Jeremy Clarkson, the outspoken former Top Gear host, has launched a sharp critique on the decline of good manners in Britain in his recent Sunday Times column. After indulging in several episodes of Downton Abbey, Clarkson described the show as “completely preposterous” yet acknowledged it captures a vision of “what Englishness is” — chiefly defined by impeccable manners, including standing when a woman enters a room and practicing restraint with alcohol.
Clarkson lamented that the refined social graces depicted in Downton Abbey have largely vanished from contemporary British life. He pointed to dining etiquette as a telling example, observing, “If you go out for dinner now, the pub or restaurant is extremely unlikely to feature a family who sit up straight and are impeccably polite to the staff. Instead, it’s likely to be full of braying yobbos who talk with their mouths full and use their cutlery to point at things.” He went on to stress that polite behaviour seems to be no longer actively pursued.
In a surprising twist, Clarkson suggested that courtesy may still hold strong among some groups, highlighting an Arab prince who recently dined at his farm. He recounted, “Every time a lady came past the lunch table, he stood up; when our housekeeper arrived to clear the plates, he leapt to his feet, helped her, and even loaded the dishwasher.”
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Clarkson’s commentary echoes findings from a 2023 study by King’s College London’s Policy Institute, which explored parenting priorities across the UK. The study found that while there has been a decline in prioritizing strict obedience, the importance placed on teaching good manners remains robust. Professor Bobby Duffy explained that good manners continue to be one of the top qualities valued for children, reflecting a societal emphasis on positive behaviour, hard work, and unselfishness — even as individual self-expression gains ground.
Clarkson’s provocative article adds voice to a broader conversation about the changing social fabric in Britain, challenging readers to reflect on what values define civility in today’s world.