Why do some (many) British people hate Americans?

Question

..also what's the difference between a person who's "English" vs. "British"? I know it has to do with where a person is from, England, Ireland, etc. but it's unclear..

Back to my main question: WHY are some Brits so prejudice against Americans? (for example the British slang: "septic tank = Yank, an American.")
I've never been to England before but it seems like many Brits are very anti-American. Brits can't just lump us Americans all together like that. America is an incredibly diverse country and obviously everyone is going to be different and have their own opinions on matters, political or otherwise.
I've recently watched Green Street Hooligans (about English football fans and 'firms') and the characters are all extremely anti-American. Is this true to life or just exaggerated for film???

*****For humanities' sake I hope that there isn't this must unfounded prejudice in the world! *****

p.s. I've always loved British culture and literature...Rosie Rushton :) !

To Marzipan:
I just wanted to let you know that I specifically did not lump all British people together, and did not make assumptions based on TV and films alone. I specifically stated SOME British people seems to hate Americans, because I've read many postings on here that were derogatory to Americans/Yanks. I know that there are many different types of people in Britain (as well as all over the world) and that they all have different opinions...that is why I said SOME.

Also, I figured that the Green Street movie would be characteristic of only some (if any) British people and that the characters portrayed would probably be exaggerated for film's sake...so I have not made assumptions based on films. That is also why I've asked for clarification here. Thanks.

**Also, thanks to (almost) everyone else for explaining English vs. British, and sharing your opinons on my question. Annnd I still really love Rosie Rushton!
Annnnd British accents are sexy!

;)

Answer 1

...errrmmm... you do know that you just lumped all British people together and made assumptions about us based on what you've seen on TV and in films, don't you? :-)

OK, seriously. I'm British, and have no problem with Americans, nor do I know anyone else who has. I've never even heard of the slang 'septic tank' - rhyming slang is pretty specific to parts of London and isn't really in common use. And, although football hooliganism has been and sometimes still can be a problem, most people think it's thuggish and unpleasant, and wouldn't share the opinions of hooligans.

To answer your other question, Britain is made up of several countries stuck together - England, Scotland, and Wales. (There's also Northern Ireland, which is part of the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland'). They're not so much different countries as to require a passport to move between them, but there are some political differences and strong regional identities. Everyone from England, Scotland and Wales, in addition to being English, Scottish, or Welsh, is technically also British (although some people wouldn't choose to describe themselves as British, it can be a bit of a political hot-potato of different loyalties!). I, for example, would describe myself as British because my mum's English but my dad was born in Scotland, so I'm not technically all-the-way English.

I hope that makes sense! It's all pretty complicated - just like you said about America, Britain is very diverse, and people have differing opinions on many subjects. Perhaps some people do have a problem with Americans, but it certainly isn't a matter of great day-to-day importance for the majority of us. Personally I take people as I find them, and wouldn't presume to be able to judge someone based on their nationality.

I hope this answers some of your questions. If you ever get the chance, come and visit Britain to see for yourself!

Answer 2

I am British and I have no problem with any Americans. In fact I consider the United States to be a great asset to western democracies as a whole.The dollar and human cost defending our values and spreading democracy where tyranny reigned, is unmatched by all European democracies together. The reason the USA is unpopular in our country at the moment is simply due to the leftist media's skewed reporting of events. Mostly it is our lesser educated people ,that feel a need to belong to a trend as opposed to evaluating the situation ,that are most vocal. Many of my compatriots that are quick to condemn the actions and values of the United States,should be careful what they wish for.I would rather be Airstrip 1 than Tehran 2.

Answer 3

All English are British, but not the other way around You could be Welsh and Scottish and still be British, but they are not English. There are many reason why the English hates American. Our culture seems to have eclipse theirs. There movie industry is faltering compared to ours. We are beginning to buy up their Icons. We got their favorite soccer player, Beckham and two of their favorite football team; Manchester United and Liverpool. Also Americans can be a bit cocky. Plus you have me who answer English Questions with stuff about We AMericans are stealing all their Spice girls one at a time. I got violated for the last one.

I don't think they hate us in general. Most of it is good natured ribbing.

Answer 4

Yan·kee n. (Yank)
A native or inhabitant of New England.
A native or inhabitant of a northern U.S. state, especially a Union soldier during the Civil War.
A native or inhabitant of the United States.
[Probably from Dutch Janke, nickname of Jan, John.]

WORD HISTORY The origin of Yankee has been the subject of much debate, but the most likely source is the Dutch name Janke, meaning “little Jan” or “little John,” a nickname that dates back to the 1680s. Perhaps because it was used as the name of pirates, the name Yankee came to be used as a term of contempt. It was used this way in the 1750s by General James Wolfe, the British general who secured British domination of North America by defeating the French at Quebec. The name may have been applied to New Englanders as an extension of an original use referring to Dutch settlers living along the Hudson River. Whatever the reason, Yankee is first recorded in 1765 as a name for an inhabitant of New England. The first recorded use of the term by the British to refer to Americans in general appears in the 1780s, in a letter by Lord Horatio Nelson, no less.

Around the same time it began to be abbreviated to Yank. During the American Revolution, American soldiers adopted this term of derision as a term of national pride. The derisive use nonetheless remained alive and even intensified in the South during the Civil War, when it referred not to all Americans but to those loyal to the Union. Now the term carries less emotion—except of course for baseball fans.

The word Britain is an informal term used when referring to;

the island of Great Britain
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the "United Kingdom" or the "UK"), a sovereign state
the Roman province called "Britain" or "Britannia".

The countries that make up Britain are:
England
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland

United Kingdom, the UK, is like saying the United States, the US.
A Texan dosen't want to be confused with a person from another state anymore than a Scotsman wants to be confused with an Englishman.

Answer 5

the united kingdom ie Britain is made up of 4 different countries. England, Scotland, wales and Northern Ireland. therefore i am British and English. PLEASE do not think all the Brits are the stereotype in green street. that film was a portrayal of British hooligans using football as an excuse to be violent. there are many different gangs who travel to the matches for the sole reason to fight the other gangs, but they are a minority. we Brits are not anti American as a whole but obviously there are people, as there are everywhere, who have a different opinion. having said all that, the war in Iraq has done neither the U.S or the U.K any favours

Answer 6

If you've never been then what do you know? The British have a vernacular term for almost all races, we call you septic or chieftain and you call us limeys. I don't think that means you hate us, though the history of that particular epithet might surprise you.

Britain is also an incredibly diverse country, more so than the US. The US is strangely fixated on the UK, so CNN reports four murders in London but not 148 in Oakland. Oakland's 400,000 people murder about twice as many people each year as Britain's 65 million. In 35 years I never saw violence in the UK. So yes, it is somewhat exaggerated. On the other hand I've been in the US for the last 10 years, so maybe things have changed.

It's the pig ignorance of some Americans that's hard to take. But that's just them, and I see a few answered already. Most Americans are just like most folks anywhere else, but mostly much less informed than most Europeans.

From what I've seen most Americans get on well with most Brits, I have never witnessed a Brit abusing a Yank over their country of origin.

It's really only Bush and his band of crooks who are despised.

Answer 7

I think most British don't hate Americans - the media just makes things seem extreme. Most Mericans have probably not met anyone British and visa versa.

BUTsadly George Bush , his bullish stance on Iraq and denial of climate change have not helped relations. The media portray him as narrow minded, arrogant and not terribly bright and as a figure head this will effect what people outside of America think of its citizans.

Answer 8

I've never thought of *yank* as a bad word.. i think of it as i think of Aussie or Pom..... so sorry if it if offensive..

And i don't know anyone who doesn't like Americans.. The people who do are generally trash and Brit obsessed.. you know the type.. beer in hand.. footie t-shirt.. English pride blah blah..

I LOVE America.. I can't wait to go there someday...

And.. English... is someone from England.
British.. is someone from either England, Wales or Scotland.

Answer 9

I dont know anyone who hates americans,
Hating government policies is a different thing.

Answer 10

All my english friends hate americans, i have asked them the same question, and the answer was: because they do not know aything outside America!!!! and cos of Iraq, from what they said Americans are not intelligent and do not recognize other countries and do know nothing about other countries!!! which was proved when i met some americans, but i can not judge it with everyone, cos one of my best friends is American adn she hates the war in Irak and is intelligent!!!