Americans vs Brits

[WeirdHandDryers]

What’s the difference? Because there is a massive difference but I can’t put my finger on what it is! I love America so this isn’t an American bashing thread, would just love to know if anyone else sees the massive difference between the average Brit and the average American?

Well, there are a lot differences, surely? They are two completely separate cultures.

Enthusiasm

My american friends are loud. Really loud. And what's interesting is they know it and they don't care.

Based on my experiences, many of them are brash. That may work well within America and for America focussed companies but not so well outside of it.

Eagerness, naivete, belief, hyperbole, volume, openness and a complete inability to think/see in shades of grey- if we're talking Americans in general.

I like Americans, I know some incredibly thoughtful, kind and generous ones. But they are a surprisingly primitive and puritanical bunch, as a society in general.

I've quite a few American penpals and they seem very sweet kind women, but seem very old fashioned. Women who are my age act more like women my mum's age

Guns.

I don't know if it counts but it seems a lot of Brits don't like to be noticed really, Americans do.

A Brit goes to a party or pub and they're quiet and say hello personally to the host or bar man etc. Americans I've known they're more likely to boot the door open, stride in with huge grins, say hi to everyone and have hands held out ready to shake... Making most Brits a bit nervous to be honest.. lol

Class system. Eccentricity. Chip on shoulder (brits, due to class system)

there are things they don't understand about us

Marmite and eating beans for breakfast being chief among them.

Volume, sitting in a hotel bar in Dublin surrounded by both British and American guests. The British, Irish, French and Australian guest speak at a normal volume.

Most of the Americans are speaking on a bit loud volume. One party is extremely loud and one member of that group from Oklahoma (she announces this every two minutes or so) is actually screaming everything. I mean full on screaming.

As a British person who now lives in the US...

Whenever I encounter a group of British people nowadays, they are loud and swear a lot. I find myself hiding my accent in case people think I'm with them. Everyone around them looks embarrassed for them. The British group does not notice.

In the UK you’re defined by where you sit in the class system. In the USA you’re defined by where you sit financially.

Some Americans have awful teeth. Like bleached tombstones. Teath aren’t supposed to look like that.

Plus on the last couple of long haul holidays groups of Americans have turned up with the don’t worry the Americans are here attitude. Everyone just laughed at them.

Positivity
Self assurance
Lack of cynicism
A grace in everyday living

Theirs, not ours!!

I think the loudness is something of a myth or at least over-stated. British people often sound loud in the US. The accent stands out among people who are not as used to hearing it. Also tone makes voices stand out. Generally, children in the US are taught to "speak up" in a confident manner. This often produces what might sound like a somewhat theatrical tone to people less used to it.

I agree, Gemme

In the US, your social standing depends almost entirely on your income, whereas in the U.K. social status much more subtle and nuanced, depending on your level of education, where you went to school, your accent, your parents’ occupation, cultural tastes and various obscure class signifiers.

D3 spot on!
Americans (average) - lack of subtlety and irony.
Brit humour is generally the best in the world imo.
Brits (average) - more self-effacing and more polite.

Brits (average) - more self-effacing and more polite

I have to disagree on politeness. The Americans I have met have far and away outstripped the Brits on genuine politeness. Brits are simply very good at saying "sorry", whether they mean it or not.

Americans are more religious.

Generosity of spirit.

Size of country, it’s much easier to define the British culture because we are so small. The US is like Europe it’s vast and within it has different cultures. A Californian is markedly different from a Texan who is different from a Virginian. Just like in Europe. The difference is what unites them is a sense of patriotism, a belief in America because unlike Europe they are one country

Confidence and belief in themselves that isn't always based on fact or evidence that it's due. It spurs then on, enables them to take risks and take on new ventures but crumbles at the slightest criticism or backlash as there isn't always the substance to hold up the bravado. So not quite confidence. More bravado.

The Brits on the other hand, self question, wring our hands, knock others down and perhaps don't push forward as stridently as often. But when we do it has the confidence that comes with a foundation of real ability. We hold ourselves back but when we don't, it's powerful and real.

I agree with a poster upthread that it's confidence and patriotism.

I remember first thinking, wow, Americans are patriotic when Ferris Beuller who was disrespectful to his parents, teachers, staff in restaurants, the school secretary, at 09.00 he stood up as though he were at assembly and made a salute as he mouthed the words to the national anthem.

I've noticed Americans use ''American'' where British and Irish people say 'people''.

Ie, British person says ''you made that speech in front of 10,000 people, well done!' Oprah and Ellen talk about telling a million Americans about your /new album/ engagement/drinking problem. It's almost as though the word American is interchangeable with the word person.

I also found that in America the poor/working class were more likely to love their country and in Britain I think it's the opposite.

Volume. All the Americans I’ve met over the years have been ridiculously loud...