Yea, the London/Essex culture is quite heavily into 'standing up for yourself' - the stuff Brits mock each other with I have seen put others to tears. You are expected to be able to speak your mind, but expect it to a) not be taken too seriously and b) come back at you. Hard to explain really.
It's like, the worse things you say to your best friends. You don't insult strangers so much. You know your friends are good natured and can stand up for themselves and take it in that light. If someone reacts badly to it they are seen as the weak party. If a stranger turns the insult to a similar one jabbing you and laughs and buys them a beer - it's the best way to get integrated into a group. Getting upset, angry or whiny will lose you all respect. Cultures eh? ;op
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Date: 2004-12-14 04:07 pm (UTC)a) not be taken too seriously and
b) come back at you.
Hard to explain really.
It's like, the worse things you say to your best friends. You don't insult strangers so much. You know your friends are good natured and can stand up for themselves and take it in that light. If someone reacts badly to it they are seen as the weak party. If a stranger turns the insult to a similar one jabbing you and laughs and buys them a beer - it's the best way to get integrated into a group. Getting upset, angry or whiny will lose you all respect.
Cultures eh? ;op