Americans and England?

Question

Why do a lot of Americans generalise the entire country to just London?

Ok, firstly my question was not a dig at Amercans but a genuine quesion! I have travelled extensivley within America and also have an American sister-in-law and have found the vast majority of Americans I have met to have no concept of a England outside London. So to those who got pissed at this Q, I was wondering why, not trying to make a xenophobic statement.

The other reason I ask is because in my opinion (and yes it's only my opinion so don't start geting pissy at me) London isn't that nice a place. There is a lot more to the UK and many far nicer places to visit, this limited view means that many people don't get to see the truly beautiful parts of this island.

Answer 1

It is quiet unfortunate, but you are mostly right about the normal American. Many Americans don't know that much about the rest of the world; it is not ignorance, but more less a failure in American schools about geography. I left public schools a few years back....our schools have turned into testing factories; we are too worried about standardized testing to teach such things as geography, much less real history. It is truly a shame.

My students learned of the world at large and knew the difference between Metro-London and the rest of the United Kingdom...I traveled extensively in England and brought back many pictures and travel videos....so they were able to see the country through my eyes. And this was in a podunk
farming community in West Central Texas. I can understand your query....and feel the same as you do.

Most people believe that here in Texas, we all ride horses to work, settle our differences in the street at high-noon, all of us are rich with oil revenue, and of course my favorite....all of us are unruly and crude. If people would get to know us, they would see we are a friendly lot and we love to show guests that they are moreless family.....

Answer 2

Capital cities of many countries tend to get the most tourists because they are more well known and easier to get to than the smaller or less well-known places.

Many Britons traveling to the USA go to New York or Los Angeles or Miami, where there is certainly plenty to see and do. Far fewer visit Maine or New Hampshire, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, western North Carolina or the wilds of West Virginia, all of which are stunning in their scenic beauty besides being less crowded and offer a totally different experience.

As an expatriate Briton living in the USA I always encourage American friends planning to visit Britain to get away from London and those who do usually want to go back again and see other places.

I think that perhaps when people travel abroad they may be limited by the amount of time and/or money they can spend, so they fly into the capital city where they can usually find plenty to see and do without traveling further afield.

So your question could also be phrased: Why do a lot of Britons generalize the entire USA to just New York?

Answer 3

Maybe I'm strange- but when I visit the UK, I can't WAIT to leave London! There are so many beautiful places and fantastic people all over the UK. On one hand, I see what you mean... I scrapbook, and when I look for stickers and stuff for my books, everything is about "London." And I know several people who act like they've seen the whole of Britain if they spend a week in town... On the other hand, I have many culturally-savvy friends who've travelled all throughout the UK. I don't think it's specific to Americans, really. The capital city is a big deal pretty much anywhere you go.

Answer 4

Many Americans who have visited the UK have only seen London. But even so, I got a favorable impression of the whole country just from seeing London. Also, on television, when there is a story on the news from Britain, it's usually from London. And when Britain is on a tv show, the scenes are usually from London.

Answer 5

Because most of them don't have any concept of any other country! They have never been to England & so only hear about England on the news and only big events would appear, which are mainly based in London. They also think that you must live in almost walking distance at least to London & have met the Queen, Spice Girls, Princess Diana & Prince Charles! (in General!)

Answer 6

Wow, we live in a pathetic world!!! every question on here is full of rude, sarcastic, hate-filled answers. I understand people feel real tough when they are sitting in front of the computer, so tough in fact all they can think of is how to insult others, but come on people. London, Paris, New York, Tokyo, Moscow, these are all world class cities. and because of that fact, people across the globe first think of these places when speaking about the country they reside in. I live in California, quickly now, what was the first city you just thought of? Los Angeles or San Francisco right. Now I know everyone of you will say "no" but it's a lie. London is in my opinion one of the three greatest cities in the world, and because of that whenever my american *** hears about the UK I think about London, not Man city, or Newcastle, Brighton, or all the other places I visited. Funny thing is, people from all countries generalise this way, not just us A****** Americans.

Answer 7

I dont think americans really generalize about England, Most of them could care less about England.. A couple of your answerers, made some comments that do not fit Americans at all. Like some of the things your first answerer made.
Its more like those comments fit the English than they would ever fit any American. As far as knowing only London, I cant comment on what anybody else knows or doesnt..I can probably tell you more about England than you will ever know, and you live there. Do not generalize....
( added on.)
You got an idiot on here, that says he talks to people, and they tell him about his accent and he says, they dont even know what my accent is like. What are you smoking pal?, you are burned up... you are racists,and generalize...
Here comes the American teacher, to say the American
school system has failed the uneducated Americans, so you went there and took photos and taught your kids what?.
I pat you on the back, for your gutless answer...Mostly..
You, girlie, that posted this question, and then you added more garbage worse than your qustion. You all dont like AMERICA?, stay out ... make sure your coyntry's education level is high, dont worry about ours...The first bloke is not even worth mentioning his answer..THe other nut says America wants to conquer the world!, dont You know friend, how many countries were occupied til recently by England??Do you know? if not, go read about it...Lastly you got the other guy that says people are sitting behind the safety of their computer, and say things they wouldnt otherwise..
Whatever comments I make here I would make in front of anyone of your faces...I didnt see alot of Americans respond to this question, but I ask them to do so, like true Americans..
So go ahead give me your thumbs down, or Im sure someone is going to try and mess with my computer, do what you like,Dont care, I had to express myself....TRULLY>

Answer 8

It's because we,as a whole, don't know much about their country.

It's kinda like Afgans and Iraqis... They base their assumptions of what Americans are like by the movies and television shows produced about American society , like the western movies for example. If they were to actually come to America and see what it's like, they might think differenty about Americans.

Its the same way for us Americans in our view towards England. London is just what we here about on television and in the news. thats all.

Answer 9

I know what you mean, I have lived in America for 4 years, and when they are like "Are you from London?" Im like "No, England, =P" haha. Someone even asked if England was a city inside of London.

Answer 10

I'm from Nebraska and have a passport. I've traveled recently, to Israel. I regret not having scheduled enough time to tour England and Wales. In hindsight, I could have spent three or four days there. My family on my Father's side is of Welsh extraction. Just as I did not generalize about Israel, I do not about England. Israel was diverse and fascinating. My next international excursion must include England! If you have any specific suggestions, please let me know. Thankyou.