Only in Britain

It's official, the Brits really are a miserable bunch. A recent bit of research carried out by ICM showed that economic confidence is lower in Britain than in any other leading country. Indeed only 4% of Brits think the economic situation is likely to improve in the next three months, while 67% think it will worsen. Compare this to the US where only 46% think the national economic situation will worsen (via The Guardian).

Why is there such a big difference between the Brits and the Americans? During an interview on Johnathan Ross, Steven Fry pointed out a fundamental difference between our two cultures.

“There is one phrase I probably heard more than any other on my travels: Only in America!
If you were to hear a Briton say ‘Tch! only in Britain, eh?’ it would probably refer to something that was either predictable, miserable, oppressive, dull, bureaucratic, queuey, damp, spoil-sporty or incompetent - or a mixture of all of those. ‘Only in America!’ on the other hand, always refers to something shocking, amazing, eccentric, wild, weird or unpredictable. Americans are constantly being surprised by their own country. Britons are constantly having their worst fears confirmed about theirs. This seems to be one of the major differences between us...”

I think the Brits do have a tendency to worry more rather than just get on with it. Indeed in January and February this year Anxiety UK, the country’s largest anxiety disorders charity, has reported a doubling of calls to its telephone helpline.
Source: Mental Health Foundation, In The Face of Fear, January 2009

Keep Calm and Carry On anyone?