The world today feels a lot smaller than it has ever been
Whether it’s down to the way that the internet connects people from across the globe, or just that travel is easier and more accessible, you can reach beyond your home country a lot quicker than a generation ago. British people can do that at any time. They can take advantage of cheap flights, watch TV shows from around the world, or even play at casinos outside the UK without leaving their homes. But how can they take some of who they are if they are living overseas? Here are some of the ways you can keep your British identity while maintaining an international outlook – and why it can work for everyone.
It’s been said that people are running out of ideas, creatively speaking. While there is a lot of sympathy with that argument, there is one way to rebut it. A lot of the best culture comes from a fusion of different traditions, so there is no reason why people can’t export their own British culture abroad and watch it combine with what is already out there. Not only that, though, but the very process of sharing your own culture can inspire others to share theirs with you. This means that, in effect, you’ve built a kind of cultural bridge. One of the best ways to do this is through food. And it works both ways, with the incredibly popular chicken tikka masala and balti curries both originating in the UK, despite being mainstays of Indian restaurants in Britain.
If you find yourself abroad, you aren’t the only one. According to the BBC, there are 5.5 million British subjects living overseas. This means that there are plenty of opportunities to mark particularly British celebrations, like Bonfire Night, with other expats. If you are able to make these events public, then other people will want to attend them. This means that you can, once again, create a cultural exchange while staying rooted in British traditions and identity. If you are moving to a new home abroad, make sure to take things with you that remind you of the UK, because they will help connect you with where you are from.
Something that Britain has always been good at and which has, once again, come to prominence recently, is its culture. Whether it’s the continued popularity of Shakespeare’s plays in the United States or the growth of Premier League football as a worldwide brand, there is no shortage of big British products to be found wherever you go. Thanks to the internet and satellite broadcasting, you can keep up with the latest sport, news, and entertainment from back home. What is even better is that, yet again, you can share what you like with your new neighbours. Not only will this give them something different to enjoy, but it will also be good for the UK. After all, cultural exports play a big role in the British economy so by helping them find a new market, you’re helping the UK, too.
