What do Americans really think of British People & Britain ?

Question

Come on be honest...but without being racist or nasty though folks.

Answer 1

I am British (English) and as such I am exempt from answering this question. However, I feel compelled to respond to this complimentary array of comments from our American friends. I am honoured that the majority of you view us Brits in such a positive way. Thankyou. I have visited America three times and have also been tremendously impressed by the friendliness of complete strangers. Your customer care is superb. I am sure we both appreciate that the sterotypes of our nationalities are largely unfounded and often quite inaccurate. I know from personal experience that Americans are mostly not loud and brash. I, myself do not speak in a clipped "Liz Hurley" fashion but Americans always commented on my charming accent every time I visited. Some of the comments here are a pleasant reminder of that. Thankyou again and God bless!

Answer 2

Personally, I love the British and their comedy. I've always been a huge fan of Monty Python and comic or dramatic actors like Anthony Hopkins, Hugh Laurie and many others. British musicians like the Beatles, Elton John and many others have been hugely popular in the U.S.

My Uncle was in the Air Force and served in England for a few years. He loved it, but never got used to the food and warm beer.

In America, the British have a reputation as being good people, but often snotty and sexually repressed. Pretty funny considering how well the Brits and Aussies do with dating American women, who all seem to love the accent.

Some Americans (usually the ones who have never been ANYWHERE else!) think that adoring a King or Queen is stupid and old-fashioned, but we do the exact same thing with our politicians and celebrities. And most Americans were pretty broken up about what happened to Princess Diana.

Answer 3

I think it's amazing how gracious and kind the answers have been so far, considering the thoughtless and automatic anti-Americanism so many of us Brits demonstrate.

Btw - an explanation on the dentistry thing, since it puzzles so many people. Dental care is provided for free on the NHS, but it doesn't cover cosmetic dentistry (which braces are normally considered to be). A consequence of free dental care being provided on the NHS is that employers don't offer dental packages like in the US (tho a few are starting to). So, if you want braces or whatever you're paying full price not just a co-pay - which as you'd guess is cost prohibitive for many people. That said i think the teeth thing is largely exagerrated and possibly a throwback to the war, I have good teeth and when I used to live in the US people made surprised comments on my smile like they were expecting them to be protruding into my eyeballs!

Answer 4

I was genuinely expecting some negative feedback here, its a great testiment to America. So many questions here get a lot of really nasty answers. America is always getting a negative spin here in England on tv and off. Now I know that the ones who use the internet, at least, are most likely, really decent people.

Answer 5

I think they drink too much and have bad teeth.

Heh, seriously, I don't know. The only thing I know about British people is what I've learned from movies. If I base my opinion on that, I'd say they're very pale because it's quite often overcast in Great Britain, they have bad teeth, drink a lot, are very mild mannered, eat bland food, and the men are lousy in bed.

I know for a fact that the food isn't bland. I've eaten at a few pubs around here that serve "English" food, and it's quite good, acutally.

Answer 6

I am English and my wife and I have just got back from 3 months in Texas. We were treated fantastically and most people seemed to genuinly like us Because we were English!! It was even a factor in getting a job and we're off to live there soon! I'm more than happy that on the whole the Americans we have met Love us Brits! "Its our cute accents you know"

Answer 7

Some of the nicest people I have ever met have been British...specifically, English...I know that some Americans think the English are stuck up but they are mistaken...ALL of the English people I have ever met or had encounters with were friendly and outgoing and as far as their manners were concerned made Americans look like hillbillies in comparison.

Answer 8

Honestly, I think it's a great country with beautiful landscapes. The majority of the people I met were nice. I enjoyed stopping at the pub and for tea all the time.

Answer 9

You only have to check out the number of American
Tourists in Great Britain and then you will know your
answer.

Answer 10

I Love British people. I love their accent, their politeness, their properness in public, especially on the tube, and their reserved way of life. I have visited Britain many times and it is my favorite country to visit.