One thing I find about a lot of the British !!!boy do they complain !!! about the weather,bus system,trains, etc,etc,etc, I was there last year & I really had to laugh I went through the whole day once counting "complaints" ( they were numerous) When I asked one soul "What are you doing about it?" he laughed & said Complaining"
You need to understand the British psyche to know why we complain. It's our way of being friendly!
When a Brit starts a conversation with a stranger, he's looking to establish 3 things:
1. Common ground.
2. A get out for himself.
3. A get out for you. (We really are that considerate)
The common ground will usually be the weather. It's hot, it's cold , it's wet, it's dry, it's windy, it's mild. This gives you the opportunity to either agree, mention that it's not as hot, cold, wet, dry windy or mild as it was this time yesterday. At that point the conversation can either finish or continue, either way no-one will feel snubbed or slighted, and from such small beginnings can great friendships be made. Our complaints are conversation starters.
This, folks, is our way of being hospitable to you, the overseas visitor!
Englishman.