Do people from other countries think the only part of the UK is london?

Question

Well, I've noticed recently that characters on television only refer to London- and think that we drink tea and think the queen is important to us (she was good for tourism only!). OK not really a question more of a rant, but please contribute. Also 'English people' on American TV all sound the same: pompus and arrogant.

Hey I'm English and don't like the bad representations!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

Hi there, this response comes to you from CANADA.

Personally, I do believe that with help from the media, the UK is portrayed to encompass England only - that's all we hear about in the news (more so now, since Bush & Blair have been tag-teaming this Iraq issue). I also feel this may be due to the 'acronym' UK standing for UNITED KINGDOM. To many, the word 'kingdom' relates to 'royalty' hence immediately one thinks of England and the Queen.

HOWEVER, having said this, I believe it is the same when you think of the USA, first thing that comes to mind is the BIG APPLE, and do you honestly believe that NEW YORK is the only state in the US?

OR, how about CANADA - I was speaking to someone online the other day, and as funny as it was, I mentioned that I was from Canada, and the other party got so excited - inquiring if I knew BRYAN ADAMS. Amused I responded, 'Yes, as a matter of fact, I called the police the other nite, cuz he was making too much racket upstairs - so they had to come in and control the noise level' This other person was flaberghasted about the ordeal (I of course though, giggled and let them believe that Canada is really all about knowing Bryan Adams)

OR, again more recently, STEVE IRWIN, (Australia's great loss) - you mention the name, and the first thing you think of 'Australian dude who fights crocodiles - or even Crocodile Dundee - we are lead to believe that Australia is only about croc's n gators - what happened to the infamous kangaroos?

So you see dear, people associate EGOS & ICONS to various lands. It's how they remember where they are, and what they are doing.

Don't sweat the small stuff honey, we still love the Scots, the Welsh, and the Irish. In fact, I'm certain that the UK itself is full of great people; I just have to meet them all first.

Have a great day and thanks for poising your question

BGA

Answer 2

Sadly many Americans, in particular are ignorant of Britiain and the British. They are sold the image of the Queen, the Royla Family, Buck House as part of the Tourism advertising. As a nation there concept of ancient history is arounf the late 1800's, ancient history is around the late 1700's. A cooleague couldn't believe Iive in a house built in 1905 - his wife described it as awesome (its a small [tiny by US standards] 3 bed semi).

many think the country is England, they seem unable to grasp the concept of the United Kingdom. or Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Im gussing a few dont even know if Scotland/Wales exist, many more would be hard pressed to locate them.

Some even think Ireland (Eire) is part of Britain, and berate Britain for still occupying Dublin.... I kid you not.

But to be fair how many Brits going to the States have travelled seriously off the main tourist traps like San Fransico, Las Vegas, Los Angeles New York etc....

Its a convienent shorthand to associate Britain / England with London it sets the scene quickly and allows the plot to move on. Do you really think people would want to wait for the explanation ooh I come from Bath, you know thats in Avon in England, near the Severn Estaury and so on.... Saying they come from London is immediately recognisable to US & other non British consumers of films. It also helps that there is only one London, whereas there are many Manchesters for example in the US.

Also to be fair we in Britain are avid consumers of US TV & Film so we are usually pretty clued up on US styles, language and customs and some Geography.
Its been a stock solution to most US TV & Films if you need a baddy but cant portray him as American (becasue he does soemthing nasty) call for a brit. Im not sure where you ge the pompous and arrogant bit, they nearly all seem to speak what was called 'RP' or 'Queens English' ie what would have been called proper English before the collapse in spoken standards int he last 30 years or so. no whah'mean innit.

Answer 3

No but being an Aussie in London, I do think that most people (in my country anyway) are aware that London, and the UK are culturally and socially very different, and because of London's control of central power it is more important than much of the rest of the UK.
Having said that I have toured much of the UK, and I have to say almost every single town I have visited outside of London "feels" more UK than London. London is no different to any international major city, New York, Paris, Tokyo, Sydney, could all be the same, weather permitting. But when you get away from these places you really discover the true nature of the country.

Answer 4

I agree with your rant.

I have lived in America for years and get sick of being asked what part of London I am from. (I just thank the Lord i wasn't, its a dump full of airheads). They can actually get offended when you tell them your not from London but a nicer part of the UK.

The reason the British actors have to use that accent is because most Americans cannot understand a true regional British accent. (not entirely suprising as I can't understand a Glaswegian or Brumy in full flow either).

There certainly are a lot of misconceptions about the UK in America, but they are very isolated so its not suprising.

If you asked an American to point out England on a map they may possibly get close, but ask them to point out Scotland....... I would say about 1% would get it right.

Answer 5

Once, when I was in Miami, an American male asked me where I was from - I said England and he said 'England... that's a district of London right?'. I was amazed, but then he'd never even left his state for a holiday, at the age of 40.

Of course, not everyone outside the UK is this ignorant. Though many seem to think Ireland is part of Britain

Answer 6

The BBC would lead anyone outside the UK to believe that London is Britian, but fortunatly there are some sharp witted forgieners out thier who realise that there is a whole Island surrounding London Village and it also has people living in other parts of this fabled island

Answer 7

Hollywood always gets things wrong!

How many old films have you seen with traffic 'in England' driving on the right? Disney has skunks, chip monks and raccoons roaming the English countryside.

I DO drink tea, love Lizzy Windsor and I guess I am a bit stuck up compared to the average friendly American I am totally uncool and a bit stiff.

I love Americans! They make the movies! You want them changed you make them!

Answer 8

hahahaha -- people from London certainly do - yes the majority of the tourism is to london and surrounding areas - its the capital and is loaded with everything that the other uk cities have in smaller supply - most english people are actually not pompous and arrogant - they are only a small minority - most accents are not like that at all there - even london ones - the cockney accent of london is not like that

Answer 9

Shut up Harley!!

I read a bit of an american guide book once and it described Manchester as a suburb of London. How stupid. We are glad to be over 150 miles away from the likes of Harley. Londoners are arrogant and americans are thick.

Why didnt they ever have a brummie on friends?

Answer 10

I understand what you mean, i blame tourism and television...but it aint just the English who have this problem. My sister (shes black) went to miami on holiday not so long ago and when she told people that she was from London, they were shocked to hear that there were actually Black people in London! They even asked her how many black people where in London!( yea let me just count them on my fingers...). A ver high number of Americans dont even own a passport ad dont travel outside of the US so im not completely surprised at their lack of geographical knowledge. They are constantly fed the image of white upper class, tweed wearing , country walking folk.