2007-06-20 00:28:13 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
i've just got back from the US and the people were so much politer than the brits. they say hello as soon as you go into a shop, and they pay people to walk around supermarkets to ask if you need assistance.
they really seem to care about people.
2007-06-20 00:37:35 · answer #1 · answered by Mr Jolly 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When answering this I will be mentioning general stereotypes without wishing to cause offence!
Americans in the service industry can be alot more polite because they have to work for your custom and 'tips' rather than just 'expecting' them like some in the UK do. The American sense of humour can be alot more slapstick based than the 'drier' more sarcastic British humour, which again implies an undercurrent of a more polite, straight forward person. However perceptions of American tourists can be loud, brash and not afraid to wave their money around. However the Brits can be quite rude and patronising in their assumption that everyone speaks English or should be made to and non acceptance of cultures of the country they are visiting.
In short my point is there are different perceptions according to in what context you might be inter-acting with a person. However as a general rule I find Americans to have more of an awareness of politeness (whether or not they might actually be polite!) Whereas Brits can have an arrogance that
totally over rules any politeness.
2007-06-20 10:54:00 · answer #2 · answered by waggy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Being English I can safely say, while we are more stuffy, and yes we are hell bent on saying thankyou, and sorry, at every occassion, we are nowhere near as friendly as Americans, therefore less polite. Americans, in my experience, are much more optimistic, and generally nicer. Britain really is a country full of realistic, pesimistic 'sour' people.
Obviously not all the time, but if I had to make a generalisation, then it would be that. Why do you think its so difficult to get into America, but easy as pie for anyone to come here?
2007-06-20 00:38:42 · answer #3 · answered by Sophie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it's half and half, English people seem to say please and thank you alot more than american's do, but americans seem friendlier and outgoing.
it's petty cases, like tossing business cards acrost a desk to someone ( a american habit), makes americans look bad.
that's still nothing in comparison to the amount of yob's we have in england though.
generally they weight up, maybe just about tipping in the "american's are more polite" direction.
and as for above, not all english people think australians are like that.
2007-06-20 00:57:40 · answer #4 · answered by §ilver 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Americans seem more friendly and open
English seem more polite due to the reserve and also the need to say sorry and please.
On the scales I think they come up even
2007-06-20 00:38:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm Australian. I am viewed by the British as a *wild colonial convict* and they were not shy about saying that to my face while I was backpacking through Yorkshire a few years ago.
Contrary to popular belief, the friendliest Americans I've met were a bunch of New Yorkers that I stayed with in Queens. Americans from Boston are also very friendly.
2007-06-20 00:35:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
Not as a rule. Try getting a bus through Streatham in the evening and sit upstairs. You should witness a very discourteous bunch.
2007-06-20 00:38:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, not really.
I think this is a commonly held belief abroad because English people are generally more formal than those from the US; but unnecessary formality can be just as impolite as unnecessary familiarity.
2007-06-20 00:44:49 · answer #8 · answered by ? 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
English yes. They are polite. My bf is brit.
but the Queen was drunk to give such a knighthood to someone lately. LoL
2007-06-20 01:21:49 · answer #9 · answered by Amy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ya it seems like everyonesmore polite than americans
2007-06-20 01:04:40 · answer #10 · answered by Erica 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋