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Dunkirk Spirit
British people love the underdog who triumphs over adversity. Going back to the second world war when British and allied troops were overwhelmed by German troops at Dunkirk, but still managed to get a fair number of soldiers back to safety, there is still great pride in managing to come away with some success when facing seemingly insurmountable problems. Examples of “The Dunkirk Spirit” over the years include,
Food rationing did not end until 1954 in the UK. Consequently, you had to make to do with what you had – there was nothing else forthcoming. The Government urged people to “Dig For Victory”, in other words, grow your own food.
When the price of oil went from $3 in 1973 to $12 in 1974, there had to be a huge adjustment in the living standards of British people. Large, oil-guzzling cars were turned in for smaller, more economic models. Oil central heating was taken out and replaced with gas.
In 1974, when the government was at loggerheads with the National Union of Miners, concerns about coal production levels, and a work to rule by the NUM meant the politicians, rather than risk coal stocks being depleted, ordered a three day working week, restrictions on street lighting, and daily power cuts. It was a surprise to some that many UK residents felt that the prohibitions had actually brought them closer together rather than cause hardship.
Terrorist attacks in the UK, mainly in London, in 2017, again made “The Dunkirk Spirit” resurface. The population were determined that they would not change their routines in the light of the attacks. Concerts were organised to show solidarity and respect to victims. The internet was flooded with messages of defiance and the need to not be affected by the actions of extremists.
When The Lights Went Out
Food
The most distinctive of British meals is the full English Breakfast, consisting of, mushrooms, baked beans, two fried eggs, bacon, black pudding, toast and a pot of tea. (For the uninitiated, black pudding is made of pork fat or beef suet, pork blood and a relatively high proportion of oatmeal. Yes, pork blood!) As, obviously, it takes a long time to prepare, most people will cook such a huge meal only at weekends, or more likely, wait to go on holiday in the UK and go to hotels who advertise the morning feast as part of their tariff.
Fish and Chips
For many years Fish and Chips was the most popular dish in the UK. Many communities had one, two or even three “Chippies” or Chip Shops where you could go and buy fresh supplies of the nation's favourite meal. But, in recent times, Indian Curry Houses have challenged the monopoly of the “Chippies”. By and large it seems that Curry Restaurants are in the ascendancy and Chip Shops in decline.
Tea
Since colonial times, tea has been a huge part of the British way of life. If there is an emergency or a difficult conversation to take place, a strong cup of tea will smooth the way.
But if there is time for a more measured approach, tea can be drunk with biscuits, (digestive are preferred) or small cakes, or a mixture of both. This is often turned into something ceremonial and called “High Tea”.
Connoisseurs of tea argue about whether the milk should be put in before the tea is poured, or after. As far back as 1946, Dr. Stapley of Loughborough University, UK, established, scientifically, that tea tastes better if the milk is put in first.
The type of tea used is also something that gets brew-makers talking. These days teabags predominate. Not many supermarkets stock “loose” tea. But high-level-tea-lovers insist that teabags are just the remnants of the tea sorting process in a factory. It is only when you have full–leaf tea, that the full flavour comes out.
Recommendations for brewing, or letting the drink stand hover at between three and five minutes. If you are using loose tea, one level teaspoon of tea for each person to take refreshment.
Tea drinking on the less formal of occasions can be drunk from a mug. But when entertaining important visitors the china tea set comes out of storage.
For many years, there used to be the art of telling fortunes from the tea left in a cup. With teabags so much in evidence,the art of tasseography seems to have died off.
Up to the mid-1960's, Lyons Tea Houses were a popular place to drink the nation's favourite beverage.
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