The journalist Ian Hislop, who presents the programme, says his countrymen have the French to thank for their current composure. The British ruling classes got worried when they saw the political passion brought about by the French Revolution.
In the 18th century, it was polite to express some degree of emotion in public. A quiet tear when watching a play was acceptable, as sensitivity was seen as a sign of refinement. But the concept didn't last.
The upper lip stiffened during Queen Victoria's reign when unflappable soldiers and explorers became role models for the nation. The Duke of Wellington, who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, destroyed his beloved violin in his youth as a character-building move.
According to Hislop, in the far-flung corners of the empire, the colonisers cultivated an illusion of superiority by appearing to be aloof and unshakeably self-confident.
Suffering? Discomfort? The Brits make no fuss; and some expressed pride when Queen Elizabeth and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, took part in the boat parade on her Diamond Jubilee earlier this year. The elderly couple endured cold and rain showing that the spirit of the stiff upper lip lives on.
Quiz 測驗 1. According to the article, what have the British been unhappy about?
They've been moaning about price rises, low interest rates for savings.
2. Look at the article. When were the British seen as too emotional?
In the 16th century.
3. Is the following statement true, false or not given? The Duke of Wellington stopped playing his musical instrument because he wanted to be less emotional.
True. The military commander that defeated Napoleon destroyed his beloved violin as a character-building move.
4. What expressions are used in the article to refer to people who express emotions openly?
Exuberant, touchy-feely.
5. What expression is used to refer to a place geographically distant?
Far-flung.
Glossary 词汇表 to moan抱怨，嘮叨 stiff upper lip嚴肅，嚴峻 resolute堅決的 stoic堅韌的，冷靜的 adversity逆境 to question質疑 to reflect反映，思考 emotional reserve（英國人）對情感有所保留 national identity國家特徵 a far cry完全不同 exuberant旺盛的 touchy-feely感情外露的 composure鎮靜 the ruling class統治階級 sensitivity敏感度 refinement細化 unflappable鎮定地 role model模範榜樣 character-building品格培養 far-flung遙遠的 aloof冷漠的 self-confident自信的 to make no fuss沒有大驚小怪
