Cultured Person

A study of 2,000 people found seven in 10 believed themselves 'cultured'. Other defining characteristics included watching Antiques Roadshow. Almost a third admitted to 'faking' cultural credentials to impress friends.

• Owning a library card, watching sub-titled films and being skilled in the use of chopsticks are among the traits which make us cultured, according to a survey.
• Drinking 'proper' coffee, knowing the difference between cuts of meat and watching the Antiques Roadshow also set you apart from your less refined friends.
• However, it seems you probably don't have many of those: seven in 10 consider themselves to be 'cultured', although the majority admit to not knowing exactly what the term means. 
• The Oxford English Dictionary defines 'cultured' as 'improved by education and training; possessed of or characterized by culture, especially with reference to the arts and intellectual pursuits; refined, cultivated'.
• But a study of 2,000 people found they considered someone cultured if they simply chose city breaks over beach holidays, read a book in bed and collected music on vinyl.
• What's more, three in four believe you can be cultured despite having never left the country.
• The study also found that Brits are at their most cultured at age 38, according to the poll, and feel the most need to project a cultured persona at dinner parties, high-end restaurants and job interviews.
• Going to the theatre was named the top sign of being cultured - along with listening to classical music, having an interest in politics and the ability to recognise art.
• Simply having a library card means you're cultured said one in ten, while almost a fifth said a classy Brit would read the book first before watching a film adaptation. 

SO WHAT EXACTLY MAKES YOU CULTURED?

 

  1. Go to the theatre

  2. Can recognise paintings/art

  3. Visit local heritage sites

  4. Listen to classical music

  5. Go to the ballet

  6. Know what wine goes with what

  7. Don’t skip the news when it’s on TV

  8. Watch documentaries

  9. Can read music

10. Take an avid interest in politics

11. Read daily newspapers

12. Take countryside walks

13. Read a book before bed

14. Choose city breaks over beach holidays

15. Watch Question Time

16. Host dinner parties

17. Know about cheese

18. Enjoy crosswords or Sudoku

19. Go to vintage markets

20. Know about cuts of meat 

21. Watch tennis or cricket 

22. Read a book before the film comes out

23. Watch Antiques Road Show

24. Own a library card

25. Watch films with subtitles

26. Visit farm shops

27. Use chopsticks over a knife and fork

28. Drink 'proper' coffee - not instant

29. Know how to pronounce ''quinoa'

30. Grow your own fruit and vegetables on an allotment

31. Go to music festivals

32. Collect music on vinyl

33. Read Wikipedia articles

34. Only eat local produce

35. Get the conundrum on Countdown

36. Wear bow-ties or brooches

37. Get food from supermarket 'finer' ranges

38. Drink herbal tea

39. Put on an accent to pronounce foreign words

40. Avoid generic superstore furniture

In light of the cultural check-list, seven in ten confessed they wish they were more cultured - with 31 per cent even admitting they sometimes 'fake it' to impress others. Brits named science centres, historic houses and castles among the sites they'd be open to visiting - but 54 per cent admitted the cost holds them back.