To my UK friends: don't lump all us americans together.

[TheScottishFella]

Gross stereotyping of any national culture is a foot in the face of common (or uncommon) sense. It happens to every country too. Speaking as a New Zealand and Australian citizen I'm either someone with an unusual interest in sheep or a thong (flip-flop for the Americans) wearing, kangaroo-riding, crocodile-wrestling outback badass to whom Paul Hogan is God and God is someone to curse for the flies.

The thing is stereotypes can be hellishly amusing when used in comedy, because within that framework they can be viewed as a deliberate fiction rather than a true representation. Outside of it they're kind of silly.

you have a point I am scottish do I wear kilts and eat haggis an have a big beard I hate kilts haggis makes me vomit and maybe I will have a bushy beard someday

 

[ace_of_something]

"I was actually, pretty offended by them than presuming I was a hayseed bumpkin who was ignorant, conservative, bible-thumper". This is what happens when people like Glenn Beck are so popular - American views tend to be more to the right anyway from a British point of view, even if they'd be considered left-wing in America.

Actually, the above incident listed occured in 1996. Make of that what you will. Though I've had other similar more recent incidents.
Yeah, some people are just dicks.

 

[Liberaliter]

Yeah America does tend to be made fun of over here. Why? I wouldn't know, maybe it's because we have a lot in common and enjoy light-heartedly making fun about the other. It could also be because of how the media portrays America as a country and the wars which a lot of Britons feel America dragged us into. But ultimately all countries have their own stereotypes and views on other countries, joking or not.

Well, it's one thing to make a generalization over the internet or in media. It's another thing entirely person to person. When someone says "no that's not at all like me" than to say "no, you're wrong that's how americans are" which happened to me several times. (I only told the one story) Particularly regarding our 'poor school systems.' Than people wondered why I got offended for what is basically saying I'm an idiot to my face.

Face to face is different yes, well I guess the people who said it don't know much about America. But I don't think all British people are like that.

 

[Legend of J]

I think its funny that hes sterotyped British people in the fact of everyone acts like the south. From the sounds of it there seems you don't seem to understand that nearly every town/city in the uk is different from the others hence why people sterotype you as ignorant. for the simple reason of you say ALL british people are the same but you hate it when people say the exact back and from the last i heard people from down south say the same thing to people up north. Like a highly offensive tv show i watched there they subtitled someone from newcastle (even i struggle to understand and i live near there). So it just shows you really are sterotyping and complainging that you are getting sterotyped.

OT: Don't complain about the spelling since in simple i carn't really do much better psml.

 

[Escapefromwhatever]

This wasn't in the middle of nowhere either, this was in Seattle.

Jeez, Furburt, they did that to you in Seattle? I've got quite a few friends from Seattle, and they like to describe it as if it were the frickin' Emerald City from The Wizard of Oz. It's surprising that you would be treated so poorly there.

OT: Speaking of people from Seattle, this type of regional stereotyping isn't exclusive to international conflicts. I'm from Indiana, and am currently attending college in Indiana, and it annoys me the way some of the students from about of State speak about this place. It's not perfect, and God knows I've insulted it plenty of times, but I tend to get irritated when a bunch of my friends just have a giant Indiana bashing session. Even worse is when they make fun of the populace here- occasionally they'll ask me to do my impersonation of a "redneck," as they consider it to be a spot on representation of people from the South/Midwest. The thing is, my "redneck" is one of the most exaggerated impressions I do.

 

[DigitalSushi]

My wife is from Lyon (I think that's how it's spelled) I'll be honest though I couldn't find it on a map without her help. Her mother is English though. I feel i could playfully tease her more on this subject but just can't come up with anything outside of 'the 100 years war' and don't really know how to work with that.

Here you go
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maginot_Line

After the first World War France built fortifications to stop the Germans invading again, only problem is they asked the Germans to do the electrics in the tunnels, so come WW2 Ze Germans new where all the strong bits were.

Also Lyon is like Gastronomy central and has a big software business' going on there, which is funny since just before it became big on software the Company Viglen (PC manufacturer) had also all their freight stolen going through the town, it crippled the company in the 90's. Ie. thieving Frogs.

I hope thats enough starter information to alienate your wife.

 

[King of the Sandbox]

My wife is from Lyon

Haha! Yes! Another fellow who has joined me in my super secret plan to systematically take all of Britain's women, one at a time.

/cue maniacal laughter.

 

[Michael Logan]

I forgot to mention that in visiting other european countries and china. I was not met with nearly the same amount of assumptions as I was with the UK. Maybe it's because american TV is translated into their native tongue so some of the social values are lost. I really don't know.

If you went to Germany that is correct, they do translate the Tv-shows, almost every other country in europe though, not so much. It seems to me that you are "lumping all us europeans together"

Just saying.

Allow me to list them in no particular order. England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Norway (I've been to Norway many times: have family in and around Bergen) and China (which is definitly not in Europe)
I don't know I certainly remember watching 'Friends' and 'the Simpsons' in several different languages.
I'm aware of the irony.

I live in sweden... So I know for a fact that is not true. Or well they do translate kidshows, but I dont think that was what you ment?

 

[ace_of_something]

Well, it's one thing to make a generalization over the internet or in media. It's another thing entirely person to person. When someone says "no that's not at all like me" than to say "no, you're wrong that's how americans are" which happened to me several times. (I only told the one story) Particularly regarding our 'poor school systems.' Than people wondered why I got offended for what is basically saying I'm an idiot to my face.

Face to face is different yes, well I guess the people who said it don't know much about America. But I don't think all British people are like that.[/quote]

No, not at all. I met many who treated me like 'just folks' as we would say in my part of the US. More my concern here is that I'm seeing this creep more and more into the escapist where people make statements like 'what do you expect from americans' or things like that. I didn't want to cite specific examples because I don't want to single people out.

Although, one thing that out and out SHOCKED me was. When i went as an adult (2003) my best friend was with me who happens to be a Native American (Ponca) I was absolutly shocked at how many people asked him to do rain dances or about war paint. Some acted like he stepped out of an old western saying "How!" as a greeting. He is a very good natured fellow though and took it all in stride though he didn't realize to later how some of those people weren't joking at all. Then again a great number of people assumed he was Middle Eastern in other european countries. So, I guess it's just a case of many European folks having never met a Native American.

you have a point I am scottish do I wear kilts and eat haggis an have a big beard I hate kilts haggis makes me vomit and maybe I will have a bushy beard someday

The desire to posses a majestic chin pelt is universal my friend. Men all over the world hope one day for those luxurious paragons of manliness to hang from their face. This is something we can all unite and share not as sperate nations. But as the race of man. Together. United. That and that our wives/girlfriends stop us from letting this happen because the beggining stages of the glorious beard to come are pokey and scratchy on thier faces when we kiss them

 

[Phenakist]

Frankly I get insulted when people say I'm from England or saying I'm Irish.

I'm from NORTHERN IRELAND, there's some huge differences and just because Ireland happens to be on the same bit of landmass doesn't mean it's the same thing.

For an American analogy it's like comparing North and South Dakota.

But anyway, I've grown up with a strange mix of a Strong country and strong City accent and it sounds almost American some say, but oddly enough I don't feel as insulted being called American than English or Irish... I mean being called English feels like being dropped in the same box as ASBO Chavs, and that's unacceptable.

If anyone says to me they're from America I just take it as such, I don't have some general stereotype, just "Ok you're from America, fair enough, lets get to know what type of person you are rather than judging you from where you're from and stick a big label on your head"

 

[Ninjamedic]

Frankly I get insulted when people say I'm from England or saying I'm Irish.

From NORTHERN IRELAND there's some huge differences and just because Ireland happens to be on the same bit of landmass doesn't mean it's the same thing.

Im Confused........ What nationality are you?

 

[Phenakist]

Frankly I get insulted when people say I'm from England or saying I'm Irish.

From NORTHERN IRELAND there's some huge differences and just because Ireland happens to be on the same bit of landmass doesn't mean it's the same thing.

Im Confused........ What nationality are you?

Missed out the "I'm" when I said "I'm NORTHERN IRISH" sorry will fix that now

 

[ace_of_something]

My wife is from Lyon

Haha! Yes! Another fellow who has joined me in my super secret plan to systematically take all of Britain's women, one at a time.

/cue maniacal laughter.

Uhhh... Lyon is in france.

 

[Ninjamedic]

Frankly I get insulted when people say I'm from England or saying I'm Irish.

From NORTHERN IRELAND there's some huge differences and just because Ireland happens to be on the same bit of landmass doesn't mean it's the same thing.

Im Confused........ What nationality are you?

Missed out the "I'm" when I said "I'm NORTHERN IRISH" sorry will fix that now

Ah, sorry. And I hate that our nation both north and south is always represented by dublin.
I. hate. Dublin.

 

[King of the Sandbox]

My wife is from Lyon

Haha! Yes! Another fellow who has joined me in my super secret plan to systematically take all of Britain's women, one at a time.

/cue maniacal laughter.

Uhhh... Lyon is in france.

Oh, well, in that case.... I meant to say my super secret plan to systematically take all of Europe's women, one at a time.

/resume maniacal laughter

 

[ClunkiestTurtle]

To be honest i don't think British people really think that way about every American but when 8 out of 10 Americans you come across fit the stereo type then it doesn't help much,mainly because those who fit the stereo type stand out and are proud to do so where as "normal" Americans just fit in.

Neither does the fact that a lot of Americans when you see them over here both celebrities on Tv and people you meet tend to take the piss out of their country for the things seen as stereo typical about the country.But perhaps that's just a way of trying to fit in cos they know we will find it funny.

Also i think a lot of people kind of save the "dumb American" or "Use proper English" card to play when they have run out of or can't be bothered to think of anything intelligent to remark cos its so easy to use and is sure to just piss you guys off.

And the fact that when its evening here most American kids are just home from school and all flood online to Xbox live and psn is probably a contributing factor cos when i find myself in a game with another Brit after about 7 or 8pm guaranteed the first thing they say to me is

"Man American kids are fucking dumb and annoying!!"

Personally when i meet an American or anyone from another country i don't assume them to be any less intelligent then any British person i meet cos hell there's more then a few ignorant misanthropes in my country....

 

[ace_of_something]

Allow me to list them in no particular order. England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Norway (I've been to Norway many times: have family in and around Bergen) and China (which is definitly not in Europe)
I don't know I certainly remember watching 'Friends' and 'the Simpsons' in several different languages.
I'm aware of the irony.

I live in sweden... So I know for a fact that is not true. Or well they do translate kidshows, but I dont think that was what you ment?

You misunderstand I'm just listing where I had been not that all of those countries translated the TV. Honestly only in maybe 4 of those countries did I even feel a language barrier ever. Hell I didn't, ya know, WATCH that much TV either. I was backpacking. For all I know I caught the one airing of the Simpsons that was in Italian that day. Or switched to the one station that only played shows in Swiss. Yeah, Sweden and Norway, I think i may have encountered one or two people in either country that didn't speak nearly perfect english. It's rather funny because my grandfather had a thicker norwegian accent than most people who currently live in norway.

Oh shit I forgot Denmark. Sorry Denmark! Hope we're still cool.

 

[Jenova65]

Frankly I get insulted when people say I'm from England or saying I'm Irish.

I'm from NORTHERN IRELAND, there's some huge differences and just because Ireland happens to be on the same bit of landmass doesn't mean it's the same thing.

For an American analogy it's like comparing North and South Dakota.

But anyway, I've grown up with a strange mix of a Strong country and strong City accent and it sounds almost American some say, but oddly enough I don't feel as insulted being called American than English or Irish... I mean being called English feels like being dropped in the same box as ASBO Chavs, and that's unacceptable.

If anyone says to me they're from America I just take it as such, I don't have some general stereotype, just "Ok you're from America, fair enough, lets get to know what type of person you are rather than judging you from where you're from and stick a big label on your head"

Now you just did it too! :-S I am English live in the south and am not anything like an 'ASBO', chav, nor are my teenage kids, my husband or anyone else in my family, neither is MOST of England. So you are stereotyping a nation for one very small insubstantial part of it!
Don't get me wrong you are what you are and I understand you being offended because you aren't English, but am annoyed that you seem to assume we are all chavs!
This kind of double standard is what perpetuates stereotyping.

 

[Ninjamedic]

Frankly I get insulted when people say I'm from England or saying I'm Irish.

I'm from NORTHERN IRELAND, there's some huge differences and just because Ireland happens to be on the same bit of landmass doesn't mean it's the same thing.

For an American analogy it's like comparing North and South Dakota.

But anyway, I've grown up with a strange mix of a Strong country and strong City accent and it sounds almost American some say, but oddly enough I don't feel as insulted being called American than English or Irish... I mean being called English feels like being dropped in the same box as ASBO Chavs, and that's unacceptable.

If anyone says to me they're from America I just take it as such, I don't have some general stereotype, just "Ok you're from America, fair enough, lets get to know what type of person you are rather than judging you from where you're from and stick a big label on your head"

Now you just did it too! :-S I am English live in the south and am not anything like an 'ASBO', chav, nor are my teenage kids, my husband or anyone else in my family, neither is MOST of England. So you are stereotyping a nation for one very small insubstantial part of it!
Don't get me wrong you are what you are and I understand you being offended because you aren't English, but am annoyed that you seem to assume we are all chavs!
This kind of double standard is what perpetuates stereotyping.

You forget that the irish/english conflict defies all logic and reason.

 

[ace_of_something]

Frankly I get insulted when people say I'm from England or saying I'm Irish.

I'm from NORTHERN IRELAND, there's some huge differences and just because Ireland happens to be on the same bit of landmass doesn't mean it's the same thing.

For an American analogy it's like comparing North and South Dakota.

Nah, even we lump the Dakotas together. I think a better example would be like comparing Texas and Oklahoma. You can decide who is who.

You forget that the irish/english conflict defies all logic and reason.

The town I stayed in in Northern Ireland was Derry/Londonderry a town that can't even agree on it's own name.