To wonder if the anti-Americanism on MN is typical of the broader UK population?

[NCforthisonetwothree]

MN regular, NC for this. I’m an American, been in the UK for 10+ years. DH is also American, moved here for his work. Most of the posts I see that bring up the US are pretty down on it (and I agree! Trump, guns, healthcare, etc.) but there’s also a sort of strong general anti-American-ness, a sort of disdain, I’d say, for things (names, attitudes, behaviours, styles, etc.) that are “too American.”

We have two kids (born here) and both work full time and have integrated (reasonably well, I think?), but most of our friends are other expats and immigrants. I wonder whether the anti-American sentiment that seems fairly widespread here on MN is representative of most of the UK?

Posting here obviously as I don’t think anyone IRL would give me a straight answer.

There is snobbery in ireland but it seems more borne out of expectation that people without wealth, luck, class or any other privilege ought to behave / try / value the middle class things.

The middletons wouldnt be judged in ireland. They have the same right to a beautiful home etc as anybody else. But there is judgement and snobbery.

Different snobbery but still there.

So, far far less "know your place" snobbery as people tend to be happy for poor boy made good and rags to riches tales, but still a bit of "meet the bar above you" snobbery.

I think in real life a lot of people do slag off America, but they slag off Britain more. I think some Americans do not understand this way of relating and see it as anti American, it really is not.

I’m not American. It is anti American and it happens a lot.

I think some Americans seem very naive as well about how they might come across to British people. For example going to Scotland and telling everyone you are scottish too as your gran was born there, is very offensive. And yet it happens all the time.
But America is an enormous place, some parts are more culturally similar to Britain, some see a world away.

Ritascornershop most brits who have an opinion tend to like Canadians. From holidaying there I found you live up to your stereotype of being incredibly polite. It was really lovely.

I find Americans politer, we ran into several French Canadians on holiday who were incredibly rude.

So the poster doesn't like people from red states but only those from blue. You do realize both Democrats and Republicans live in both? That is one dumb statement. I live in a blue state and I am an independent, what now?

Of course an individual may be rude and still be Canadian. Just as you can be any nationality and be very polite. But if you travel all around Canada you can't help be struck by how much more polite most people are.

I do think cultural imperialism annoys a lot of people though. Not the fault of individual Americans, but it is annoying. Even Alan sugar was irritated that he had to say you're fired, instead of you're sacked.
I know this kind of thing does not bother some people. But a lot of people are attached to the words, rituals and phrases they grew up with and don't like them being changed by a more dominant culture

I have traveled round Canada and have Canadian family. I really don’t.

Ok, sorry to hear you have had a different experience. I travelled all over Columbia and Alberta and really noticed it.

Your free healthcare is paid by your high taxes, the British took the guns away from the colonists to prevent an up rise so that is why we have our second amendment to prevent the government from taking our way of protecting ourselves. I believe people have the rights to bear arms just not assault weapons and I have great healthcare without waiting months to be seen. As for Trump, he may be a moron but I wouldn't talk with the way your government is going. Us loud Americans.

Your free healthcare is paid by your high taxes, the British took the guns away from the colonists to prevent an up rise so that is why we have our second amendment to prevent the government from taking our way of protecting ourselves. I believe people have the rights to bear arms just not assault weapons and I have great healthcare without waiting months to be seen. As for Trump, he may be a moron but I wouldn't talk with the way your government is going. Us loud Americans.

This is why I’m not particularly big on Americans.

You do realise nations contain people with a variety of views and political views aren’t really grounds to dislike an entire nation.

There are plenty here who want to pay less tax and aren’t that fussed about the NHS being run into the ground and not providing care for many who need it.

@user1471439310 that's why not many people like Americans. The attitude and grotesque levels of self entitlement are legendary.

I am always suspicious of anyone who thinks their country is much better than other countries. It shows either naivety, stupidity or a blustering and boastful type of personality. In reality every country has some positives and some negatives. Each individual will value more highly some certain positives and see certain negatives as more or less important.
But I can totally understand why people want to live in a variety of countries, even though it would not be my first choice.

Americans just because your great great grandma ( or similar ) was born in Ireland/ Britain/ elsewhere does not make you Irish, British etc. That's terrible offensive and rude. More self entitlement.

I do like your thanksgiving holiday though.

The only thing that makes me laugh about Americans is when they visit Ireland ( my home country) and they walk around in Bermuda shorts and wear green leprechaun hats. It's all a bit ' tura lura' and 'begosh' and 'begorra'

Just like the Americans who visit Scotland and claim to be Scotch because several generations ago someone emigrated from Scotland. You are American, not Scottish and we no longer have a clan system you can lay claim to.

I do think cultural imperialism annoys a lot of people though.

Coming from an island that plundered and decimated nations across the globe for hundreds of years this is an utterly laughable statement.

I am well aware that Britain was an imperialist country who deliberately established systems to plunder resources from lots of countries.

But yes, there is a cultural imperialism by America.

You don’t think many British think the UK is better than anywhere else or the French think the same with France.😂😂😂

And what cultural imperialism? Do you mean many British people like American products and lifestyle activities?

Why is that not ok, surely people can enjoy what they like.

No I don't think many British people think Britain is much better than anywhere else in the world. In fact I seem to talk to a lot of British people who say they would like to emigrate.
Don't know about french people living in France.

Well I do, it’s half the reason we’re in the mess we’re in and UKIP caused the chaos it did.