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Language: Its more related to languages of western and northern europe (german, dutch, danish, icelandic, norwegian), however it has far more influences from southern europe than any of those other languages do, specially influences from french and latin.
Culture: British culture seems to be highly competitive and individualistic, which is a contrast with the more egalitarian and uniform cultures of Scandinavia, The Netherlands and Even Germany (to lesser extent) where there is also highly productive working culture but higher emphasis in collective goals as opposed to the clear focus on personal success as is the case in the UK .
Ethnic Origins: Opposed to the popular culture myths, most origins of modernday British Islanders originate from the atlantic seaboard, which used to be the ancient brythonic tribes homeland, which were related to ancient basques and atlantic french populations. The anglo-saxon, norman, viking, roman ,etc account only for 10-30% of their ancestors depending what part of the Isle you are in.
Architecture: British architecture seems to have a lot in common with belgium and netherlands but at the same time stone houses are much more common as vestigues of the ancient british megalith culture, and pretty much a lot of the architecture found in the Isles has no paraleel to anything you can find in the continent.
Personally I consider Britain to be British, and to be very different from the rest of northern europe.
Scandinavian countries, the netherlands and Germany germany (specially the northern areas) have many things in common, such as being highly egalitarian, laid back, progressive and collective cultures with individualistic elements, but the goal is often collective progress which is often reflected in their high index of social politics and excellent welfare and health systems. Personal relationships are more simple and tribal, which is some ways make things simpler and handier to governate.
The UK seems to be a lot more like france in many ways, more complex character, humor, dating scene and human relationships in general, I see more expectations with the people, overall I think the UK has a far more complex culture, with France, Italy and spain on lesser extent.
Thats why I personally consider the UK to be part of western europe, rather than Northern Euroe.
The Scandinavian cultures (including Finland) are much more individualistic than some people think, and are among the most individualistic countries on the planet. Forget the Law of Jante. The freeman concept was one factor why the Vikings were so successful, and up here for example serfdom was never implemented. The individual has always been the number 1, but with the help of the state. Unitarian and egalitarian yes, (the freeman) but the Nordic Model welfare state is built on that everyone can be their own life's viking and do what you want. The Nordic Model is also built on selfishness. What is better for ME, is also better for you. For example I benefit from high social security so YOU won't mug me because you're hungry.
For the question: yes, Britain has elements of Northern Europe, but is thoroughly Western-Central Europe. Northern Europe ends at the very least at the Kiel canal.
As it's July, what is the most common popular holiday month? August in Britain. In Scandinavia it's July. So: Britain = Central Europe.
The Scandinavian cultures (including Finland) are much more individualistic than some people think, and are among the most individualistic countries on the planet. Forget the Law of Jante. The freeman concept was one factor why the Vikings were so successful, and up here for example serfdom was never implemented. The individual has always been the number 1, but with the help of the state. Unitarian and egalitarian yes, (the freeman) but the Nordic Model welfare state is built on that everyone can be their own life's viking and do what you want. The Nordic Model is also built on selfishness. What is better for ME, is also better for you. For example I benefit from high social security so YOU won't mug me because you're hungry.
No, the British are more individualistic than Nordics. You mix up individualism with introvercy but those are not the same things. Nordics are more introvert than British but in the same time Nordics are less individualistic. (And your particular suomalaiset-culture is the least individualistic among the Scandinavians as you care a lot what your neighbours might think about you.)
No, the British are more individualistic than Nordics. You mix up individualism with introvercy but those are not the same things. Nordics are more introvert than British but in the same time Nordics are less individualistic. (And your particular suomalaiset-culture is the least individualistic among the Scandinavians as you care a lot what your neighbours might think about you.)
I don't mix up anything. The truth is that we are "me, me, me" cultures, not collectivist ones.
Language: Its more related to languages of western and northern europe (german, dutch, danish, icelandic, norwegian), however it has far more influences from southern europe than any of those other languages do, specially influences from french and latin.
Culture: British culture seems to be highly competitive and individualistic, which is a contrast with the more egalitarian and uniform cultures of Scandinavia, The Netherlands and Even Germany (to lesser extent) where there is also highly productive working culture but higher emphasis in collective goals as opposed to the clear focus on personal success as is the case in the UK .
Ethnic Origins: Opposed to the popular culture myths, most origins of modernday British Islanders originate from the atlantic seaboard, which used to be the ancient brythonic tribes homeland, which were related to ancient basques and atlantic french populations. The anglo-saxon, norman, viking, roman ,etc account only for 10-30% of their ancestors depending what part of the Isle you are in.
Architecture: British architecture seems to have a lot in common with belgium and netherlands but at the same time stone houses are much more common as vestigues of the ancient british megalith culture, and pretty much a lot of the architecture found in the Isles has no paraleel to anything you can find in the continent.
Personally I consider Britain to be British, and to be very different from the rest of northern europe.
Scandinavian countries, the netherlands and Germany germany (specially the northern areas) have many things in common, such as being highly egalitarian, laid back, progressive and collective cultures with individualistic elements, but the goal is often collective progress which is often reflected in their high index of social politics and excellent welfare and health systems. Personal relationships are more simple and tribal, which is some ways make things simpler and handier to governate.
The UK seems to be a lot more like france in many ways, more complex character, humor, dating scene and human relationships in general, I see more expectations with the people, overall I think the UK has a far more complex culture, with France, Italy and spain on lesser extent.
Thats why I personally consider the UK to be part of western europe, rather than Northern Euroe.
I would like to hear some opinions about that.
The U.K. is geographically located in Northern Europe, precise North-West! Individualism is typically Northern European. That's why Norway and the U.K. are now out of the EU!
I don't mix up anything. The truth is that we are "me, me, me" cultures, not collectivist ones.
And what is that map based on? Imagination?
Individualism means capitalism, consumerism in political level eg. Scandinavia is egalitarianistic, socialistic. Britain is not, has big gap between rich and poor and etc.
Imo Britain is not north Europe but west, that´s it. There is also one thing that is typical to UK, that is close connection with ocean, oversea issues. As well the most oceanic climate of Europe.
Individualism means capitalism, consumerism in political level eg. Scandinavia is egalitarianistic, socialistic. Britain has big gap between rich and poor and etc.
Imo Britain is not north Europe but west, that´s it. There is also one thing that is typical to UK, that is close connection with ocean, oversea issues. As well the most oceanic climate of Europe.
Scandinavia is not socialistic. They are among the most free market countries on the planet.
Yes, there is a difference compared to the UK, but the difference between Scandinavia and the UK is less than between the UK and Spain. I never claimed there wouldn't be a difference.
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