Typical American

Having just spent a week in the US with an Irish colleague, I've heard every British/Irish stereotype you can hear, and no, several of them were not jokes.

All the NHS backlash was also hilarious, seeing as I'm literrally the million dollar woman in terms of being alive thanks to the NHS, ill-informed comments on socialised medicine aren't going to get you very far with me

My personal favourite incident was a guy saying I was probably "frigid" because I was a Brit yup, I'm frigid, or I'm married, don't flirt with random guys in bars and think you're a D-bag anyway!

Turns out there are rude, ignorant people everywhere! Who'dathunk?!





 

I don't mind it too much if it's coming from someone who's lived in (or at least spent a lot of non-Disneyworld time in) the U.S.  In the first place, they've at least had the opportunity to develop an informed opinion about it.  Secondly (and probably because of that), when those folks say something is 'typically American,' they usually mean it good-naturedly.  It's either a joke, or a compliment.  And if they are being genuinely critical, it's usually about something significant (i.e. political issues, workplace issues, etc.), and while I'll often agree with them, even if I don't, I can have a conversation with them about it.

What really annoys me is off-the-cuff criticism or snide comments from people who've never even been to the U.S., or who never spent an hour outside of their resort, and never gotten to know any Americans.  Then it's just bigotry, even if it is a trivial remark.

Last night, I went out with two women I met on one of my jobs. Both English, both living in London but from the midlands - but had been in London 20+ years. Both in their 40's.
Everything was going along fine, till they asked me to compare NYC to London.

I sort of said, "Well, a city is a city, it is the people that make a place what it is, and I like both very much, for different reasons."
(Which is honestly how I feel!)

So, one women, she says, "I don't like London anymore. It used to be great. Before all the immigrants came. They are rude and now it is horrible here."

So, of course, I said, "I am an immigrant."

And she said, "Oh, yeah, but I don't mean YOU."

And, I said, "Who do you mean?" (Fatal mistake, I know)
And she said, "All the Polish and the Indians, all the EU people they let in - they have ruined London."

And... I said, "Really, ALL of them? ALL of them have ruined London?"

And she said, "Yeah, they come here and they ruin it for the English people. They are everywhere and they don't know how to behave properly and they don't work. It's not fair that they can come here. I can't just up and move to any country I want like you American's can. I am stuck here, or in the EU. I have to live with them in my own country and they are ruining it. They have ruined the economy, and taken the jobs from English teenagers."

This woman... was a very well travelled, mature woman, with an education from a decent university... and a very respectable job, in a respectable field. 

So, I was stunned. I looked over at the other woman with us, for help... And she was nodding in agreement to everything that woman had said.

So, I began the conversation about the reality of getting a UK spouse visa for an American citizen, yet again, for the 3 millionth time... But they were not interested. They almost seemed to NOT BELIEVE ME that I had to apply. The other woman said, "Well, maybe you have to apply and pay but they always give it to you no matter what because you are from America and you husband is English. No country denies Americans any passport they want. The UK lets anyone in anyway."

I did not even get to the part about so many immigrants offering so much to this country and others... They then just changed the subject.

They had their opinions and beliefs.

Sometimes, it is just not worth the effort.

So, OP, I get it. I get tired of it too. And, I am not a huge fan of America or anything, but, sometimes I just want to say, "Can we please talk about something else once in a while, and if not, then can we use some actual facts in the discussion?"

SIGH.

Turns out there are rude, ignorant people everywhere! Who'dathunk?!

Exactly.

Regarding the NHS bashing, it's just ridiculous.  When the US had the healthcare reform debate a few years back, the polls were showing that a majority of Americans wanted a public option rather than an individual mandate. So, hopefully the US will have it sooner rather than later.

What's sickening is when these anti-healthcare reform types (not all of them) say that we shouldn't reform the system because then people will have to wait longer for care. I'd prefer to wait a bit longer for some things if it means more people are insured. I don't know how these people sleep at night thinking they have more of right to healthcare than other people do.

Sorry to go off topic, but that issue really gets me fired up.

LaraMascara, I've experienced similar things here. On the other hand, when I've explained to people stateside what needs to be done to get DH to the US, some have started muttering about illegals waltzing into America, taking our jobs and getting a free education on the taxpayers dime. 

PlainPearl, yes, I have read many things in the American press, saying the same things you've mentioned, about the immigrants there.

It is by no means just something that happens only in England.

NYC, especially the area where I am from, is just so diverse, and SO FULL of immigrants, that to be an immigrant is sort of... Normal. For the most part.

Both of my parents were immigrants. A lot of my friends, neighbours, and coworkers were immigrants too.

Multicultural New York City.

Many of my English friends in NYC tell me that they get, "I love you accent" all of the time. But, they say that other than that, they are treated exactly like anyone else, and they do not ever get any "Those people coming over here" rants. (Although I am quite sure there are plenty of people in NYC who DO rant about immigrants! New Yorkers love a good rant!)

Most of my English friends have reported to me that they feel that 'being English' is a bit of an advantage there. People like their accent. A few of them even told me that they think that people are even nicer to them in NYC after they find out they are English.

I wish it were like that for all of us here.

London is not so bad tho. There are plenty of people from all over the world in London.

I usually try to just laugh it off. Gets a bit tiring tho.

I've just decided to let it roll off my back now. Stick to my friends here that I know and enjoy spending time with and ignore the ones that give me a hard time.

As for the NHS...its a life saver. I would FAR rather have the NHS than what we had in the States. Even WITH insurance, hubby and I had unbelievable medical bills with a high deductible and co-pay. We're both on at least 3 prescriptions every month and actually I'm on far more with my RA but because we have prepayment certificates, we each pay only 10.20 a month. Between insurance costs, deductibles, prescription costs over there,we are far better off here. I'm still making payments on our medical bills from the US. 

LaraMascara, I understand what you mean. I never felt that way about immigrants when I lived in the US. I always enjoyed meeting people from different countries.

I try to make a slightly edgy joke (I'm a writer and I do stand-up comedy) when people start going off in front of me about America. That is how I have been dealing with it.

I say, "Did you know that ALL of England can fit INSIDE New York State, with room left over, for parking?" And I stare at them, and smile.

It usually shuts them up! It seems to... Confuse them, maybe? But, they go very, very quiet. I have a 100% success rate with it! And I have used it many times now.

Now, I am not saying 'bigger is better' as someone once mentioned on this board... That said, does 'older mean better' - No, not always! LOL!

It is not about 'better' it is just about 'different.'

I am just trying to change the topic when I say it, maybe put things in perspective for them. It is a big, diverse country. I think it is a cheeky way of making that point to them.

I think they are just not sure how to take it so they go quiet.

You are all welcome to try it! How many "England's" would fit inside YOUR state?

Whatever, there are insensitive people everywhere, right?!

All in all, I do love London. (I just wanted to add that!)

Lara, here is mine....whenever something breaks....be it a plate or a stapler or whatever, I always make a big deal of finding the country of origin declaration, furrow my brow and say, "Ahhhh, made in England.....".

kbeech06, I used to feel the same way.  I admit to being thin-skinned so it's not surprising that I would find anti-American "news" hurtful and depressing.  I hope you can learn to ignore it or speak up when you feel the need to but it is hard.

I've just decided to let it roll off my back now. Stick to my friends here that I know and enjoy spending time with and ignore the ones that give me a hard time.

That's probably your best bet. I've only visited/"lived" in the UK for two months all together and yeah, I have to say most of the people I spoke to immediately zeroed in on my "American" accent and immediately felt obligated to give me their unneeded/unwanted opinion on my home. I would never say that to someone from another country (except my boyfriend since we both jokingly take the piss out of the other's country sometimes ), but unfortunately a lot of people just don't have manners.

I say, take everything with a grain of salt. Like everyone has said, jerks are everywhere. No matter where you move there's always going to be someone to say crap about you/your country. When I was there, I just kind of brushed it off luckily for them. I kind of am cursed with a short fuse so, best to just take a breath and not lower yourself to their level (which is extremely hard for me at times).

Yes, some of the stereotypes about Americans are true, but so are some of the stereotypes of the British. Stereotypes don't just appear out of thin air, they do come from what people chose to see. Cuts both ways. :B If it upsets you, just avoid it. If you can't avoid it, then speak up and tell them how judgmental and stupid they sound. Except nicer than that, haha. At least that's what I'd do if pushed to being extremely annoyed. Hope you just end up ignoring them and sticking to the people that don't give you such a difficult time!

I've also said, "Ya know, I'm from NYC, and were I am from, we shoot people for talking like you do." with a smile.

I don't advise anyone to do that - People don't laugh - But it was super amusing to ME!

Lara, here is mine....whenever something breaks....be it a plate or a stapler or whatever, I always make a big deal of finding the country of origin declaration, furrow my brow and say, "Ahhhh, made in England.....".

I've also said, "Ya know, I'm from NYC, and were I am from, we shoot people for talking like you do." with a smile.

Sorry, but I think this is entirely the wrong tack to take.  It just perpetuates the stereotype of Americans as being violent, arrogant, and incapable of irony.  Like it or not, as expats we are unofficial ambassadors for the US, and the way we behave can profoundly impact people's opinions of our country.  It can be tiresome and frustrating of course, but it's what we take on when we choose to live abroad.  I teach English as a foreign language, so every day I talk with not only English people, but also people from all different countries, and inevitably they ask me about the US.  Most of them want to know why on earth I would leave it to move here, all of them want to know about culture and lifestyle, and some have negative things to say.  I see this as an opportunity to correct misconceptions and educate people.  The fact is, we are all ignorant of countries other than our own.  How many of you have not learned a single thing since moving to the UK, because you knew it all before you arrived?  How many of you have no stereotypes or preconceptions about any other country anywhere in the world?  I could certainly tell you some things I have learned from students about places like Saudi Arabia and Syria that would astound you, and challenge your preconceptions. 

So basically, I see this as a question of outlook and attitude.  Instead of thinking "Great, another idiot who doesn't know anything about America," try thinking "Great, another chance to change someone's mind about my country."  That way, everyone wins.  And if the person is so stubborn that they still cling to their prejudices after talking to you, oh well, you can't help everyone  .     

Sorry, but I think this is entirely the wrong tack to take.  It just perpetuates the stereotype of Americans as being violent, arrogant, and incapable of irony. 

Agreed!

Yeah, I agree too, it is not good to do, not good to say... Which is why I said "I don't advise anyone to do it."