"British Dream - what is it?" Topic

This is about language. Yes, I'm going to try and keep the right side of the politics rule – and hopefully not too hard because no-one cares about UK politics here ! .

One UK politician (and it doesn't matter who) used the phrase "the British Dream" 24 times in a recent speech.

Thing is – no-one knows what this is. The American Dream : sure – come to the States as a penniless immigrant and build a life for yourself and in two generation your grandchild is the president. The American Dream – anything is possible.

We don't have a universally accepted image for a British Dream. I don't have ANY image for this new concept. Any suggestions?

If we could stay nice and non-political….

To crush your enemies. See them driven before you. And to hear the lamentations of their women?

Prince Rupert of the Rhine – Isn't that the British middle class status quo? American television tells me it is.

Sadly no this is more typical British

Hmmm….I'm not convinced being born into landed heredity gentry is something I can actually dream of doing….there's a bit of an unmovable obstacle in the way of that plan.

The second option – again not really something to aspire to.

I had seen this suggested :

But that really is a dream…they don't make it anymore !

Etotheipi: which American TV shows are you referring to?

I thought it involved a cottage in the countryside converted into a B&B and a wicker man in the back yard …

Most British dreams involve standing in a queue and suddenly realising you're naked….

Seriously though, said politician was talking bollox. There never has been a 'British Dream' in the same way there is an 'American Dream'. Some idiot speechwriter probably thought it sounded cool. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that they are now an ex-speechwriter!

To get the Empire back together?

I can still buy Cadbury's Dream! Obviously the motherland has fallen on hard times!!!!

Interesting question. I think you have to have a dream/national idenity for a society to function to its highest level. This is probably a question that should be directed to the citizens of the subject country, to get serious answers, instead of all us outsiders.

Dave

PS: It also requires deeper thought than you are going to get here. Unless you are looking for humorous answers.

One UK politician (and it doesn't matter who) used the phrase "the British Dream" 24 times in a recent speech.

Actually, it's very relevant as May is the only one who actually seems to think there is a "British Dream" and it's part of her political agenda of distraction at the moment.

But there is no such thing in the British psyche, no matter how much May says so (it's the new "Strong and Stable").

Stone mountain….I am British. My post was written from a British perspective.

As for serious answers, well. We are all aware of the concept of 'The American Dream'. There simply is no such comparable thing in Britain. If you are looking for a British national identity, then NOT taking things seriously and making humorous comments is probably as close as you're going to get to said identity…

"Why, to beat the French," said the Duke of Wellington.

Went to Britain in the Spring (is there any other time to go?) and loved the place. Of course, we avoided all of the wrong places just as we would have here in the states. Lovely people, beautiful country. Thinking about going back, this time to Nottingham and the north.
So sue me if I said anything politically incorrect!

Avoid Nottingham. Visit Yorkshire. September is usually a very nice month.

Thanks, deephorse. September is actually my favorite month for travel.