Racism

[Arealmanithink]

I'm American. .I see a helluva lot of people slagging off Americans.. People that usually proudly proclaim their non racist beliefs.. Sorry but isn't making assumptions about people from another country and stereotyping then .. racism??

British Baddies.

FWIW I really object to people being xenophobic and nasty to Americans. I don't object at all to America being rounded shat on for imposing its cultural, political, religious and financial mores on everyone.

Wow, as an American who has been here for 17 Years an considers the UK my home now, this thread has been a real kick in the teeth.

One thing that stood out for me in America was the service. I find staff really friendly, helpful and genuine. We get it here in some stores/restaurants but it somehow feels a bit forced if I'm honest.

ByTheSea Not sure you're reading the same thread as the rest of us?

Or are you indulging in the classic stereotype of 'Americans don't get British humour'?

ByTheSea - don't take this thread to heart. My dh is American - and I have muslim family so very much caught between two worlds. The sea of stereotypes on this thread is indeed depressing. There are plenty of who understand that.

Have to agree with Dame.

There is certainly an air of satire to this thread.

Not all of it Randy. But of course that doesn't matter - it's about Americans.

I like Americans. They have, in my experience, often lived up to their stereotype, but I don't see that as a bad thing. I like knowing what to expect, and I'd much rather be surrounded by Americans on holiday than Brits, who I have felt embarrassed by more than once.

Us Brits often live up to our stereotype as well, and as long as we have acceptance of each otherwise we should with anyone, there shouldn't be a problem. I quite enjoy the little sense of solidarity you get with Americans when you meet them in countries that are foreign to us both.

That should be 'acceptance of each other as we should with anyone'. I have no idea where autocorrect gets it's ideas from sometimes

I bloody love the yanks and America.

I have been six times, first time was with my father when about 5, just before JFK was shot,later I did the student road trip, had my heart broken, been to conferences, been to Disney and Las Vegas, took the Greyhound from New York to San Francisco when I was in my late thirties....and always met with great generosity, good manners, good humour. astonishing landscapes .

When I was in New York in 1978,my pal and me were so broke we thought of selling our blood, the places that did this were disgusting and dangerous, and we were gently steered away to a restaurant that gave us a free meal and then jobs in the kitchen for a few days .

I became ill with tonsillitis , had temp of 104, delirious...taken to ER in what sounded like a war zone, given fluids and care, antibiotics, a vast Afro-American male nurse made sure I didn't have to pay, as I had no insurance...silly youth that I was.

I could go on with many examples both from America and Americans I've met here about their good qualities; of course I've met idiots and the nasty too, but for sheer loudness and arrogance I don't think I've ever seen worse than braying Brit hoorays in New York or puce tattooed thugs with the Union Jack wrapped around them in..well. almost everywhere.

I think there's a lot of taking the piss on this thread and I'm fine with that, but a couple of comments make me go hmmm... That said, I'd pay any amount to make sure my DC have straight white teeth!

Brits do have fucking shit teeth.

I think what Americans can't get is that really well off people here have horrible teeth.

I bloody love america, been to 49 states and never met a bad american yet.

ohdobuckup "taken to ER in what sounded like a war zone, given fluids and care, antibiotics, a vast Afro-American male nurse made sure I didn't have to pay"

How did he do that?

I think the whole teeth thing just highlights the obsession with a veneer they have over there - no matter how shit things are, as long as you look good....

Worked with Yanks a lot, most had a good sense of humour but they're definitely not good at dealing with humour aimed at them.

I think the temptation is to think we should get along because we're similar - but all we have in common is the base of a language.

I find I've got a lot more in common with my European colleagues, we have the same humour, have the same reference points to take the piss out of etc.

I have Americans in my family and they are intelligent, educated, intellectual, interested in world affairs, and can see shades of grey. But they are the rare kind of American who have travelled the world, broadened their horizons, etc.

Others I have met (in the US) are quite different. Naive, shockingly ignorant about the world, very black & white in the way they see the world (à la "With us or against us", good vs evil, etc).

Sorry if that offends you, OP. You do need to look up the words 'racism', 'xenophobia' and 'prejudice', though.

It's funny that when I say Americans have better teeth than British people, everyone here leaps to the assumption that I'm talking about straight teeth. Perhaps it's the Brits who are obsessed with appearance.

I actually mean healthier. Cleaned regularly, xrays and checkups done in time to prevent problems, everyone flosses, kids are taken to the dentist from very early on and most have sealants to prevent future problems.

Insurance focuses on cleaning and prevention, and rewards you for going to the dentist at least once a year, ideally twice.

No one goes on about how they can't see a dentist because there isn't one available or they're too scared.

Pulling teeth is an absolute last resort.

My teeth are so much healthier since I've been living in the US.

Wobbly - your description of dental care matches my NHS lifetime care to a tee,without the sealant (?) or requirement for insurance. Other than when I lived in Italy and France, I've seen an NHS dentist twice a year since a child, had prolonged orthodontal remedial treatment at a local hospital and my teeth are a complete, even, ivory coloured set (rather than blinding white tombstones). No complaints, or fear, here.

Oh I did brokenhearted. I took my kids too.

I will admit to not reading the whole thread but I would just like to say I love Americans and I love the accent [shallow]

I agree with Captain Grinch. I love my American friends and relatives, and the time I spend with them in the States. But my relatives are ex-Brits and my closest friends are very liberal by US standards. But with the wider circle of friends I always feel I have to watch what I say; religion, politics and race are all topics I have learnt to avoid.

I agree with you OP. It's completely fine for comedians and satirists to say what they want about Americans in a way that would cause horror if they were to say it about Pakistan or Jamaica for instance.

I'm told there's a notional list of countries it's ok to take the piss out of (US, Australia, France etc) because they are our 'equals'. But actually that's bollocks. It's lazy stereotyping.

Oh, and the bad guys all having English accents? US tv is full of British actors ..... playing Americans.