What makes the British British ?

Good aspects: Usually very tolerant. An amazing capacity to make the best of bad situations. Very good at thinking laterally.

Bad aspects: Being slightly ramshackle. Being a bit loud in public. Younger specimens - often covered in tattoos, earrings, and pretension. Drinking beer out of bottles. Wearing socks with sandals.

Arranging to have a picnic and then, when it rains, laying a plastic tablecloth on the dining room floor and having an indoor picnic instead! Can't disappoint the DGCs

Being far more polite to strangers than we feel like being. Also, even though we may be showing more emotion, it's still not nearly as much as many other races/countries.

Self-deprecating. Apart from people writing out job applications.

Not being good at introducing ourselves to strangers.

I think we are an optimistic race, despite the grumbling.

We are very tolerant and easy-going on the whole, apart from a few pockets of racists and bigots.

not wanting to make a fuss 'in public'
being happy with small things [Bill Bryson wrote in one of his books 'that he knew he was becoming British [after living here for a few years] when after a rainy cold day at the seaside, he went into a cafe and heard himself saying, ooh, lovely, when the waitress plonked down a cup of tea and a scone on the table.'
Saying 'How are you' to a neighbour in passing, [and not wanting to be told.]
Grumbling, we are all gold medallists at it!

We can laugh at ourselves
We know how to make a perfect cup of tea
The weather tends not to stop us if we really want to do something
The weather is something worth talking about - repeatedly
An appreciation of irony
If we get angry, we don't become physical but will write a very stern letter
As time has marched, we are not so anal about imperfections in others

Not so prevalent these days, though, Charleygirl! (See 'Too Much Emotion?' thread)

Stiff upper lip

Is there nothing good that makes us British?

I should also add: bare chested males with large beer bellies turning lobster-red in the sunshine. I used to see a lot of these at cricket matches when my son was an enthusiast.

Agree Kitty ability to laugh at ourselves. I often do.

Rolled up trousers, socks with sandles and knotted corner hankies on head (men of course)

Tiny shorts, crop tops and belly button rings.... with Ugg boots?

We don't take ourselves too seriously!

It used to be umbrellas a bowler hats!!

Nankate it is usually the younger people , NOT Seniors.
I think they look quite nice, what with the coloured hair etc, if they cannot do these things when they are young, they will never be able to !

Queueing!

Saying "sorry" when someone bumps into you.