>Perhaps it is the character of the British though, the stiff upper lip kind, which still gives out the "shut up and put up" culture amongst our fellow countrymen.<
The days of the stiff upper lip are well and truly over. Witness all the flowers placed on roadside verges at the scenes of fatal road accidents. The mountains of floral tributes/soft toys and messages of condolence piled high after a violent crime.
I think the touchy, feely, tree huggers now typify the British character. Bulldogs are only for Crufts!