What do other nationalities think of the British

[Baggingarea]

For non UK MNers, what are your general impressions of the British?

I was watching a documentary recently and a Spanish man said our houses are all dirty. I'd never heard that before but can see why someone might think that with muddy weather etc etc.

What do you think about us? Promise I won't be offended (no racism/sexism/general bigotry though please). Can't vouch for others though.

You could say loads of criticism and sweeping stereotypes about other countries too; good and bad everywhere! Thread is pathetic and inflammatory I suspect

At the risk of repeating myself, there have been numerous threads about other countries and people's opinions of them on MN recently, and this thread is very tame in comparison. Also to repeat myself - the British are good at giving criticism, but can't take it!

Experience of hospital treatment elsewhere - first thing you are asked for is your insurance and if it's an emergency and you dont have details to hand (a mistake never to be repeated) you need a credit card before they will look at you.

As for the treatment thereafter, it was poor.

There are reasons we value the NHS.

Anyone would think from reading threads on MN that there are only two healthcare options - the UK or the US style. You do realise that there are many other countries with healthcare systems of their own?

Wow @SoniaHeniesTutu - you have singlehandedly restored my faith in MN,and human beings in general so thank you for that.

I was about to suggest that no one thinks all Americans are uneducated, climate change denying supporters of Trump but thought better of it and was about to swear off MN for good, as having been on here for many years I am saddened by how mean spirited many threads have become.

As an English person I am more than happy to admit to many foibles but to be told that we are:
Fat
Ugly
Promiscuous
Dirty
Insular
Lacking in empathy
Superior
Idiotic (Brexiteers that is - on that point I would remind others that only 52% voted for Brexit and though I am a remainer, part of living in a democracy is accepting that others have different points of view and experiences).

Oh, but it's only lighthearted I hear you cry and our famous sense of humour will see us through.

Well just as well isn't it. Now I think about it this has brought out my patriotic side which is generally well buried. A bit like when someone else slugs off your family- it's fine if you do it but when others join in well that's another story. Iam quite happy to be English but I can't say that out loud because I may come across as superior with an over inflated sense of my place in the world. However I am grateful for all the little things that being English has brought me and when I'm on my death bed I sure as hell won't be regretting not spending more time cleaning my house ...

Another just occurred to me - eating on the go. I don't understand it either and I've lived here most of my life.

On holiday with son 5 years ago, Spanish waiter said to me quietly that he hates the rude Germans and Austrians but loves the British. I agreed as the German/Austrian holidaymakers were absolutely vile !! Poor waiters have to serve them all day and night.

@eaglejulesk

Experience of hospital treatment elsewhere - first thing you are asked for is your insurance and if it's an emergency and you dont have details to hand (a mistake never to be repeated) you need a credit card before they will look at you.

As for the treatment thereafter, it was poor.

There are reasons we value the NHS.

Anyone would think from reading threads on MN that there are only two healthcare options - the UK or the US style. You do realise that there are many other countries with healthcare systems of their own?

I wish more did realise.

So many better than the NHS. Many many.
Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Spain, Singapore, Japan. I could go on.

qwertypie I was going to recommend that book, Watching the English, it's fascinating!

@Tollergirl, the figure isn't 52% of brits, it is 52% of those who voted. Big difference.

Eating on the go is gross.

@Tollergirl

Wow *@SoniaHeniesTutu* - you have singlehandedly restored my faith in MN,and human beings in general so thank you for that.

I was about to suggest that no one thinks all Americans are uneducated, climate change denying supporters of Trump but thought better of it and was about to swear off MN for good, as having been on here for many years I am saddened by how mean spirited many threads have become.

As an English person I am more than happy to admit to many foibles but to be told that we are:
Fat
Ugly
Promiscuous
Dirty
Insular
Lacking in empathy
Superior
Idiotic (Brexiteers that is - on that point I would remind others that only 52% voted for Brexit and though I am a remainer, part of living in a democracy is accepting that others have different points of view and experiences).

Oh, but it's only lighthearted I hear you cry and our famous sense of humour will see us through.

Well just as well isn't it. Now I think about it this has brought out my patriotic side which is generally well buried. A bit like when someone else slugs off your family- it's fine if you do it but when others join in well that's another story. Iam quite happy to be English but I can't say that out loud because I may come across as superior with an over inflated sense of my place in the world. However I am grateful for all the little things that being English has brought me and when I'm on my death bed I sure as hell won't be regretting not spending more time cleaning my house ...

I have never felt any of that about Brits /English in fact, all these stereotypes is the first I ever heard. When I watched Austin Power, I was even confused about their so-called bad teeth. I met many people from England/Britain (I even had a crush on one before I was married because I thought he was so sweet and handsome and smart. And he wasn't the only one who I admired, there were others even though they have a different personality. Kate is from Britain and I thought she is a drop dead Beautiful and she isn't the only one. I can't believe people go around calling them ugly.

I am star struck with benedict cumberbatch btw

It’s interesting that Britain and the British are perceived in such a negative light , yet people risk their lives to get here. I wonder why, if it’s such an awful place to live and the people are so dislikable. I mean, why not stop in France? It’s a beautiful country, great food, lots of culture, and if mumsnet is to be believed it has probably the best healthcare system in the universe.

I agree with the comment about the over-made up girls with sharpie eyebrows, otange fake tans, fake nails and fake eyelashes. What is it with the fake looks that young people find attractive?

It clearly does send the wrong message to young men from overseas judging from the replies to this thread.

The perception that English girls are "easy" was around when I first started going abroad in the late 1970s, and clearly still exists.

People saying that the thread is light-hearted in spite of the nasty comments about the English being, fat, ugly, lazy and dirty reminds me of school bullies who torment someone then turn round and say they were only joking

@Elcantador I think we may be from the same country

"otange fake tans, fake and fake"

No need to mention Trump here :)

Thanks @SoniaHeniesTutu - I have had crushes on many Americans in my time (mainly Jon Bon Jovi which just goes to show my age)!!.

I do realise that this thread was meant to be a lighthearted sharing of views, but as I mentioned, the reality is often thinly veiled bigotry and nastiness (as also witnessed in many anti American threads too). Wouldn't it be nice if we could all teach our children to judge individuals based on their own attributes rather than maintaining old, outdated and quite frankly divisive stereotypes.

I find the idea that the English are insular quite surprising actually. I have been fortunate in being able to travel as have many of my friends, certainly far more than my parents and grandparents generations. I love seeing new places, meeting people from other nationalities and eating different types of food. It was (pre-covid) a wonderful privilege to see different parts of the UK, Europe and the rest of the world (when finances allowed). I love reading about the history and culture of the place we are visiting whether that's Inverness or Auckland. I really hope that my DC's generation can leave all the horrible national stereotypes where they belong- in the past.

Sorry that all got a bit serious- maybe we should get back to talking about international crushes - I think that is definitely the way to go...

I had several au pairs when my DC were young and used to ask them this. They noted the following about the British and our country as very different to their countries in Europe:

1. A love of the royal family
2. Beautiful countryside
3. School uniforms - especially in Primary
4. A love of their pets over people
5. The way the country comes to a standstill when there is a cm or two of snow
6. Brits not saying what they really think in fear of offending or what they really want
7. Mealtimes not being big social affairs/not having lots of visitors
8. An obsession with the weather
9. Temperature in the house (can be too hot or too cold)
10. Bread!

What was it about bread? Do we eat a lot of it, or is it good/bad?

I think the loving the Royal Family idea might be because of all the coverage they get in the media - often sycophantic, which isn't really what most people feel.

@isthismylifenow washing up bowl in sink is more economical as it is smaller than sink

Anyone would think from reading threads on MN that there are only two healthcare options - the UK or the US style. You do realise that there are many other countries with healthcare systems of their own?

Yep, the Australian one is fantastic. My DH and I left the NHS years ago to work in the Aussie healthcare system and it's like a dream in comparison. And, thanks to Medicare, most of it is free for the citizens here.

@MikeUniformMike

What was it about bread? Do we eat a lot of it, or is it good/bad?

i.e. our bread is not very good in comparison to theirs!

There were also certain foods my au pairs adored over here that they couldn't get over in Europe eg mince pies, Christmas cake, shortbread, curries. They also used to find us having milk in our tea very unusual.

@anniemouse

I had several au pairs when my DC were young and used to ask them this. They noted the following about the British and our country as very different to their countries in Europe: 1) A love of the royal family 2) Beautiful countryside 3) School uniforms - especially in Primary 4) A love of their pets over people 5) The way the country comes to a standstill when there is a cm or two of snow 6) Brits not saying what they really think in fear of offending or what they really want 7) Mealtimes not being big social affairs/not having lots of visitors 8) An obsession with the weather 9) Temperature in the house (can be too hot or too cold) 10) Bread!

Now, those are the kind of observations about us that I would consider light hearted.

Can I recommend Notes From a Small Island by Bill Bryson. He pokes gentle fun at us, and I found it very amusing.

Oooo - I forgot another. Baked beans for breakfast. Many people outside the UK have told me that they find this very odd.

Another thing i still cant get my head around is class based language. I have no idea what class one belongs to or how to tell, and therefore have no idea whether to say pardon or not.
As i mentioned before, i work as a nanny so part of my job is teaching good manners. Years ago i was asked by a parent , very nicely, to stop teaching his child to say pardon. 'What' should be used instead. I was under the impression that i was being polite saying pardon. Growing up i would have been told off for saying what as it was consideted impolite. So this i struggled with a bit, and it made me question my own vocabulary ( do i walk around making such mistakes all the time without realising?!) I find 'what' kinda short-tempered- sounding, and i cant bring myself to say it. I jst say sorry.
Also loo vs toilet?

Im sad to read that some feelings are hurt by these comments. OP asked what foreigners thought of Brits so of course we have to think in stereotypes.
Also, disliking certain things about the people or the way they do things does not mean ppl dislike the actual country. It is a great country to live in and love it here. People are much more positive, patient, joyful, open and tolerant than back home.
I am originally from Hungary and there are A LOT more i dislike about my birthcountry and the people than i do about the UK.
And dont even get me started on the government

I mean, why not stop in France? It’s a beautiful country, great food, lots of culture, and if mumsnet is to be believed it has probably the best healthcare system in the universe.

Hundreds of thousands stop in France.

Irish in Britain.
It’s been said above but the obsession with class is extraordinary. Any article I ever read, be it in a rag or a broadsheet will mention the class of the interviewee. Why?
I’ve never noticed an issue with hygiene. Teeth aren’t great but then neither are ours.
Very formal. I’ve lived here for so long now that I am taken aback when I go home and see how friendly people are. But maybe it’s just London that people aren’t particularly friendly. My MIL writes Kind Regards when signing off emails and cards. I can’t imagine anyone in Ireland ever doing that.
Definitely a sense of superiority in relation to Irish people. I’ve never experienced it on a personal level (have a fairly senior job so unlikely) but in general I’ve noticed this. People were genuinely surprised during the post Brexit talks that Ireland was consider an equal player In the negotiations whose opinions mattered rather than the Also Ran irrelevance that the English consider us to be.
The arrogance of thinking you own another country to the extent that people and indeed sections of the media are surprised to learn that Ireland has its own language and currency is quite breathtaking at times.
But generally I love it here. Have built a life and this country has been very good to me in many ways. I love that my kids’ school has French, Spanish, Italians, Scandis, Americans etc. Every year at the likes of Henley & Wimbledon, I think how well the Brits do “occasions” and there is no where like it.