What are the characteristics of British people?

A British person is anyone who identifies as being a part of British culture on the basis of shared language, history, and customs. Most British people are born in one of its comprising countries- England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. While the primary language spoken throughout Britain is English, many other languages are spoken throughout the land. It is not uncommon for someone to  have grown up speaking Scots or Irish Gaelic or Welsh in...

A British person is anyone who identifies as being a part of British culture on the basis of shared language, history, and customs. Most British people are born in one of its comprising countries- England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. While the primary language spoken throughout Britain is English, many other languages are spoken throughout the land. It is not uncommon for someone to  have grown up speaking Scots or Irish Gaelic or Welsh in their home but using English at school and in public places.

People may feel that their religious identity is a part of or related to their national identity as a British person. Christian sects like Anglicanism, Protestantism, and Presbyterianism are all common throughout the British Isles. In Northern Ireland, religious identity has long been tied to national identity, and there is a long history of conflict concerning the more traditional Roman Catholic identity versus the Protestant (and therefore English) identity. 

Depending on the region a person is from, they may feel that their customs are a part of local identity or greater national identity. One of the things most British people generally agree unites them in a common identity is the love of football (called soccer in the United States.) Though football is by no means strictly British, many people grow up playing and watching this beloved sport and so consider it a part of their identity. A long history of imperialism and trade also sets up a number of staples in British life, such as tea and sugar.

One of the things that foreigners feel is distinctive about Great Britain is that they have maintained a monarchical figurehead, even throughout all of the revolutions and depositions of monarchs which have occurred in Europe. British people value tradition and what tradition means for their national identity. Even for those who do not see themselves as "sticking to the old ways," they typically have respect for traditional customs and values. Even the most rebellious young Brit will defend their queen and country when they feel their identity is being threatened!