Impressions of the Expat American about the Brits

Biggest misconceptions about Americans by the Brits and Vise Versa?

Ok, it's looking more and more likely that this move to the Uk "might" happen. So I thought it could be interesting to gather a bit of information from those of you. What impressions rightly or wrongly did Brits have of Americans that was surprising, and to be fair what opinions did you have of the Brits before living in the UK that turned out to be wrong or right?

Is this subject too hot?

for the most part the brits have treated me very well and their opinion of america is fantastic.........BUT i have heard far different stories from other expats........i never established an opinion of brits before moving here.........i would go home in two seconds flat but that has nothing to do with brits........i just miss my life back home.........i always keep in mind that no matter where one lives there is going to be good/bad...........i choose to focus on the good although i do have my moments.......lol...........congrads and best of luck with your move

>shrug<

I was only 23 when I moved here 27 years ago.
I had no preconceptions.  I didn't even know myself, let alone anyone else.

Is this subject too hot?

Not necessarily, I just think that most of us haven't, on the whole, run into sort of generic misconceptions. I mean, there's often some idiot in a pub talking about things he/she doesn't understand, but that's not limited to discussing the US. Most people, I find, are willing to take me as they find me. And everyone seems to have their own, unique, take on things. Though I occasionally have hilarious vocabulary issues. (There was a time in my life where all I had to do to send one close friend into gales of laughter was ask him where he bought his pants.)

Is this subject too hot?

No, but you seem to want people to weigh in on massive generalisations (in both your threads). Real life isn't made up of generalisations.

To answer your question, I had no preconceived notions about life in England (other than it would be wet, and I've been pleasantly surprised by how little I notice/much I enjoy the rain) or the British. I haven't encountered anyone with preconceived notions about me simply because I'm an American (or if they have they haven't said).

I think if you want to find out what your opinions/preconceptions/experiences regarding the UK are like, you should come visit. Polling a forum to get a sense of what life is like will only take you so far.

Not necessarily, I just think that most of us haven't, on the whole, run into sort of generic misconceptions.

No, but you seem to want people to weigh in on massive generalisations (in both your threads). Real life isn't made up of generalisations.

I agree with both of you.

Sure, some people will have misconceptions, but it doesn't really help to dwell on them. It's not going to help you make friends or settle in a new country.

So not necessarily a hot topic, just a bit of a non-starter.

I really don't think the UK is going to be for you, not only based on the last two threads but also based on the older threads ("Why are the British so freaking anti American and rude?" and "Do Brits seem distant but polite & hard to warm up to?") where your interactions just seem...off. I don't think you're going to do well here and I think that has nothing to do with misconceptions on the Brits' parts.

I was never an Anglophile. I received the requisite amount of British Humo(u)r Education through Monty Python and Fawlty Towers, and that was pretty much my entire exposure to UK culture before meeting, falling in love with, and moving in with a Brit. I didn't have any opinion of the Brits and don't think they were terribly concerned with having an opinion about me -- so yes, the topic of misconceptions would be a complete non-starter in my case, too.

Slightly academic response:

Many people get their 'views' of other cultures from TV. Especially if they have not met people from that culture, or been to the location. (And maybe from books?)

So, that said, American shown in the UK usually consists of a lot of TV sitcoms, Hollywood films, crime programmes, and 'Reality' shows.

Many people in American 'Reality' shows are rich, and beautiful, and many people in sitcoms are middle class, and funny, perhaps a bit stupid, crime shows have people who are smart and tough, and Hollywood films often have 'every day people' who are extremely good looking...

And then there are the American tourists... People all over the world say they are 'fat and loud', although that is statistically impossible... They just don't notice anyone who is not 'an extreme' of some sort.

So, extrapolating from this: Americans are fat/beautiful/rich/stupid/middle class/smart/loud/funny/tough. (Depending on what you watch!)

In the USA, we get a lot of Hugh Grant, and 007, shows about English royalty, and Monty Python. English people are often good looking, well dressed spies, or rich criminals, or romantic men with money, or silly/witty/funny.

So, the generalisation would be: English people are silly/well dressed/funny/criminal/royal/romantic/rich/witty... and able to kill you with a slight of hand move.

I don't really know anyone on 'either side of the pond' who would fit either description.

And I don't think most English people expect all of America to live like, and look like, the Kardashians.

 

HEHE, I never had any misconceptions (that I'm aware of as yet) of British people. BUT, I did have a HUGE misconception about the food. I was of the VERY WRONG opinion that British food was bland and tasteless. I know I was wrong because both times I have lived here, I've put on about 20 pounds in the first few months enjoying all the yummy meals 

I'm generalising, big time, but I find that people comment that many Americans 'Speak their mind' (myself included) and many people claim that English people sort of talk 'around' an issue - they say they are often less direct.

Sometimes, supposedly, both nationalities think the other nationality does 'it' too often.

Supposedly, English people sometimes think Americans could do with a bit of toning down, and some Americans wish the English would just come out with it.

But, that said, I know people on both sides of the pond who do not fit that bill.

My English mother in law is very (comically) direct, and my American cousin, from NYC, will talk for ten minutes, and hint at what she is saying, but never actually say it.

All Americans are not alike, and all English people are not alike, and anyone with a brain can clearly see that.

A couple of good things to read on this general topic are: Watching the English, by Kate Fox, and Small Island, by Bill Bryson.

I'm generalising, big time,

Exactly. And it's not going to do you any favours. 

There is nothing wrong with people asking questions, or asking about generalisations, or having a discussion about generalisations.

Generalisations exist. It is a fact of life. Knowing what they are, and believing in them, are not the same thing.

People ask questions in order to learn things. And no one knows everything, so asking questions is fine.

I also said, "All Americans are not alike, and all English people are not alike, and anyone with a brain can clearly see that."

Chary, did you not see that?

I didn't have any opinion of the Brits and don't think they were terribly concerned with having an opinion about me -- so yes, the topic of misconceptions would be a complete non-starter in my case, too.

Same.  Seems the OP is the one carrying the mistaken impressions.

I also said, "All Americans are not alike, and all English people are not alike, and anyone with a brain can clearly see that."

Chary, did you not see that?

I did. And I do have a brain. But you said a lot of other things as well.