wot do us brits really think of americans & their country?
957895
I think the USA is a great country and I love visiting there.\nI think we (as in the british) tend to 'typecast' the american people and that is unfair.You cannot generalise on such a large scale,there is good and bad in every race,nationality & religion and all people should be taken on an individual basis.One thing I admire Americans for is their patriotism,something that seems to be lacking in Britain now.It would seem,in the U.K,that to be a patriot you must also be some sort of rascist,which isn't the case.\nI must say however I don't rate thier president but nor do I rate our prime minister.
997718
100% American..you are 100% CORRECT!\nThanks for pointing out the obvious truth.\n Well said Sir!!!!!!!!!!\n\nNEVER GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!
722272
I for one, don't dislike Americans. As a matter of fact, I have no reason to, since I know only a few and those I do know, I count among my best friends. So, for me, Americans have a very good track record! \n\nI am not very happy with Bush and the way things are going (or not) with foreign policy. But that is quite a different matter and I believe, anyway, that over half of American people are just as uneasy about the Bush administration as I am.\n\nNo doubt we shall have to wait and see what happens at the next election
516838
i would say americans are
349299
I'm with Leanne on this!  I do like Americans, rather more than is fashionable in the UK at the moment, but I really don't mind that I'm not one.\n\nI get the impression of rather more national pride in America than we see in the UK.  In recent years our flags (the Union Flag and England's St. George's Cross in particular) have been hijacked by racist groups. This does not encourage the more recent immigrants to the country to adopt the national symbols as their own.  As a result we have a collection of sub-cultures which are not really well integrated into the whole.
711668
The real deal with us British who some over the pond label as "anti-American" is not that we are against the American people as such. What I, as an "anti-American" dislike is the policies of successive USA governments. As individuals, almost all the Americans I have ever come in contact with, have been brilliant - good company and very hospitable. Good people in every way. Its just a pity that such good people never seem to get the kind of government they deserve.
693672
Yes, there's quite a lot of us from the UK, although we don't all still LIVE there, some of us are in other countries now!\n\nThe UK link at the bottom is a bit of a waste of time ... the questions are still the same .com ones!!!\n\nAnyway, lots of people ask questions like "For Brits only - what does this mean ...??" so just go ahead and post those Qs!!
1186928
Sorry, I'm not a Brit, and couldn't resist answering.\nPlease, we (U.S.) are still your friends.  Don't aim it at us, aim it at the French.
590706
I don't think its Americans.  Its our government. I'd say the majority of Americans want to take care of our own.  But our government seems to have other ideas.  Should we say they are un-American?  I feel ya.
564339
Yes we are Europeans, the Americans regard us as Europeans, the special relationship is only one way and is mostly in our imagination (Iraq proved that).
1005474
If you saw how long I spend on some of my answers you might think I must come from a different country according to your statement. (Or maybe you'd just think I was a bit slow witted? Ha ha!) But guess what, I'm a US citizen.\n\nOne of my humbling moments as a US citizen came when I was living in Japan. I was at a business meeting with Japanese, Australians, English, and a couple of US citizens. One of the Australians started doing an impression of US citizens. She started talking loudly, smiling broadly (showing a lot of teeth), and gesturing. I thought it was funny. The citizens from other countries thought it was even funnier. I might imagine the whole world enjoying such a joke on US citizens, but that would be another stereotype--on the other citizens of the world.\n\nI think people will see what they want to see--especially if they are looking for it. For instance, "Is it true that Americans answer immediately, without giving it much to think about?" \n\nIt's easier for people to think in stereotypes. People think like that to make sense of their world. I'm not saying it's a terrible thing. However, they may be missing interaction with people they might actually enjoy spending time with. Such separation doesn't bring the world closer to peace. It's also rather lonely and boring don't you think?
122068
I believe most Americans can not see past their own noses.\nWe seem to be under a silvered bell jar inward looking only and not able to see past into the rest of the world.\nMost Americans only speak one language and have a world view presented to them by corporate controlled media.  We are kind of like the people in Plato's Cave.
980222
Hi there! I moved to England when I was 14 so lets see if I can help. \n\nFor the most part people will be really nice. A lot of people are really interested in American culture and you'll get asked the same questions over and over again, but it's all good.\n\nThere is a lot of anti-American feeling over here given the current political situation. Everyone- and I mean EVERYONE- hates Bush. But the English are very good at keeping that seperate from how they judge individuals, so it won't impact their opinion of you for the most part. Don't worry about that, be prepared for the odd joke but laugh it off because they are just kidding.\n\nSomeone already said this, but you must be able to laugh at yourself. Americans can have a certain arrogance. At school and in the media we got taught to be really openly patriotic and it's really annoying to the rest of the world. A lot of Americans will stand up and declare that the USA is the greatest country in the world when they don't even know anything about other places (like, it's not the ONLY free country!). So just be open-minded.\n\nTry and learn things about geography and anthropology as well. Just showing that you're knowledgable about the world outside the USA will impress them, and help us defy the stereotype of Americans who don't know where any other countries are, let alone the language they speak.\n\nDon't complain about food portions or the fact that you tend not to get free refills for your soft drinks in restaurants. I had some friends visit and I swear it's all the talked about the whole time. "Oh my god, I can't believe how much coke costs, and the glass is soooo small!". Comment on things you like and appreciate until you become an honorary Brit- then you can start b*tching about Tony Blair, the NHS and the bloody weather.\n\nOh and forget the etiquette books. Honestly, you'll just come across as pretentious. Read "Notes from a Small Island" and "Notes from a Big Country" by Bill Bryson- it's all about the cultural differences between the US and the UK. Hilarious reading, and will make you see things you take for granted differently.
276497
cgalloway1973 is right, I'm British, and believe that we are just as capable as the Americans. BTW, to the guy who mentioned that we were (supposedly) kicked out of every country we conquered, you're wrong! It's true that we were kicked out of a few of the Nations, but we decided to give most of them back by free will alone! This inter-nation rivalry has to stop, WE'RE ON THE SAME BL**DY SIDE!!! That saying, "all the gear, but no Idea" is just a bit of friendly banter, but there are a few people here who take it too far.
611959
I think Americans are good people for the most part just like in the majority of other countries but as a society in whole we tend to group people in big categories together and say they are one way or another.  Unfortunately things will never change that way.  People are people... some are good and others are not.  Every country has them all.  I guess it depends on the politics that rule the countries nation that makes Countries look bad or look good.  Right now I think the American government is making them look bad in some aspects but I respect the fact that they are a very proud nation. I have been to the USA and love it there.  I would hope that people realize the amount of propoganda out there that causes people to think a certain way and that we must know we are not getting the full story when it comes to the war in Iraq and many decisions that are made by the president and government.\nSad but true
419153
Speaking as an Englishman....\n\nAmericans visiting England CAN be stereotyped as noisy, brash and demanding. \nThat is not at all my experience of visiting Americans, who are generally courteous, considerate, and polite - unless of course they're here on a Preaching Mission. \n\nBecause of the media, most people in England believe that the US is all like New York or San Francisco. \n\nThis is about as accurate as imagining that all Englishmen wear a bowler hat. \nBowler hats are extinct outside of the ancient heart of the City of London, where they are increasingly rare. \n\nBecause so much English humour is based on irony, American humour often seems too obvious. (American soaps are predictable and formulaic.) \n\nIt can sometimes seem to an English person therefore that Americans are lacking in real humour.\nMisunderstandings are likely, where Americans think the English are bawdy or coarse, whilst the English think the Americans are being prissy. \nThis is a real cultural difference. \n\nOn the other hand, just about everyone in England loves The Simpsons, and most of the young want to go to New York. \n\nHowever, if your president is typical, it is evident that few Americans know much about the rest of the world. \n\nIf you think I'm wrong, try this: \nA while ago, I tried to name as many of the States as I could, and got 38. \nIf you're American, how many English counties can you name? \n\nBut maybe I should declare myself, and admit that although I've lived in Britain all my life, my grandfather was born in 1888 in a log cabin in Tawas, Michigan, built by his father. \n\nAnd maybe that's just typical of the way our histories are inextricably linked. \nAmericans and British are intrigued by one another. \nLong may that continue!
665803
I don't think many people in the US realises that the UK is actually a real, seperate, you know country. They think we are   one of those cute litle places they saved from the Germans but that doesn't have as many castles.