# American perceptions of the "Special relationship" **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 25, 2011, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143 "2011-05-25T13:09:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/21 "2011-05-25T16:41:58Z")
Moving to IMHO from GQ. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/22 "2011-05-25T18:03:56Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I’m just looking at things in a similar way to friends/acquaintances. There are people you’re friendly with, but probably wouldn’t help change a tire on a rainy day, people you’ll help out when it’s inconvenient, but there are a close, select few who you’ll help hide the bodies. > > I’ve always thought that in international terms, the US, UK, Australia and Canada are on that last set terms with each other, and the rest of NATO is in the second category, and other countries like say… Argentina, who we’re friendly with, but really wouldn’t go to bat for if the chips were down. I always felt Japan (within the last 20 to 30 years or so) was in that second tier category, even though they are agressive economically. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/23 "2011-05-25T18:22:25Z")
I always thought the “Special Relationship” referred to how British tourists visiting the USA never leave a tip for the bartender/waitress when ordering a drink… ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/24 "2011-05-25T18:32:46Z")
England is our number 1 ally, because we forget that Canada is a different country. I don’t see England as riding on America’s greatness - I see it as America looking for credibility because she’s still insecure about being a shallow country with a short history. Americans don’t overthink things. England speaks English like us, and the British have those accents that we make fun of but secretly think they’re better than us. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/25 "2011-05-25T18:33:04Z")
I think most Americans look at the UK (and all it’s parts - Ireland, Scotland, Wales) as being somehow “on our side”. Also Canada & Australia & New Zealand. I think most Americans would laugh off any suggestion that we might ever go to war with any of you. You’re one of the Good Guys. Also, you have sexy accents and your comedians are way funnier than ours. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/26 "2011-05-25T18:54:36Z")
OK, now that thread is out of GQ, what I wanted to say is that one of the huge problems the left in the US had with Bush-II was that he basically handled our special relationship with Briton like an abusive spouse. Thankfully the British realized it was just a bad drunken binge and would pass. It was really painful to watch Tony Blair being bashed in Parliament trying to defend the indefensible positions that Bush-II left him little option but to support. I hope that the British and our other allies take the last presidential election as a sign that Americans really do want to be good citizens of the world, and Noble Peace Prize was seen in that spirit. As for being out of sync regards leadership: Briton, along with Europe in general leans left, and America to the right, especially today. A far right Brit might make an American moderate, and a far left American might make a moderate Brit. Support for nationalized health care, or the idea that it might be a good idea to try to get along with other countries, and not torture other people are seen as wacky liberal notions. The British right and the American left can pretty well meet in the middle, more so than if you picked each of the same bent, especially considering that political realities mean that they will need to be center leaning in the first place. A Republican President, even a moderate one will likely need a hard line Torry to get on with, while a Democratic President will fall closer to middle of the British spectrum and likely be able to see eye-to-eye with the left or right leaning moderates who would most likely be chosen as a PM. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/27 "2011-05-25T19:29:28Z")
Remember, folks, England is just one part of Great Britain. English isn’t the same as British - ask any Scot, Welshman or denizen of Northern Ireland. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/28 "2011-05-25T19:50:36Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > I always thought the “Special Relationship” referred to how British tourists visiting the USA never leave a tip for the bartender/waitress when ordering a drink… Well, Americans aren’t great at instantly adopting local customs when in a different country either! It’s _hard_ remembering all the things you have to do differently. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/29 "2011-05-25T19:51:44Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Remember, folks, England is just one part of Great Britain. English isn’t the same as British - ask any Scot, Welshman or denizen of Northern Ireland. Remember, the OP is asking Americans. To us, it is all the same. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/30 "2011-05-25T19:52:51Z")
> [@Kevbo](#): > > Though we might not always treat\*\* Briton \*\*as well as she deserves, we really do love her. > [@](#): > > US had with Bush-II was that he basically handled our special relationship with \*\*Briton \*\*like an abusive spouse. If you really do “love her”, any chance you could try to spell the name of the country correctly? It’s _Britain_, not “Briton”. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/31 "2011-05-25T19:54:07Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Remember, the OP is asking Americans. To us, it is all the same. That’s OK - we don’t really distinguish between you and Canadians, either! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/32 "2011-05-25T20:11:19Z")
I thought it was just something between Blair & Clinton. The only time I’ve heard that phrase was in regards to the recent HBO movie. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/33 "2011-05-25T20:19:06Z")
The application of the phrase specifically to US-British relations is usually dated to [this 1946 speech](http://www.nato.int/docu/speech/1946/s460305a_e.htm) by Winston Churchill, which itself includes a reference to the ties between the US and Canada, and between Canada and Britain. ---
**Author:** ![Bakhesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Bakhesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bakhesh)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/34 "2011-05-25T21:35:40Z")
I honestly thought that most people would say “what special relationship?”, and it being something that the Prime Minister makes the President talk about when he visits. Most of the responses on here are much more positive than I thought. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/35 "2011-05-25T21:48:59Z")
> [@Bakhesh](#): > > I honestly thought that most people would say “what special relationship?”, and it being something that the Prime Minister makes the President talk about when he visits. Most of the responses on here are much more positive than I thought. We’re genuinely fond of y’all. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/36 "2011-05-25T22:04:02Z")
I always felt that the “special relationship” was something of a parent/child relationship. With the US being the child who has come into their own, wielding more power now than the parent, but with the parent UK garnering more respect on the world stage. Canada is our nicer younger sibling who generally gets along with everybody but sticks with us against “outsiders.” Australia is our zany brash close cousin we get up to no good with. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/37 "2011-05-26T00:13:10Z")
> [@Candyman74](#): > > Well, Americans aren’t great at instantly adopting local customs when in a different country either! Well, I thought it pretty obvious that my post was meant to be a light-hearted joke, but while I can’t speak for other Americans, I am conscientious enough to try and conform to local customs and practices when I am travelling abroad (I have spent time in 20+ different countries over the years, so I am sure there have been occasions when I was a clueless and clumsy foreigner) and the vast majority of Brits who are here in the USA know perfectly well how our (fucked-up, outdated, unjust, nonsensical, etc. etc. etc.) tipping/gratuity system works, but a few still insist on stiffing the waitstaff in order to save a few bucks or make some kind of a point… ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/38 "2011-05-26T03:42:13Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I thought it was just something between Blair & Clinton. The only time I’ve heard that phrase was in regards to the recent HBO movie. Oh, no, it goes waaayy back. Here’s more than you ever wanted to know about it: [Special Relationship (disambiguation) - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Special_Relationship). I was surprised by how many hits it’s taken in the last 20 years or so. I’m sorry to say that the U.S. has not been as good a partner - on friendly fire incidents, extradition, extraordinary rendition, etc. - as I would’ve liked to think. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/39 "2011-05-26T04:25:49Z")
I’ve always thought the U.S. looked on the U.K. like a dad that we once had a huge ass fight with about paying rent while living under house rules, so we left home, and did pretty well, considering. But the U.K. is still dear old Dad, and we love dear old Dad, and that fight was years ago. Canada is the younger brother who lived in U.K.'s basement until he was forty. ---
**Author:** ![Elysian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c77e96/32.png) [@Elysian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elysian)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143/40 "2011-05-26T07:14:32Z")
As you can see, the US thinks of the UK as family, fairly close family. This makes sense because an awful lot of us can trace as least one ancestor back to the UK. Honestly I didn’t know about the special relationship, or pay any attention to it in any case, until I spent a summer studying in the UK. But it instantly made sense to me. There’s a lot of positive feeling about the UK in America, a lot of comraderie, that most people in the UK seem oblivious of and suspicious of…especially the over-enthusiastic tourists! America IS genuinely fond of the UK. It’s a much more stable relationship than the press here in England like to make out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-perceptions-of-the-special-relationship/583143.md?page=3)