Hey British people . . .?

Question

What's the deal with the anti-American attitude that so many of you have? I know not all of you dislike us, but for those who do, what have we done to offend you so much?

Hey, you're right futbar. Even I've been guilty of American arrogance, particulary with regard to the Iraq War.

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

That's an easy one! Take a look at the sense of superiority that comes out of Hollywood. Pick any movie made about the second war or any other world event & it's a safe bet that the synopsis is "Our allies were in trouble, but America saved the day." That would be fine if your average american knew that these films were just fantasy & that the reality was something else, but you know that's not true.
Considering that the rest of the world was fighting for over 2 straight years & europe survived bombings on the scale of 9/11 dozens of times a day, everyday during that time, it's pretty scummy to portray your own troops as superior when they've actually just well-rested and well-fed.
Then add to that, movies like U-571 where you watch an entire film about these brave americans & find out in the end credits (that no one sticks around for) that the story is a fiction made up of 5 or 6 British operations & that the americans didn't do any of it.
Really, Hollywood is one of the biggest reasons why any country is anti-American. If they made movies recognizing the value of non-americans, non-americans would have positive feelings about americans.

Answer 3

I am certainly not anti-American though I was absolutely amazed when you re-elected George W. It was bad enough the first time.
The American public went down in my estimation & I will never really fully trust an American now.
The Michael Moore films have opened a lot of peoples eyes too.
Many Europeans see the USA leaders as hypocritical,arrogant & completely out of touch.
The war in Iraq is ridiculous, we were all lied to over this issue, Bush in the States & subsequently Blair in the UK. Many thousands are dead because of inappropriate American policy.
Perhaps Europeans see the whole picture better than the people of the USA.

Answer 4

I guess its the arrogance you often hear coming from Americans you know.

"We are the greatest country on God's Earth" blah blah blah

Thats pretty offensive really. Especially as many Americans don't actually know anything about the outside world and are prone to spouting stuff thats incorrect.

and you don't even provide your people with basic human dignities and rights like Healthcare (you have to buy it like its some sort of luxury - thats disgusting).

It annoys me also that some Americans assume everyone wants to live in their country. No Thanks! I'm quite happy where I am - at least I don't have to worry about being ill and not having the money to buy the doctor's services with.

I've spoken to some Americans who consider "Braveheart" to be historical fact!!!

They need to be a bit more humble and wake up to how the rest of the world sees them. And also put down the Hollywood films and pick up a book for a change.

Answer 5

I don't hate Americans (I went to college in the US, so couldn't exactly maintain a militant anti-American stance), but sometimes I do get frustrated and annoyed by the naivete and ignorance that some people display, especially if it's topped off with a healthy dose of arrogance. But then, I get annoyed with those sorts of people regardless of where they're from.

It's true that the USA does seem to have a surprisingly large number of people like that, getting told things like "you speak english real good for a foreigner" wears thin quite quickly. I'm not really offended by it though, I only got pissed off when people made disparaging, and generally untrue, remarks about my country - since I know how much it annoyed me, I try very hard not to behave in the same way!

Answer 6

i'm British and proud to be pronounced as so. BBC information internet site is the proper or BBC information 24 on television. probable not one of the glaring political selections, possibly the eco-friendly party or the monster raving loony party no count if it continues to be around - analyzing everyones kinds on the 2nd! i would not say London as that's finished of people from over the international!, i've got no longer been everywhere yet stay in Brighton and that's great!, we've the sea, the nation-state and a few incredible finding out to purchase right here (the north lanes). Somerset is likewise very stunning, superb people, fab trip journeys.

Answer 7

I am not anti American. Politicaly, I believe the western style, liberal, capitalist democracy is the only viable political system and dislike the extreme left as much as the extreme right, but Bush does make life difficult for me. Much of the hatred comes from those who cannot come to terms with the success of capitalism and the failure of communism around the world. All they have left is their hatred

Answer 8

Yeah i agree that u seem to have the been there done that attitude ( nt u personally !) We are a very proud nation and a lot of times americans on here curse our country and i guess people just retaliate . We all come from an island that has hundreds of years of history and ur country has 2/300 at a push
guess all we ask for is a little respect .. we may be small but perfectly formed !

Answer 9

As a Brit living in the States, I have to say that many Americans were very insular, but they are changing. There is a way to go, but they are trying to learn about more than their own world. As for the best in the world attitude, Brits are just as guilty. When the map was pink, that's what we thought.
As for "First L" comment, you seem far more ignorant than any American I know.

Answer 10

You've been conned by the media. Didn't you notice we are the only ones that are spitting bullets with you. Your Pure Magic in the eyes of many. One day you will know the media sells STORIES not facts. So do what you should be doing now, just take their nonsense with a pinch of salt..."ye are known by your deeds" Now throw your question at the cowardly French, Germans, Turks and others in NATO, who sit in North Afghanistan getting combat medals for drink beer and too frightened to join the battle..You know who your real friends are when you need them. We are with you, in-case you hadn't noticed.