EXCLUSIVE: Forget your ‘stiff upper lift’ and penchant for boiling the kettle for a cuppa, there are several other more important things you can do instead of drinking tea
Brits have been told to not do two things their good at if World War 3 broke out – go find a landmark and go drink tea. The wild advice comes from Google’s artificial intelligence-powered large language model called Gemini . . . which is clearly the best place to go if you need advice about life-altering moments.
And given the history of the British psyche during major events, the one thing Brits should absolutely not do if World War 3 starts is to panic-buy every loaf of bread and pint of milk in the country – and please, for the love of god, avoid the toilet paper.
Anyway, Gemini claims that while the instinct to hoard is “universal”, in the UK it manifests as a peculiar “supermarket sweep” that usually ends with people owning 48 rolls of toilet paper but no actual plan.
Beyond the grocery store aisles, here are the strategic “don’ts” for surviving the unthinkable with your dignity (and safety) intact:
Don’t ignore the “official” sources
In a crisis, WhatsApp rumors move faster than a London Underground train. Your cousin’s friend who “works for the MoD” probably doesn’t have the inside scoop. Stick to the BBC or official government broadcasts. If the sirens go off, it’s not the time to check Twitter/X for “vibes.”
Don’t head for the landmarks
If you live in London, Manchester, or near a major naval baselike Portsmouth, the worst thing you can do is stay put out of habitor, conversely, join a massive, gridlocked exodus on the M25. Have a “bug-out” plan that doesn’t involve driving into a known bottleneck.
Don’t forget the “stiff upper lip” myth
There’s a common misconception that Brits will just “Keep Calm and Carry On” while sipping tea. However, modern infrastructure is fragile. Don’t assume the internet, water, or electricity will stay on just because “we’re British.” Preparation (torches, batteries, non-perishables) beats stoicism every time.
Don’t waste your data
In the early stages of a global conflict, communication networks will likely be throttled or targeted. Don’t waste battery and bandwidth trying to livestream the chaos. Download offline maps and save vital contact info immediately.
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