NationStates Jolt Archive

I've heard that American's think English people are jolly, polite and old fashioned, which is quite confusing, as I'd say that Americans fit these labels better than us. IRL that is. Politeness is more scarce on the 'net.

EDIT: Note that this is not to say that I have an entirely positive opinion of Americans, nor that I believe what I have wrote to represent a large proportion of Americans, simply a larger one.

No, dumb Americans think that.

The rest of us have watched Snatch and think the English are all backstabbing gangsters. ;)

EDIT: Americans are jolly, polite and old fashioned? If by "old-fashioned" you mean a disproportionate number of us support racism and slavery, then yeah, we're old fashioned. I've never met a polite or jolly American, though. Unless you mean Santa.

Everything I've seen of British people is that they're rude, obnoxious, and condescending.


You asked.

I've heard that American's think English people are jolly, polite and old fashioned, which is quite confusing, as I'd say that Americans fit these labels better than us. IRL that is. Politeness is more scarce on the 'net.
Hardly my experience. But that only applies to like-for-like comparisons in social background. You can hardly compare young urban professionals from the US with scummy council estate kids from the UK.

I think movies have dispelled any rosy view 'others' have of the English.

I think movies have dispelled any rosy view 'others' have of the English.

that'd be Shaun of the Dead for me

I think movies have dispelled any rosy view 'others' have of the English.

yeah, were always the villains, part from james bond that is

There is no 'British person', just a collection of individuals, like any other country.

There is no 'British person', just a collection of individuals, like any other country.
You poor, deluded fool.

You poor, deluded fool.
:eek:

That seems to be a little bit of a strong reaction. :p

I've heard that many people view Americans as Bushkissing, muslim killing, Mexican hating, lazy, rich, evil, rude, obese imperialistic pigs out to take over the world and enslave the poor of the world to fight meaningless wars against everything that moves. I've also heard the the French are weak, smelly, cowardly America-haters that wish doom on Americans, America in general, and it's Canadian hat known as Canada. They couldn't care less about it's Mexican beard. It's also a stereotype that communists want everyone to be equally poor and equally below the poverty line and that the Japanese are sushi-eating samari robots that fight Godzilla and aliens that are strangly humans and out to destroy the world for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

Stereotypes suck.

No, dumb Americans think that.

The rest of us have watched Snatch and think the English are all backstabbing gangsters. ;)

EDIT: Americans are jolly, polite and old fashioned? If by "old-fashioned" you mean a disproportionate number of us support racism and slavery, then yeah, we're old fashioned. I've never met a polite or jolly American, though. Unless you mean Santa.
Jolly: whooping and cheering loudly about tiny things
Polite: saying "have a nice day!" (even if they don't really mean it)
Old fashioned: I never meant this as good thing.

Of course, I've only been to places that make a good holiday, not just the average town.

Everything I've seen of British people is that they're rude, obnoxious, and condescending.

You asked.
I did ask. And if I could be hurt by the opinions of anonymous strangers, I wouldn't have.

There is no 'British person', just a collection of individuals, like any other country.

Physical proximity results in cultural similarity.

Hardly my experience. But that only applies to like-for-like comparisons in social background. You can hardly compare young urban professionals from the US with scummy council estate kids from the UK.

I hope your not saying that all council estate kids are scummy?

I hope your not saying that all council estate kids are scummy?
I am sure some are not.

All I know is the Irish Stereotype of the English: Cruel, Stupid and Rich.

No, dumb Americans think that.

The rest of us have watched Snatch and think the English are all backstabbing gangsters. ;)

EDIT: Americans are jolly, polite and old fashioned? If by "old-fashioned" you mean a disproportionate number of us support racism and slavery, then yeah, we're old fashioned. I've never met a polite or jolly American, though. Unless you mean Santa.

I thought Santa was north polian/ish.

Everything I've seen of British people is that they're rude, obnoxious, and condescending.


You asked.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v297/probe_me/wrong.gif everything?

I thought Santa was north polian/ish.
He's Lappish.

He's Lappish.
I went to lapland, I met santa :D can you believe he doesnt let people sit on his knee!! Although to be fair, he'd have cronic arthritus if he did! But still...Lapland is awesome!

I went to lapland, I met santa :D can you believe he doesnt let people sit on his knee!! Although to be fair, he'd have cronic arthritus if he did! But still...Lapland is awesome!
Santa in Lapland? Ack. *dissolves in giggles*

Santa in Lapland? Ack. *dissolves in giggles*
What kind of establishments do you think I frequent?

I hope your not saying that all council estate kids are scummy?
I hope he's not saying that all council estate scum are kids.

I hope he's not saying that all council estate scum are kids.

I hope he's not saying that all scummy kids are from council estates.

Maybe it's just me being a scummy council estate kid, but I don't think we are particulary polite. Politeness and good manners are so old-fashioned. :rolleyes:

British women seem rather bitchy. American women seem rather arrogant.

Apart from the chavs, we have good manners but we aren't polite at all. A good rule of thumb is that the more polite we sound, the more sarcastic and insulting we are being. But with impeccable manners, of course.

Maybe it's just me being a scummy council estate kid, but I don't think we are particulary polite. Politeness and good manners are so old-fashioned. :rolleyes:

Actually, it depends on location. If you live in an inner city then well it's the same as any other city, people are rude.

But if you go to the smaller villages, or towns, people are actually very polite and jolly.

Basically, if you're talking to a British person and you think they're being polite... You obviously didn't understand the insults they're delivering with impeccable timing and sarcasm.

I'd say that Americans are more old fashioned than English people. They have old-fashioned ideas that certain things are wrong, like sex before marriage, gay marriages, abortions, watching porn, and so on. Although maybe old-fashioned isn't the correct word, Americans are more christian than English people. I find following a major religion to be a bit old-fashioned myself, I don't know a single person who isn't an old age pensioner that goes to church. I suppose that could be just be because most of the people I know are council estate scum. :(

Actually, it depends on location. If you live in an inner city then well it's the same as any other city, people are rude.

But if you go to the smaller villages, or towns, people are actually very polite and jolly.

It's not that way over here in the States. People are usually polite wherever you go... Big city or small town. And yes, New Yorkers are usually quite well-mannered and friendly (you wouldn't believe how nice a lot of them are).

Americans are really rather polite, until they get behind the wheels of cars. Then they all turn into rude, ill-behaved morons.

Americans are also really good at being nice to you to your face and stabbing you in the back.

I should know. I'm an American.

Other than the bad teeth and horrible flatulence, I find English people delightful.

Apart from the chavs, we have good manners but we aren't polite at all. A good rule of thumb is that the more polite we sound, the more sarcastic and insulting we are being. But with impeccable manners, of course.
Yes I would say from a Canadian perspective that British people are more snobby than polite.

Old fashioned? - I think thats because English language changed in North Am. and the British use words that haven't been common here for quite a while.

Jolly? - That comes from the phrase "Jolly Old England"

I've heard that American's think English people are jolly, polite and old fashioned, which is quite confusing, as I'd say that Americans fit these labels better than us. IRL that is. Politeness is more scarce on the 'net.

EDIT: Note that this is not to say that I have an entirely positive opinion of Americans, nor that I believe what I have wrote to represent a large proportion of Americans, simply a larger one.
You English are SUCH an adorable people. Too cute.

Actually, it depends on location. If you live in an inner city then well it's the same as any other city, people are rude.

But if you go to the smaller villages, or towns, people are actually very polite and jolly.


If anyone has read these words, please refrain from engaging in a wager that they are universally applicable in the United Kingdom.

All I know is the Irish Stereotype of the English: Cruel, Stupid and Rich.

Thats not true or fair.

Everything I've seen of British people is that they're rude, obnoxious, and condescending.


You asked.


You cant have meet every British person. The same can be said for a certain amount of ppl from every nationality.

All I know is the Irish Stereotype of the English: Cruel, Stupid and Rich.
Not true of all Irish.

On Saturday I met an old man originally from England who was jolly, polite, and old fashioned. I could certainly see putting his generation in a category like that, but the modern Brit is just as snarky as they come.

Still, it is overstated to push everyone into one category. I am sure there are nasty old British people and friendly young ones, too.

All I know is the Irish Stereotype of the English: Cruel, Stupid and Rich.

Well sorry I don't fit that stereotype, personally I'm cruel, stupid and broke;)

You English are SUCH an adorable people. Too cute.


hmmmm.......winner of thread!
:fluffle: