Owning a library card, watching subtitled films and being skilled in the use of chopsticks are among the traits which make us cultured 

• A study of 2,000 people found seven in 10 believed themselves 'cultured'
• Other defining characteristics included watching Antiques Roadshow 
• Almost a third admitted to 'faking' cultural creditentials to impress friends

By Flora Drury For Mailonline

Published: 15:22 EST, 18 September 2015 | Updated: 18:23 EST, 18 September 2015

Owning a library card, watching sub-titled films and being skilled in the use of chopsticks are among the traits which make us cultured, according to a new survey.

Drinking 'proper' coffee, knowing the difference between cuts of meat and watching the Antiques Roadshow also set you apart from your less refined friends.

However, it seems you probably don't have many of those: seven in 10 consider themselves to be 'cultured', although the majority admit to not knowing exactly what the term means. 

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Impressing your friends: Throwing dinner parties makes you cultured, according to the survey

Clever: Doing crosswords is another sign of being cultured, which seven in 10 believe they are

The Oxford English Dictionary defines 'cultured' as 'improved by education and training; possessed of or characterized by culture, especially with reference to the arts and intellectual pursuits; refined, cultivated'.

But a study of 2,000 people found they considered someone cultured if they simply chose city breaks over beach holidays, read a book in bed and collected music on vinyl.

What's more, three in four believe you can be cultured despite having never left the country.

The study also found that Brits are at their most cultured at age 38, according to the poll, and feel the most need to project a cultured persona at dinner parties, high-end restaurants and job interviews.

Going to the theatre was named the top sign of being cultured - along with listening to classical music, having an interest in politics and the ability to recognise art.

Simply having a library card means you're cultured said one in ten, while almost a fifth said a classy Brit would read the book first before watching a film adaptation. 

Faking it: Drinking 'proper' coffee is another sign, but almost a third say they have faked being cultured

Top: Going to the theatre is the number one indicator that you are cultured, according to the survey

In light of the cultural check-list, seven in ten confessed they wish they were more cultured - with 31 per cent even admitting they sometimes 'fake it' to impress others.

Brits named science centres, historic houses and castles among the sites they'd be open to visiting - but 54 per cent admitted the cost holds them back.

A spokesman for Yakult, which commissioned the study for its 80th anniversary, said: 'It seems that perceptions of 'culture' can vary, but the one thing that almost everyone has in common is a desire to experience more of it, and to become more 'cultured'.'

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Yakult have introduced a new 'culture pass', which gives two-for-one entry to more than 50 scientific, educational and historic venues.

A Yakult spokesperson said, 'Trying out a new activity can be a fun way to shake up our everyday routine and learn something new. 

'The Culture Pass days out will encourage learning and expand horizons, which is something Yakult has been passionate about for the past 80 years.'

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