Society
Cristina Odone - discovers the passionate Englishman
Published 17 June 2002
Suddenly, we have a new-style Englishman, one who is passionate and hot-blooded reports Cristina Odone
Time was, when the archetypal Englishman was a reserved, phlegmatic character whose impenetrable expression confounded foreigners. He was synonymous with a touch of class and a stiff upper lip. He was the stalwart man you could rely on, but not have fun with.
Movies and music propped up this image: Brief Encounter showed a passive Trevor Howard, whose romantic overtures were limited to taking a speck of dust out of his beloved's eye; the Beatles' repertoire hummed with puppy love or melancholic introspection, but never scorched you with passion; and even James Bond, the ultimate man of action and unbeatable smooth talker, never lost his head with either female or foe.
Yet, this month, we have seen grown Englishmen engage in a display of passionate patriotism complete with flag- waving and stirring renditions of the national anthem. These men hailed their queen, their eyes filled with tears and a catch in their throat. The whole display looked as soggily sentimental as a Latin man's declaration of love for his mama.
Only a few days later, all reserve was discarded in celebrations of the World Cup win over Argentina. On television, we saw a scrum of sweaty limbs, locked in mutual adoration; in the streets, men screamed cheers, wept and honked their car horns. You would have thought you were in the back streets of Buenos Aires after one of Argentina's usual victories - but this was Leeds, Liverpool and London.
Then Lennox Lewis beat Mike Tyson in their heavyweight championship fight. We got more testosterone, sweat and tears - and that was outside the boxing ring, as men hugged one another and sang their triumph, while the American fans watched in disbelief. "Hey, what's happened to the Brits?"
What, indeed? Even Macca betrayed hot blood when he flung his betrothed's engagement ring from their hotel balcony - and then publicly made up with a long kiss before the paparazzi.
Maybe the years of prosperity have melted that frosty English reserve; or perhaps it's something to do with new Labour's leader, who throbs with passion when he speaks to the nation about his vision for it - and how close, really, truly, he is to delivering it. Or is it regular exposure to Continentals on those cheap weekends away with Ryanair? Whatever the reason, we must include among national stereotypes a new one: the passionate Englishman.
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