheese eating surrender monkey" which can be countered just by punching the offending party.

It is without doubt true that there are a group of English women who lack grace, you only have to see them falling out of clubs drunk to know that, but that doesn't mean the majority of English women are uglier than continental women.

[Kadagar_AV]

Both Frags and Kadagar have a long history of telling us exactly what they think of British or English women.

Personally, I've always thought there's something mean about this particular jibe - English men have English wives, sisters, mothers and girlfriends. Being told our women are ugly is an insult by proxy, as opposed to "cheese eating surrender monkey" which can be countered just by punching the offending party.

It is without doubt true that there are a group of English women who lack grace, you only have to see them falling out of clubs drunk to know that, but that doesn't mean the majority of English women are uglier than continental women.

Soccer Euro Cup... Last one... Some months ago...

Sweden played England (this all to "Go West"):

English supporters: You'r shiiiiit, but your girls are fit, Your shiiiit, but your girls are fit!!
Swedish Supporters reply: Go hooooome, to your ugly wives, go hoooome, to your ugly wives...

I think the question of national beauty is larger than this forum ;)

But yeah, English girls are by and large a monstrosity in the eyes of this beholder. I grant you though, that once that blue moon hit the high tide the country occasionally produce something outrageously hot. And when you kick some old school upbringing into her, with all of the English cultural tradition as back up, the result is beyond anything I have seen outside of France or Italy.

The only girl I ever wanted to marry is English. So I can't trash the nation completely.

I do however see her appearance as something from the same logical thinking that explains why broken watches show the right time twice a day. And spending more time in England because of her, it only made my opinion that English girls are damn ugly and without class set in stone ;)

I guess that's why you still need to porn the kids out in school girl uniforms... Otherwise birth statistics would fall drastically. With THAT material to work with, I guess English men need some sort of sexual fantasy costume to get it on.

[rvg]

Everyone knows that the most beautiful women in the world hail from Poland and to the lesser degree, Russia.

[Kadagar_AV]

Everyone knows that the most beautiful women in the world hail from Poland and to the lesser degree, Russia.

Ukraine has some hotties as well....

However, I look at more than appearance.. femininity goes a long way too, and there Swedish girls are sadly lacking.

East state girls are GREAT at it, but, Italian and french girls are just the best :)

[Kadagar_AV]

Random:

Walking in Venice, I was somewhat lost and really hungry...

A female pretty cute cop walked by, so I very politely asked her if she knew where to get the best food around there. Her answer:

"Why? In my kitchen of course! You dear sir are insulting me as an Italian woman, but I will let it slip due to foreigners ignorance"


I was just.... I don't know. It would NEVER happen with a Swedish female cop. I was somewhere between flabbergasted and dead set to get an Italian GF...

[rvg]

Random:

Walking in Venice, I was somewhat lost and really hungry...

A female pretty cute cop walked by, so I very politely asked her if she knew where to get the best food around there. Her answer:

"Why? In my kitchen of course! You dear sir are insulting me as an Italian woman, but I will let it slip due to foreigners ignorance"


I was just.... I don't know. It would NEVER happen with a Swedish female cop. I was somewhere between flabbergasted and dead set to get an Italian GF...
Did she invite you over?

[Kadagar_AV]

Did she invite you over?

No :shame:

[drone]

Whenever the topic of English ladies comes up, I always think of this classic Simpsons clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGg29VoVq2A

When I lived in England, I was not really impressed by the local girls, but like Kadagar says, every now and then a stunner arises. I'm not too impressed with younger American girls these days either, the nation's obesity epidemic is taking it's toll and the "wholesomeness" quotient has dropped considerably as well. And get off my lawn...

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Soccer Euro Cup... Last one... Some months ago...

Sweden played England (this all to "Go West"):

English supporters: You'r shiiiiit, but your girls are fit, Your shiiiit, but your girls are fit!!
Swedish Supporters reply: Go hooooome, to your ugly wives, go hoooome, to your ugly wives...

I think the question of national beauty is larger than this forum ;)

And yet, my facebook friends list includes at least three girls who are basically hotness personified and English.

Out of, I don't know, 100 girls of varying nationalities.

Granted, of the hottest girls I have EVER known I think two were English and the others were various mixes, including one absolutely stunning Italian-Irish one.


But yeah, English girls are by and large a monstrosity in the eyes of this beholder. I grant you though, that once that blue moon hit the high tide the country occasionally produce something outrageously hot. And when you kick some old school upbringing into her, with all of the English cultural tradition as back up, the result is beyond anything I have seen outside of France or Italy.

The only girl I ever wanted to marry is English. So I can't trash the nation completely.

I do however see her appearance as something from the same logical thinking that explains why broken watches show the right time twice a day. And spending more time in England because of her, it only made my opinion that English girls are damn ugly and without class set in stone ;)

I guess that's why you still need to porn the kids out in school girl uniforms... Otherwise birth statistics would fall drastically. With THAT material to work with, I guess English men need some sort of sexual fantasy costume to get it on.

It's not the base material, believe me, it's the dressing. This is a national problem, so much so we have a TV show dedicated to it, on the BBC: Snog, Marry, Avoid

Oh, look - a clip: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00vwrkx

See?

It's fixable, she just needs a good shaking and being told that slutty =/= sexy.

[Kadagar_AV]

And yet, my facebook friends list includes at least three girls who are basically hotness personified and English.

Out of, I don't know, 100 girls of varying nationalities.

Granted, of the hottest girls I have EVER known I think two were English and the others were various mixes, including one absolutely stunning Italian-Irish one.



It's not the base material, believe me, it's the dressing. This is a national problem, so much so we have a TV show dedicated to it, on the BBC: Snog, Marry, Avoid

Oh, look - a clip: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00vwrkx

See?

It's fixable, she just needs a good shaking and being told that slutty =/= sexy.

Damn... Link failed, I guess because of international laws? And I really can't be bothered to find a UK proxy server for a 2min clip ;)

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Gotta love Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyUB0vLQ6LE

Start six minutes in - also note that this girl isn't even ethnically English, still has issues.

Edit:

Better example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=4XbLj5YWXB8&NR=1

[Kadagar_AV]

Gotta love Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyUB0vLQ6LE

Start six minutes in - also note that this girl isn't even ethnically English, still has issues.

Edit:

Better example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=4XbLj5YWXB8&NR=1

You know, I desperately wanted to drop in on a banana and diss you out of hand...

But all I can say is, Kudos for dissing your nationality ;)

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

You know, I desperately wanted to drop in on a banana and diss you out of hand...

But all I can say is, Kudos for dissing your nationality ;)

The point I'm making is I wouldn't touch these girls with a barge pole whilst in a hazmat suit, and I wouldn't need to because I could easily do miles better.

I mean, it's lamb dressed a mutton, it's crazy - we have girls here with peaches-and-cream complexions who inject hormones to force their bodies to produce more melanin. I actually tried to tell a couple of 21 year-olds a while back that if you have fair skin you'll look better without fake tans, completely death to the opinion of the (fairly) good looking older man.

[Strike For The South]

Better example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=4XbLj5YWXB8&NR=1

LEARN TO PRONOUNCE YOUR WORDS

The girl in the video

[Kadagar_AV]

The point I'm making is I wouldn't touch these girls with a barge pole whilst in a hazmat suit, and I wouldn't need to because I could easily do miles better.

I mean, it's lamb dressed a mutton, it's crazy - we have girls here with peaches-and-cream complexions who inject hormones to force their bodies to produce more melanin. I actually tried to tell a couple of 21 year-olds a while back that if you have fair skin you'll look better without fake tans, completely death to the opinion of the (fairly) good looking older man.

Well yeah... My ex fiance's sisters were a ballerina and a beauty therapist...

Just walking into the damn household I seriously considered to wear a tin foil hat to bounce some of my brain cells back as they made their great escape, much reminding me of the last scene of "Free Willy"...

[Kadagar_AV]

LEARN TO PRONOUNCE YOUR WORDS

Cool, A for repetition. But it should be "spell out your words", you know, the thing I often remind you of.

[Strike For The South]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1KSaUEu_T4

[Kadagar_AV]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1KSaUEu_T4

A+ for successfully copying a Muppet?

What are you aiming at here, and what or who, in your little world, would be your target audience?

[Hax]

I met a really hot girl from Lille, but I think she was a lesbian. Huh.

[Sigurd]

A+ for successfully copying a Muppet?

What are you aiming at here, and what or who, in your little world, would be your target audience?
Whaddayamean? This is exactly how Swedish sounds like to us... :sneaky:

[Fisherking]

Hum, maybe a Swede outwitted by a turtle?

Of course we know that all Swedes are not quite that dumb.

Swedes have given us some useful inventions, like dynamite, because the guy’s brother blew himself up. They brought us the 30 year war and other popular topics.

Geographically they occupy what could be called the armpit of the world.

They brought us the worlds first Ice Hotel and freeze-dried laundry. They make excellent mosquito repellent (for a reason). But then again they gave Norway its independence and allows them to award the Nobel Prize for Peace. Not the most favorable gifts.

[Fragony]

Hum, maybe a Swede outwitted by a turtle?

Of course we know that all Swedes are not quite that dumb.

Swedes have given us some useful inventions, like dynamite, because the guy’s brother blew himself up. They brought us the 30 year war and other popular topics.

Geographically the occupy what could be called the armpit of the world.

They brought us the worlds first Ice Hotel and freeze-dried laundry. They make excellent mosquito repellent (for a reason). But then again they gave Norway its independence and allows them to award the Nobel Prize for Peace. Not the most favorable gifts.

Don't forget surstromming https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iebNdCSqWmc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Which I'll just admit I like on dark bread and some pickles

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Whaddayamean? This is exactly how Swedish sounds like to us... :sneaky:

Swedish is a real language though - unlike Norwegian, which was cooked up in a bottle shortly after independence.

And yes - I've seen the Swedish/Norwegian/Danish linguistic relationship tables.

[Fisherking]

Don't forget surstromming https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iebNdCSqWmc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Which I'll just admit I like on dark bread and some pickles

Germans can't eat it?

Toxic Waste


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surstr%C3%B6mming

[Vladimir]

Down on the river walk? Why would you take a couple euro-weenies there? Right next door is a real american debauchery-fest.

The Hayatt? Maybe I'm just speaking from personal experience.

[Sigurd]

Swedish is a real language though - unlike Norwegian, which was cooked up in a bottle shortly after independence.

Only HoreTore speak Rigsmaal. We in the west kept our traditions.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Only HoreTore speak Rigsmaal. We in the west kept our traditions.

So... he really is a different kind of Norwegian.


:laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4:

[Fragony]

So... he really is a different kind of Norwegian.


:laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4:

I prefer non-standard

[Moros]

My wife prides herself on being able to tell what country people are from by looking at them.

Physiology and dress mostly. She is exceptionally good at spotting Brits and Amies from their looks.

It's funny how one can actually do that. Dutch are so recognisable for one. English, especially the women, as well. Which frankly aren't exactly my type either. But the easiest are Italians as you hear them already before you can see them.

Personally I wouldn't be flattered though. No offense British chaps.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

It's funny how one can actually do that. Dutch are so recognisable for one. English, especially the women, as well. Which frankly aren't exactly my type either. But the easiest are Italians as you hear them already before you can see them.

Personally I wouldn't be flattered though. No offense British chaps.

Yes, well the French have a bigger problem with their men.

Of course, this raises the question - if you see an attractive and well appointed young woman will you just assume she's not English?

I met a diminutive, dark haired, Danish girl once, I also knew a dark haired Swedish man I was in halls with in Uni, Swedish name - didn't look Swedish, wasn't very tall either.

[Moros]

Yes, well the French have a bigger problem with their men.

Of course, this raises the question - if you see an attractive and well appointed young woman will you just assume she's not English?

I met a diminutive, dark haired, Danish girl once, I also knew a dark haired Swedish man I was in halls with in Uni, Swedish name - didn't look Swedish, wasn't very tall either.

It's not just the hair colour I watch for but it also is for a little part about the sort of energy, but mostly about the face and shape of the head and of course the clothes. One can generally differentiate Dutch and English people soley on clothes in my eyes. It was even easier in the Britpop 90'ies. The Dutch as a people are just simply the worst dressers in this world. But shape of the head and face is the main thing for me. When it comes to Belgians I often can guess the region their from by the looks of them. Though of course modern transportation, globalisation and all are getting deal breakers. Still it's something I've been noticing since I was a child and usually my predictions are right. But I only make them when someone really shows some characteristics. Usually I just notice typical features of people from an area. Of course they're not shared by all but certain things seem to be more common in certain areas.

Maybe I'm weird or a bit loony. But I've always been observing this.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

It's not just the hair colour I watch for but it also is for a little part about the sort of energy, but mostly about the face and shape of the head and of course the clothes. One can generally differentiate Dutch and English people soley on clothes in my eyes. It was even easier in the Britpop 90'ies. The Dutch as a people are just simply the worst dressers in this world. But shape of the head and face is the main thing for me. When it comes to Belgians I often can guess the region their from by the looks of them. Though of course modern transportation, globalisation and all are getting deal breakers. Still it's something I've been noticing since I was a child and usually my predictions are right. But I only make them when someone really shows some characteristics. Usually I just notice typical features of people from an area. Of course they're not shared by all but certain things seem to be more common in certain areas.

Maybe I'm weird or a bit loony. But I've always been observing this.

No - I do it too.

[Catiline]

There is among the girls where I come from a definite tendency towards what's referred to as Bristol face.

[Ironside]

Swedes have given us some useful inventions, like dynamite, because the guy’s brother blew himself up. They brought us the 30 year war and other popular topics.


We did that American style, aka joining late and then pretend that we did it to save everyone else.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

There is among the girls where I come from a definite tendency towards what's referred to as Bristol face.

I've not heard that one before - and google is not being helpful.

[Fragony]

I've not heard that one before - and google is not being helpful.

You haven't been looking then, Bristol makes excellent drills if you are on a budget

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Can you convey the information in plain English - please?

[Sigurd]

Can you convey the information in plain English - please?
It could be he is referring to Makita power tools (including drills) being mainly distributed from Bristol, with Fastfix (main supplier in Europe). Makita power tools is however a Japanese brand.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

That doesn't explain the bit about ugly women, though.

[Vladimir]

That doesn't explain the bit about ugly women, though.

Something about pockmarked faces? Bag of hammers?

[Beskar]

Being honest, there is some what of a "class conscious" difference between people in Britain and the examples mostly being quoted are from working class council estates in comparison to typical middle class females. There is also culture differences where the 'lower classes' see Jordan (Katie Price) as the benchmark of "British Sexiest" which women should all aspire to (bigger = better mantra), whilst others see Kate Middleton as the "British Gal" (Classy Sexiness) and Samantha Cameron being an older version as the "British Woman".

[InsaneApache]

Carol Vorderman. Middlleaged hottie.

[Beskar]

Carol Vorderman. Middlleaged hottie.

Yes, that comes with the stereotypical "Classy British" along with Kate Middleton and Sam Cameron. Usually favourites for those with more working-middle-upper class tastes. Whilst the lower (non-working) orders love themselves that Jordan.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Being honest, there is some what of a "class conscious" difference between people in Britain and the examples mostly being quoted are from working class council estates in comparison to typical middle class females. There is also culture differences where the 'lower classes' see Jordan (Katie Price) as the benchmark of "British Sexiest" which women should all aspire to (bigger = better mantra), whilst others see Kate Middleton as the "British Gal" (Classy Sexiness) and Samantha Cameron being an older version as the "British Woman".

I'll freely put my hand up as someone who thinks SamCam is quite attractive - although she's a bit too old for me.

Beyond that, this was my point - the "British" girls people see are very visible, but they're risible even here. They don't define what is sexy - the women who do are generally considered attractive across the Western world.

There are some excellent shots of Carla Bruni scowling at Samantha Cameron, and I'm sure everyone remembers the sensation Pippa Middleton's, ahem, dress caused.

Then we have Kiera Knightly, Karen Gillan...

[Vladimir]

Karen is Scottish, is she not? I thought we were talking English women, not Scot or Welsh.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Karen is Scottish, is she not? I thought we were talking English women, not Scot or Welsh.

Yeah...

We really aren't.

Scotland and Wales produce just as many munters, Cardiff and Glasgow are two of the ugliest cities when it comes to women.

Indeed - that Snog, Marry, Avoid program I posted regularly visits both.

[drone]

Then we have Kiera Knightly, Karen Gillan...
Kate Beckinsale.

[Vladimir]

Kate Beckinsale.

I AM HAVING A CRISIS!!!

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Kate Beckinsale.

It's also worth pointing out that while we did gift the world Katie Price (she was actually gorgeous originally) we also do a good line in slim, busty, good looking girls willing to get their kit off - who haven't had plastic surgery.

Kelly Brook is a good example, I still fancy her, actually you just need to look at the number of English girls who have been posted in the babe thread.

A quick google provided this, http://www.therichest.org/entertainment/most-beautiful-british-celebrities-2011/

"most beautiful British female celebrities 2011"

Perplexingly, the list lacks Kate Winslet, Karen Gillan and others you would think were a shoe-in, but includes Bille Piper and Emma Watson.

[Papewaio]

So the rule of thumb to be OK from the UK requires a name with a hard K sound.

I'm sure like most English rules it's not anywhere near universal.

[Major Robert Dump]

I find this entire thread incredibly racist against British people and especially racist against ugly women. Pls lock.

[Greyblades]

Perplexingly, the list lacks Kate Winslet, Karen Gillan and others you would think were a shoe-in, but includes Bille Piper and Emma Watson.

?
I kinda like Emma Watson.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

?
I kinda like Emma Watson.

Would you describe her as the third most beautiful British actress of last year?

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

So the rule of thumb to be OK from the UK requires a name with a hard K sound.

I'm sure like most English rules it's not anywhere near universal.

Hmmm.

You may be on to something there, the most gorgeous girl I know personally has a name that begins "Ca".

[Greyblades]

Would you describe her as the third most beautiful British actress of last year?

Depends on the mood, I certainly would describe here as more deserving than Kate Winslet and Karen Gillan.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Depends on the mood, I certainly would describe here as more deserving than Kate Winslet and Karen Gillan.

I know you're a few years younger than me - so maybe it's an age thing - but I would describe her as cute and, crucially, lacking poise.

Like Kristen Stewart in that respect.

Hotter than Kate Winslet though - no, not for at least another decade.

[Greyblades]

Kate Winslet 1997? Yeah definitely, 2011? Not so much.

Speaking of Kristen stewart, pretty to look at but her part in Twilight colour's how I see her.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Kate Winslet 1997? Yeah definitely, 2011? Not so much.

Speaking of Kristen stewart, pretty to look at but her part in Twilight colour's how I see her.

Let me put it this way - she looked better than Thompson at 21, and Thompson won't look as good at 36.

While we're on the subject of age - Lexa Doig is nearly 40, how's that for aging well?

[Strike For The South]

Then we have Kiera Knightly

MINE

[Vladimir]

MINE

She must remind you of Louis.

[Fragony]

Kate Winslet 1997? Yeah definitely, 2011? Not so much.

Disagree, she's still hot

[Greyblades]

Disagree, she's still hot
Oh undoubtably, but she's no longer quite on the level of the newest generation of 20 something female celebs.

[Fragony]

Oh undoubtably, but she's no longer quite on the level of the newest generation of 20 something female celebs.

Matter of taste, I'll take these curves of Kate Winslet over any. I like a bit of meat on the bones

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Oh undoubtably, but she's no longer quite on the level of the newest generation of 20 something female celebs.

The point is, she's epic hotness nurtured in this Green and Pleasant Land, your failure to present a united front on this issue is disappointing.

Anyway - I think we've established that Britain produces many, many, extremely hot women and if that's true then the average woman can't be that​ bad.

[Kadagar_AV]

The point is, she's epic hotness nurtured in this Green and Pleasant Land, your failure to present a united front on this issue is disappointing.

Anyway - I think we've established that Britain produces many, many, extremely hot women and if that's true then the average woman can't be that​ bad.

I wouldn't reach that conclusion...

A) I always said that the BEST girls of England is damn classy and hot... However, they are far far far from being in majority. So on average, English girls are still rather ugly.

B) The fact that we can mention so many English hot girls, is because they STAND OUT.... Being a hot girl in Sweden, well, there is a dozen more like you, just in the same bar. If you are a hot girl in England, people would travel for hours just to have a glimpse, and it's customary to warn local authorities when hot girls plan to visit a town (riot control and stuff).

[gaelic cowboy]

I wouldn't reach that conclusion...

A) I always said that the BEST girls of England is damn classy and hot... However, they are far far far from being in majority. So on average, English girls are still rather ugly.

B) The fact that we can mention so many English hot girls, is because they STAND OUT.... Being a hot girl in Sweden, well, there is a dozen more like you, just in the same bar. If you are a hot girl in England, people would travel for hours just to have a glimpse, and it's customary to warn local authorities when hot girls plan to visit a town (riot control and stuff).


is it not the case though that continental women catch up in the roughness stakes as they get older.

Seems to me the brit lads essentially wont have such a shock 20yr down the road, when there life turns into some kind of Al Bundy style sitcom.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk-4vZy2btY&feature=fvwrel

[Kadagar_AV]

is it not the case though that continental women catch up in the roughness stakes as they get older.

Seems to me the brit lads essentially wont have such a shock 20yr down the road, when there life turns into some kind of Al Bundy style sitcom.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk-4vZy2btY&feature=fvwrel

Well, my father always did warn me that with Italian girls, you absolutely NEED to check out the mother... Because some swell up like balloons once they have the ring on...

[rvg]

Well, my father always did warn me that with Italian girls, you absolutely NEED to check out the mother... Because some swell up like balloons once they have the ring on...

On the flip side, they also tend to be the better cooks.

[Kadagar_AV]

On the flip side, they also tend to be the better cooks.

undoubtedly so.

That's another thing with English girls, they have absolutely no idea how to cook. Deep fried fish with soggy freedom fries is like the height of their culinary evolution.

Fortunately though, with all the Indian immigration they have the best Indian food in Europe... So I at least don't have to starve when I do English girls.

[gaelic cowboy]

On the flip side, they also tend to be the better cooks.

prob why they end up in the same aisle of the larger size shop eventually

[rvg]

prob why they end up in the same aisle of the larger size shop eventually

"Honey, you really need to lose some... Oh, is that parmigiana? I love you."

[Kadagar_AV]

I think that one of my main gripes with English girls, however, is that they are sooo derived of contact with the rest of Europe.

It almost feels like American girls, you know, you want to correct them, but then you don't want to come off as a beberwiber...

*and the expression beberwiber comes from an occasion when I had the ill fortune of trying to explain to English girls that no, ß and B is actually not the same thing. Yes they do look alike. Yes, other languages are stupid and everyone should just learn the correct alphabet.*

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

undoubtedly so.

That's another thing with English girls, they have absolutely no idea how to cook. Deep fried fish with soggy freedom fries is like the height of their culinary evolution.

Fortunately though, with all the Indian immigration they have the best Indian food in Europe... So I at least don't have to starve when I do English girls.

OK - now I know we aren't talking about the same girls

My sister - oh good God "Philip, why can't you cook anything other than sausages and baked potatoes?"

She also bakes, and does cross-stitches for fun.

I think it's you Kadagar - you can only attract the working-class slags!

No - I jest - but I don't know a woman who would cook Fish and Chips over a full Sunday Roast with all the trimmings. Anyway - Swedish cooking is all fat and mustard, or herring and offal.

Of course - it's always possible that in addition to being charming and witty I'm also actually a lot better looking than I think I am, and so all me female friends are just a lot hotter than average. Yeah, that's crossed my mind before.

[Rhyfelwyr]

Of course - it's always possible that in addition to being charming and witty I'm also actually a lot better looking than I think I am, and so all me female friends are just a lot hotter than average. Yeah, that's crossed my mind before.

Pics or it didn't happen.

Even as a UK resident, I have nothing to add here since I never leave the two dumps in which I have lived, and seem to live in some sort of bubble where nobody my own sort of age exists.

And as for the cooking side of things, here in Scotland a balanced meal is a deep-fried pizza, followed by a deep-fried mars bar, and a pack of Haribo if you're going for one of your five a day. We do not appreciate the finer cuisines.

[gaelic cowboy]

if you're going for one of your five a day. We do not appreciate the finer cuisines.

you know the big laugh is that five a day thing was made up too

[Strike For The South]

Scotland is Mississippi

[Rhyfelwyr]

Scotland is Mississippi

It's the Scots Irish connection, remember...

[InsaneApache]

you know the big laugh is that five a day thing was made up too

As was the units for alcohol. Plucked out of thin air. Then they pass laws trying to make you pay so much £s for a 'unit' of alcohol they'd just made up.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

As was the units for alcohol. Plucked out of thin air. Then they pass laws trying to make you pay so much £s for a 'unit' of alcohol they'd just made up.

Not actually true in either case, a "unit" is an arbitrary figure, but it is used in a concrete way to measure the amount of alcohol in something in a standard way. The size of a unit of alcohol is "plucked out of thin air" in the same way as a standard mile, but I don't hear you complaining about those.

"Five a day" is a simple and very crude way of saying "have some orange juice or apple juice for breakfast, a piece of fruit at 11, some lettuce in your sandwich and carrots and cabbage with dinner. The whole point was to get people thinking about how much fruit and veg they actually eat, or don't.

So - to let IA feel smug about something, let me leave you with this thought: If Scotland is Mississippi, Yorkshire is Texas.

[InsaneApache]

I would feel smug if I were a Yorkshireman. Alas I am a Lancastrian.

[gaelic cowboy]

"Five a day" is a simple and very crude way of saying "have some orange juice or apple juice for breakfast, a piece of fruit at 11, some lettuce in your sandwich and carrots and cabbage with dinner. The whole point was to get people thinking about how much fruit and veg they actually eat, or don't.

No the point was the jingle from the big clonglomorette fruit and veg companies worked better if it was 5 a day.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

No the point was the jingle from the big clonglomorette fruit and veg companies worked better if it was 5 a day.

...or the government public service announcements would work better.

There's a "conspiracy" and there's common cause and common sense.

[InsaneApache]

There's a "conspiracy" and there's common cause and common sense.

Not to mention Common Purpose.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Not to mention Common Purpose.

IA - we're talking about getting people to eat more fruit.

I'm not going to get worked up.

[Sigurd]

We "stole" the good looking ones a millenia ago... But we let a few seeds remain for a second round.

[Fragony]

We "stole" the good looking ones a millenia ago... But we let a few seeds remain for a second round.

That is why Scandinavian women are so pretty, all the good ones longboat-> Scandinavia. It also explains the condition of those who were left behind. But I would never bring that up.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

We "stole" the good looking ones a millenia ago... But we let a few seeds remain for a second round.

Northerners are basically Norse though - yet not​ attractive.

[InsaneApache]

:stare:

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

:stare:

Rewind the thread - you'll see what I'm talking about.

I mean, "Scouse Brow" WTH?

[Sigurd]

Northerners are basically Norse though - yet not​ attractive.
They used to be :beam:
And you have a few of them we left behind, like whatshername... Cheryl Ann Tweedy.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

They used to be :beam:
And you have a few of them we left behind, like whatshername... Cheryl Ann Tweedy.

So you're saying it's the climate

Actually - there might be something in that - Norse girls spend six months of the year getting almost no UV radiation.

[InsaneApache]

The north of England is very different to the south. Place names, customs, accents and dialects. We have more Norse words than the south. A lot more.

An anecdote: In the north it is usual to say ta for thankyou. In Norse I believe it's tak.

[Fragony]

The north of England is very different to the south. Place names, customs, accents and dialects. We have more Norse words than the south. A lot more.

An anecdote: In the north it is usual to say ta for thankyou. In Norse I believe it's tak.

Mange tak in fact

[Sigurd]

Norse: Þakka (thank (verb)), Þôkk (thanks)

Norwegian: Takke , takk
Swedish: Tacka, tack
Danish: Takke, tak

The letter Þ has a "th" sound...

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

THORNS!

*Vibrates with linguistic excitement.*

Indeed - the political and Economic divide between North and South roughly follows the line of the Dane Law, the boundary agreed between Guthrum and Alfred after the former converted to Christianity and became Athelstan.

More to the point, all of England is essentially a Nordic country that got mugged by the French, the original Anglo-Saxons being really much more the first wave of immigration from Scandanavia rather that from Germany.

[Rhyfelwyr]

the political and Economic divide between North and South roughly follows the line of the Dane Law

There can't be a direct link there, surely?

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

There can't be a direct link there, surely?

Compare the maps.

Think about it - political disenfranchisement started when Wessex and the Wessex Kings gained control of the Dane Law. The Dane Law was administered differently, people spoke Anglo-Norse instead of West Saxon or Mercian and the laws and customs were different. The area was gradually being absorbed culturally and politically until 1066 when the Norman invasion removed the native Civil Service and effectively froze Northern Development.

The North was not re-oganised until 1972, when the historic Duchies were deliberately broken up into the modern counties.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Government_Act_1972

Take particular note of Yorkshire - its size and political clout prior to reform.

Ask yourself this - why is London the Capital City of England? It's a horrible, smelly, damp bog with a wretched climate that makes people ill.

It's not the trade links - I can tell you that.

[Rhyfelwyr]

Hmm. idk, I'm just skeptical because I would have thought that the Danelaw distinction became insignificant in the wake of the Norman invasions. Didn't it erase Saxon culture? Norman names became the norm overnight etc? Also, the map on wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danelaw)at least doesn't seem to correspond to well with the modern north-south divide, indeed London itself it included in the Danelaw.

As for London, I've been reading the Tribes of Britain book and London just seems to have developed as the most populous city, even by the time of the Conquest. It must be trade surely - there wasn't a capital as such for centuries after the conquest and the first capital was Winchester, so it can't be all down to its political importance.

I always just presumed the north-south thing was more a legacy of industrialisation, with the north obviously being more based on heavy industry and then getting hit harder when it declined.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Hmm. idk, I'm just skeptical because I would have thought that the Danelaw distinction became insignificant in the wake of the Norman invasions. Didn't it erase Saxon culture? Norman names became the norm overnight etc? Also, the map on wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danelaw)at least doesn't seem to correspond to well with the modern north-south divide, indeed London itself it included in the Danelaw.

No, not really. This was only true at the upper levels - we have good evidence that within a generation Norman knights were speaking English, which makes sense given that they would have had English mothers.

The Normans settled in the West Saxe and Mercia, because that was where power was centred - the Great Magnates in the North actually initially had more English than Norman vassals, which only changed after a series of rebellions.

If you look at the modern map what you see is that the entirety of the "modern" North is within the Danelaw - the reason for that is that the Magnates continued to spend money made in the North, in the South. The people in the North were considered unpleasant, uncultured and uncouth - that's because they weren't as English as the people in the South.

Compare the stereotypical Devon farmer with the stereotypical Yorkshire farmer. The one is a likable cider swilling oath, the other is a fractious, miserly, drunken malcontent.


As for London, I've been reading the Tribes of Britain book and London just seems to have developed as the most populous city, even by the time of the Conquest. It must be trade surely - there wasn't a capital as such for centuries after the conquest and the first capital was Winchester, so it can't be all down to its political importance.

It's not trade - think about the European Capitals, many of them are second or even third cities. It's all about Politics. London is the mythical Roman metropolis - Londinium, seat of the original Christian mission to the Saxons, ruined until repopulated by Alfred (Saxons wouldn't live there, they lived outside the walls). Winchester might have been settled by the Romans, but it's a Saxon city - small, leafy, wide open streets, the sight of Alfred's great church, his centre of learning, and a stone's throw from where the kings were actually crowned, a tiny village I can't remember the name of.

Winton Ceaster means "the town with the White Walls" in Old English.


I always just presumed the north-south thing was more a legacy of industrialisation, with the north obviously being more based on heavy industry and then getting hit harder when it declined.

The divide is the result of Northern disenfranchisement, which is why it was allowed to collapse after industrialisation.

[Rhyfelwyr]

No, not really. This was only true at the upper levels - we have good evidence that within a generation Norman knights were speaking English, which makes sense given that they would have had English mothers.

The Normans settled in the West Saxe and Mercia, because that was where power was centred - the Great Magnates in the North actually initially had more English than Norman vassals, which only changed after a series of rebellions.

If you look at the modern map what you see is that the entirety of the "modern" North is within the Danelaw - the reason for that is that the Magnates continued to spend money made in the North, in the South. The people in the North were considered unpleasant, uncultured and uncouth - that's because they weren't as English as the people in the South.

I'm a little confused as to what you mean by 'English' here. I had the same problem with the Tribes of Britain book, without mention the definition of whatever 'English' means changes with time. When you talk about the mangates in the north having more 'English' (as opposed to Norman) vassals, would this mean Saxons or Norse? It is confusing, IIRC the book made the same distinction between English and Normans, only for the Normans to suddenly become English when planting Wales and Ireland.

But then you say the people in the north weren't seen as being as English as those in the south. Does this mean that now Normans and Saxons are the English, and the Norse not?

Maybe that's not what you meant, idk.


Compare the stereotypical Devon farmer with the stereotypical Yorkshire farmer. The one is a likable cider swilling oath, the other is a fractious, miserly, drunken malcontent.

How old is that stereotype though? It just sounds like it might be somewhat recent because in these urbanised times we tend to really stereotype country folk. Although I get the impression that a lot of stereotypes about the northerners are positive - that they are more friendly etc.


It's not trade - think about the European Capitals, many of them are second or even third cities. It's all about Politics. London is the mythical Roman metropolis - Londinium, seat of the original Christian mission to the Saxons, ruined until repopulated by Alfred (Saxons wouldn't live there, they lived outside the walls). Winchester might have been settled by the Romans, but it's a Saxon city - small, leafy, wide open streets, the sight of Alfred's great church, his centre of learning, and a stone's throw from where the kings were actually crowned, a tiny village I can't remember the name of.

I can't really think of any European capitals that are second or third cities, that seems to be more a New World phenomenon (Ottawa, Canberra, Washington etc). Bern might be a second city to Zurich? I guess Edinburgh is secondary to Glasgow, if you count that.

I wasn't aware of Londinium's symbolic significance, IIRC Camolodunum was the more important city in Roman times. Is there any evidence to suggest that this symbolic importance led to it being settled more extensively?


The divide is the result of Northern disenfranchisement, which is why it was allowed to collapse after industrialisation.

Besides the legacy of being a backwater in Norman times, how recent is this Northern disenfranchisement (maybe you will say Thatcher?!)? How would you say it manifested itself once England became a more unified kingdom? Was the North well enough represented with MP's (I have no idea)?

[Tellos Athenaios]

I can't really think of any European capitals that are second or third cities, that seems to be more a New World phenomenon (Ottawa, Canberra, Washington etc). Bern might be a second city to Zurich? I guess Edinburgh is secondary to Glasgow, if you count that.

EDIT: My mistake. It depends whether or not you consider metropolitan area. Perhaps, Philip was looking from a historical perspective, in that case the HRE would prove a good starting point.

[Fragony]

THORNS!

*Vibrates with linguistic excitement.*

Indeed - the political and Economic divide between North and South roughly follows the line of the Dane Law, the boundary agreed between Guthrum and Alfred after the former converted to Christianity and became Athelstan.

More to the point, all of England is essentially a Nordic country that got mugged by the French, the original Anglo-Saxons being really much more the first wave of immigration from Scandanavia rather that from Germany.

Nah, from Germany, just below Denmark http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Saxons

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Nah, from Germany, just below Denmark http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Saxons

If you're talking about Saxons, yes, but not Geats.


Rhy - Roman London:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_London

Also, you should look up the Bretonic Celts who came with William the Bastard.

As to "who are the English" the answer is, everyone in England from the perspective of anyone outside.

Inside England, it varies.

IA is basically a Viking as far as I'm concerned - he's basically the same as Sigurd and Viking.:yes:

[InsaneApache]

IA is basically a Viking as far as I'm concerned - he's basically the same as Sigurd and Viking.

Actually it's a bit better than that. My RL name is Norman for someone living near a hill.

[Fragony]

Actually it's a bit better than that. My RL name is Norman for someone living near a hill.

You ARE probably of viking descent then. Your ancestors looted the UK. How could you, I just want to know why