The British viewed the Cypriots as simple and one-dimensional, failing to recognize the complex and lively personalities that inhabited the island. They overlooked the richness of character among the local people, including those who embodied the quirks and eccentricities that bring charm and vitality to small communities.

"Conversely the British saw a one-dimensional figure in the Cypriot; they did not realize how richly the landscape was stocked with the very sort of characters who rejoice the English heart in a small country town—the rogue, the drunkard, the singer, the incorrigible." This highlights the disconnect in perception, where the British miss the depth and diversity of local personalities, seeing only superficial images instead of the true vibrancy of Cypriot life.