Book Review – Very British Problems – Rob Temple

Have you ever… waited patiently in a queue that turned out not to be a queue at all? Said you’re pleased with your new haircut, despite the deep inner sadness it’s causing you? Allowed your bladder to explode rather than wake a fellow plane passenger? … then you may be suffering from Very British Problems.

It’s the phenomenon that started on twitter, that has now escalated to Facebook and a book! Rob Temple has taken life’s most awkward problems and published them for all to see.

This book is tea-spillingly funny, looking at subjects from ‘playing it cool‘ to ‘unwritten rules‘ to ‘shopping slip-ups‘. “Being very dramatic about taking your phone in and out your jacket so it doesn’t look like you’re pocketing chocolate bars“.

I’m not sure how Temple does it, but 99% of the anecdotes in the book apply to my life and without a doubt, everyone reading it will think the same. “Going to your doctor and replying, ‘I’m fine, thank you’ when they ask you how your are”.

I can honestly say I cried with laughter throughout this book, and cringed with the memories of the situations and scenarios that Rob explains in the book.

There’s an epidemic sweeping the nation…

• Acute embarrassment at the mere notion of ‘making a fuss’ 
• Extreme awkwardness when faced with any social greeting beyond a brisk handshake
• An unhealthy preoccupation with meteorology
  Very British Problems are highly contagious. There is no known cure.

I can assure you, if you want a little ditty book to laugh your way through, this is definitely one to look out for. (Just try and control your laughter in public, e.g. on the train as you will be looked at as if you are a crazy person…)

Well done Mr Temple, you have made a book about how British people ‘make life awkward for ourselves one rainy day at a time’.

For more VBP I suggest you follow them on twitter @soverybritish

If you have any suggestions, comment below or tweet me @LHutchon

Elle Hache.