Is it true that the British always talk about the weather?
It isn’t as true as the rest of the world seems to think, but to some extent, yes, I suppose. I don’t talk to many strangers, and I only know a few people who actually do this, but when small talk happens, it’s almost always about the weather. And honestly, I get why—it’s one of the only things guaranteed to be affecting both of you at that moment. It’s neutral, safe, and doesn’t require much thought.
The thing about British weather is that it’s rarely extreme. It’s usually just a bit cold, a bit rainy, or, on a good day, mildly sunny but still not particularly warm. Because of this, there isn’t much to say other than “It’s hotter than usual,” “It’s colder than usual,” or “Yep, this is exactly what I expected.”
Maybe the stereotype comes from how repetitive our weather is. If you live somewhere with wild storms or months of sunshine, there’s actually something to talk about. Here? Well, when the most exciting thing is a light drizzle, it’s hardly a thrilling conversation starter. And yet, somehow, we still do it.
Adapted from an article written by James Butler, 2022
Recorded by Connar H., a native speaker of British English, 2025
