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.

No, it’s definitely negative on here. I don’t think the US is amazing or the best and I don’t need to hear other people be positive about it. A lack of positivity would not bother me.

I’m learning to ignore it but I do think it’s lowered my opinion of the people here.

"It's a deeply imbedded part of American culture to have some knowledge of your national and ethnic origins. The question is often asked on informational forms, etc. "

Yes but maybe Americans could learn a little about the country they are visiting and understand that claiming to be Scottish when you're not is really annoying to people who actually come from the country.

Americans' obsession with heritage is not of any interest to anyone but Americans. So why bother people with it?

“I’m learning to ignore it but I do think it’s lowered my opinion of the people here.”
You think less of people because they think less of your country than you think they should???? Why?

a sort of disdain, I’d say, for things (names, attitudes, behaviours, styles, etc.) that are “too American.” Add that from the OP to this

British people love a moan about everything and everyone. and you have a range of things that are held in disdain!

It is because those things are American that many don't like them, it is becuase they are slowly creeping into our culture and being British is disappearing into a mid-Atlantic blur.

Those of us who quite like aluminium, colour, Steve and "Ah, that would be my fault, I am sorry" don't want to be subsumed, to become an outlying State of America.

And could you look at American views on anything that is Not American? Thinak bout the kee jerk things that people say about other coutries, don't really ahte them but have a stereotype in their heads, agains twhich they are bucking. It is much the same here wih all things Americn.

Add to that the great dis- similarity of language and you have a recipe for niggles and dislikes and inherent misunderstadnings - like pplease don't pat anyoen on the fanny over here, you'll get arrested (and all those other old, langauge based jokes of yore).

Don't take it personally, we mean it on a national level! You Yanks are just odd, you are, put simply, not us!

And isn't that how every cohort of human beings thinks?

“I’m learning to ignore it but I do think it’s lowered my opinion of the people here.” Sorry, that made me laugh, and remember my Shakespeare's house story.

We visited, it is a lovely restoration and the guides are really friendly, can usually answer even the most off the wall question. But the American lady in front of us declaimed very loudly "Jeez, you'd think they'd have built him something bigger" and then got very offended as everyone else in the room laughed.

Now, I am fully aware that every day in America there is a similar incident with an British woman saying something stupid about a great piece of American history... but I don't mind. It is what it is and I wouldn't dream of asking on an American site why it is all you Americans have so little repsect for us British people.

Social media is full of political posts coming from political parties.

None of it is representative of the population. Treat it as a cartoon.

According to MN it is 100% anti brexit. Obviously that cannot be true.

Personally I regard all and everything in any media as likely 100% bollocks until proven otherwise.

Americans' obsession with heritage is not of any interest to anyone but Americans.

Not true. Diaspora studies is a subject of focus in several universities outside the US, including the University of Edinburgh. For just one example, check out To the Ends of the Earth: Scotland's Global Diaspora by Tim Devine.

It's also of interest to tourism in Scotland, which often targets advertisements to Scottish-American organizations.

Yes but maybe Americans could learn a little about the country they are visiting and understand that claiming to be Scottish when you're not is really annoying to people who actually come from the country.

I agree and I do try to get the word out that people should say Scottish-American or Scottish ancestry. I will continue to do that and ask in return that y'all try to get British people to stop using the name of my state as shorthand for Disney World. We are a lot more than a big theme park.

One thing I particularly like about America is it's dichotomies. I like that it is both secular, yet allows people to be religious that's actually a big plus about it for me. I like it's emphasis on personal liberty, so I do get the idea behind the right to bear arms, I just think commonsense over rights to acquire and use them has gone ages ago and really needs to be implemented.

But I'll give you an example of the sort of thing that people sometimes think is characteristic of American superiority. I was at work 2 years ago and got caught up in what appeared (my knowledge on the subject is ashamedly poor) a rally and demonstration by Southern Cypriots against the occupation of the north by Turkey and the partitioning of Cyprus. Couldn't get anywhere for several minutes. A tourist who was forced to walk alongside me started assuming because I'm British I know what's going on. So he asked what the demonstration was about, "I said I think they want a united Cyprus...they're not happy about Turkish administration on their island" he asked "When did this happen?" I said I think decades ago he said "And they are still complaining? They should suck it up"

"Well I said I can understand a bit, how would you like it if it happened to your country?"

To which he snorted and with full seriousness replied " No way. There's God then America, no one fucks with us!" then strode off.

Now I get being proud of ones country but it was the casual superiority that got me as well as the earnestness with which he said it.

Just to correct assumptions being made, I have family and friends who are American and have visited many states. I am well aware there is not one America. I have also spoken to many Americans who tell you how something runs. In America is the best way it could be done, without any real knowledge of what happens in other countries.
I do forgive Americans in some states for knowing little about other countries affairs as tv news is oftenterrible. Yes there are some great newspapers, but just like Britain most of the population do not get their world news from quality newspapers

Trump, on the other hand, is actually half-Scottish .

Seneca, I'm talking about the average person on the street, not about academics.

Every Scottish/Irish person I know rolls their eyes every time the "omg I'm Scottish/Irish too!!!!!" Americans show up.

There are points that seem reasonable and points that seem unreasonable to me. I definitely understand why people would feel overwhelmed by the oversized influence American culture has on other parts of the world. When I lived in the UK back in the day, people celebrated Guy Fawkes day, not Halloween! It seems sad to me that this admittedly very odd and divisive celebration seems to be off the table for our (also admittedly truly awesome) October spookfest. Halloween is such an American holiday, it seems strange to me that British children are now saying "trick or treat," not begging for a "Penny for the Guy." As for proms--why. Why would you import this nightmare into your country. I didn't go to my prom. Because proms are nightmares. You had the chance not to have this horrible, overdone materialistic potlatch in your land, but for some insane reason, now you seem to be stuck with it. Also, I guess many people find baby showers objectionable. I myself have been to very few baby showers in my life for some reason, even though I know plenty of kids, so it hasn't been a major irritant, but you all have some harrowing stories, so I can see why it's as annoying as all get out. I haven't been to one that rises to the horror level that some of you describe. Usually I have just witnessed chitchatting, eating of cake, oohing and aahing over opening of presents involving tiny outfits and mysterious baby-related equipment, and a fairly high level of benevolence toward the mother and baby to be. And I seem to have missed out on the pink lasagne/exploding blue powder gender reveals. Personally, I think that's mostly because I am too busy dodging bullets at the weekly Walmart shootouts where I'm buying my daughters ShamPane and Shard-O-Nay size XXXXX matching American flag halter tops and their favorite chlorinated fried chicken.

I never known anyone have a baby shower in Britain tbh. It's something that is talked about a lot on mumsnet but actually I think the vast majority of people haven't adopted the custom yet.

When I lived in the UK back in the day, people celebrated Guy Fawkes day, not Halloween!

When I lived in the UK back in the day, people did indeed celebrate Halloween. But I lived in Scotland, where Halloween has been celebrated for centuries. Scottish and Irish immigrants brought Halloween to the Americas. Trick or treating is actually a form of the Scottish tradition of guising.

Liveinahidingplace yes I agree. I have seen what seem like wealthy Americans telling young Scottish adults on minimum wage in shops that they are Scottish like them, sometimes while asking what tartan they can buy for their clan. They haven't got a clue.
When you travel to other countries just google first and find out what is good manners where you are travelling to.

When you travel to other countries just google first and find out what is good manners where you are travelling to.

I agree. I wish that the French, Germans, Japanese and odd Brit would do the same before coming to New York.

Exactly! I see much more awareness that Americans at least know of the negative stereotypes of themselves as travelers. I haven't seen any indication on Mumsnet of any awareness of the terrible reputation that Brits have abroad!

I am well aware of the reputation brits have abroad, and with some justification

Can someone have a word with the Germans about wearing socks and sandals? Please?

Socks and sandals is cool now, the Germans were way ahead of the trend.

What Brit doesn't know about our shitty reputation abroad? we've all seen those trashy Ibiza/Benidorm/wherever reality shows.

Americans are a bit -some school in the Bible Belt has banned Harry Potter on the advice of a pastor who consulted exorcists , worries about magic being portrayed as both good and evil 🤣🤣

Yet these same people won't pass gun legislation to stop gun crimes and mass shootings. Worried about ghosts but not its own living citizens safety...

Hmm...I don't think it has always been so but especially since Trump there has been a lot more anti-american feeling in my circles. It's all the anti-abortion, pro-guns and death sentence and disdain of poor people (although we're catching up with that one here!) Obama was respected, though. However, it is more not liking policy than not liking the people. I wouldn't be 'anti' any American I met just not keen on their country's policys. But not happy withbmy own country's either

I find it really weird how Americans give babies their own little( or not so little) cake on their birthdays so they can get a pic with the baby's face buried in icing and mouth full of cake.

Also, anybody noticed the American thing of walking around bare footed in public?? And wearing shorts when shorts are really not flattering to the body shape and size?

Another thing- vegetables in lime jelly 🤢

Gender reveal parties 😩😩😩

Baby showers 😳😳😳

'We're both pregnant' announcements 😅😅