Man Fleeing London Attack with Pint of Beer Becomes Symbol of British Pride

It's no joke. Going out to a pub for a pint and being confronted by a knife-wielding terrorist became an unfortunate reality for some Britons last Saturday night in Borough Market, London's famed food market. And with three tragic attacks in 73 days, the people of England have every right to feel as though their nerves are on serious edge.

But a photo of a man fleeing Saturday's attack with his beer firmly in hand has become an unlikely representation of British pride. Take, for instance, this tweet from a well-known political consultant to conservative parties in the UK, Australia, and Canada.

Is he the most British man in the world, able to keep a grip on his pint whilst evading impending terror? Some seem to think so, because the image has been retweeted and shared thousands of times and has become a meme that serves as an underlying reminder of Britain's keep-calm-and-carry-on mentality.

While there was certainly nothing funny about the attacks that rocked London this weekend, the man's attachment to his beer has offered a small reminder of what makes British humor so, well, British, with some Twitter users arguing that of course he should bring it with him—a pint isn't cheap in central London.

The death toll from Saturday's terror attack in London stands at seven now, with dozens of others being treated for injuries. Yes, the statistics are horrifying. But, somehow, an image of one man running with a pint has become an emblem of British fortitude.

Even in moments of darkness there are hints of light. Keep calm and carry on, indeed.