How to be a Brit

How to be a Brit

The hilariously accurate, witty and indispensable manual for everyone longing to attain True Britishness

Summary

A complete guide to the British Way of Life. If you're British, you'll love it. If you're not, you'll recognise it.
_______

Born in Hungary, George Mikes spent more than forty years in the Britain observing behaviours and misbehaviours of local and foreign Brits.
  • Queuing: "An Englishman, even if he is alone, forms an orderly queue of one."
  • How to plan a town: "Street names should be painted clearly and distinctly on large boards. Then hide these boards carefully."
  • Sex: "Continental people have sex lives: the English have hot water bottles."

With essential chapters such as "How to Avoid Travelling", "In Praise of Television", "On Not Complaining" and "How to Panic Quietly", they’ll get to know Britain like never before with this fun and informative gift!
_______

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:

'Got me in tears of laughter'

'Hilarious and informative essays about the British way of life'

'So many people have tried to describe the English mentality . . . This book is as near as you can get!'

'Laugh-out-loud hilarious, witty and insightful

Reviews

  • In all the miseries which plague mankind, there is hardly anything better than such radiant humour as is given to you. Everyone must laugh with you - even those who are hit with your little arrows.
    Albert Einstein to George Mikes

About the author

George Mikes

George Mikes (pronounced 'me-cash'), was born in Hungary 1912. In 1938 he moved to London to become the correspondent for a Hungarian newspaper, and then he never left. A keen observer of the behaviour and misbehaviour of foreigners and natives in Britain, he is frequently cited by later authors including Kate Fox and Jeremy Paxman. He died in London in 1987.
Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more