has anyone else noticed...?

Question

not trying to be offensive to americans...really...i am one. but i have noticed, to the point that i have got to comment....

on answers:
when the brits insult americans (sarcastically or otherwise), americans for the most part, defend themselves by getting really angry and pompous.

and when the americans insult the british (sarcastically or otherwise), brits for the most part are so much more gracious when standing up for themselves.

i am not promoting insults at all, and this is intended as a compliment to brits...not a slam on americans. because i know we have our decent answerers as well.

has anyone else noticed the difference?

hanel19...i figured this would irritate some people. complimenting someone does not mean i am betraying someone else.

alf b...i was just observing as well. thanks for your thoughts

hey! what's up, geoff!! xx

she...lol...yeah...sometimes it is that easy. :) i know there is rudeness everywhere, and i'm not trying to say that the brits (or anyone) is excluded...but i just meant in this forum, on answers, the brits ( in general) seem to just take things in stride, and the US (in general) seem to flip out when someone says something negative. i mean, everyone has their exceptions.

Answer 1

Yes, you're right, and I think this is the difference. I don't feel I have to defend ignorant Brits - I know they don't represent me, I have a wider view of the world, and know that all nationalities have their bigots and lowlifes. But Americans all feel personally insulted if you say anything negative at all - although there is more tolerance for criticism about the current administration - you must have noticed that.

I think there are two reasons for this: they have nationalism drummed into them from an early age - all that flag waving in their front gardens - so there's a knee jerk if you don't tell them how wonderful, strong and right they are, and that they have Wonderful Teeth (never forget the teeth, it's not true, but you have to say it)

Second, few Americans ever travel. Only 8% own a passport, and most of them go to Canada and Mexico. So they have no sense of themselves as one country among many. Example: an American woman was looking at my collection of World Music, which included some Blue Grass. "That's not World, that's American" she protested. "America is part of the world" I replied.

Her look of confusion, then realisation, was a wonder to behold.

But we are speaking of the US; Latin America is quite different

Answer 2

Yea. But it's a culture difference.

Now, I'm not having a go at any Americans, just making an observation so don't send the troops around to my house!!

I've always found that Americans can take themselves a little too serious in, well, most everything from nationality, to politics to world events. Now, in itself, that's no bad thing. It might be a good idea for us Brits to take a similar stance when we talk about national pride and how we play a part in world politics and a big soap box talking point for me our Monarchy. That's a positive stance on that issue.

However, we just have the knack of seeing fault in most everything and not taking too much offence if someone has "a go" at us. For the most part, they're probably right but if you can take the rough with the smooth and walk away you're on the right track.

But, with every country you have extremists and they are, for the most part, in the minority but seem to get the most "air time". On the whole I like Americans. Some can be loud and overbearing but, again, that's a culture thing. You get the same with the more "priviledged" classes over hear but with them it's a monetary superiority and they like to let you know. Give them a year on the dole and they'll soon change their tune. (Wouldn't mind swapping their wealth for a year though...just see how the other half live!!)

So, I hope that has been a half decent answer and you don't get the extremists having a go at you.

Answer 3

It is not just Americans, I tend to find anyone who has an indefensible position or has a chip on their shoulder gets aggressive.
Us Brits are becoming more like this as we lose our confidence and place in the world, but traditionally we have been through a lot and are normally very comfortable in our skin.
Americans and other similarly young nations are becoming less aggressive as they mature culturally, but one drawback of a young country is overt skin-deep patriotism which results in defending positions even when you know they are wrong.
I can quite easily say that Tony Blair is an idiot, and not only will I not feel less British, but other Britains will not see me as unpatriotic. We have proved our patriotism over the years, and realise our leaders are not the judges of it - we are.
Try do the same in America. It's just because the nation is young that they are insecure. Like teenagers.
We would understand and tolerate this, if America wasn't a sole super-power. Having teenagers controlling world stability, quite frankly, scares the **** out of us. We hope that we have enough time left to see your country mature but the way things are going we are unsure.

Answer 4

I think everyone in the UK is a total w*nker, and I'm BRITISH through and through, so I should know. You Americans are exhuberant but we have so many "The Sun" readers in the UK now that modern British people are an insult to Shakespeare, Churchill, Francis Drake and Richard Sharpe. Its about time we made our country great again, by shutting the f*ck up and having some dignity, for a change. And, Of course, we know the old saying, The more thumbs down you get, the more The Sun readers are online. Though to be honest, it suprises me those imbeciles can actually work a push-button in the first place. *

Heh heh, seems the Brits don't understand irony either.

Answer 5

Yes, I have noticed that too. The British are far more gracious and will probably resolve a problem over a cup of tea. The most annoying thing I find about Americans is their claim to our English language and then they proceed to abuse it!

How you doing Soren?

Answer 6

I have noticed. I also have noticed the religious debates and insults going on here. But frankly I don't care because I'm not on answers to take part in such insults. I am here just to answer to the best of my ability, questions I know the answer to .

Answer 7

Yep, I've noticed too Soren. Dunno why this is, I have been to the States and am due to go again this year. It's just the way we all are. We should accept each other and just have fun here on answers. P.S I am a brit but my brother lives in Tennessee. Maybe I will ask him.

Answer 8

i dont think its anything to do with nationality...British people can be just as rude and ignorant as anyone else...i think it has to do more with intelligence and being able to stand back from obvious sometimes random ignorance and remain balanced instead of losing it over something not worth the energy...but i think that the Brits are as rude and ignorant aggressive and pompous as anyone else...people are different not nationalities...;0)

Answer 9

Centuries of being hated has hardened the Brits to insults, but it's relatively new to you Yanks......

Most Brits are not in any way anti American only a few Gits are.

GBA.....

Answer 10

Yes....Us Brits dont take things as personal as some Americans.Plus we find humour in a lot of things,unfortunately some Americans lack that.