Do you say, She is British or She is English?

Question

What do you call someone from England? British or English

What do you think of Americans? To be more specific from the New York City area, New Jersey

i have been saying English

Answer 1

Be careful with this one. The safe play is to call her British. Only call her English if you are certain she is from England.

Many people prefer to be described as English/ Scots/ Welsh/Irish because it is more specific about their ethnic and cultural background and it would be a feather in your cap if you were to use these descriptions. However, it can be a social minefield and if you get it wrong, you can cause considerable offence.

Whatever you do, don't call her a Brit. Not only is this very likely to be ethnically wrong, it is stereotypical and as offensive as calling someone a Jap, a Mex or a Yank.

Sorry, I don't know anyone from the New York/New Jersey area and cannot comment upon these people.

Answer 2

Yeah, would call her English.

Americans from New York City and New Jersey are just about bareable actually - the best of a bad lot.........West Coast Americans tend on the whole to be the most irritating......They dont understand sarcasm, or our seemingly aggressive no-bullsh*t demenour the way East Coast Americans seem to. Also Americans from New York tend to be a bit more worldly and less ignorant than the average American who probally wouldnt be able to point to England on a map!lol

Answer 3

If you call a Scotsman 'English' you'd better be ready for trouble. People from other countries in the British isles really hate being called English - however if the person is actually from England you might get away with it, though many English people prefer being referred to as British. Why can't Americans call all British people just that - British.

Answer 4

When I went to New York people used to call me British - I'm Irish, Britain is made up of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Hope that helps!

Answer 5

This is a mistake many people make, I am British, but not English!
I am WELSH, some people from other nations in the UK/GB would be offended if you call them English, when they could be Welsh, Irish Or Scottish!
Play it safe and say BRITISH!
Unless you wanna slap that is;)

It is the same as calling a Canadian American a Australian a New Zealander and visa versa!
We have our national identity as well as being grouped as British!

Answer 6

My husband is from England. Technically either term is right. British refers to being from the UK, so people from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are also British, though I imagine most of them would prefer to be called otherwise, especially the Scots! I use the term English as its more specific.

Answer 7

I'd say "she's English".

Americans probably say "she's British".

Someone from Scotland deffo wouldn't say "I'm British"!

Unfortunately you lot have a bad reputation and tend to get tarred with the same brush. When I went over there I loved New York - the people are really cynical and have a good sense of humour. New Orleans was good too. The people in Los Angeles were all "full of sh*t" - far too false and nice. It is impossible to be nice all day long so whenever I meet someone like that I just don't trust them.

I love The Sopranos too so New Jersey looks good to me!

PS - Why all the thumbs down??? Is there anyone from New York on here to back me up?

Answer 8

It depends on the context. If I am making the point that she is English, as opposed to Welsh or Scottish, then I describe her as English. If I am discussing her nationality, then I describe her as British. It is a sensible thing to tread cautiously before describing British people as English unless you know that they are, in fact, from England. Use the term British to play safe.

I try not to generalise about Americans. I take people as I find them and I expect them to do the same towards me. I come across a fair number of people of the areas mentioned, as they like visiting our Island as tourists, but I've never met any of them in their home setting, where you really get to know what people are like.

Answer 9

British could include someone from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland as well as England.English is England only.
I've not met many Americans but those I have met have been decent, warm and likeable people.

Answer 10

British refers to Scottish and English people. English suggests the person is from England. Americans are human beings, just like everybody else, probably not the answer you were looking for.