Well let’s see now. British stereotypes in America:
Someone with an English accent is presumed to be smarter, or at least better educated, and more cultured. So you can always use that to your advantage in dealings with Americans.
The English generally dress better than we do.
On the bad side, the English are regarded as perhaps too prim and proper. You people are advised to loosen up. Would it kill you to smile at a stranger? (Hey, it’s just a stereotype.)
For a while now in American films, an English accent has been a marker for villainy. I can’t explain that one, since I don’t think the average American thinks of the English as villainous.
The English have a great gift for wry comedy.
Scots are viewed as a little more rough and ready, and a little more down-to-earth than the English, if maybe not as cultured. Easier to get to know, and generally likeable.
Wales and Cornwall don’t get much play here, and the average American will give you a blank stare if asked to describe Welsh or Cornish characteristics. (Or Manx for that matter.)
We generally like the British (all stripes) quite a lot. We think of them as our cousins and we feel and appreciate that familial relationship on a deep level.
oy vay No, no, no!!! sliced fried taters are called chips, big meaty fat greasy buggers are the best none of those thin sliced French stick insect jobs.
Of recent there has been a number of Mexican restaurants opened and Enchiladas/Nachos/chilli is going well.
Haggis is not a myth but thankfully is confined mostly to Scotland (along with hairy kneecaps and blokes wearing skirts)
Traditionally we have never much liked the French, don’t ask why 'cos I have no idea, it’s just the way it is.
As for the 1775-1783 spat, well the way we see it is like this…
“Scuse me yer 'ighness but them bloody colonials 'ave gorn and dumped our tea in the sodding sea”
Bland food.
Good mannered, friendly folks.
Rich culture and history.
People that are civilized and even dainty, yet tough and determined when they need to be.
England has been a great ally to us, even in recent years when that’s not so easy. I’ll be grateful for this all my life. If England ever needs our help with, say, a just but unpopular war, America should support them.
I loved the week I spent in London and would like to return someday to see more of it.
It was some war centuries ago that we lost. That’s about all any Brit thinks about it, unless they’re studying it in History or something. It’s quite strange to us that Americans refer to it so much, but of course it’s a supremely important event in your history so it makes sense. But I’ve heard American expats in Britain worrying if it would be insensitive to hold a Fourth of July barbecue . Of course not, the Brits will probably join you for a hotdog and a Bud!
I’ve known several Brits, all nice and affable people with the lovely habit of ending every statement as a question (Nice day out, isn’t it?) which I find a nicely deferential way to carry on with people. Personally I’ve always been facinated with the British devotion to pop music. It’s really much bigger than it is over here.
However in my household we were raised to not like the British at all, as my grandparents and my parents are “Blameful Irish” who need a scapegoat for all their worldly ills. Meh, maybe it was just too many Wolfe Tones records for them as it’s certainly not rubbed off on me, but there are plenty of bars in the city I’ve been to where someone with an “English” accent wouldn’t be too warmly welcomed. It’s a shame really.
Now that’s insensitive… But yeah, I agree, nobody gives a monkey’s about celebrating 1776; in fact I’ve seen a few US-themed activities that go on in the UK around July 4th.
I am of English descent and my mother-in-law is English. I will simply rubber stamp what some others have said.
Great Britain is one of the most popular nations with us. Only Canada might rank higher. Australia is also popular.
I still hear from reliable sources that food sucks.
We don’t understand the whole class thing. It doesnt always seem to be tied directly to money or personal accomplishment and that makes no sense. We might have something loosely similar to classes but but people can rise and fall even within one lifetime.
The whole monarchy thing - it just seems quaint and goofy at the same time. It is almost like a tacky tourist trap. We can’t take that seriously even if it provides entertainment. That brings up another point. Americans seem to know way more about the British monarchy than anything else regarding foreign governments. Most Americans couldn’t name the first thing about Canada or Mexico’s governments but most would know about Camilla, Diana, Harry etc. I don’t know if the media just creates the fascination but it is there.
Stronger socialist tendencies than the U.S. - that is never popular here but at least it isn’t seen as strong as in other countries in Europe.
Overall silliness - mannerisms, customs, and pop culture seem to range from the effete to the plain silly (Monty Python etc.)
Preoccupation with your own brand of humor - the British seem to pride themselves on some type of dry and ironic humor. I can see that but it falls apart, at least to me, when they imply that the U.S. doesn’t appreciate it. In my experience, the U.S. has the broadest range of humor of any nation by far and the British simply don’t “get” much of it leading to the mistaken belief that it isn’t there.
More sparten living conditions than the average American.
I’ve never been to Britain, but would love to go someday. As for the people, therefore, the only ones I’ve met are ones traveling to this country, (or Germany when I was there), and I always found the reputation for being stuffy and reserved to be overstated.
There is a tendency among some Americans to imagine that you’re all aristocrats, or at least that you behave in an aristocratic manner. TV shows such as Masterpiece Theatre and Brideshead Revisited have done much to perpetuate this idea. But probably the main reason there have been so many shows like that is because they sell. Americans find your aristocracy fascinating. On the other hand, much good has been accomplished by Monty Python and Fawlty Towers and the like. Those shows tended mostly to show ordinary working and middle class Brits, and even though the characters were exaggerated, it was good to see them acting out their parts in a completely non-pretentious manner.
I’ve never been to Britain, so I’ve never met you in your habitat, but the ones I’ve met who were traveling here, or in Germany when I was there, never seemed to be the least bit stuffy.
Not so much an urban myth but since the introduction of widespread use of pesticides and the encroachment of other modern farming practices into its habitat it is certainly a lot rarer if that makes you feel any better.
I have to agree on that. Just last week I was in Centennial park by the lake reading a book and watching my daughter play and this British gentleman approached me. He asked " Exscuse me, what’s that noise? I heard it yesterday in Memphis and now I’m hearing it again…" I smiled at the guy (cause you gotta love that accent) and wondered what the hell he was talking about because it was a lovely and quiet Sunday morning. Then it hit me. “OH!” I said “You must mean the cicadas.”
“What are cicadas?” he asked
“They’re an insect… sorta like a huge fly, they live underground for 15 or 16 years or so then come up and make a heck of a racket, this isn’t a bad brood of them though.”
He nodded and went on his way, I think he thought I was fucking with him.
Pull the other one. You’ll be telling me that gophers, groundhogs, roadrunners and meaningful two-party politics are also alive and well in the USA next.
My attitude toward the English has always been good. I think it’s largely due to Monty Python & The Young Ones. I haven’t met to many Brits in the flesh to have an personal opinion.
Slight hijack, do Brits mind the limey? Always wondered if that was an insult or not.
I’m not american, but my impression of the brits is that this is the sort of people who sit around in pubs most of the day dringing beer and singing long live the Queen
“Limey” is too quaint to be much of an insult. I’ll tell you what does get me, though - “Britisher”. It’s the sort of word a Nazi SS officer might have used, and sounds kind of rude coming from an American.
No, I’ve only seen it a few times, on these boards in fact. My guess is that it’s an alternative to Brit or Limey used by people with some German ancestry? I don’t think it’s necessarily meant as an insult, it just irritates me
Surely you’re thinking of the Irish? And they’d be drinking Guinness and singing The Irish Rover.
And what is this long live the Queen of which you speak, have you confused it with our national anthem, God Save Rock and Roll?
none of those thin sliced French stick insect jobs.
. Of course not, the Brits will probably join you for a hotdog and a Bud!
