There was a sudden look of horror on the face of the other mum in the playground. “Today?” she trembled. For Kateryna, a Ukrainian who settled here three years ago, this was a moment of insight into Englishness.

Her son had just suggested a playdate that afternoon with one his classmates, but at this point Kateryna realised that in England, people prefer planning activities well ahead rather than on the spot. “She was horrified” smiles Kateryna. “It reminded me that here life is more planned and predictable, it’s less spontaneous. People in England like to know how it will happen and when it will happen. They don’t like people invading their plans.”

St George’s Day (normally on 23 April but this year on 28 April) is England’s national day and it often prompts us to ask ourselves what is typical about us and our culture. What is Englishness? Your East Sussex decided to consider those question this year ahead of St George’s Day. (notice the planning?).

But rather than looking inward, we decided to get the views of people who’ve happily settled here from other countries. We spoke to Shirley, who lives in Uckfield and came from Malta 15 years ago. And to Kateryna, who moved to Crowborough with her son after the Russian attack on her homeland. What do they think makes up English culture and character?

What really makes us English?

We all know the stereotypes about the English. We’re polite, reserved, private. We love gardening and pets. We have a self-deprecating sense of humour and we’re suspicious of anyone who appears ‘too clever’. We took football round the world so every other country can beat us at it. If we’re not drinking tea in large quantities, we’re drinking beer in large quantities….

Is there any truth in these? Yes, says Shirley (who admits she was surprised on arrival to find that tea leaves don’t actually grow in England). “English people are definitely pet lovers. I know people who are more concerned about their pets than their family members, and they spend a large amount of money on them here. “I love the pride people take in gardens and lawns, I like a tidy place and am a keen gardener myself.” And yes, we do drink a lot of alcohol, says Shirley: “There’s always an excuse to head to the pub – Friday after work, someone had a baby, got a job interview… you name it. I really notice the difference when I’m back home.”

Kateryna says she often admires the historic interiors of English pubs but feels the pub culture comes at a price, with other places seeming to close too early: “The odd thing is shopping centres close about 6pm, even the coffee shops are closed by 7pm. I don’t understand how they make any money! “Where I grew up the shopping mall will be working up until 10pm.”
And an English insistence on long-term planning and organisation, not just in the school playground, has left Kateryna a little baffled at times: “When I wanted to go to a concert in July 2025 I had to buy tickets in September 2024. It’s crazy how you plan everything so far ahead!

One thing Shirley and Kateryna agree on is the different attitude and expectations for children in England. Shirley says: “In England children are more independent and self-reliant at a young age. Children start school at a younger age and there is an expectation that they will learn to do things for themselves, like dressing or preparing their own meals as they grow older.”
Kateryna agrees: “Children here go to school at four where in Ukraine it would be six or seven. And they go to bed earlier, at 7pm or 8pm, which I suppose is a good way for parents to have some time for themselves.”

At the other end of the age spectrum, Kateryna is impressed with the very active role seniors take in English life: “I was surprised at the big part older people play, they are still social into their 70s, organising walks for example. “I once went to a ballet class and so many women there were in their 50s and 60s, it was lovely. In Ukraine they would all have been in their 20s or 30s.”

Why don’t the English get more involved in St George’s Day?

St George’s Day is not always widely celebrated in England. It’s not a bank holiday (some feel it should be) and though the English flag will be flying over County Hall in Lewes and many other buildings it’s quite possible to miss it altogether. If you’re looking for an event to celebrate the occasion in East Sussex, then Lewes House of Friendship, which organises events aimed at older residents is taking bookings for a St George’s Day lunch on 23 April, at which all are welcome.

A few days later, Chailey Bonfire Society is holding a St George’s Day fete from 12 noon on Saturday 26 April.

You will also see some pubs and restaurants offering a special menu or incentives to mark the day.
And local scout groups often parade at the weekend nearest the saint’s day (who is also the patron saint of scouts).

Why isn’t St George’s Day more widely celebrated though?

Part of the answer is an element of complex identity in the UK, a country of four distinct nations. Almost half of English people (45%) describe themselves as being British as much as English. A significant minority (22%) describe themselves as either entirely British or more British than English. That leaves less than one in four (23%) of us who feel wholly English or more English than British. So perhaps English identity is not as strong as our British identity, even amid the glories and achievements of England itself.

And perhaps the definition of Englishness is so flexible it’s hard to pin down. Both Shirley and Kateryna saw England as embracing other cultures and traditions into its story.
Kateryna says she notices: “more varieties of different nations, cultures, religions and it teaches you to respect other people’s cultures. For example, at work some of my colleagues celebrate Ramadan and I didn’t know anything about that before.” What we eat is an example of this opening up to other culture says Shirley: “When I think of traditional English food, I always think of pies, fish and chips, beer, and tea. However, England has a great tradition of embracing food from different countries, which I think is a good thing. I used to bring back items like Aperol, tomato paste and homemade sun-dried tomatoes whenever I went home. But now, I don’t need to do that anymore because I can find them in local supermarkets.”

Some have argued that a low-key national day is a sign of confidence: we feel secure an identity which evolves with each passing year. An alternative view is that we should take a more organised approach to St George’s Day – making it a day of celebration to draw out what makes England the place it is. Shirley says: “Everyone is so busy these days that they don’t have the time to plan so unless something is set up at school most people totally forget about it. I really believe that if St Georges day was to be made a Bank holiday, then we will see more of the English culture and traditions”.

At least one per cent English

But would Shirley or Kateryna describe themselves as partly English now? Would they want to? Kateryna feels comfortable in England but she isn’t sure about what comes next: “I can’t say what will be. I certainly don’t see anything bad here, it’s just different.” For Shirley, things are a little clearer: “After living in England for over 15 years I do feel a bit English. I started to talk / complain about weather all the time. I love the Royal family. I had to adapt to the English way of living, practiced speaking words in English accent and obviously I always loved a cup of tea, so I think that counts to be at least one percent English!”