History Main / BritishStuffiness

* From ''AdventuresInTheRifleBrigade'', Capt. Darcy is the typical stuffy British officer type, or at least tries to keep the front up. Best example, he does his best to maintain a stiff upper lip among all his men, while the German halftrack in which they are currently riding is ''raped by an elephant''.

-->-- '''Jocelyn Dashwood''' (Eileen Atkins), ''WhatAGirlWants''

When [[LoveTriangle up against]] an American for his [[UnrequitedLove love's affections]] in an American work of fiction, expect him to be a {{Jerkass}} suitor (assuming she won't LieBackAndThinkOfEngland), because AllGirlsWantBadBoys. But in the end he'll [[IJustWantMyBelovedToBeHappy Just Want Her To Be Happy]]. For the more positive variant, see StiffUpperLip.

* The character representing England in ''Manga/AxisPowersHetalia'' is not necessarily "stuffy" as such, but does display a disapproving and often despairing attitude towards his compatriots, with his neurosis usually triggered in reaction to their behavior. He is otherwise a knowledgeable and amiable chap, if a [[{{Tsundere}} bit]] [[ClusterFBomb irritable]]. He does at least ''try'' to be a gentleman. It just doesn't work out with his real personality. However, the English dub plays this straight, making the character speak with a stereotypical (RP) English accent (apparently), and he sounds much "stuffier'' there.

* ''Superman: True Brit'', an {{Elseworlds}} comic where {{Superman}} lands in Great Britain, is absolutely loaded with examples and subversions.
* ''{{Asterix}} in Britain''. The Britons are utterly stiff except in the presence of ball games or young bards [[NoCelebritiesWereHarmed who look suspiciously like]] ''Music/TheBeatles''.

* ''Film/LastOfTheMohicans'': Steven Waddington is contrasted with his free-livin' Amerindian compatriots as Redcoat Maj. Heyward in the American frontier, already a [[DeathOfTheHypotenuse fatal]] [[HowToSurviveAWarMovie occupation]]. "with that priggy nose of his!" as [[DieForOurShip one reviewer]] put it.
* Commodore Norrington experiences similar problems in ''PiratesOfTheCaribbean'', and handles them in a similar manner ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanAtWorldsEnd''.
* In TimBurton's version of ''Film/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory'', he casts James Fox, the stuffiest British person in the world, in the role of Mr. Salt.
* The second decade of Hugh Grant's career, between his dramatic roles and his EvilBrit roles.
* The whole premise of ''WhatAGirlWants'': [[BlitheSpirit Amanda Bynes]] vs. British Stuffiness. Incidentally, the above page quote from this film was reportedly ad-libbed by Eileen Atkins. Ironically, Bynes was known for her squeaky clean and chaste image. In [[http://movies.about.com/library/weekly/aawhatagirlwantsinta.htm an interview]], she also admitted that Britain is "not as different as we portray it in the film."
* The upcoming film ''Wild Child'' is looking like a rip-off of ''What A Girl Wants'' in which the British Stuffiness will be even ''worse''.

* In ''Film/MontyPythonsTheMeaningOfLife'', when Death comes to a dinner party to take away the guests, the British host firmly but calmly reprimands him for his bad manners. When the GrimReaper reveals they were all killed by tainted salmon, all the host's wife can say is "I'm most dreadfully embarassed".
* While it is an American/British co-production, ''MissPettigrewLivesForADay'' has an air of this about it. The eponymous Miss Pettigrew is an uptight, strait-laced Vicar's daughter, and her counterpoint is the wild American Delysia Lafosse. Most of the other British characters are also fairly flighty, though, and Delysia's free-spirited nature isn't entirely admirable. It was averted in the original novel, where Delysia is English.
* All British people in ''AFishCalledWanda'', with the exception of George and [[Creator/MichaelPalin Ken]]. [[Creator/JohnCleese Archie]] does warm up though.

* Vernon Dursley from the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' series is a prime example, via his portrayal of a member of the [[KeepingUpAppearances aspiring middle classes]]. Thus feeding the American media, but not a product of it.
** Vernon may be stuffy and concerned with appearance, but he is very much not reserved, and is implied to be telling raunchy jokes in mixed company with his 12-year old son around.
** The second film also adds Robert Hardy as Cornelius Fudge, who works him much stuffier than in the book.

* Directly referenced in the AmericanGirl book "Happy Birthday, Molly!" when Molly's mother explains to her why the English girl who is visiting is so quiet. Her explanation is that "English children are taught to be reserved--very polite and quiet." Since the girl was one of the BlitzEvacuees watching London be bombed may have something to do with her quietness. Molly's mother also invokes the stereotype at first, and one of Molly's friends also expects Emily to curtsey because that's what English girls do, according to her stereotypes.

* Giles, from ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'', was presented very much in this manner to begin with and was contrasted with younger, hipper, computer-literate Jenny Calendar. He lightened up as the series went on. Then Wesley [[ReplacementFlatCharacter arrived and took on the stuffy role]], before he TookALevelInBadass after moving over to ''Series/{{Angel}}''.
** Both turned into [[BadassBookworm Badass Bookworms]] over time, although in Giles' case, it was revealed he had earned the nickname "Ripper" in his younger days [[FormerTeenRebel for dabbling in necromancy and other not-so-legal things]], before he joined the Watchers Council, so he had always been someone you didn't want to cross, he had merely hidden it under the tweed-clad librarian persona.

* The Ted & Ralph sketches from ''TheFastShow'' are a British-made example, combining country-squire Ralph's man-crush on Ted, his gamekeeper, with some genuinely moving British stuffiness. Such as when Ralph tries to ask Ted out: "Do you... ''like'' Tina Turner, Ted?"... "I wouldn't know about that sir". Best of all, the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGBTrCZObyA scene]] where Ralph must tell Ted that his wife has died, without breaking the rules of the absurd pub-game, because that would embarrass Ted.
* Inverted in ''Series/{{Frasier}}'', where it was the two main American characters who were stuffy and elitist, while most of the British characters who appeared were cheerfully working-class (albeit with a host of mismatched regional accents).
** Though, in an interesting example of how entrenched the British/stuffy association is in the US, people have been known to refer to Frasier and Niles's posh inflections as "British accents."
** The above is likely because the accents of the Anglophonic nations (Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA) sound more English the more upper-class a character is. All "posh accents" of the Anglosphere sound more similar to original [[BritishAccents English RP]].
* ''FawltyTowers''' Basil Fawlty, played mainly for comedic effect as he ''tries'' to be this but his constant run of bad luck leads to less desirable results, especially in "the Wedding Party" episode. "You know something? You ''disgust'' me. I know what people like you get up to, and I think it's ''disgusting''!"
* Like most British television, ''Series/DoctorWho'' blows this away, especially hiring such energetic and expressive actors like Creator/DavidTennant and Creator/CatherineTate, but they did play with it in "The Idiot's Lantern."
** Lampshaded in "The Unicorn and the Wasp." When Donna wonders about how everyone involved is going to deal with the weirdness of the episode, the Doctor says, "They'll never speak of it again, they're too British."
** Somewhat [[EnforcedTrope Enforced]] by ExecutiveMeddling during Creator/PeterDavison's tenure, with the whole NoHuggingNoKissing thing.
* Often lampshaded by Max on ''TheNanny'' when he uses this as an excuse for why he is unable to show his feelings. He and his entire family are perfect examples of this, with the exception of his brother Nigel, who has been shown to be very passionate and exuberant, although he was considered the black sheep of the family, and supposed to be the exception that proves the rule.

* Series/HorribleHistories frequently plays this for laughs, although the show's goofy energy, as far from stuffy as possible, always shines through.

* ''DeathInParadise'' has Detective Inspector Richard Poole, who sticks out like a sore thumb amongst the residents of fictional Caribbean island Saint Marie. He is even considered stuffy by the vast majority of the other British characters, who [[PlayingWithATrope downplay, subvert or even avert]] this trope more often than they play it straight.

* ''Mostly'' averted, especially in beat 'em ups, where the British female characters, including Cammy from ''StreetFighter'', Ivy from the ''SoulCalibur'' series, Christie from ''DeadOrAlive'' and of course [[Franchise/TombRaider Lara Croft]], are all easily amongst the most [[FanService fanservicey]]. All of them tend to be fairly no-nonsense in demeanor however, and speak with the applicable [[BritishAccents RP accent]], so perhaps not a ''complete'' aversion of this trope.
** However, when it comes to the men, Brits Dudley and Eagle (both ''StreetFighter'') fit the bill perfectly.
* Whether or not Miles Edgeworth is an example of this is the subject of much debate in the ''VisualNovel/AceAttorney'' fandom.
** His behaviour and speech patterns fit the bill, even his accent. Despite being an American that spend his teen years in Germany. Also, he can get quite emotional, but usually keeps it under raps (unless it's sheer exasperation.
* Subverted in ''MetalGearSolid3'', where Zero at first seems cold and snarky like this trope, but as time goes on he's shown to be really quite emotional ([[spoiler: shown especially in him eventually becoming a StalkerWithACrush in ''Metal Gear Solid 4'' and ''Peace Walker'']]), and kind of a CloudCuckooLander. The last part's probably based on the ''[[Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus other]]'' stereotype of the British sense of humour.

* ''ChoppingBlock'' discusses [[http://choppingblock.keenspot.com/d/20030327.html how to get the guards at the royal palace to show emotion.]]

* ''TheFlintstones'': When Fred Flintstone attempted to pass himself off as uppercrust and well-mannered, he affected a British accent.

*** Not so bizarre when you consider ''Series/{{Thunderbirds}}'' was an expensive show to make - Lord Grade, as with so many shows he commissioned, saw first showing in Britain as irrelevant compared with lucrative resale to the USA, and insisted it be made primarily with the American market in mind. Therefore all the action heroes speak with American accents and the British characters were tailored to American expectations - toffs and Dick van Dyke cockneys. ''TheMuppetShow'' was a later example: the guest star was nearly always an American celebrity, often virtually unknown in Britain.
* ''TheBoondocks'': "Sir, Sir! There is no need to be rude! I paid good money for this crack, and it is all burnt up, look!"
* Mr Herriman (pictured above), from ''FostersHomeForImaginaryFriends'' has never been to Britain, but has a British accent from pure stuffiness.

* Mr. Pricklepants from ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory 3'', who even quotes [[Creator/WilliamShakespeare Shakespeare.]]

* Spike in ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyG3''

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** Ron in the third book reacts like that when Hermione [[HystericalWoman dramatically falls into his arms in a gesture of reconciliation]]. The poor guy doesn't know what to do. Finally, he nervously strokes her hair.
*** That's probably more an awkward teenager thing, than stuffy Brit.

This trope is probably due to the fact that the majority of well-known Hollywood movies set in the UK (''Film/MaryPoppins'', ''MyFairLady'', etc.) are set in the [[VictorianLondon Victorian]] and [[TheEdwardianEra Edwardian]] eras, when [[TheStoic stoicism]] and reserve were enforced as honourable virtues by the posh boarding schools which had just become popular among the country's elite. Society had come to perceive the upcoming generations as being too mollycoddled a result of the Edwardian and Victorian love of children and domesticity, and a culture of doting fatherhood. Thus, boarding schools [[BoardingSchoolOfHorrors were made as disciplinarian and emotionless as possible]] to desensitize boys and test them whether they are worthy of inheriting and perpetuating [[TheBritishEmpire The Empire]]. Another, though, has to be the result of the cultural divide that has occurred since UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution.

This trope is probably due to the fact that the majority of well-known Hollywood movies set in the UK (''Film/MaryPoppins'', ''MyFairLady'', etc.) are set in the [[VictorianLondon Victorian]] and [[TheEdwardianEra Edwardian]] eras, when [[TheStoic stoicism]] and reserve were enforced as honourable virtues by the posh boarding schools which had just become popular among the country's elite. Society had come to perceive the upcoming generations as being too mollycoddled a result of the Edwardian and Victorian love of children and domesticity, and a culture of doting fatherhood. Thus, boarding schools [[BoardingSchoolOfHorrors were made as disciplinarian and emotionless as possible]] to desensitize boys and test them whether they are worthy of inheriting and perpetuating [[TheBritishEmpire The Empire]]. Another, though, has to be the result of the cultural divide that has occurred since TheAmericanRevolution.

[[quoteright:263:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/mr_herriman_822.jpg]]

Contrast EvilBrit, who is often WickedCultured and hence more [[AffablyEvil open-minded]]. Whereas the StuffyBrit may be a protagonist, but is portrayed as merely [[FourTemperamentEnsemble temperamentally]] handicapped. Not to be confused with the MeanBrit, who is [[DeadpanSnarker snarky]] and [[BritCom gregarious]].

Of course, one need only watch modern British television, with its abundance of emotion and ham, to see this trope averted. Not only averted, but in many cases, inverted. However, [[StiffUpperLip rationality in the face of adversity]] ''is'' a British virtue. The British sense of humour can also form a stumbling block; in many cases, it tends to work on ironic {{understatement}} and [[DeadpanSnarker dry, snarky wit]] which can easily fly under the radar if people aren't used to it.

** Subverted with Spike. He's shown as this before he was turned. Not so much by the time he shows up in the series.

* Like most British television, ''Series/DoctorWho'' blows this away, especially hiring such energetic and expressive actors like DavidTennant and Creator/CatherineTate, but they did play with it in "The Idiot's Lantern."

** Somewhat [[EnforcedTrope Enforced]] by ExecutiveMeddling during PeterDavison's tenure, with the whole NoHuggingNoKissing thing.

* Samuel the camel from WillasWildLife.

It's worth noting that to many American artists, US itself is Britain to France or Italy's US. The world is strange, don't ya know?

* Like most British television, ''Series/DoctorWho'' blows this away, especially hiring such energetic and expressive actors like DavidTennant and CatherineTate, but they did play with it in "The Idiot's Lantern."

*** Not so bizarre when you consider ''{{Thunderbirds}}'' was an expensive show to make - Lord Grade, as with so many shows he commissioned, saw first showing in Britain as irrelevant compared with lucrative resale to the USA, and insisted it be made primarily with the American market in mind. Therefore all the action heroes speak with American accents and the British characters were tailored to American expectations - toffs and Dick van Dyke cockneys. ''TheMuppetShow'' was a later example: the guest star was nearly always an American celebrity, often virtually unknown in Britain.

* Bizarrely enough, in ''{{Thunderbirds}}'' (which is a ''[[SelfDeprecation British]]'' [[SelfDeprecation made programme]]), many of the British characters were quite stereotypically uppercrust, like Lady Penelope.

* Owen Burnett, Xanatos' butler on ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}''. This was totally on purpose, though, [[spoiler:since Puck copied his alter ego from another, equally-wooden, majordomo.]]
** Was Owen supposed to be [[FakeBrit British]]?
*** [[TheJeeves All butlers are British]] except in Japanese media.
*** Except, apparently, for Mr. Vogel, the inspiration for Owen. Stiff as a board and half as emotive, but definitely American. He comes off more like a member of the Secret Service than a butler.

** Somewhat averted with the ruthless British, uh, candy barons.

* Sarah from ''WesternAnimation/LibertysKids'' is initially like this.

* Mr Herriman, from ''FostersHomeForImaginaryFriends'' has never been to Britain, but has a British accent from pure stuffiness.

* In a meta-example, the most complained about adverts on US TV have all either been grossly misleading and/or offensive. The most complained about advert on British TV was one for Kentucky Fried Chicken, which featured people [[AndThatsTerrible eating with their mouths full.]] Bloody Americans, coming over here, polluting British children with their mouth-full-talking ways!

The American media often presents people from England to be overly stuffy and conservative, to the point of being uptight and unable to cope with changes from the way they believe things should be.

Americans, as a part of an extroverted culture of freedom of expression, are actively encouraged to express to the point that the lack of active emotional content in one's speech and mannerisms is considered [[UncannyValley quite bizarre or even psychologically dysfunctional]]. Thus, the more reserved and introverted culture of the British can make its people come off as acting 'fearful' or just plain ''robotic'' to Americans, who are used to their own more [[LargeHam hammy]] culture. Likewise, to Brits --especially older Brits-- the typical American emotional response is needlessly exaggerated at best and obscenely offensive at worst.

This trope is probably due to the fact that the majority of well-known Hollywood movies set in the UK (''Film/MaryPoppins'', ''MyFairLady'', etc.) are set in the [[VictorianLondon Victorian]] and [[TheEdwardianEra Edwardian]] eras, when [[TheStoic stoicism]] and reserve were enforced as honourable virtues by the posh boarding schools which had just become popular among the country's elite. Society had come to perceive the upcoming generations as being too mollycoddled a result of the Edwardian and Victorian love of children and domesticity, and a culture of doting fatherhood. Thus, boarding schools [[BoardingSchoolOfHorrors were made as harsh as possible]] to desensitize boys and test them whether they are worthy of inheriting and perpetuating [[TheBritishEmpire The Empire]]. Another, though, has to be the result of the cultural divide that has occurred since TheAmericanRevolution.

Americans, as a part of a culture of freedom of expression, are actively encouraged to emote to the point that the lack of active emotional content in one's speech and mannerisms is considered quite rude or even psychologically dysfunctional. Thus, the more reserved culture of the British can make its people come off as acting 'flat' or just plain ''robotic'' to Americans, who are used to their own more emotive culture. Likewise, to Brits --especially older Brits-- the typical American emotional response is needlessly exaggerated at best and maliciously, sneeringly offensive at worst.

Of course, one need only watch modern British television to see this trope averted. Not only averted, but in many cases, inverted. However, [[StiffUpperLip stoicism in the face of danger and hardship]] ''is'' part of the British culture. The British sense of humour can also form a stumbling block; in many cases, it tends to work on ironic {{understatement}} and [[DeadpanSnarker dry, snarky wit]] which can easily fly under the radar if people aren't used to it.

The American media often presents people from England to be overly stuffy and conservsative, to the point of being uptight and unable to cope with changes from the way they believe things should be.

Americans, as a part of a culture, are actively encouraged to emote to the point that the lack of active emotional content in one's speech and mannerisms is considered quite rude or even psychologically dysfunctional. Thus, the more reserved culture of the British can make its people come off as acting 'flat' or just plain ''robotic'' to Americans, who are used to their own more emotive culture. Likewise, to Brits --especially older Brits-- the typical American emotional response is needlessly exaggerated at best and maliciously, sneeringly offensive at worst.

The American media often presents people from England to be overly stuffy, to the point of being uptight and unable to cope with changes from the way they believe things should be. This trope is probably due to the fact that the majority of well-known Hollywood movies set in the UK (''Film/MaryPoppins'', ''MyFairLady'', etc.) are set in the [[VictorianLondon Victorian]] and [[TheEdwardianEra Edwardian]] eras, when stoicism and reserve were enforced as manly virtues by the posh boarding schools which had just become popular among the country's elite. Society had come to perceive the upcoming generations as being too mollycoddled a result of the Edwardian and Victorian love of children and domesticity, and a culture of doting fatherhood. Thus, boarding schools [[BoardingSchoolOfHorrors were made as harsh as possible]] to make boys man up to the point where they'd be worthy of inheriting and perpetuating [[TheBritishEmpire The Empire]]. Another, though, has to be the result of the cultural divide that has occurred since TheAmericanRevolution.

Americans, as a part of a culture, are actively encouraged to emote to the point that the lack of active emotional content in one's speech and mannerisms is considered quite rude or even anti-social. Thus, the more reserved culture of the British can make its people come off as acting 'flat' or just plain ''false'' to Americans, who are used to their own more emotive culture. Likewise, to Brits --especially older Brits-- the typical American emotional response is hysterical and bipolar at best and maliciously, sneeringly rude at worst.

* {{Batman}}'s butler Alfred often comes across as a Stuffy Brit, which carries over to most adaptations. The most prominent exception is ''Film/BatmanBegins'', where he's given a British army sergeant's accent and backstory. In the comics he also had plenty of backstory: at one point it was that he was an SOE agent/saboteur for England during WWII and had a kid with a beautiful French Resistance named Mademoiselle Marie, but that's been dropped because of [[ComicBookTime timeline considerations]].

* In his review of ''{{Bayonetta}}'', [[WebAnimation/ZeroPunctuation Yahtzee]] admits to this: