Looking closely at food-related behaviour has also helped us to refine our analysis of the ‘Typical!’ rule and what it tells us about Englishness. More than just ‘grumpy stoicism’, this rule is a reflection of our cynically low expectations of the world, our chronic pessimism, our assumption that it is in the nature of things to go wrong and thwart us and generally be disappointing. Perhaps even more important is the discovery of our perverse sense of satisfaction, even pleasure, at seeing our gloomy predictions fulfilled. Understanding this peculiar, Eeyorish mindset will, I think, prove
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