Why are people in America so interested in the uk?

Question

Why are people in America so interested in the uk let me tell you i was born here and it's nothing special it's expensive,dirty and the west end of london is only 1 mile in radis and some parts i would not walk around at nite on my own so yeah it's lovely. But in it's favor i wod not live anywhere else

I am not confussing London with the whole of the UK. London is used as an example cos that's all americans know London or England they don't realise there are other place's

Answer 1

I think most Americans, like myself, are just a little curious about it. It's a different place with different people that speak (almost) the same language as we do. It's also a large part of our history.
Plus, most of us think the accents are absolutely hilarious, but very cool. lol.

Answer 2

I think it's that we aren't specifically interested in just London/UK, but just that it's another city in another country. Everyone is used to their own surroundings, and it's facsinating to learn about other cities, cultures, etc. History is a huge part of the interest for me, as I find European history to be far more intriguing than American history! The buildings and architecture there are nothing like we have here. The pubs are different than our bars. To date, I have only visited the city of London, but am coming there in Feb 07 and plan to venture out into the "countryside" and other villages, etc. I found London to be an incredible experience and loved my visit there! Yes, it is expensive but no more than visiting San Francisco or Boston or New York in the USA. And actually, I though London was quite clean and the people were for the most part friendly and helpful. I am really excited about seeing areas outside of London on my next trip. :o)

Answer 3

Because The UK kicks some serious butt! I spent seven weeks in the UK. I saw London, Dover Canterbury, York, Aberdeen, Cheddar, Street/Glastonbury, Bath and London again. They were all absolutely wonderful! I'll definitely go back if I get the chance. The historic buildings make everything in North America look like nothing! By the way, I am Canadian not American.

Answer 4

1. We speak the same language.
2. It is cheaper to fly to the UK from the US than some flights within the Continental US (at least for me it is)
3. It's British Airways and Aer Lingus' fault.
4. England, Scottland, Ireland spend millions advertizing holiday packages here in the US.
5. We like to try our hand at driving on the wrong side of the road.
6. We like Celtic music.
7. Castles are cool.
8. Your motor fuel is higher in octane (not sure what that has to do with it but it is cool and makes your cars go faster than ours)
9. We Americans love to try new beers. We exhaust our countries supply and work on yours.
10. Our tri-band cell phones work there and so do our credit cards.
11. It takes us a day to get there but when we fly home it is almost the same time of day when we land then when we left. (7 Time zones=7 hour flight)
12. People in the UK are wonderful.

That's about it....

Answer 5

The UK is, as much as anything can be, the Mother Country to the USA. The founding sentiments of the USA may have been to escape the oppression, both social and religious, which the founders experienced both here and in the early Colonies, but nevertheless the USA owes much of its existence as it is to the UK on many levels. Americans don't forget that the King who taxed your forebears was in fact a German, forced upon the British people, and who spoke very little English - Britain wasn't very democratic back then. We have more in common than we have differences, I think, and our two nations should continue to be the greatest of allies. Also remember that there are many of us in the UK aware of the sacrifices made by Americans in two World Wars, which helped ensure the continued freedom of this country, and to those people I certainly express my gratitude.

Answer 6

Some of these answers are amuzing.

I was stationed at RAF Upper Heyford for two years and I think I have something to add to the discussion.

History is one of the points of interest in the United Kingdom many in America have, but I think that its because of the many interesting imports from U.K. like actors and bands.

As you can tell by so many of these answers, Americans can be a bit snobbish and I am ashamed of their behavior. Most of them couldn't even point to the UK on a map if their lives depended on it.

One of the most amazing things I discovered about England while I was there was that people don't move about much. In a country the size of a normal state in the U.S. you have as many different accents as we do though we are spread over 3000 miles from coast to coast. That doesn't even include Hawaii and Alaska. I think this limits your perspective on your own environment to what is near at hand. Get out and about and see what your land has to offer, especially in beauty and culture. While I was there, I didn't do much travelling at all but I did see Wales and London and Ireland. I loved the canal boats. If I ever get back over there, I think I'll spend the entire vacation on those canals.

You sound terribly critical of your environment, and then say that you would rather be no where else. This is evidence of a need I think you have for an understanding of happiness. Please order a book written by Dennis Prager called 'Happiness is a Serious Problem' and see if I am wrong. I promise you, if you don't find it applies to you, you know friends that would benefit from the wisdom recorded there.

You can find some of his writings over at TownHall.com. But the book I recommended would have to be paid for.

http://judgeright.blogspot.com

Answer 7

You are confusing London with all of Britain, its a cool and beautiful land, open your eyes and see the beauty of all the countryside and history around you and you will then see why americans have an interest in Britain, as we are curious about America

Answer 8

We are a part of their history. Many Americans can trace their roots to the UK and Ireland. Their civilised history only goes back as far as the pilgrim fathers- 1620. Before that their history is ours.

Answer 9

The UK is not just London. London is unique - it has its attractions and faults.
It's like trying to say US is just New York. Ask someone from Alaska and they'll disagree!

Answer 10

As you can see I am relatively new to Yahoo Answers, but even in this short time it's amazing how often the American answers made me cringe!!!

So perhaps they are coming over because they need a little break from their neighbours?!?