For Yanks in UK & Brits in US

I'm Portuguese, and I lived both im Mass and FL for 10 years combined.

Forgive me for saying, but allot of Americans have a way to verbally attack anybody who disagree with their ways, simple stuff from Burger Joints to the recent War on Iraq .. anytime I would say something against it, people would react with "go home then" and "anti american" remarks, wich is in high contrast with our portuguese/eu ways .. heck we debate everything (and drink to it while debating it).

I find most the US natives that I have meet to have one of the most closed minds there is for the outside world, I was very amazed for some peopel actually think/act as other countires (outside US and Canada) live in a pre-historic/3rd world setting .. :p

 

anytime I would say something against it, people would react with "go home then" and "anti american" remarks,

  Or if you dont like the way your country is being run,get out 

  I think there are rude and nasty people no matter what country they live in.

I am rather offended by the "if you're not with us, you're against us" attitude, from anybody of any nationality. 

I find most the US natives that I have meet to have one of the most closed minds there is for the outside world, I was very amazed for some peopel actually think/act as other countires (outside US and Canada) live in a pre-historic/3rd world setting .. :p

I will agree with you on this notion of thought. When I told my friends I was in love with my DH they weren't the most supportive. To this I will say that I have no contact with them any longer as I can't handle being around those who are like this. I have no problem with others opinions, but I take they weren't taught If you can't say something nice don't say anything at all!!!

I don't think all Americans are like this and of course those of us who are on this site don't belong with the close minded. But there is a fair amount of people who do believe that America is the one and only place. I have one relative of this thought myself.

I can't TELL you how many times I've been called a Septic. :\\\'( We live quite close to an American Air Force Base, and they are called Septics by the locals - sort of a (from what I gather) new rhyming slang: Yank = Septic Tank.  

 

This is a new one on me and I hope to never hear it to my face. I would never call anyone something that would represent a bad note. I have asked my Dh what many "English" words have meant so I use them in the right context and not call someone a word that could get me a slap in the face.

How long has your husband been in the US? Would you ever consider moving elsewhere in the US or even moving to the UK?

My DH has been here for just over 8 years. The idea of moving somewhere else in the states is an option as he has been offered three other positions with other companies. But the places we would have to move to aren't on our list of acceptable.



To my thread, I do know of one person who was anti- American to me. But it was the last day I was in the UK. It was my husbands step-father. He said under his breath that he was glad I was going and to never come back. I think I blocked it out as I was so hurt. He was very nice to me the whole time I was in the UK. The family went on holiday to Cornwall and he let me try the custard he had and other things that I would not associate with not liking me. As he is my mum in laws 3rd husband and the other two marriages only lasted about 11 years he is due to "leave" soon as they have been married 11 already, I may not have to deal with him on our return if we move back. I realize after writting this "if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all...."  

To my thread, I do know of one person who was anti- American to me. But it was the last day I was in the UK. It was my husbands step-father. He said under his breath that he was glad I was going and to never come back. I think I blocked it out as I was so hurt. He was very nice to me the whole time I was in the UK. The family went on holiday to Cornwall and he let me try the custard he had and other things that I would not associate with not liking me. As he is my mum in laws 3rd husband and the other two marriages only lasted about 11 years he is due to "leave" soon as they have been married 11 already, I may not have to deal with him on our return if we move back. I realize after writting this "if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all...."  

That's horrible, about your stepfather-in-law.  I guess, since he said it under his breath like that, it wasn't a joke, hmm?  It wouldn't be a very funny one anyway, if it was one. 

I think there are rude and nasty people no matter what country they live in.

Yeah, it seems to be a human problem, not limited to one certain nationality or other.  There are always people everywhere that will feel they are better than everyone else.  Of course, I try to avoid these people.....

I havent experienced anything myself in the UK. I suppose there are always those behind the back comments - there always are. But I dont mind them. Im happy in myself and if people want to silly like that, well Im not fussed.

I dont think the hubby has ever gotten anything like that in the USA. If he does in the days to come I think he'd love the chance to shoot some derogatory term right back at his attacker. The great thing is - the English in general have quicker wit than Americans. It would please him no end to shoot off a remark and have the only come back be a blank stare and a wishy-washy attempt at a rebuttle. He relishes in other people's stupidity and rarely takes negative comments from strangers personally.

Thats just our experience tho. If others are experiencing negative attention re their nationality - Im deeply sorry. Its no fun to be constantly attacked for no reason.


(edited for spelling typo)

The great thing is - the English in general have quicker wit than Americans. He would please him no end to shoot off a remark and have the only come back be a blank stare and a wishy-washy attempt at a rebuttle. He relishes in other people's stupidity and rarely takes negative comments from strangers personally.

Yeah, you nailed that one on the head! I expect I will see the same when hubby is given the opportunity and I know he will enjoy using that quick wit against the much sloooower one

I think pretty much the only time I've ever felt awkward here was a few weeks ago, when there was full-page editorial in the Scottish paper basically making fun of Americans. This guy was actually there on holiday when he wrote it, and he actually had the balls to go on and on about how grotesquely fat Americans are, how rude the kids are, how it's impossible to embarass us, and making all sorts of wisecracks. To top it off, he said he loved everything about America, except the fact there are Americans in it.  I know it was meant to be tongue-in-cheek and I probably should have just laughed, but it annoyed me that he was rubbing in stereotypes and many people here may not know otherwise. BUT, I think for the most part Americans are very much accepted here, so I didn't let that bother me too much.

Also, like others on here have said, I don't think the American superiority complex is limited just to Americans. I see it here in Britain every day!  I think pretty much every country thinks it's better than others, at least in some ways. It's "national pride", I guess? 

Honeybee - I agree that every nation must have some sort of a superiority complex. I see it here all the time too.



Just thought of an incident where I actually did feel quite hurt by a comment that was made in my presence about Americans. I feel no guilt in naming and shaming in this post because the woman was a complete and utter B*tch Queen >:-D

I was working in the Export division a company that makes Stainless Threaded Fasteners. It was my first job in the UK and it was September 11th 2002. The office had several minutes of silence to pay our respects and I simply felt overcome and started to cry. It was hard not to feel deeply sad. I left the office for a breath of air accompanied by a friend who gave me a big hug and left me to compose myself. Just as I was returning to the office a comment was made by B*tch Queen Natalie (she who walks as if she has two gigantic nads between her legs) - the comment was something to the effect of "I dont get why she's so upset - I mean, we [The UK / Ireland] have been dealing with terrorism for decades and you dont see us bawling about it."

I do understand her point - the UK and Ireland have been riddled with vicious, relentless terrorism for decades. But that fact shouldnt make my sadness on the first anniversary of one of America's most shocking and tragic terrorist attacks any less justified and understandable. I was lucky not to have friends or family effected by the attack but I still remember how I shook and cried when I woke up and turned on the TV that day.  The feelings were still raw on the first anniversary - I felt like it was yesterday that it happened.

I could have kicked Natalie's teeth in. It was a really hurtfull thing to say and although I can see where she was coming from she could have thought about what was going to come out of her mouth and how it would make others feel before she opened her fat gob.

I am rather offended by the "if you're not with us, you're against us" attitude, from anybody of any nationality. 

I agree. I absolutely cringed when Bush said that. Way to win people over! 

To top it off, he said he loved everything about America, except the fact there are Americans in it.

I have to admit to having said the same about England and the English to Sean once (who is Irish) when we were stuck on a train with 200 drunken skinhead footballers.   I'm extremely fond of the UK, but talk about feeling intimidated and wanting to be somewhere.. ANYWHERE else at that moment.   

I think there are jerks everywhere. I havent had to many problems. Just one time when some woman said something under her breathe about hating Americans at the Indian one night.  Oh, and once at a pub.  A drunk guy told me that he hates Americans, but I was okay. Gee thanks.
I knew a bunch of Brits in America and never heard them talk of any problems. DH would love to move to California. He says he would make a better American then me.  He wants a big SUV and a big house with a big everything. He likes the excess of the states. I rather like it here, but when SD is grown we will see.

  Oh, and once at a pub.  A drunk guy told me that he hates Americans, but I was okay. Gee thanks.

Yeah, like when someone says a derogatory remark about Americans and then looks at you and, real quick, says, "No offense"....as if that makes it all better for you.    I tend to try to just be amused by this now. LOL.

Hmmm....and these sorts of encounters in no way bear any resemblence to the comments some ex-pats make about the "British way of life" (size of fridges/washers, types of food, the way "they" eat/drink/talk/whatever) that the Brits (i.e. their spouse/partners/in-laws) aren't supposed to take *personally*...

True, of course, Peedal.  I agree.  I guess everyone just needs to learn to have a thick skin (even though it really shouldn't be that way - on either side)...as many here have said already, there are jerks everywhere....where humans just don't behave very, well, humanely.  ~~sigh~~