How Americans view the British

[brewer]

Hey INKYWINKYDINKY (sorry, don't understand your acronym, it's what I hear in my head), I really only know of Brits by what I see/hear on TV. So, why don't you tell me which show you think most represents the current British social mix/attitude.

[Rev. Rye]

Eccentric in some ways, but a hell of a lot saner in others. At least when a British buffoon rises in politics, the best he can get is London. Okay, guitarists, guess what's wrong with this picture:



Say what you will about Theresa May, at least she probably knows what she's doing (at least to a small extent; Brexit is proving to be an utter clusterfuck that nobody will be able to get right.)

And when groups of white supremacists start to rise, they have the best reaction:

[T0 Th3 M4X]

Fish & Chips + Tea + Fog. That about sums it up for me.

Seriously, I've always liked Brits. On my mom's side, I am related to the Royal Family, or whatever they go by, but it's like 3rd or 4th cousins or something like that. I thought about writing to them, but I didn't want them to feel like I was up to anything beyond that. Just curious to make that connection. Maybe one day I will. Aside from that, I've made other friends over there through the years, and they're as fantastic as anybody else.

[Fireball]

Well, I'm a descendant of Charlemagne.

Truth is, I consider the royals to be resting on the laurels of an ancestor who lived centuries ago. I'd personally be embarrassed by that, were I born into it. Those US skanks who married into it are going to keep the tabloids simmering, for sure.

[T0 Th3 M4X]

Well, I'm a descendant of Charlemagne.

Truth is, I consider the royals to be resting on the laurels of an ancestor who lived centuries ago. I'd personally be embarrassed by that, were I born into it. Those US skanks who married into it are going to keep the tabloids simmering, for sure.

I honestly don't know much about them.  Just that I'm related.  I have an aunt and uncle that are into genealogy, and they have a lot of historical charts and documents about that kind of thing.  If I ever write, I'll probably go back and read up so I don't sound like an ignorant buffoon.

You probably have some historically famous people in your family genealogy.  If anything, it's just interesting to know.

[DodosAreDead]

Except for the dude who gave me my last name (he was some sort of celebrated war chief/general, and lived a few centuries ago.) I don't think there's anyone famous I'm related to.

As for the British, well. Actually very nice as long as you don't ruffle their feathers, but far too obsessed with tea. (I frequent a British forum that's about a British author and her books, and the most popular thread in the 'general natter' section is 'Your favourite brand of tea'. Extra points for the spelling of favorite.).
Have some very sexy accents sprinkled in with a few extremely annoying ones (the Scouse accent comes to mind.)
Pronounce Z in a weird way. Also popularized that pronunciation in India and made my kindergarten brain very confused.
Beautiful country, and countrymen and women with just the right amount of national pride.
The only time I've really had anything bad to say about you guys is during the 2018 World Cup. Every single English supporter, with their 'IT'S COMING HOMEEEEE BOYS' made me want to lob a gigantic scone at their head. I may or may not have run round the entire house euphorically screaming when Croatia beat you.

All that being said, I may have British ancestry, as my great grandfather, who lived in pre-independence India, basically looked white (really light brown hair, blue eyes, pale skin) enough to ride in the British only carriages on trains and stuff. Me thinks someone before his time had been canoodling with the enemy. So I'm not dissing y'all.

[vulcanlogician]

I'll admit right out of the gate, I'm somewhat of an ignorant Yank. I've never been to Britain. All I know about you guys I learned from TV.

But still. IMO, the British are fucking awesome. I mean, you guys have a Ministry of Silly Walks. That's way cooler than anything we have over here.

[DeistPaladin]

In my view, Britain is the mother country. Canada, our twin sibling, was the good child. We were the wild, Hell-raising, rebellious one that stormed out of the house during our adolescence. But the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and we largely copied your system of government as it existed at the time. 

The stereotype is that America is enterprising and Britain more traditional minded but looking at our history, the reverse seems to be true. The British system of government has evolved whereas we've enshrined our constitution and deified our founders. Our recent election underscores this problem where we're still stuck with this antiquated Electoral College.

[Cod]

Hey INKYWINKYDINKY (sorry, don't understand your acronym, it's what I hear in my head), I really only know of Brits by what I see/hear on TV. So, why don't you tell me which show you think most represents the current British social mix/attitude.

I would say on the whole the British attitude is very liberal and easy going. I think we have opened up a lot in recent times and have been helped along by and learned from our close neighbours.

It would be difficult to pin our attitude down as a country, but This is a pretty close representation of Christmas in our house

[zebo-the-fat]

Can I just say, I'm a Brit who does not like tea!