I walk up the same road evryday on my way to school and i see the same people walking to the train station. I often smile at them, as if you see them everyday, its just friendly and polite. But, even thought its just a smile, i never get a response back at all, i usually get ignored and they turn their heads away. Why is this? Why dont us English be a bit more open and not judger people if they express emotion? A smile is free after all, and the stereotype is true, the english are conserved, and frankly sometimes rude.
After visiting america on a school trip i was astounded to see how many people started talking to us, and being really friendly. They think its normal, and why shouldnt it be? I got talking to a couple from Pensylvania for about 10 minutes, talking to them about school, and life in england etc. They were genuinly interested i what i had to say as well, they werent being nosey, just friendly.
I was just wondering what your thoughts are????
2007-01-10 05:51:39 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Im not totally dissing the english and not stereotyping at all, as i do have faith in us! i was involved in a car accident this morning and wasnt badly hurt, but a man at my doctors offered me a lift to minor injuries. Why cant everyone be that nice and trusting? He was willing to do it free of charge just to help me, and it made me cry because he was so kind. Why cant more people be like him?? he didnt know me from adam, but he would put himself out for me. what a legend.
2007-01-10 05:54:38 · update #1
Due to the gale force winds that have ripped through most of england today, my fench had fallen down in my driveway. I had to drag it the length of my driveway to a safe place, with about 5 adults walking past me, not one of them offering to help me. Now im no weakling, but it would have still appreciated somebody asking if i needed any help.
Do you think this is down to cultural differences?
No, i thought not.
2007-01-18 04:41:18 · update #2
We all are not hostile. Some are, because of the tensions of life and many other things in the family, society, and our life itself.
2007-01-18 01:30:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I sympathise with you and know exactly what you are saying. I used to try to engage in conversation or smile at people I recognised and got the same reaction. People here are not friendly and like to keep themselves to themselves. I would respond with a smile and greet you as well. There is nothing more uplifting than a smile, both given and received.
I gather that you are a young person on your way to school.
Unfortunately for you this makes matters worse, because nowadays there are so many threatening youngsters around that another one on the road is a potential threat and people will ignore you and try to make themselves invisible. It seems that if you engage in eye contact you are more likely to be a victim.
Carry on smiling - it is always a pleasure to see a smile on someone's face, especially if it is directed at you and the more you smile you may eventually get a response. Don't stop your polite, happy smiling demeanour because others are rude and insular. You are better than them :-)
2007-01-17 17:22:14 · answer #2 · answered by Purple-Fusion 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The English, and yes I am one of them, can be quite prudish and do not wish to concern themselves in other people's affairs. Maybe if we opened up more and to the time to involve ourselves there wouldn't be so many lonely people out there. Not all English are like this though, we shouldn't generalise, it also depends on your community and what community spirit is like. Not sure I'd call it hostility but I don't think it would hurt anyone to take the time or effort to notice those people around them and take the time to engage with them, me included, I'm guilty of keeping my head down
2007-01-10 13:59:24 · answer #3 · answered by Crazy Blue Beetle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I would say to you is just keep smiling. The reason that more and more people become that way is because they think, well sod it no one ever smiles at me so I wont smile at them anymore its sort of the domino effect. I still smile and get no response but as long as I try I'm happy. Don't stop smiling and maybe we can turn it back to how it should be x
2007-01-18 11:36:25 · answer #4 · answered by donna g 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're right, I'm in Australia at the moment, where people are very friendly, and it makes me realise how unfriendly Britain can be. But remember, we are a small, crowded island, whereas Australia has a population of 20m (less than a third of ours) spread over a landmass about 20 times the sizes of ours. Easier to be friendly when there's fewer of you.
2007-01-17 16:58:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's an individual trate not confined to nationality I live in Glasgow where 90% of Glaswegians will happily talk or help anyone as if they've known them all they're life,but saying that even here there are some with indifferent attitudes.
2007-01-10 14:40:09 · answer #6 · answered by Zenlife07 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was really nice of that man to help you and believe me not all English are so unfriendly and uptight.i have a few friends who are simply amazing people and these up tights are found everywhere.the nationals here are even worse than the English.you smile them they might even put you in jail saying you were hitting on them.see these kinds of people are unavoidable but never stop smiling , for you are not them the uptight and i hope you are feeling well.
2007-01-18 08:09:19 · answer #7 · answered by sweet is my code name 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are obviously of the younger generation and I very much applaud your views and wish you well in all you do. It would be great if we could all get back to offering our seat on public transport to those who are not able to comfortably stand on the journey. The elderly, disabled, pregnant ladies and mothers with small children etc. I have of course occasionally witnessed some of the groups described being awfully rude - at times to my great horror mainly elderly women.
2007-01-17 15:47:35 · answer #8 · answered by Whistler R 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My thoughts are that we are sceptical as a nation. You read in the newspapers of the good samaritan going to help someone and finding it was just a scam to rob or hurt someone. People avoid other people cos there is no trust. You get talking to someone and begin to trust them, they turn out not to be the nice person that you thought they were, just trying to gain your confidence. Please don't lose your confidence or your trust in human nature...just be careful.
PS I would smile and say good morning, and often do to complete strangers.
good luck in all you do
2007-01-17 17:53:36 · answer #9 · answered by crispy duck 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
British stiff upper lip - mind our own business and then wonder why our reluctance to stand up and fight leads to the whole country going down the pan.
It should really be a curious blend of privacy and brotherly concern.
2007-01-18 04:42:56 · answer #10 · answered by Modern Major General 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋