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British reticence

(37 Posts)
Greyduster Mon 31-Aug-15 13:14:49

You must have gone to Bolsover on a day when there was a very quiet crowd, vq! Most years when we've been they have been very vociferous (GS's and I included), cheering for their chosen champions! I agree with you about engaging the re-enactors in conversation though; not many do, although I suspect they would like to ask questions but are afraid of sounding daft. I had a very interesting conversation about longbows last year. It's what these guys (and gals) like best, to be able to show their knowledge as well as their skills. The jousting is some of the best you will see anywhere and it's a great location.

Elrel Mon 31-Aug-15 12:38:41

Ah, got it!!

Elrel Mon 31-Aug-15 12:38:15

wink

Elrel Mon 31-Aug-15 12:37:27

wink

Elrel Mon 31-Aug-15 12:35:52

Annsixty - ok you are 3 years older than I am! I was thinking back to 60 and that I was more worried about standing out then. As child, and for many years afterwards, I worried that 'people might look at me' a lot of the time. We're all different is what it comes down to, perhaps!

Anya Mon 31-Aug-15 11:33:50

Am I right in thinking you are a retired teacher VQ ? As such you have to be a bit of a performer and you get so used to doing daft things (in the name of keeping pupils on task) that hollering and whooping is second nature.

Good on you for getting out flowers

annsixty Mon 31-Aug-15 10:37:29

Elrel I'm 78 when do you think it will happen for me? grin

Elrel Mon 31-Aug-15 10:36:07

I intended a winking emoticon but it's become two little squares. ;-)

Elrel Mon 31-Aug-15 10:34:45

Plenty of participation at Gladitorial Games out of doors at the Guildhall in London. Once we'd been told the correct hand movement and Latin words most people entered into the spirit of it!
Annsixty - I wouldn't have been so enthusiastic to draw attention to myself years ago but now find I rarely care. Maybe it came with age ��

soontobe Mon 31-Aug-15 10:31:36

I dont know. I think it is part of humility which is a good thing.
But not speaking out when required to do so[I am thinking of more serious situations], isnt helpful either.

I suppose one generation brings up their family in a certain way, and we then just pass it on and do the same.

annsixty Mon 31-Aug-15 10:22:38

Good for you vq but I will admit I would have been a follower and not a leader. I hate having attention brought to me and I think that is inbuilt in me

vampirequeen Mon 31-Aug-15 09:47:21

Yesterday we went to a mediaeval day at Bolsover Castle. Since I decided to grow down and do things that I used to be worried about, I was chatting away to the re-enactors when I realised that there were very few visitors actually instigating conversations but once one had started a small crowd gathered to listen. It dawned on me that it was the British thing about not drawing attention to yourself or not wanting to bother people even though the re-enactors love to talk to visitors.

The jousting was fantastic but again no matter how much the commentator tried to entice the crowd to cheer very few in our area did. Well until we started. It was really weird to sit with so many excited but silent people. Apart from the odd subdued, "Ooooh," people didn't get involved. We didn't feel constrained to be quiet esp when the Knight of the North was taking part. Oddly once we'd started whooping and hollering there was a ripple effect around us as if by drawing attention to ourselves it made it OK for others to join in and everyone enjoyed the freedom to be noisy.

What is it about the British that makes us so reticent in situations where it would be totally acceptable to be loud and excited?