What is wrong with the UK?

[Sammeh]

I recently looked at a poll for what was the most hated country in the world, the highest amount of votes went to the UK, but why?

Assuming that the majority of these votes came from US people, which is quite plausible, I come to the conclusion that the Americans generally dislike the Brits. Well, a lot of that is a load of bollox seeing as unless you are native to the country, then the chances are your ancestors came from some part of Britain.

You also stereotype us as tea-sipping crumpet-eating snobs. Well, if you actually go to most parts of England then you will realize that most of the regions have accents and if you take a look at some of the council houses in Hackney and parts of Manchester then you will see that we are not all posh.

You also say that we are patriots for our monarchy. Well, most of us hate them, they do nothing but sit in their huge mansions, whilst we pay taxes for them so that they can buy even more luxuries for themselves. The most they ever do is smile, wave and make the odd speech about how patriotic we should all be about our country. Not that we should.

Another thing I notice is that you say we have an English accent. Now, what language do you speak? No, not American, because I seriously can't be bothered with twats like you who say that you speak American. You speak English, and we are from england, yet some how we have the accent? If the language originated from here of wherever it did, then surely how we speak is the standard of how English should be spoken... you have the accent, I think it is because a lot of Irish people came immigrated to America not so long after it was being colonized, eventually it developed slightly, and now you have the American accent. Don't believe me? Listen to an Irishman speak, you will see the similairty I am pointing out.

Oh yeah and about the teeth thing, thats is pretty darn trivial, I am sure your teeth are just as imperfect as you think ours seam to be. If there are any issues you find with UK, please point them out to me, I just want to clarify the American image of Britain.

[LordJaric]

At 5/19/08 06:30 PM, Dsmano wrote: I recently looked at a poll for what was the most hated country in the world, the highest amount of votes went to the UK, but why?

I stoped reading there, people who make stupid polls like that need to get a fucken life.

[fallingashes]

I could not agree more with what you have said. I think any american [whats that, 98% of people here?] should really have a good hard read of your statement. It is infact the US that has ruined our reputation with Europe [my cypriot girlfriend loves to tell me how much we lick american arse whenever we go past an american sign].

I have no intention of staying in this country however. I dont think people here are patriotic at all. Im certainly not. Im here for uni and then once I have some cash im going to australia.

[LazyPint]

Well... don't you think a lot of British people imagine the typical American to be an obese, thick, patriotic, fundamentalist Christian?

Stereotyping is just part of life. All countries have their stereotypes, but it doesn't make sense to worry about it. Being Scottish, I'm presumably a fat alcoholic who eats haggis all the time. I know I'm not and that's fine by me.

Frankly, I'd imagine that most of the Politics section are clever enough not to stereotype.

[Brick-top]

You know, I had a huge amount of stuff I wanted to say. But all i'm saying is.

I hate the UK

[Pandemic2]

Im American, i don't hate brits, actually, i like you more than America at some times!

But, you do stereotype Americans as Obese, Capitalists, and Catholic, which alot are, but not everyone.
Just like Canadians do, and Asia.... and Africa...

I also beilve that polls can be hacked/unreal :D

[cellardoor6]

At 5/19/08 06:30 PM, Dsmano wrote: I recently looked at a poll for what was the most hated country in the world, the highest amount of votes went to the UK, but why?

Because of how British people act, think, believe etc..

Assuming that the majority of these votes came from US people, which is quite plausible, I come to the conclusion that the Americans generally dislike the Brits.

Nope.

Americans actually generally like Brits... until they meet the vocal ones. Then the political monster rears its head and the British reveal themselves to be hateful, ignorant, hypocritical assholes whose entire belief system is practically based around blaming/berating Americans for every single thing, using double-standards and overt hypocrisy in the process. Brits will display enormous amounts of downright delusion when referencing WWII, Iraq, Vietnam, education, imperialism, gun control etc... as sources of insult to the US. And it's a simple fact that more often than not, the British people who talk about these subjects are completely oblivious to the actual facts.

Well, a lot of that is a load of bollox seeing as unless you are native to the country, then the chances are your ancestors came from some part of Britain.

That's not true. Only a small percent of Americans now are of British descent. In fact, Americans of German descent make up a larger portion of the population.

The US was only predominately British before and shortly after the Revolution.

You also stereotype us as tea-sipping crumpet-eating snobs.

You stereotype us as obese, racist, burger-eating rednecks.

Well, if you actually go to most parts of England then you will realize that most of the regions have accents and if you take a look at some of the council houses in Hackney and parts of Manchester then you will see that we are not all posh.

Yes, I'm fully aware of that. I've been all over the UK.

However, based on what I've seen, people who are "posh" are actually some of the most pleasant people you will find in the UK. The people I had the most trouble with were urban, middle-class or bottom-class people who talked too loud, swore too much, and were just plain racist.

I became accustomed to the word "Paki" for the first time after meeting those people.

You also say that we are patriots for our monarchy.

Um, probably because most British people are completely unprepared for the idea that they should probably get with the 21st century and get rid of the royal family.

Another thing I notice is that you say we have an English accent.

Semantics.

"Accent" is not used to strictly denote a deviation from standard dialect when it's usually used. The way Americans tend to use it, "Accent" simply means dialect... someone's accent is their dialect.

By saying someone has an English or British accent, the American is not saying "My language was first".

But if you want to get technical, the current dialects in the UK today do not predate American English by much. In fact, you're not speaking Old English now are you? Does that mean... that YOUR dialect is not correct?

Oh yeah and about the teeth thing, thats is pretty darn trivial, I am sure your teeth are just as imperfect as you think ours seam to be.

I can attest that while many stereotypes of Brits aren't true, this particular one about their teeth actually is true. But it's not just British people, it's a lot of Europeans as well. There is a major cultural difference that explains this. Americans are more concerned about appearance than British people are in my observation. We have dental pounded into our heads from the time we're toddlers, and our society emphasizes looking good a lot more than others do. Americans, as a whole, have straighter, healthier teeth than British people. American kids that have crooked teeth almost always get braces, whereas I don't think I saw anyone with braces in the UK, but I did see where the stereotype came from. It's not as bad with the younger generations, but I'd say most 30+ year olds in the UK don't have the same access to orthodontics and dentistry as we do.

I'm not insulting in that area, I'm just saying the difference exists.

If there are any issues you find with UK, please point them out to me, I just want to clarify the American image of Britain.

My opinion is way, way more intense than the typical American's. But I think Americans hating British people is almost always based on the fact that British people are so used to belittling Americans and insulting them, that they think it's accurate and true. Therefore they are more likely to say this to Americans without any shame whatsoever, without realizing that a) It's probably not true b) it's way, way more insulting than you'd tolerate someone doing to you. Americans feel insulted, and sometimes even a little bit betrayed by it because many Americans don't realize that British people have such mainstream, widespread negative views about Americans.

[LazyPint]

At 5/19/08 10:20 PM, cellardoor6 wrote: However, based on what I've seen, people who are "posh" are actually some of the most pleasant people you will find in the UK. The people I had the most trouble with were urban, middle-class or bottom-class people who talked too loud, swore too much, and were just plain racist.

I became accustomed to the word "Paki" for the first time after meeting those people.

Yeah, the neds/chavs are a source of shame.

You also say that we are patriots for our monarchy.

Um, probably because most British people are completely unprepared for the idea that they should probably get with the 21st century and get rid of the royal family.

Most English people. Not us daft Scots. Well, relatively speaking that is. My pro monarchy friend says we need the Royals because the Queen can overrule the PM in the event of the Army being ordered to kill us all, but I'd hope common sense would prevail. If we need a tax-leaching, inbred family to protect us from our own Government, isn't the system a little broken?

I can attest that while many stereotypes of Brits aren't true, this particular one about their teeth actually is true. But it's not just British people, it's a lot of Europeans as well. There is a major cultural difference that explains this. Americans are more concerned about appearance than British people are in my observation. We have dental pounded into our heads from the time we're toddlers, and our society emphasizes looking good a lot more than others do. Americans, as a whole, have straighter, healthier teeth than British people. American kids that have crooked teeth almost always get braces, whereas I don't think I saw anyone with braces in the UK, but I did see where the stereotype came from. It's not as bad with the younger generations, but I'd say most 30+ year olds in the UK don't have the same access to orthodontics and dentistry as we do.

Yes that is true. I'm 19 and went through 3 or 4 years total of various braces/retainers, as do many school kids these days, but looking at some of the older people I serve in the shop... yeurgh. Going by the Family Guy episode, the British people in that seemed to have massive, crooked teeth, but I'd say more people seem to be missing some, which is pretty nasty to look at. I guess older people just can't be bothered, plus it's harder to set teeth once you've stopped growing.

[HogWashSoup]

WHAT!!!

hey, America is the most hated, and we rightfully diserve it.

[Zeistro]

At 5/19/08 11:23 PM, HogWashSoup wrote: And I LUV teh cock.

What's this all about?

[ThePretenders]

I hate the British with venom. Why?
The reasons:
1) Hypocrisy over integration. They expect the immigrants to assimiliate and learn the language but they go to Spain and live in concentrated areas of the Costa del Sol, eating fish and chips, watching football, and talking 'propa English'.

2) Not open to other cultures and languages. They are the laziest people on Earth, when it comes to languages. They go to other countries and expect 'foreigners' (locals) to speak their language, when in fact they should attempt to communicate with them.

3) Most of them stink of alcohol. Every Friday, you have to encouter these foul smelling creatures outside the pub, throwing up and starting fights in city centres.

4) Hypocrisy over fiscal policy. The British want American levels of taxes to finance European levels of public spending with wait... low borrowing. "OMG GORDEN BROWNZ IS RAISIN TAXIS!!!! OMG SUM1 FINANCE THE NHS!!!!"

5) The Empire. The British went over to other lands and dominated them on an sclae unmatched by other countries (even worse than the Spanish). They settled in other lands, making up a significant part of South Africa's population (even excluding the Afrikaners). Not to mention displacing populations in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Yet they complain when about ethnic minorities, which make up 7% of the population, and if you actually venture outside the major cities, it's uncommon to find non-whites in small cities and towns.

Oh God, I could go on talking for the whole day but, alas, I must participate in the shitty English educational system, which forces you to make your life choices at 16 and a statistics-conscious goverrnment willing to stream anybody in shitty courses that will boost league table scores.

Oh, and go metric. It's fucking gay converting litres of petrol into mpg.

[fallingashes]

I must say that alot of what you say is true. however, one has to ask whether you visited the north r the south. Basically, our North England is much like your Deep South [or atleast the stereotypical image of it]. People from the North of England do often have the ability to be very racist and homophobic - whereas us in the south fit that 'posh' image. I like to image we are kind, but we do not respect those that attempt to put their country on ours. We are not patriotic. We all hate the royal family because they squander tax payers money - unfortunetly it is not up to the people.

We often stereotype americans from american TV; unfortunetly you have to admit a very large proportion of it is fairly moronic. The only REALLY good tv shows from america are the originl CSI and House [which is fronted by an English actor... cough].

Our stereotypes come from your media mostly, and also the military actions [which we all know are independant of the peoples choice anyway]. its not so much hatings americANS as it is loathing americA

[slowerthenb4]

grow a spine guys. who gives a flying crap about what the world loathes about privileged nations. they hate you because you have many friends and unconditional allies, a strong economy, universal health care, strong education faculty what else do i need to sput off, a color television in every hous two cars in every garage.

you really care...really? grow some stones miss.

those polls are all a joke anyway. who the fuck pedals this garbage as news is the real question, getting you all concerned... its laughable.

[ThePretenders]

At 5/19/08 10:20 PM, cellardoor6 wrote: I became accustomed to the word "Paki" for the first time after meeting those people.

Paki is the equivalent of the N-Word for the Pakistanis (or South Asians in general). The problem is that people from outside the U.K. use Paki in an non-offensive way (e.g. the Paki cricket team), like people call Britons, Brits and this causes confusion between people in the U.K. and outside the U.K.

If there was outrage over Tiger Woods saying that he played like a 'spaz', think of the outrage if some famous person said the word Paki without understanding it.

[GeorgeAllen]

Americans have no right to dislike Britain. We taught you our language and everything and you wouldn't be what you are today without us. We gave you so much inventions. Plus, don't ever make fun of our accents. We made the language and we can say it however the fuck we like. You can't go altering it and then make fun of the original.

Btw I don't hate the USA but I do hate Americans who hate Brits.

[Britkid]

At 5/19/08 10:20 PM, cellardoor6 wrote: Because of how British people act, think, believe etc..

WOAH HERE COME THE GENERALISATIONS.

Americans actually generally like Brits... until they meet the vocal ones. Then the political monster rears its head and the British reveal themselves to be hateful, ignorant, hypocritical assholes whose entire belief system is practically based around blaming/berating Americans for every single thing, using double-standards and overt hypocrisy in the process.

Obviously cellardoor has observed every exchange ever between an American and a Brit. This seems to be how they're played out in his mind:

American: Hello, nice to meet you.
Brit: OH MY GOD! YOU FAT FUCKING AMERICAN!

In this conversation, the Brit is the madman.

Brits will display enormous amounts of downright delusion when referencing WWII, Iraq, Vietnam, education, imperialism, gun control etc... as sources of insult to the US. And it's a simple fact that more often than not, the British people who talk about these subjects are completely oblivious to the actual facts.

No, this is just you.

But come on guys, even you Americans have to admit that in a likely exchange between cellardoor and a random Brit about WWII, it's cellardoor who instigates it. Have you not ever wondered why you ALWAYS have arguments with Brits about this subject? There are two options: either every Brit is a loony, or you are.

I can just imagine you over here, arrogant and pig-headed as you are on the BBS. Someone says something out of jest and you launch into a pathetic tirade. If I met you I wouldn't bother arguing with you; I'd probably just smack you.

That's not true. Only a small percent of Americans now are of British descent. In fact, Americans of German descent make up a larger portion of the population.
The US was only predominately British before and shortly after the Revolution.

British descendants are one of the largest groups in the USA.

You stereotype us as obese, racist, burger-eating rednecks.

Not true.

However, based on what I've seen, people who are "posh" are actually some of the most pleasant people you will find in the UK. The people I had the most trouble with were urban, middle-class or bottom-class people who talked too loud, swore too much, and were just plain racist.

Oh, another generalisation. And 'loud' people who swear too much are just different to you, they've been brought up differently. Don't be such a snob.

I became accustomed to the word "Paki" for the first time after meeting those people.

Well it is mostly an English word. Also, because there's no racists in the US.

You also say that we are patriots for our monarchy.

Um, probably because most British people are completely unprepared for the idea that they should probably get with the 21st century and get rid of the royal family.

I can attest that while many stereotypes of Brits aren't true, this particular one about their teeth actually is true. But it's not just British people, it's a lot of Europeans as well. There is a major cultural difference that explains this. Americans are more concerned about appearance than British people are in my observation.

Hahahaha, your 'observation'.

Truly pathetic.

American kids that have crooked teeth almost always get braces, whereas I don't think I saw anyone with braces in the UK,

Then you must be blind. Almost everyone I know has had braces, not that people need them.

I'd say most 30+ year olds in the UK don't have the same access to orthodontics and dentistry as we do.
I'm not insulting in that area, I'm just saying the difference exists.

Oh right, because you're the expert.

My opinion is way, way more intense than the typical American's. But I think Americans hating British people is almost always based on the fact that British people are so used to belittling Americans and insulting them, that they think it's accurate and true. Therefore they are more likely to say this to Americans without any shame whatsoever, without realizing that a) It's probably not true b) it's way, way more insulting than you'd tolerate someone doing to you. Americans feel insulted, and sometimes even a little bit betrayed by it because many Americans don't realize that British people have such mainstream, widespread negative views about Americans.

Like I said before, I'd take any 'exchange' you've had with a Brit with a huge bucket of salt until I could see for myself what actually happened.

[ThePretenders]

Lol, the U.K and the U.S. both suck. They're fat, moronic and have pastry skin. Ethopia is where the party is at.

[Mr-Money]

People hate the US far more.

[flashplayer5]

At 5/20/08 12:25 PM, ThePretenders wrote: Lol, the U.K and the U.S. both suck. They're fat, moronic and have pastry skin. Ethopia is where the party is at.

I thought you politics guys were supposed to be intelligent.

I have to say that Britain deserves it's place in thatpoll though, we're America's slaves.

[simple-but-sandy]

For all those people who are complaining about the amount of money the monarchy cost us.

They cost each taxpayer less than 17p per year, you'd hardly miss that amount of small change

[Duffi]

Such polls should be taken very lightly. Denmark is the happiest country in world..

Eh, yeah. I don't know who does this kind of research, but considering the the amount of factors and definitions you have to count in for the research, I honestly can't see how it can be properbly done.

What makes us happy? How happy do you have to be, before it counts? And can it even be measured?

My point is, that common folks disliking against UK can't really be counted. I mean, how many toke part of the poll? If someone asked me if I dislike UK, my answer would be 'no'. I do dislike a few brits, but that does not mean that the rest of the 500.000.00 UK'ers are a bunch of thugs.

[erathoniel]

I'm surprised. The UK is one of the better countries. Still pseudo-civilized, strong government, good standard of living, not many wars. It's probably a typo, should say US. We're actually bad.

[Centurion-Ryan]

At 5/20/08 12:25 PM, ThePretenders wrote: Lol, the U.K and the U.S. both suck. They're fat, moronic and have pastry skin. Ethopia is where the party is at.

Yeah, countries with 10% literacy rates rock.

I'm technically in the UK, so I can't really hate it. I can, however, hate England.

[aninjaman]

nothing but the accents and still having a queen the british are great they gave us the rolling stones Beatles and the Sex pistols

[tawc]

At 5/19/08 10:20 PM, cellardoor6 wrote:

At 5/19/08 06:30 PM, Dsmano wrote: I recently looked at a poll for what was the most hated country in the world, the highest amount of votes went to the UK, but why?

Because of how British people act, think, believe etc..

Assuming that the majority of these votes came from US people, which is quite plausible, I come to the conclusion that the Americans generally dislike the Brits.

Nope.

Americans actually generally like Brits... until they meet the vocal ones. Then the political monster rears its head and the British reveal themselves to be hateful, ignorant, hypocritical assholes whose entire belief system is practically based around blaming/berating Americans for every single thing, using double-standards and overt hypocrisy in the process. Brits will display enormous amounts of downright delusion when referencing WWII, Iraq, Vietnam, education, imperialism, gun control etc... as sources of insult to the US. And it's a simple fact that more often than not, the British people who talk about these subjects are completely oblivious to the actual facts.

Well, a lot of that is a load of bollox seeing as unless you are native to the country, then the chances are your ancestors came from some part of Britain.

That's not true. Only a small percent of Americans now are of British descent. In fact, Americans of German descent make up a larger portion of the population.

Wrong again cellardoor. You Still fail to realise the difference between English and British.
British-Americans will amost certainly be the highest ancestory group in the United States. As that will include people from England, Scotland, Wales and even maybe the Ulster-Scots (which will include a large amount of Irish-Americans) depending on how you classify the term. As well as most of the people who just class themselves as Americans on the Census

Howether I will presume that you didn't really get that wrong but infact just ignorantly made a misconception, A common mistake amoung many people, but I wouldn't expect it from someone so knowlegable as you... You were saying British when meaning English.
Anyway you also as ushall put to much faith into you beloved statistics. But cannot see past them, This happens alot amoung the more clever of us. It's called close-mindedness.

You read in the United States Census that Germans, Africans, Irish then English are the largest ancestry group. Allthough you fail to realise that, that is what people claim. English Settlers (as well as the rest of Britain) were the first Settlers to arrive en masse. So it's likely a very very large amount of Americans will have English blood to a degree but just not know about it. Germans arrived en masse much later and therefor are easily to find in family records.

Secondly People don't like to say they are English. If you are mixed English, Irish. Which a huge amount of Americans will be, Nearly all of them will label themselves Irish, Because Ireland is seen (and probably is) nicer, more romantic, more friendly, generally cooler to be ,etc

The US was only predominately British before and shortly after the Revolution.

The US was Predominately British ancestory since the British became well set up in the Americas till the present day.

[animehater]

At 5/19/08 11:29 PM, Zeistro wrote:

At 5/19/08 11:23 PM, HogWashSoup wrote: And I LUV teh cock.

What's this all about?

That's my line!

[SmilezRoyale]

Polls don't mean anything.

Buy an inconvenient book and just read the chapter on opinion polls, it's hilariously.; He talked about how a study showed only 70 some odd percent of americans beleive the holocaust happened... but that was because the wording used a crapload of double negatives, this isn't 'word for word' but for example;

'Do you by change happen not to beleive that the holocaust didn't not not happen' Yes or no.

[tawc]

At 5/20/08 02:07 PM, simple-but-sandy wrote: For all those people who are complaining about the amount of money the monarchy cost us.

They cost each taxpayer less than 17p per year, you'd hardly miss that amount of small change

No you wouldn't miss it, but thats not how you should look at it.

It's princable, none of our money should go to a family. It should go to the country and the people.
Think of how much of that is a year, tax payers combined. I can think of numerous better ways that money can go to.

[emmytee]

You guys are all fucking retarded, im leaving.

[CaptainChip]

By the way, can we see this poll you mentioned?