[vansVoish]

More British passengers died on the Titanic because they queued politely for lifeboats, researchers believe.

A behavioural economist says data suggests Britons in that era were more inclined to be "gentlemanly" while Americans were more "individualist".

Women with children had a 70% better chance of survival than men in such an environment, he told the BBC.

The Titanic sank during its maiden voyage in 1912 after hitting an iceberg, with the loss of 1,500 lives.

David Savage, from Queenland University of Technology, studied the disaster to look at how people react in life and death situations.

He said that in testimonies from inquiries in America and Britain just after the event, there were a lot of statements from women saying their husbands put them on lifeboats.

They then "went to the back of the boat to have a cigar, to stand around and be chummy, while basically the boat went down".

Mr Savage said: "There was one gentleman who was rather wealthy... who went back downstairs after he put his wife on the [life] boat... put on his tuxedo...went back upstairs and smoked... with the idea that if I am going die, I may as well die as a gentleman and well-dressed." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7843154.stm

Somehow I can't imagine the same thing happening these days. It would be every man (and woman) for themselves!

[Zavdpacq]

Politeness doesn't factor in the survival of the fittest.

[FjFHQLJQ]

Politeness doesn't factor in the survival of the fittest.

... it did then

[vansVoish]

Politeness doesn't factor in the survival of the fittest.

Are you saying the British weren't as "fit" as the Americans?

[Zavdpacq]

Are you saying the British weren't as "fit" as the Americans?

They then "went to the back of the boat to have a cigar, to stand around and be chummy, while basically the boat went down". That doesn't sound very mentally fit.

[ibupronec]

Surviving has nothing to do with the survival of the fittest......

[pipitous]

That doesn't sound very mentally fit.

What it shows is the english "stiff upper lip", in that times of extreme hardship, an englishman is not to be seen as a coward even if inside he may be quivering like one.

[Uttephabeta]

There was a study years ago, in relation to some Airplane crashes, Hotel fires and Nightclub fires, that showed that the more aggressive people who clawed and fought thier ways to the exit stood a much better chance of survival than those "more civilized" people who attempted to exit in an orderly fashion.

[datingcrew]

There was a study years ago, in relation to some Airplane crashes, Hotel fires and Nightclub fires, that showed that the more aggressive people who clawed and fought thier ways to the exit stood a much better chance of survival than those "more civilized" people who attempted to exit in an orderly fashion.

Of course that is true, however, The Titanic didn't really have any exits except for a few lifeboats (and lack of them, just to make the ship more beautiful, tut tut). They had to make a choice - I doubt they would have lowered the lifeboats if some fat c**t bloke threw off 8 kids from a boat just to save his own fat ass.

[pipitous]

There was a study years ago, in relation to some Airplane crashes, Hotel fires and Nightclub fires, that showed that the more aggressive people who clawed and fought their ways to the exit stood a much better chance of survival than those "more civilized" people who attempted to exit in an orderly fashion.

I guess if that means trampling on women's and children's faces, then I'd have to be amongst the ones to die first, As I'd rather retain some dignity, rather than lower my humanity to try and survive.

It depends on the situation though, none of us can say what we would and wouldn't do to survive.

Survival usually depends on having a "clear head", and doing the right thing in the wrong situation, So being civilised and acting with a "stiff upper lip", might actually make you think more rationally than acting aggressively and trying to claw your way to the exit/s through the masses, like some unthinking demon.

[effenseshoora]

I guess if that means trampling on women's and children's faces, then I'd have to be amongst the ones to die first, As I'd rather retain some dignity, rather than lower my humanity to try and survive.

Likewise, I'm aware we are all descended form animals but it doesn't mean we have to act like them.
I'd like to think I'm developed enough to overide my instincts.

[excholza]

America is a very socially-independent society, as opposed to interdependence. They lack the feel of solidarity and comradeship.

[MeverikcNils]

I would have thought that less britons would have died because they didn't have to worry about the hassle of taking toothpaste along with them. Zing!

[tetMitshisk]

I would have thought that less britons would have died because they didn't have to worry about the hassle of taking toothpaste along with them. Zing!

I can top that

More Britons died on Titanic because they were too polite the reason, actually, is that they were waiting for Americans to save them.[rofl]

I'll go ahead and apologize in advance for that one.

America is a very socially-independent society, as opposed to interdependence. They lack the feel of solidarity and comradeship. you're right, Americans tend to be more individualistic, but it's absolutely ridiculous to claim they lack solidarity or comradeship. Utterly assinine. Wasn't it only a couple of days ago about 2 million Americans gathered to celebrate a president the people elected?

[effenseshoora]

I would have thought that less britons would have died because they didn't have to worry about the hassle of taking toothpaste along with them. Zing!

I'm suprised that more American's didn't die as they are such big, fat, fatty-fatty fatbags who smell of wee and poo.

[Smalmslobby]

I'm suprised that more American's didn't die as they are such big, fat, fatty-fatty fatbags who smell of wee and poo.

And don't forget the ones that were too busy in their cabins... with their cousins.

[GEAntonio]

I'm suprised that more American's didn't die as they are such big, fat, fatty-fatty fatbags who smell of wee and poo.

American were a very different creature back then...

[effenseshoora]

And don't forget the ones that were too busy in their cabins... with their cousins.

Phew, for a moment there I thought you'd say something really controversial like "They'd be in the cabins polishing their high rate of fire machine guns that are needed for personal protection".

[ahagotyou]

the reason, actually, is that they were waiting for Americans to save them.[rofl]

I'll go ahead and apologize in advance for that one.

They were waiting for the Americans to save them....problem being they asked for help 2-3 years previously and were still waiting [rofl]

(I keed, I keed!)

[Fuerfsanv]

*Insert a joke about Brits and comment about Americans here.*