How can one explain the proverbial American dislike of the British after 230 years?

Question

Isn't it true that the original 13 colonies which achieved their freedom from Great Britain were predominantly Anglo-Saxon, or people of British origin and not Irish, German, Italian or African?

Honorable Presidents, Generals and Patriots, Messrs Washington, Jefferson, Grant, Adams, Franklin and others - many were indeed, Anglo-Saxon by descent. 230 years since, while it is certainly a highly honourable thing to appreciate one's nation's struggle for independence, I think one needs to be relevant to the present context. Right from the American media kings to the cheery taxistas, they never let down their ridicule of the British.

FYI, I'm neither Brit nor American. I'm just looking for explanations with factual bases, even if they go to prove that I've got my facts wrong. It would be most appreciated. But if you're planning to reply rudely - Its none of your ***** business, request you to please excuse yourself and not respond.

Answer 1

A fascinating question indeed. If it could be answered, perhaps we could solve many problems in the world. I think you said it best--"...one needs to be relevant to the present context." But it seems that it never is. Just think about all the wars & horrors over things that happened so very long ago. I'm still blamed for trespasses of my great, great grandparents. I even say only that I am a Jugoslav, instead of--Croatian--since I might be talking to a Serb, & they hate Croations. (Conversely, as well, but not me.)
My opinion is that it's the HUMAN CONDITION. Narrow your parameters, & you'll find this within families as well. Sad to say.
I hope you don't get any "rude" responses, but if so, consider the source...I'm new to this, but have found people can be awfully rude & mean spirited in their answers. Your question could evoke a great philosophical journey.

Answer 2

Americans only make fun of the British like all people groups make fun of other people groups. To be honest, it really is just in good fun.

I think you might have it wrong. In general, as I see it, Americans often feel a kindred spirit with the Brits.

Many Americans have a taste for Britcom and many think Tony Blair is one heck of a guy -- and think of the following Princess Di had here in America. Some PBS stations air some BBC broadcasting. Oh yeah, World News Now (which airs on ABC between very late night TV and the early morning news) has pieces featuring a British newsperson live from England.

Sometimes the "uppityness" of the British and what some Americans might consider rude comments can rub the wrong way, but no worse than one person's idiosyncrasies annoying another.

In general, I like the Brits, and I think many Americans do too.

Answer 3

I hate the British? Please tell me when this was. It seems I am the last to know about these things..... :-)

AHEM! Neither I, nor anyone I know of here in the states, hate the British with the exception of a one on one basis - as in, someone might dislike one British person based on personal experience but by no means hate the British as a whole.

However there could be "some" Americans (not many I assure you) that hate the Brits. There are a few Southerners and a few northerners here in these United States that actually hate each other as if we were still active in the civil war! And that is absolutely nuts - and again I assure you those type people do not reflect the majority of the U.S.

Answer 4

What are you? Canadien? French?

Americans hate the French if they hate anyone. Some conservatives hate Germany and some old people (from WW2 era) hate Germany and Japan. Some people still hate Russia. But, really, more people hate France and French people than anything else...

We make fun of British culture sometimes but they're probably the friendliest country to us there is along with Canada...

I mean come on.... The Beatles are still huge here. Our tabloids still cover British royalty. If any foreign country's culture has influenced ours, it's Britain's. Canada doesn't even have as much of an effect. All we got from them is over-rated beer, hockey, and bad humor.

Our country watches James Bond and Monty Python. We copy more of their TV shows than vice versa (find another country that you can say that about with the US, I don't think you can). Tony Blair is relevant here. We actually can watch him on American TV doing whatever it is when he stands there in the House of Idiots Wearing Powdered Wigs (also known as the House of Lords) or the House of Commons. Do you really think we hate Britain because you see late night comics making fun of British people having bad teeth, drinking tea, or talking overly sophisticated? As someone else said, it's just good natured ribbing and there are a lot more Bush jokes and fat American jokes that I'm sure you hear across the pond. Sure a lot of it has to do with language, but why is it that French (or German, or Russian, or Chinese, or whatever) culture isn't accepted as readily here as Britain's?

Answer 5

Just thought I would point out the anglo-saxons ARE of primarilly a Germanic origen prior to landing in Britain. SO the question is kind of mute if you go back another 1000 years+...

As to your idea that they were primarilly British. Not really. They were British only because they had landed there maybe 20 years previous. Many of them were discriminated against. Infact, a very large percentage of the ones that left to go to america were of Dutch decent. They weren't being allowed to practice their religion in Britain so they packed up and left for the new world.
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Today, Americans on the whole like the Brits.

Answer 6

Americans are very fond of the British. The original colonies had all types of people. The thing they had in common was that most of them wanted freedom from British rule.

Ridicule of the British usually comes from the British - look at Benny Hill and Monty Python for example.

Answer 7

What? Um I love the British and so does everyone I know. Not too mention they are our closest ally and partner in the world. I really see America as just a colonial extension of Britain.

Answer 8

Because they're American's. Look at the world today the Americans are had a war in afganistan, then iraq, now they're building up to fight with iran and on top of that they can't even just say "thank you" to the syrians who thwarted the bombing of their embassy.

Actually it seems to me that the only people that Bush get's along with these days ARE the british becuase he has tony blair in his back pocket.

Answer 9

I've never had a problem with the British. Actually, I enjoy their wit and they have always been extremely nice and pleasant. That being said, it's time for them to pony up a tip to your servers.

Answer 10

I never met one American who disliked the British people, so your generalization is wrong.