British actor Sir Ben Kingsley insists that the public in the U.K. generally seem to despise those in the public eye, and yet they bestow knighthoods on celebs. Kingsley, who was himself knighted in 2001, admits he is rather amused by this attitude. He says, "There is almost a contempt for success in the national character, a lampooning of celebrity, a tradition of putting it down. But just when you think they're ignoring you to the point of disdain, the government and the Queen suddenly say, 'Actually, we rather like you' - and give you a knighthood! It's the most delicious and wonderful balance, which happens nowhere else in the world."
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