One thing we’re continually interested in here at Anglotopia is what the British really think of us Americans. It has a lot to do with the fact that we wouldn’t exist without the British – yet even though America has British origins, we couldn’t be more different.
Native Brit Geoff Dyer hits the nail on the head in this exploratory editorial featured in the New York Times this week:
The first thing I ever heard about Americans was that they all carried guns. Then, when I came across people who’d had direct contact with this ferocious-sounding tribe, I learned that they were actually rather friendly. At university, friends who had traveled in the United States came back with more detailed stories, not just of the friendliness of Americans but also of their hospitality (which, in our quaint English way, was translated into something close to gullibility). When I finally got to America myself, I found that not only were the natives friendly and hospitable, they were also incredibly polite. No one tells you this about Americans, but once you notice it, it becomes one of their defining characteristics, especially when they’re abroad.
This is very strange, or at least it says something strange about the way that perception routinely conforms to the preconceptions it would appear to contradict. The archetypal American abroad is perceived as loud and crass even though actually existing American tourists are distinguished by the way they address bus drivers and bartenders as “sir†and are effusive in their thanks when any small service is rendered. We look on with some confusion at these encounters because, on the one hand, the Americans seem a bit country-bumpkinish, and, on the other, good manners are a form of sophistication.
Granted, these visiting Americans often seem to have loud voices, but on closer examination, it’s a little subtler than that. Americans have no fear of being overheard. Civic life in Britain is predicated on the idea that everyone just about conceals his loathing of everyone else. To open your mouth is to risk offending someone. So we mutter and mumble as if surrounded by informers or, more exactly, as if they are living in our heads. In America the right to free speech is exercised freely and cordially. The basic assumption is that nothing you say will offend anyone else because, deep down, everyone is agreed on the premise that America is better than anyplace else. No such belief animates British life. On the contrary. A couple of years ago a survey indicated that British Muslims were the most fed-up of any in Europe: a sign, paradoxically, of profound assimilation.
Read the rest of this great article here at the New York Times.
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Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Anglotopia was started to get us back to the UK for a trip and it did that in 2009. Now, the goal is for Anglotopia to make our dreams of traveling to the UK whenever we want a reality.
It’s so true that Americans are not well known for their politeness but they really are! (I’m a Londoner.) it’s worth pointing that out as the first thing Brits think is that Americans are loud and brash but I’ve never met that type, either here in London or across the pond.
Very interesting! Thanks for sharing!
I have found that I am louder than most people around here, but I don’t care. Its who I am and in a place where everyone is comfortable with each other I find my voice isn’t always the loudest. I definitely feel like I am overly polite as well, I say please and thank you constantly and it is just how I was raised. Sometimes I actually feel a bit self conscious about it because the person I am showing gratitude to often looks a bit puzzled at first but then warms up to the praise. I would rather feel uncomfortable for being too polite than too rude any day though!
As a Brit i think Americans are 50/50 some good, some bad, like any other country but digging deep i believe more than a fair share of Americans alot of the time (really am trying not be stereotypical) can be Loud Mouthed, indenial of their European history/ancestory, Gun toting, superficial, overly exaggerated patriotism (nothing wrong with loving your country but its almost to the point of insecurity), if it aint American we dont want it attitude, Brainwashed by Media; News Channels etc. Please find Africa and points to Japan type education. Your country is really fake too, i know British have a reputation of having Bad Teeth which in my opinion i think that stems from the old days and alot of British have good healthy teeth but American teeth look so fake, almost like this neon glow is coming from the mouth and i think that decribes America, Veeners, Whitener – All Fake! but made to look good to the public eye. More meanings than one i think. Thanks A Brit.
Read more: What do Americans think of british people | Answerbag http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/669319#ans9734483#ixzz11fp1abmC
I am an american and am not loud mouthed, just happy. I know of very few “loud mouthed” Americans- but after countless trips across the pond, I find MOST Britains to be borish, snotty and think their crap doesn’t stink. It does!
Well, I’ve had more than one Brit tell me that we Americans don’t understand how loud we are to foreign ears.
I, for one, am definitely not loud-mouthed. I’m always have people ask me to speak up when I say something, but it is not my fault, really; I’m soft-spoken. That’s one thing I really like when I went to the UK in 05; I didn’t have anyone ask me to speak up at all.. everyone spoke with the same volume of voice that I did.
The British think the Americans are good at Business. Good at transactions…always trying to do the next deal..interactions are fast, shallow, transient, polite because they are economically driven. Thats why ‘have a nice day’ sounds false to the British. In Britain, there is more about the relationship. as well as the transaction, theres more about community but less than in the past. Interactions are both socially/relationship and economically based. Trust is important because a transaction involves a relationship aspect. When people decide not to engage in this relationship aspect for whatever reason they come across as cold. Americans seem warm because in fact the relationship part is not important so they have nothing social to lose if the transaction goes sour.
I have to say that I have always held an infatuation for England. I find the people, history, music, architecture, and art fascinating. I love the language, it’s so proper and eloquent. As an American it is true that I am oppinionated but thats part of our culture here in the states. I am not loud but I can be passionate about my beliefs.I love having relationships where there is an exchange of ideas and beliefs and when I speak it’s no to be superficial or shallow. There are differences to be sure but that’s what makes this world a great place. When I go to England or anywhere else for that matter I don’t expect or want them to act American I want them to celebrate what makes them great. We don’t need to do away with nationalistic pride or form unions to become one big global community we just need to respect our differences even celebrate them.
As a Briton I have noticed instances in Britain and the rest of Europe on how ‘load-mouthed’ and ‘rude’ American tourists can be. One instance that comes to mind was when I was in Malta before they adopted the Euro, and an American couple and their children where trying to pay a local horse-drawn coach driver for him to take them around the city of Victoria (just a side note: if one does ever go to Malta I fully recommend a ride in one of these coaches, they’re great!). The American father was shouting at this local to accept the Euros he had brought with them, and when the driver refused the father pulled out an American bill and proceeded to demand he and his family be allowed in the carriage. Obviously I am not stereotyping over 300 million people with this example, but unfortunately the example is just one of several dozen I have seen over the years.
Also, again another side note, England is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (yes there are two Irelands), and England is not ‘another name’ for Great Britain. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are all parts of the UK, and England is just one of the kingdoms (like Scotland) that make up the United Kingdom.
*sigh* I suppose I will be perpetuating a few American stereotypes here, but I really cannot help my curiosity. I am not trying to be rude; I am merely genuinely curious about a few points. First, how independent are the various kingdoms? That is, is someone from Scotland Scottish first and a member of the United Kingdom second? Or is it the other way round? Is someone from Wales seen as belonging to a foreign country as much as someone from France or the U.S.? What about Canadians or some of the more Anglo-centric countries?
Next, you said you were a Britain, where exactly does that fall in the hegemony of kingdoms? That is, if Scotland is to the Scots, England is to the English, and Wales is to the Welsh, and these are (I think) the three Kingdoms on the British Isle, than could you safely call any of these a Britain?
Finally, is there a term that amounts to a ‘U.K.er’ that would acceptably refer to all of the associate kingdoms including Northern Ireland?
I realize that this is a rather involved question, and I do apologize, but I have been curious about this for a while but have not been able to find any real answers on my own. Since you brought it up in your post I was hoping you would be willing to explain the basics of the situation to me.
Ian,
That’s actually a great question. Though we see ourselves as part of the same country, if you were to ask an American where he’s from in the U.S. he would associate himself by his state of origin. If we are out of our country the reply would be “I’m from America.” We kind of hold a “dual loyalty.” Though we like to say that are government is a democracy, in actuality it’s a republic. That why we are called the “United States.”
Hi Ian,
No need to be embarrassed for asking the question. It’s actually a question that confuses a quite a lot of people. Even many here in the UK don’t really seem to get it.
Alexander was mistaken when he referred to the four ‘home nations’ of the United Kingdom as separate “kingdoms”. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is one country – or kingdom, if you like – that is made up of four nations, each with its own unique identity and culture. We refer to the four home nations as “countries” although, in my opinion, that’s mainly for historical reasons and to avoid upsetting the nationalists. The UK is made up of Great Britain (“great” meaning “large”, as it is the largest island of the British Isles) and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is England, Scotland and Wales. However, the word “British” tends to be used to refer to anyone from the UK, although I would advise you to use it with discretion around the Northern Irish. You’re just asking for trouble if you refer to a republican as “British”. Also, never refer to the British Isles as the “British” Isles when you’re around a N.I republican or a person from the Republic of Ireland.
As for your question as to how independent each home nation is – that is a rather politically sensitive issue at the moment. The UK is governed from Westminster (the Houses of Parliament). Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own governments that deal with issues that effect only that particular nation. I suppose you could compare Westminster to your Federal government in D.C. and the independent home nations’ governments to state governments. It’s a bit different, but that’s the easiest way to think of it. Those parts of the UK (especially Scotland) have demanded and been given (since the UK is a democracy) increasing levels of autonomy since the 1990s. They dislike that England is the most powerful nation of the UK. However, it is important to understand why England has so much power here. The UK as a whole has a population of around 61 million. England makes up over 51 million of that, with just under 8 million in London alone. Compare that to Scotland’s 5 million, Wales’ 3 million and N.I’s under 2 million. The truth is that, as an individual, an Englishman has no more power in the UK than a Scot, a Welshman or a N.Irishman. In fact, it tends to work out that an individual Englishman’s vote is worth less than an individual Scot’s vote. England has no independent government – It is governed purely by the joint British government, meaning that Scottish, Welsh and N.I Members of Parliament (MPs) can vote on matters that concern only England. I’m sure you can see why people are getting upset. A sense of British identity and pride is also being swiftly corroded by those of the four individual home nations. Scottish “independence” (as they call it) is a real possibility in the current political climate, which makes the future of the UK uncertain.
Canada, Australia, et al have nothing to do with us. They’re generally very popular over here and we hope they like us too, but they’re completely independent nations. We do share a royal family, however – although our Monarchies are technically distinct from one another.
I hope I’ve answered all of your questions clearly! It’s hard to fit something so complicated into so little space.
Kind regards,
Chris
I am American and after reading these comments I believe we generally are loud in America. I never thought about before….it’s just the way it always has been. I want to visit England. When I get to England I promise to speak softly and politely AND NOT YELL….lol.
okay, hello there. I’m American and i would love to travel to England but i wonder what they would think of someone like me, i try to be polite if i don’t know someone and it takes time for me to open up to others because i guess you can say im shy? but im artistic and love to have a good laugh. But i want to comment about my own country, People i know around here in Maryland and just about any state can be very rude and loud and shallow and judgmental. but i believe that all depends on what type of person you are and how you were raised. There are “jerks” all around the world, i guess it just depends on who you meet. all my foreign friends tell me i’m a wonderful person because im sincere and do anything for my friends and family. What are the different types of people in england???
I’m British and personally like Americans, to be honest I think most Brits probably do, don’t pay any attention to those on Yahoo hurling abuse at you. Please come over and enjoy our country. In fact I haven’t been to the US in years. Should be coming over to Houston and also Vegas next year, so look out you gorgeous American girls I’m coming to get you !!!
Well, I’m American, but I recently went to Great Britian this past summer, but spent the bulk of my time in London. I LOVED IT! I went with my sisters and we were raised by very conservative parents because contrary to popular belief all Americans are not raised the same, lol. I found the younger generations in London to be SOO excited that we were American, they played nothing but American artist in every song and knew more of our dances and lyrics than we did! The best was when we stood in front of the M&M store in Picadilly (sorry if spelt wrong) Circus and one girl we met goes “Melt in your mouth, not in your hand” huh? And I said “Yea, you never heard that before?” and then her friend screams “I KNEW it was an American Slogan”. I found there if you were nice than everyone was nice and helpful back to you. I truly loved London so much and after my trip there could even see myself living there, but I think I tend to be rather different from the average American. lol.