Very British Problems Volume III: Still Awkward, Still Raining

Very British Problems #3

by Rob Temple

Have you ever...Got into a four-hour argument over what does and does not belong in a full English breakfast?Sat perfectly still in terrified silence until the unknown number stops ringing and goes away?Replied to the question 'Can I get you anything? Tea, coffee, water?' with 'Lovely, thanks'?...then you may (still) be suffering from VERY BRITISH PROBLEMS.Rob Temple is back to guide you through the maze of idiosyncrasies, loveable foibles and - let's admit - outright eccentricities that define this sceptred isle. Featuring groundbreaking original research from his @soverybritish Twitter account ( 84% of Brits prefer milk in first), this book may not be a remedy for your incurable VBPs, but it will certainly provide amusement as you hide in the loo from an unexpected visitor.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Comedy

297 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2017

About the author

Rob Temple is a journalist and founder of the @SoVeryBritish Twitter account, which now has more than one million followers, and a consultant on the official Channel 4 Very British Problems series.

Originally from Peterborough, he recently moved from South London to the countryside to provide more storage space for his rapidly expanding collection of inedible hot sauces and to be alone with his thought(s). He’s not that keen on hot drinks but is fine with just water if that’s okay?

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had a good half hour reading these,most very quick to read and with illustrations,some not particularly British but didn’t matter, funny and quick humour

[Faith Spinks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve dipped in and out of this book for the last 5 months. Some funny ones in there, but I’m British... so I guess it was okay ish!

[Carolyn M L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great way to spend a dull Sunday afternoon. I love these books. They’re so true and I can definitely say that I (proudly) suffer from Very British Problems!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of fun - certainly made me laugh out loud

[S.J. Lomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me laugh out loud numerous times. I hoped I was British at heart, this book confirms that I definitely am. Lots of fun, British style.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

More problems that afflict the British - always amusing. And an easy read to whizz through.

[Genetic Cuckoo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up at a bookswap yesterday. It has lots of funny little anecdotes about British life, but I can't help feeling that most of the best jokes and observation must have been used up in the first two books and this was was struggling to find content to warrant another book. I follow and enjoy the twitter account by the author, but not sure these jokes are enough to carry the book. I would recommend this book for a casual reader wanting to kill time in a coffee shop or other public location, or where they could share an observation with friends.

[Matthew Fleming · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely funny in places, and a good easy read - if only they'd quit it with those BLOODY ASININE ILLUSTRATIONS (those ones that are copied and pasted throughout the whole book) and the silly assumption that all Brits love tea.

Still, mustn't grumble.

[Cade · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm assuming Volumes 1 & 2 were better because Volume 3 was working pretty hard to find clever things to say. A few amusing quips in there, but far between.

[Gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The British sense of humour is one of my favourite things about being British. Its uniqueness, awkwardness and dryness is captured perfectly in this book which is packed full of examples.

The book frequently made me laugh out loud with recognition at its clever observations. Some missed the mark but overall I really enjoyed this as a light and funny read. A perfect pick-me-up.

Even though this is volume 3, it is the first book from this collection I have read, and it seems that volumes 1 and 2 are deemed even better, so I will look forward to reading those too.

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're British I think you'll enjoy (and find truthful) the majority of the comments in this book. If you're not British...please be aware we have an interesting sense of humour (and we do really like tea). I would definitely recommend this book but not at full price. If you see it reduced in a shop or for free in your local library then 100% pick this up as I don't think you will be disappointed

[C.G.Koens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Least Favorite of the Set

Just a bit of, "that's already been done" that wasn't necessary. That being said, there were still several laugh out loud moments (or at least, chuckle quietly while reading my Kindle in the car). Inexpensive, pick it up if you have some credits. It's a quick and easy read, and good for a laugh and insights into British culture (or perhaps your own familial ancestry, nature vs. nurture and all that).

[Veronika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of it was funny, some of it not so much... Maybe the first book is better? I will give it a try.
But, I still prefer the British humour to the American. When I read this book closely after the comic Adulthood is a Myth by American Sarah Andersen, it was made even clearer to me.
British humour really is my cup of tea (pun intended :)).

[Lydia Hephzibah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mum and I read this over coffee while waiting for my sister and it was a great time passer. We found ourselves chuckling at how accurate a lot of these were (some of them ridiculously specific and true!)

[Sarah A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third volume in this very funny series. I’m never sure how many of the problems that don’t mention tea are more universal problems than British problems but a really fun light read that will make many people go - oh I do that!

[Sid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relatable af (and I'm not even British).

[Electra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found myself chuckling a few times, not a bad third book of the series. As expected, very British:)

[Maged Zakher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad! :)

[Jodee Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

[LouLovesItaly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rob Temple's humour is so relatable. A good, lighthearted way read

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super quick read! Finished in a few hours. Very funny.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

twitter book, sometimes funny. I read it on the bus.

[Agata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some good laughs, yet again

[Jessica Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had some really humorous sections once again and finished in one sitting!

I didn’t relate / laugh at all chapters hence 4/5 stars

[Darth Schrader · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with the other 3, good fun. Funny. Relatable. Binge or spread out. Either way it is enjoyable.

[Helen Kollin Fichtel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite entertaining.

[Ana Monteiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I’m reviewing as a whole the 4 titles: Very British Problems: Making Life Awkward for Ourselves, One Rainy Day at a Time; Very British Problems Abroad; Very British Problems Volume III: Still Awkward, Still Raining; Very British Problems: The Most Awkward One Yet)

Hilarious episodes and short stories with an imaginative and curious common theme: how British people behave in multiple situations with their idiosyncrasies, awkwardness and self-consciousness, among a multitude of social conventions and cultural norms.
The result is brilliant, mainly because - British or not - we can identify many of these traits in our own lives. The ones we are unfamiliar with and cannot grasp are equally funny, and we perceive them as part of an identity the author proudly owns.
So entertaining.

[Liz C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series (and its twitter account) continue to make me laugh at the idiosyncrasies that you don't pick up on until they are pointed out.

[Karen Plummer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuation of the Very British Problems series includes more funny moments of British behavior.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not too bad.