Are English people popular around the world?

Question

I seem to have found that they are generally disliked in the nations I have visited. What are your views and experiences of this?

Answer 1

Well, as an international student studying in England I've found all the international students at my college absolutely detest the English with the exception of Notherners who are much more down to earth.

In Ireland they are hated, both by the Irish and the substantial African community there (for similar obvious reasons). The Portugeese are not at all fond of them.

It does vary from person to person though, and in order to be liked or tolerated it is necessary to note the following points.

1. No one person is superior in anyway to any other (English display this attitude with each other as well but other nationalities don't and this comes across as discrimination to them.

2. Never talk down to or patronise people who are not in a position to defend themselves. (eg. Employees in the course of thier work - waiting/bar staff and shop assistants in particular)

3. Nobody cares how much money you have, how good you are at anything, how many countries you have been in or what extravigant and expensive hobbies you have. This is called boasting and is extrememly rude.

4. In the rest of the world there is this little thing called customer service. The general public are not expected to have extensive knowledge of the unusual practices of one particular business (e.g. yesterday I was asked to pay when ordering in a 4 star resturant, that was not a problem the manner in which I was informed of this was a problem however!)

5. When in Rome do as the Romans do. (Respect their culture at heritage instead of talking to them like they are mad or indulging in some act of craziness and appear amazed and bemused by it!)

6. Say what you think/mean, don't pussyfoot around trying to manipulate what you are saying so that it appears to be something else. Also being nice to be polite is obvious and is condecending to the person it's aimed at. (eg. oh I understand your Glasgow accent perfectly as my freind (who is from London) lived in Edinburgh for 6 months and I'm always talking to him. - That's a snippet from an actual conversation my friend had with a Londoner!!

For those of you who say you have never had any problems with people when you are abroad refer to the point on customer service. You are a tourist, they want your money, they also want you to come back again.

For proof see the fact that all the answers that say Yes we are popular have been posted by English enforcing their attitude problem based on the fact that they think they are superior!

That is all, rant over!!

Answer 2

The English can be arrogant, assuming everyone does things (or should!) the way they do; assuming that "if they tried" they could speak English (and yet the English seldom try to learn another language properly!!); and acting as if the rest of the known world is mostly there for them to have their holidays in. When they "colonize" a place with their holiday homes, they bring over their own shops, newspapers etc. instead of adapting to the new place. So you get little pieces of England spread around...which spoils the "unspoilt destination" they liked enough to move to, so they move on!!??
The English have done this in Spain, France, and Greece...lately the new "unspoiled" spots are Turkey, Morrocco and places like Croatia...until of course they get filled with bars called things like "the Robin's Nest", kiosks selling the Times and Sun, and branches of Iceland. The younger clubbing tourists are not loved because of loud, lewd drunken behaviour when they're out for some "nightlife."

I have lived in Spain for 25 yrs, become a citizen, had learned the language *before* I got here, and have adapted to the culture. There are things that frustrate me here, but they are the same things that frustrate native-born Spaniards. And I don't make superior "jokes" about my adoptive country because I know it just makes you look like an insensitive prat.

Answer 3

I have been to many countries and lived in four.I found that I was very well treated after I pointed out to the natives their faults and the drawbacks of living in their wretched countries.Just why they can't conform to the superior way of British living is beyond me,newspapers that are written in chicken scratch?No,no,no it just will not do,fill their news stands with quality newspapers,The Sum,The Daily Mirror and The Star.As for their food,it is definitely not fit for human consumption,in Japan they can't even afford to cook the fish and eat it raw or raw with a little cooked rice,well,I am sure that is ok for a third world country but not for us British,Liver onions and boiled cabbage for us and as for some of the pis* water that passes for drinks it's barely worth thinking about.A nice pint of warm bitter,there is nothing better on a hot summers day.No,I teach them the right way and I am sure that they appreciate my efforts to educate them.in the ways of the Great British people.Yes,loved where ever I go.

Answer 4

I believe we English are loved all over Europe, due in the main to our ambassadors, namely the travelling Football fans and Tourists.

We have thus been able to export lessons to our neighbours in good manners and behaviour.

Its just a pity that others dont see it that way.

Seriously though, it's wrong to stereotype. I know all nations have good and bad. I worked in the West End of London for many years and it would have been easy to assume that all Americans were loud, rude and obnoxious, which they are not?!

Answer 5

Having been privileged enough to live and work in different countries I have found that BRITISH people are generally well received and liked.

Unfortunately, on occassions, we BRITISH are sometimes confused with other 'so called' native English speakers, in particular those who come from the US of A.

When BRITISH persons are presumed as being from the US of A is when we BRITISH people are then prone to being disliked by the locals.

Moral of the story, always set the record straight that you are not from the US of A! and you will be warmly welcomed by all.

Answer 6

Well, speaking as a American who loves anything British, from political leaders, drinks ie, tea and most importantly the royals, the British are well respected in the US, They are our strongest allies, they often get razzed in the internat'l press for supporting us. Despite that, the British remain our strongest allies. Prime Minister Tony Blair was the first world leader to call Pres Bush to offer condolences and help immediately after 9/11,
More recently (I followed every minute of it), the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh ( her husband) were very well received when they were on a state visit last month. Both Princess Diana and the Duchess of York said over the years that they felt very welcomed here. Diana said she even considered moving here just to get away from the Brit media. Reg Brit people enjoy their
visits here. Generally, I think the Brits are well respected all over the world.

Answer 7

stereotypically they tend to act like jerks.

in south east Asia....they just get drunk, treat the locals like garbage, or act like they are better than everyone. They (euros in general) kind of keep to themselves and complain a lot.

Not all I am sure, but enough to create stereotypes. that has been my experience in China and Malaysia and a few other places

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Also, I'm American , and have lived overseas from Korea to Indonesia, and have always got along great with people. If you learn the language and culture...or at least try a bit...people will always welcome you.

All you have to do is treat people with respect, be genuinely friendly and interested, nationality has nothing to do with anything. To be honest, I think American’s have a better time in Asia, because they tend to want to be everyone’s buddy (which is one of the things Europeans like least about us ) and have adventures and stuff....that's why you always see them smiling and trying to talk to everyone........
I don't mean to be rude, but every time I ran into a brit in Jakarta, they were an a$# who talked down to everyone. They would talk to me in English about how stupid all the people were, yell at the waitress or something, then go look for a whore........then I would have to say "minta maaf" to everyone for him making me look bad

again, this does not go for all brits, as I know many who are nothing like that, but I've run into enough that I even developed a stereotype.

Manners also a play a role. In many places British manners can seem arrogant, even when they are trying to seem the opposite. Just in the same way American manners can seem rude or crass to Europeans.

It is kind of funny that all the brits here are trying to displace the comment on to us (all you are doing is proving my point) ;)

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Answer 8

Down where I live this seems to decribe the Oiks from the City or London people. I suspect there is some truth in this.

Answer 9

My experience is that generally english people seem to be liked abroad - suppose it depends where you go and how you behave.

Answer 10

Most countries have some reason to hate the British,usually the invasion or war thing. And these our tourists don't help our image.