zlacker

No, its cultural. Australians and Brits don't suffer from the same over-the-top positivity for positivity sake

>>Khaine+(OP)
But Brits certainly do use the same kind of highly indirect non-literal phrasing. We're famous for it.

This reminded me of this infamous bit from Yes, Minister, and although it's not actually entirely an example of this, it's too good not to share now i've found it:

Sir Frederick: There are four words to be included in a proposal if you want it thrown out.

Sir Humphrey: Complicated. Lengthy. Expensive. Controversial. And if you want to be really sure that the Minister doesn't accept it, you must say the decision is "courageous".

Bernard: And that's worse than "controversial"?

Sir Humphrey: Oh, yes! "Controversial" only means "this will lose you votes". "Courageous" means "this will lose you the election"!

[1] https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5v4rhe?start=1100

>>twic+YI
Right, but brits don't use that language to puff people up.

There is a reason america is number 1 in confidence, but ranked 25th in math and 21st in science out of the top 30 developed countries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atkimTc_Pi4