American-British Q&A

[beema]

"Pool" is what the Brits call "billiards."

Actually, Pool and Billiards are two distinct (but similar) games. Also, I'm fully American and I call it Pool way more often than Billiards. Such as a "Pool Hall." In fact I don't think I've heard anyone I know refer to it as billiards.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

To Americans: when you see a mixed-race person of Afro-Caribbean/White European descent, do you class them as mixed race, or black?

I ask this because as a mixed race person myself, I've noticed that a lot of Americans don't seem to recognise it as an identity in it's own right; they are more likely to class that person according to what they physically resemble the most, i.e. tanned skin and coarse dark hair = black. This is really putting me off moving to America as I'm worried that I'm going to be given a new identity that I can't relate to.

I get what your saying, but at the same time are you not doing the same thing most of the time? When you see a white person do you think "Caucasian" or do you think (in my case) "mostly polish descent with a bit of German in there"?

That isn't a race issue, though. Polish, French, German.. you're still white.

I'm not talking about heritage, I'm talking about race; actual biological differences that are apparent from first glance. I appreciate that heritage might still make people view you in a different way for various reasons, but it's still not quite the same thing.

by that logic then, if i am just white than you are just black, to the average eye. that's how it always will be to just about everyone. Why do all asians look the same? while from another perspective why do all white people look the same?

apples and oranges... But honestly, I know PLENTY of "black" people that are whiter than me and i know plenty of white people that are darker than half the "black" people i know, so really if you come over here you might be in for a shocker or two yourself, because if you are basing it off of apparent first glance looks, then you are going to be second guessing yourself with alot of people over here too then.

You're confusing me a little with the quotations. You say you know white and black people with varying skin tones - but what are you and American society classing them as? To go back to my original question, do you recognise these people as mixed race?

Easiest way I can explain this: If you were describing one of these "black" people to another person, would you describe them as "he's a black guy with.." or "he's a mixed race guy with.."?

we don't "class" them as anything, that specific person is just a variation of a color, just like me and everyone else, like i said america is ridiculously full of different people from all over the place so to sit there and say "that quarter african/aboriginal/turkish guy over there.." so if i was trying to point out a specific person out of a crowd i would say "that dark skinned guy with the blue shirt and a gold logo on it.."

idk how it is where you are located currently, but we have so many mixed races here to actually identify each individual would be madness.

 

[flying mong]

how popular are lucky charms ?
I see them on damn near everything if you want to buy them in England it sets you back an arm and a leg

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Is is still true that lots of you have really bad teeth? Or is that just an outdated stereotype? Be honest.

Complete falsehood. Apart from a British man inventing the toothbrush (while in prison), British people often have the healthiest teeth in Europe, perhaps the world.

The problem comes from media stating that teeth should be uniform and sparkling white (which usually means unhealthy because they've been overpolished). Our teeth may be slightly larger & slightly askew, but they're a lot healthier than most Americans.

how popular are lucky charms ?
I see them on damn near everything if you want to buy them in England it sets you back an arm and a leg

Americans have Religion (still), we have Superstition. Very popular, very big scam.

 

[thelonewolf266]

Alright so my question is this? What is a Chav? I've been called this on occasion and I don't think it's anything good, would someone care to explain?

Have you ever seen the people on the Jersey Shore? Now imagine the English equivalent of that basically.

Except generally their spottier than that.

 

[Agayek]

It's a common perception that you all drive around in big trucks or fuel guzzling vehicles. To what extent is this true, and if it is, then why?

In the UK we (mostly) manage to get about without over-compensatory trucks and jeeps, we just use like... normal cars, so it seems odd for people to be driving in like 5.7 L trucks and stuff.

It depends on where you are in the country, to be honest. In most cities outside of the South (and Texas), trucks and SUVs are not overly common. Most people there actually drive hatchbacks or compact cars.

Once you leave the city though, damn near everyone has a truck, and with good reason. It's so much easier to get around in the backroads with one. You have to remember that the US is about 30 times the size of the UK, in pure landmass, and it's several centuries younger. We simply haven't had the time to build roads covering even half of our land, so a lot of the driving in the US is on dirt/gravel roads (if it's on a road at all). In that situation, it's just not practical to drive anything other than a Jeep or truck.

 

[beema]

Complete falsehood. Apart from a British man inventing the toothbrush (while in prison), British people often have the healthiest teeth in Europe, perhaps the world.

The problem comes from media stating that teeth should be uniform and sparkling white (which usually means unhealthy because they've been overpolished). Our teeth may be slightly larger & slightly askew, but they're a lot healthier than most Americans.

I guess I meant "bad" as in looking bad, not necessarily health-wise (although there is often a correlation).

Also, how do you know they are healthier than most Americans?


ismathe against

 

[TheEndlessSleep]

America: What is Arby's?

 

[thelonewolf266]

Do you brits actually like Spotted Dick and Blood Pudding?

Yep. "Blood Pudding" is actually called black pudding and the blood isn't liquid, it's congealed and solidified and tastes similar to haggis. Its also not a pudding, it's usually eaten for breakfast as a substitute for sausage. Spotted Dick is just dough or suet cooked with currents in it.

awe here i was willing to try Haggis until that >.< I've had the 'pudding' and no sir, i do not like!

Spotted Dick sounds really bland

Don't listen to his slanderous lies Haggis is amazing much better than spotted dick also I really only eat spotted dick with custard or ice cream or something like that makes it a lot better.

 

[beema]

Oh, another question for Brits:
Are MacDonalds over there really more upscale eating establishments than they are here, or are they the same depressing shitholes full of obese poor people?

Also, is the Graham Norton show really popular? Cause I fucking love that guy.

And do you all find Gordon Ramsay as obnoxious as we do here? Or is he some kind of revered chef and we just get to see his stupid American-tailored persona?

Yeah, I watch a lot of BBC America.

 

[Wadders]

It's a common perception that you all drive around in big trucks or fuel guzzling vehicles. To what extent is this true, and if it is, then why?

In the UK we (mostly) manage to get about without over-compensatory trucks and jeeps, we just use like... normal cars, so it seems odd for people to be driving in like 5.7 L trucks and stuff.

It depends on where you are in the country, to be honest. In most cities outside of the South (and Texas), trucks and SUVs are not overly common. Most people there actually drive hatchbacks or compact cars.

Once you leave the city though, damn near everyone has a truck, and with good reason. It's so much easier to get around in the backroads with one. You have to remember that the US is about 30 times the size of the UK, in pure landmass, and it's several centuries younger. We simply haven't had the time to build roads covering even half of our land, so a lot of the driving in the US is on dirt/gravel roads (if it's on a road at all). In that situation, it's just not practical to drive anything other than a Jeep or truck.

Ah thanks, well that certainly makes sense. Here I was thinking people in the cities drove vehicles like that as well!

It's similar in the UK to an extent. Where I live in the countryside, a lot of families who aint even farmers (our family included) own 4x4's or 4WD vehicles because we can often get cut off with snow and things.

Although you do get posh rich people in towns driving expensive Land Rovers and other SUVs, just because they can. But everyone else thinks they're idiots

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Also, how do you know they are healthier than most Americans?

Honest, we do have good teeth.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Oh, another question for Brits:
Are MacDonalds over there really more upscale eating establishments than they are here, or are they the same depressing shitholes full of obese poor people?

Latter

Also, is the Graham Norton show really popular? Cause I fucking love that guy.

Popular but God knows why. Just don't ask any Who fans about him. (Long story)

And do you all find Gordon Ramsay as obnoxious as we do here? Or is he some kind of revered chef and we just get to see his stupid American-tailored persona?

Nah, Gordon Ramsay is just as much a F word as he is over there.

Question back: Is Stephen Colbert hugely popular or just semi-popular?

 

[Wadders]

Oh, another question for Brits:
Are MacDonalds over there really more upscale eating establishments than they are here, or are they the same depressing shitholes full of obese poor people?

Also, is the Graham Norton show really popular? Cause I fucking love that guy.

And do you all find Gordon Ramsay as obnoxious as we do here? Or is he some kind of revered chef and we just get to see his stupid American-tailored persona?

Yeah, I watch a lot of BBC America.

1. Yep. MacDonald's (affectionately known as Maccy D's) really are not up market. They have refurbished a lot of them recently, and I wouldn't go as far to say that the only people who go there are fat poor people, but they aint exactly the nicest places around, and are depressing as fuck if you go there in the night time.

2. Yeah Ramsey is a bit of a nob, but he can be entertaining sometimes. Not sure how most people feel about him. I'd guess that general consensus is that he's an idiot.

 

[Agayek]

Ah thanks, well that certainly makes sense. Here I was thinking people in the cities drove vehicles like that as well!

It's similar in the UK to an extent. Where I live in the countryside, a lot of families who aint even farmers (our family included) own 4x4's or 4WD vehicles because we can often get cut off with snow and things.

Although you do get posh rich people in towns driving expensive Land Rovers and other SUVs, just because they can. But everyone else thinks they're idiots

Yea, about the same here. The people who drive SUVs in the city aren't really considered idiots (as it's really not that uncommon, and sometimes you just need to haul something even in the city), but they are definitely not the majority.

America: What is Arby's?

Arby's is a fast-food chain in the same vein as mcdonald's. Instead of burgers though, they sell roast beef sandwiches and things like that. It's actually fairly tasty. It's fast food, so obviously the quality is about 2 steps above shaped plastic, but for what it is, Arby's is halfway decent.

 

[beema]

Question back: Is Stephen Colbert hugely popular or just semi-popular?

I think he's pretty hugely popular these days. Lots of friends on my facebook are always posting links to his clips and stuff, if that's any indication.

btw, to the OP, this thread is fucking awesome (or the dogs bollocks... did I get that right?)

 

[Agayek]

Question back: Is Stephen Colbert hugely popular or just semi-popular?

Stephen Colbert is pretty damn popular. Everyone I know in the 18-28 age bracket loves his shenanigans.

From what I gather, a lot of the previous generation(s) don't care for him, but with people born after 1980, he's damn popular.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

(or the dogs bollocks... did I get that right?)

Pretty much, though it often depends on the context. The "Dog's Bollocks" is more of a expression of extremity, like Epic. So something bad can also be the Dog's Bollocks (or the Mutt's Nuts), it depends on the tone used. Tone (and especially sarcasm) are very important in British speech.

 

[Ris]

Do you brits actually like Spotted Dick and Blood Pudding?

No, and no. I consider them old school foods that my parents might eat; I don't know a single person under 30 who would thank you for serving either.

I think the country has become so culturally diverse in recent years (particularly since the 80s) that our paletes have changed a lot more than other countries might realise. I mean, the nation's favourite food is curry; not fish and chips or steak & kidney pie!

 

[Wadders]

Do you brits actually like Spotted Dick and Blood Pudding?

No, and no. I consider them old school foods that my parents might eat; I don't know a single person under 30 who would thank you for serving either.

I think the country has become so culturally diverse in recent years (particularly since the 80s) that our paletes have changed a lot more than other countries might realise. I mean, the nation's favourite food is curry; not fish and chips or steak & kidney pie!

I resent that! Black pudding is the stuff legends are made of!

Can't say that Spotted Dick is too enthralling. It's like bread and butter pudding, it's just boring as hell.