Why Do the British Talk About the Weather?

If you visit Britain, you will hear the same conversation again and again. "Lovely day, isn't it?" "Cold this morning, wasn't it?" "Do you think it will rain?" Why do the British talk about the weather so much?

The first reason is simple: the weather in Britain changes all the time. It can be sunny at nine, rainy at eleven and sunny again at one. There is always something new to say about it.

The second reason is more interesting. Many British people are a little shy, and they don't like to ask personal questions. "How much do you earn?" or "Are you married?" are too direct. But the weather is a safe topic. Everybody has an opinion, and nobody gets angry about it.

So how should you answer? The rules are easy. Agree with the other person. If someone says "Horrible weather, isn't it?", you say "Yes, terrible!" If someone says "I hate this rain," you say "So do I." Then you can talk about something else.

Does this seem strange to you? Think about it: in Spanish-speaking countries, people often start a conversation with food or soccer. The topic is different, but the idea is the same. It is not really a conversation about the weather. It is a friendly way to say hello.