Britishness? What is it?

I would instinctively say all the things you have listed. I think one of the things about being british is our natural instinct to look at europe with suspicion. I think this is because we are an island and are detached from europe we have constantly had to defend ourselves. And also when i think of us brits i always think about the gloomy weather and laugh at the fact we always talk about it. We also always say sorry and i don't know why. I was walking down the street a few weeks back and i nearly walked in to a woman. We both looked at each other and at the same time in the same tone said "Sorry". I actually laughed to myself afterwards.