Sorry... but these are the things that make us English

QUEUEING, drinking copious amounts of tea and preparing for failure at every World Cup are what it means to be quintessentially English.

According to research, we love nothing better than discussing our unpredictable weather, a trait two- thirds believe defi nes the national character.

Meanwhile nearly half feel that being English means apologising unnecessarily, for example, when others bump into you.

The second most English pastime is eating fi sh and chips which narrowly beat indulging in a Sunday roast dinner into third place.

A witty sense of humour and politeness feature high on the list of peculiarly English quirks.

But a lack of expertise at foreign languages is also exposed with a third admitting to speaking English to foreigners while abroad – pronouncing it loudly and slowly of course.

And the English are a contra- dictory bunch. While four in 10 say they try not to betray emotions by keeping a stiff upper lip, a third think being English means “loving a good moan”.

When it comes to optimism as a national trait English people are equally torn.

Despite winning the tournament once in 1966, a third say they prepare for failure at every World Cup.

However, a quarter think that fl ashing the fl esh at the fi rst glimmer of spring sunshine is a true measure of Englishness – often while toiling in the garden on a bank holiday weekend.

The poll of 2,000 adults marks the publication of writer Carole Matthews’ novel, The Cake Shop In The Garden.

Carole, who has sold more than four million books worldwide, is launching her paperback today on St George’s Day.

She said: “My new novel draws on many of the mannerisms and characteristics associated with being quintessentially English, from tea and cake to gardening and apologising unnecessarily.”