How polite are the English?

[thenumberthirteen]

First of all I'm English, and think of myself as quite polite. My understanding is that the English are seen (stereotyped?) as a quite posh and polite people.

So my question is: If you're not from the UK do you think of the English as polite? Have you visited England, and what impression did you get of the English people?

If you live in England do you think of yourself as polite, and how polite do you think England is?

This question was brought about as I was hit by a car yesterday, and the first thing I did, after flying 10 feet through the air, was to apologise to the guy driving the car.

 

[Davey Woo]

I think I'm polite, but people get the full Thames Estuarian pikey in me if they piss me off. Which doesn't happen often, thankfully.

 

[walls of cetepedes]

In my area, most people are not in the slightest bit polite.

Also, I think of myself as being polite.
I apologise for everything...

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

I'm over the top polite. visit the UK, and I don't meet many polite people D:
there are some, but I haven't met many.
The stereotype shows Brits in a better light than most people deserve. unfortunately.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

It depends, just like everywhere else.

 

[HardRockSamurai]

Well, I used to live in England, so I can definitely say that not all Englishmen are "polite, white, gentlemen."

Politeness in England is the same as politeness in any country:

Rude = > Age 25
Polite = < Age 25

 

[wooty]

Very polite around my way normally, except today, its Derby Day!!!

 

[are.you.the.god.its.me.vader]

Depends, I'm reasonably polite I'd like to think.

But you get some real bastards, just like everywhere else in the world.

 

[Amnestic]

Our national language is Sarcasm.

What do you think?

 

[El Poncho]

Well when I was in Weymouth trying to buy a subway with Scottish money(the horror I know) they rejected it but then a nice man offered to give me an English tenner and I gave him the Scottish one

 

[orangebandguy]

Our national language is Sarcasm.

What do you think?

Quite. Best comment on this thread.

As British people we excel at confusing other countries with our sarcasm, that is of course when we're not busy eating a scone of course.

 

[PurpleLeafRave]

I'm 16, from England, and have never met a posh person in my area. I live in Reading, so that's not saying much, but still. The only posh people are over 60.

 

[No_Remainders]

Well; being Irish, I can say a fair few of you are absolute pricks, and there is no doubt about that whatsoever. But a lot of you are quite polite and easy to talk to; so you're kinda mixed.

 

[Kaboose the Moose]

Personally I am polite but that's because everything I do seems to be polite in comparison to most of London.

As British people we excel at confusing other countries with our sarcasm, that is of course when we're not busy eating a scone of course.

Oi!. The crumpets. How dare you forget about tea and crumpets!.

 

[Raven's Nest]

Generally we're not that polite. If you walk down a street, no-one will smile. In a shop no-one will smile unless they have to. We are quite good for our please and thankyou's but I would say we are amongst the grumpiest people in the world...

 

[thenumberthirteen]

Well when I was in Weymouth trying to buy a subway with Scottish money(the horror I know) they rejected it but then a nice man offered to give me an English tenner and I gave him the Scottish one

I live near the border so loads of places take Scottish money, but I don't understand why so many don't down south. It's real money, and it looks nicer. I'd much rather have Brig 'a doon on my fivers.

 

[Lilani]

I've never been there so I don't know, but I do talk with some Brits on Skype at times and they are funny when they're mad. Nothing funnier than a ranting Brit.

 

[Mana Fiend]

Very polite around my way normally, except today, its Derby Day!!!

Liverpool by any chance? It's why I'm staying indoors. Can't stomach football...
I'd like to say I'm relatively polite, except when something really riles me. When that happens, I can unleash some serious hell. Other than that, I always hold doors open and watch my manners. Oh, but I do swear a fair bit. They're just words...
Though for some reason, I watch my language on the internet. Very strange...

As for the rest of the UK, you get a mixed bag. I've encountered some really nice people, and some who are total twats. Depends where you go, to be honest.