Keep it simple

In his funny book Notes from a Small Island, Bill Bryson pens his perspectives on Britain and the British. Bryson, himself an American, notes differences between the British and Americans -

The British are so easy to please. It is the most extraordinary thing. They actually like their pleasures small. That is why, I suppose, so many of their treats - teacakes, scones, crumpets, rock cakes, rich tea biscuits, fruit Shrewsbury - are so cautiously flavourful.

Offer them something genuinely tempting - a slice of gateau or a choice of chocolates from a box - and they will nearly always hesitate and begin to worry that it's unwarranted and excessive, as if any pleasure beyond a very modest threshold is vaguely unseemly.

All this is completely alien to the American mind. To an American the whole purpose of living, the one constant confirmation of continued existence, is to cram as much sensual pleasure as possible into one's mouth more or less continuously. Gratification, instant and lavish, is a birthright.

Of course he is making gross generalisations, but I feel there is truth to these characterisations. The British enjoy simple activities, like walking, gardening, and watching antique shows, that are not really popular in America.