New guide to 'irritating' England
09 05 08 - 11:56 England is a nation of "overweight, alcopop-swilling, sex- and celebrity-obsessed TV addicts", according to a new tourist guide book. The latest edition of the Rough Guide says no other country is as "insular, self-important and irritating".But in turn none is more "fascinating, beautiful and culturally diverse".
"It's a nation that prides itself on patriotism - yet has a Scottish prime minister, Italian football coach and a Greek royal consort," it says.
England "isn't just one place, but a perpetual collision of culture, class and race". On the one hand, "a genuine haven for refugees" with immigrants from more than 100 ethnic backgrounds, but on the other, "a deeply conservative place".
In some ways the country is losing its diversity, the guide claims, "where the hearts of many towns - and increasingly their outskirts - consist of identikit retail zones". "Yet it's also a country where individuality and creativity flourish, fuelling a thriving pop culture and producing one of the most dynamic fashion, music and arts scenes to be found anywhere."
"The English have become obedient consumers rather than active citizens, with brand loyalty the nearest thing to religious/spiritual belief."
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We have a lot of work to do to fix this mess.
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