English working class culture is something which takes a dry and humorous view at its self in a way that the rest of the world often doesn’t understand. And it’s a shame that some of the best and most fun aspects of British working class life are dying out along with the traditional trades that supported the working class people. In other words, a lot of what is best about English working class culture is slowly ebbing away – so grab a piece of it while you can because it’s really all about having a good time.
If you watch a major sporting occasion or event anywhere in the UK, for example, you’ll almost always see at least two, if not more, socio-demographic levels viewing the spectacle. So a major football match for example, will have the dignitaries in the royal box, the “suits” in the executive suites talking business and munching the proverbial prawn sandwiches made famous by former Man United midfielder Roy Keane, whilst the rest of the ordinary fans are there simply for a great day out – possibly with a few drinks on the way.
Now you tell me; who’s having a great time here – and who isn’t? And if you need us to answer this, by the way, then you’ve probably come to the wrong place!
There are many aspects of English working class life that are unique in the world and where having easy unadulterated but innocent fun is the name of the game. One great example is in the world of darts. Darts, as a sport, still remains the almost exclusive preserve of the English working classes along with a smattering of interest from other countries including Holland, Australia and the USA where darts is also popular. In fact, a Dutchman – Michael van Gerwen – currently holds the world title.
But England (or should we say, the UK…) is where it’s really at for darts fans from all over the world – and a lot of its popularity is down to the character of the people from around this ‘sceptre’d isle’ who follow the sport. The PDC players’ world darts championships, in particular, at London’s legendary Alexandra Palace (or “Ally Pally”) are pure fun.
But make no mistake; for the players this is a serious business and it’s how they make their professional living. But for the fans, it really is all about having a laugh and a few drinks and not taking life too seriously. If you can revel in it with the rest of them – this is enjoyment at its best. There are no complications; no-one is trying to put one over on you or to act more superior – it’s simply about having a good time and forgetting the rest of the world for a few hours, as you have a few drinks, dress up in fancy dress, and shout loud for your chosen player(s).
Of course, it may also be about having a wager as millions of people in the UK like to do on the darts.
Darts fans have long been known to be a rowdy bunch
With Betfair, gambling on darts is great fun for the real aficionados who can sense the way a long match is progressing. This is, of course, because the odds tend to swing to and fro following whoever is most dominant at any given time. But the experts can sometimes see the way the ‘wind’ is blowing – and some of the real masters of the game are patient and relaxed as they bed in and get their rhythm going , particularly in the really big games – so this can present betting opportunities.
Equally, having a punt on an outsider at huge odds is a great way of livening up a tournament – and shouting your man on.
‘Whatever’; just don’t take it all too seriously – because that’s where all the real fun lies. And in doing so, you’ll be tapping into a form of life on the planet that is unique but which is also slowly dying.
There aren’t all that many bastions of English working class life left, but there are some. These hark back to a way of life that evolved in the United Kingdom gradually through the industrial revolution at the start of the 18th century all the way through to the 1970s and early 1980s. Then, the sweeping changes heralded in during the 1980s by Margaret Thatcher and the conservative party’s reforms changed everything – and closed down many traditional industries and the social life that went with them.
These changes may have been sorely needed – depending on your socio-economic political opinions. But what is largely beyond dispute is that these changes saw a change in the way of life that may still exist, but is on its way out. And for the amateur anthropologists and historians among us – it’s a way of life that is fascinating and humorous – and still there for the sampling, but only just.
