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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

or is prejudice against America considered OK by most of mumsnet?

403 replies

VajazzHands · 05/05/2011 14:25

Comments about America on mumsnet, really ridiculous comments (basically that all Americans, are fat, stupid, god botherers bent on taking over the world) seem to be largely ignored and accepted as fact in a way that comments about any other country never would.

Blatant sexism, racism, xenophobia, disablism would never be tolerated on MN in any other circumstance. Why do people let it go about Americans?

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GotArt · 07/05/2011 23:42

Americans are elitist?!! Funny. As a Canadian, with parents who emigrated from England, and raised very much English, and living in London for 5 years, I would say, Brits are overall, big generalization here, but a little truthful, more elitist... they really look down their nose at Americans... I can say this without reservation because of the attitude I received from British individuals who changed their tune very quickly when they discovered I was Canadian and not American.

I've only experienced one American that was 'elitist', and it was in London, over his bloody dry cleaning. He sent my Polish and Iraqi staff to tears with his berating, over powering behaviour and when he came back in the next day, started in on me, and told him, frankly, to "march his ass back outside and come back in and complain in a more becoming manner" of which he was stunned, because I sounded like him. (He told me he was shocked at my accent) He did go back outside, came in, apologized, and we resumed. He funnily knew I was Canadian and told me how much he loved Canada, etc...

I must say though, it was a culture shock to come back to Canada after 4 straight years away and have random people just strike up a conversation with you at the grocery store, or having a clerk actually talk to you. I found though with the English, you just got to talk to them and they talk back... smiles go a long way. I lived in Kilburn area and really got to know the shopkeepers and staff at my local... I really liked it... now I live in suburbia,... little boxes on the hillside, little boxes all the same...

kitkatya · 07/05/2011 23:49

In a bar last night I met a lovely American couple living in London. They were good fun and interesting. They paid our huge bar bill without telling us. We were gobsmacked at how generous they were. We were strangers. You cant make assumptions about any nationality.

edam · 07/05/2011 23:52

GotArt, there are plenty of friendly people in England, but London's a very crowded city and it's just impossible for the inhabitants to be chatty with every one of the other 8m people there.

missslc · 07/05/2011 23:56

I love America and Americans. I will generalise. Just about every single American I have met since moving here has just been so nice,positive, hospitable and welcoming.

The other thing I notice is that out of the 40 ish mums I have met via mums groups every single one breastfeeds.I have not seen a single mother formula feed here in 18 months of being around a lot of mums.Now I just say this as I had several friends in the Uk who formula fed( for various reasons) but just am really amazed that I have not encountered one fomula feeder here in such a big sample of mums. Anyone want to explain their theory on that one?

I was talking to this sweet girl yesterday in a shop and she said"Why do so many Brits seem to hate us and America?"She had had a bad experience in France with so many Brits being narky with her.

I said how sorry I was on behalf of all the Brits that did take this attitude which I said ultimatley comes from a lack of intelligence. She reflected and said"I actually don't know if that is true but it shows not such character when people behave like that due to your nationality."

I could not agree more.

I will cry when we have to return to the UK one day, with its plethora of people with their misplaced superiority complexes.Americans rock in my book.I apologise to all Americans on behalf of any people who have made them feel like the OP suggests.Not all Brits are like that...just the ones with poor character.

anonymosity · 07/05/2011 23:56

I didn't know that Cheerful Yank. Could you tell me which states? I thought things had tightened up even more since 9/11 happened. (I'm in CA).

kitkatya · 07/05/2011 23:59

Is formula difficult to get hold of or really expensive in the States? I dont know how they manage to all breast feed, isnt mat leave really short?

anonymosity · 08/05/2011 00:02

I don't think formula is particularly more expensive or less accessible, but I've not looked for it as both mine were past that when we got here. Breast feeding IS popular, but the debate / choices seem far less contentious than in the UK. I think its something to do with a general sense that folks have freedom of choice.

StewieGriffinsMom · 08/05/2011 00:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

edam · 08/05/2011 00:10

Haven't there been a few news stories about nutty cops arresting women for b/f in public? Am sure I recall one where the woman was in the far corner of a shopping centre car park, covered in a shawl.

PenguinArmy · 08/05/2011 00:13

Formula is def. easy to get hold off and not any more expensive (I think).

Big places of work have lactation rooms with hospital grade pumps which makes expressing at work quite easy. Since people do return to work early (i) a lot of people inc me carry on I guess due to guilt (wanting to do something good) and (ii) they're still so small that it seems more important to carry on.

edam · 08/05/2011 00:14

(I mean, shawl over her shoulder to obscure the fact she was feeding.)

Stewie, yes I am aware America has some big cities... Hmm but London is so crowded. Not sure anywhere in America has quite the same population density, small buildings and narrow streets. Isn't London one of the most densely populated cities in the developed world or something, just behind Tokyo? (I cannot remember if this is actually true or just an urban myth, mind you.)

PenguinArmy · 08/05/2011 00:16

I agree that the talking/smiling to strangers isn't due to London. It is a very British thing, we are more reserved and tend to wait until invited into conversation.

StewieGriffinsMom · 08/05/2011 00:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

edam · 08/05/2011 00:17

I am torn about being friendly to strangers, btw, because I lived in London for so many years where it is neither wise nor possible (would take much longer to do anything and you'd end up attracting all the nutters people with limited social skills) but equally grew up in Yorkshire where it is rude not to at least nod and say 'how do' if nothing else.

expatinscotland · 08/05/2011 00:23

'Isn't London one of the most densely populated cities in the developed world or something, just behind Tokyo? (I cannot remember if this is actually true or just an urban myth, mind you.)'

Ever been to Mexico City? Wink

edam · 08/05/2011 00:25

Does Mexico city count as developed world? (Apologies for the Euro-centric worldview here, but I was thinking of America, Canada, Australia, Europe and Japan, really.)

MaisyMooCow · 08/05/2011 00:27

edam Last time I wrote a comment like that on here about talking to strangers I got flamed! However, I totally agree with you.

dreamingbohemian · 08/05/2011 00:47

Smiling at strangers on the street is definitely a regional thing, sorry... I lived most of my life in East Coast cities and no way do you smile at random strangers. It's just asking to be mugged Smile

On the other hand, it's much easier to strike up random conversations in a queue, or at the pub. You can meet an American in a pub and within five minutes know their whole life story, including how many wives they've had and how many people they've killed.

I miss that.

PenguinArmy · 08/05/2011 00:50

DH regularly has conversations with a high profile gang member on the bus who is always obviously packing. He is a SAHD so has DD with him but it is a surreal situation. Apparently he's quite nice but he dare not refuse to engage him

anonymosity · 08/05/2011 01:58

My driving instructor here (US) told me that I should expect EVERYONE to be packing. I don't know if this was to scare me, or just educate, but I don't believe it.

Original poster
VajazzHands · 08/05/2011 02:34

Formula is way more expensive here! Makes my eyes water. ANd the ready made to take with you stuff isn't as good as the little juice box types you get in the UK.

I was mix feeding in the UK due to supply issues , but have had to give up totally now so can compare. (we've been here about 6 weeks I think) If bf were an option for me I would have done it anyway but the fact that we are skint makes me really wish I could!

dd doesn't seem to like the stuff much either. Angry

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Original poster
VajazzHands · 08/05/2011 02:35

I also find food to be more expensive in general.
Housing is way cheaper (on the whole) though so swings and roundabout I guess

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PenguinArmy · 08/05/2011 02:42

I live in central coast CA; rent and food are both very expensive (rent is half my salary). I spend twice what we did in the UK on food. In the UK however, we brought whatever we liked and here we really have to be careful to come in on budget (great for losing baby weight though). So guess the cost of other stuff is relative. Have you been Costco yet?

Original poster
VajazzHands · 08/05/2011 02:52

Is that one of those bulk warehouses?

We have one called Sams haven't been there in ages though.. Dont think we have costco...

OP posts: