The differences between British and Americans

[Bryn Mawr]

wildhorses;1061527 wrote: Americans are extremely patriotic. They dont see their culture or government as separate entities from themselves. "We the People" are America and America is us. So if there is a negative comment about the government or culture we will jump to protect "We the People". We think of our fellow Americans as brothers and sisters. We do have our divisions...but if threatened we all know we would put it aside and pull together and stick together. I dont know how this started but I think it is the only country where the citizens think of themselves as being the country as opposed to inhabiting the country.


Strange, I was startled during the recent election, by the depth of the division between the supporters of each side - less "we the people" than "God's Republicans" and "the divine Democrats" each thinking the other the spawn of Satan.

Over this side of the pond we find the attitude "criticize the actions of our government and you criticize every American" mystifying - the government is there to be criticized and told what is expected of them.

[Bryn Mawr]

oscar;1061542 wrote: I loved my trips to America. I am really really hoping to have the funds soon to go to Georgia and visit 'Savannah'.

I found every American i met extremely friendly. I love the Deep South accent better than the New York twang.

I just wish British were as patriotic as America.

Funny, Mr Oscar and i had a conversation very recently about erecting a Union Jack in our garden as You do with your flag, but as he said quite rightly, we'd just get stoned by the Muslims. :)


Can you point to any instance where this has happened?

From my flat I can see eight Union flags and no-one bats an eyelid - this in the heart of Banglatown just round the corner from one of the most radical Mosques in London.

Unless you can support it, your statement is just a gratuitous insult and should be withdrawn.

[Bryn Mawr]

oscar;1061468 wrote: That's really nice to hear.. Thankyou. Have you tried real Turkish tea?? Lovely :-4


A touch sweet for my taste but yes, we brought several bags back with us last time we visited - they didn't last long

[spot]

Do none of you Americans cringe when you hear the word Homeland as opposed to Country? Homeland has seriously totalitarian overtones where I live.

[Oscar Namechange]

Bryn Mawr;1062430 wrote: Can you point to any instance where this has happened?

From my flat I can see eight Union flags and no-one bats an eyelid - this in the heart of Banglatown just round the corner from one of the most radical Mosques in London.

Unless you can support it, your statement is just a gratuitous insult and should be withdrawn.


Unless i can get the resident involved onto FG, yes, we had a logged crime with police where a resident erected a Union jack and his house came under a hail of stones. They got the children of a Muslim family near by brought to task over it.

My muslim friends are neighbours and would know that it is something of a joke here since that incident, not a direct insult to them.

[Oscar Namechange]

Bryn Mawr;1062435 wrote: A touch sweet for my taste but yes, we brought several bags back with us last time we visited - they didn't last long


You had it black i trust and brewed in the appropriate vessel over the stove??

[hoppy]

spot;1062476 wrote: Do none of you Americans cringe when you hear the word Homeland as opposed to Country? Homeland has seriously totalitarian overtones where I live.


We're happy for you.

[spot]

hoppy;1062545 wrote: We're happy for you.


You don't find it rather reminiscent of the German Heimat?

Seriously, it's an identification you're comfortable with?

You'll be after Lebensraum next, and a Drang nach Osten.

[dubs]

hoppy;1061756 wrote: Sorry. I didn't mean to insult anyone with my tea remark. It's only my opinion. Hell, I even drink iced coffee in the summer.


I wasn't offended by your remark at all! My answer was part of a running gag I have going with Wendy.......:wah::wah:

[wildhorses]

Bryn Mawr;1062425 wrote: Strange, I was startled during the recent election, by the depth of the division between the supporters of each side - less "we the people" than "God's Republicans" and "the divine Democrats" each thinking the other the spawn of Satan.

Over this side of the pond we find the attitude "criticize the actions of our government and you criticize every American" mystifying - the government is there to be criticized and told what is expected of them.


Yes we have differences of opinion....so what? I dont know why you think the opposing sides think of each other as the spawn of satan .....lol. We are a family...all of us Americans. Like in any family we fight....so what? Just let someone outside the family take a swing and we pull together. I was trying to "demystify" why Americans go on the defense so quickly. I guess you did not read my post very thoroughly. Americans think of themselves as the government. They do not think of the government as a separate entity. Maybe it is because that is the way we are trained from childhood. Government by the people for the people...you know. We are trained differently. We all want the same thing, we just dont always agree on the best way to attain it. Since we are very passionate about our country, the emotion can run high. But we love each other anyway.

[wildhorses]

spot;1062476 wrote: Do none of you Americans cringe when you hear the word Homeland as opposed to Country? Homeland has seriously totalitarian overtones where I live.


I dont really like "Homeland". I would not say I cringe though.

[Odie]

JAB;1062611 wrote: No it's not. You can find that almost at every beer/wine shop in my area.


but not in the UK



then again, I am not even sure why I am here, I am neither.

I read this thread wrong.

[Omni_Skittles]

oscar;1061170 wrote: The British have always had the abilty to send themselves up and mock their own culture.

Americans take an unbiased comment as a personal slight against them or their country. Not all American FG members do.. Just a few WHAT are YOU trying to IMPLY??? huh??? what did you say about my country?????

[scholle-kid]

homeland

One entry found.

Main Entry: home·land

Pronunciation: -?land also -l?nd

Function: noun

Date: 1670

1: native land : fatherland

2: a state or area set aside to be a state for a people of a particular national, cultural, or racial origin ; especially : bantustan





I don't see the USA as falling under the 2nd definetion unles they 'set aside the USA' for just Americans ,





bantustan

One entry found.

Main Entry: Ban·tu·stan

Pronunciation: ?ban-tü-'stan, ?bän-tü-'stän, 'ban-tü-?, 'bän-tü-?, -t?-

Function: noun

Etymology: Bantu + -stan land (as in Hindustan)

Date: 1949

: any of several all-black enclaves formerly in the Republic of South Africa that had a limited degree of self-government

And I sure don't see this happening in the USA .





Is there any way to get an unbiased comment to the cringe comment?

[K.Snyder]

Carolly;1061178 wrote: I have had to explain many words I use to many from America on here and see some use those words now lol but some words I use even the English have asked me what they mean so guess that dont mean nofing


What is "nofing"?

:yh_rotfl...

I kid. I kid.

Hehe...

:yh_wink...

:wah:...

:yh_kiss...

Hehe...

:yh_bigsmi...



:yh_wink...

[Bryn Mawr]

oscar;1062528 wrote: You had it black i trust and brewed in the appropriate vessel over the stove??


Served in the appropriate glasses if not brewed in the original equipment.

Having taken to several varieties we had it black, red and yellow

[Bryn Mawr]

wildhorses;1062580 wrote: Yes we have differences of opinion....so what? I dont know why you think the opposing sides think of each other as the spawn of satan .....lol. We are a family...all of us Americans. Like in any family we fight....so what? Just let someone outside the family take a swing and we pull together. I was trying to "demystify" why Americans go on the defense so quickly. I guess you did not read my post very thoroughly. Americans think of themselves as the government. They do not think of the government as a separate entity. Maybe it is because that is the way we are trained from childhood. Government by the people for the people...you know. We are trained differently. We all want the same thing, we just dont always agree on the best way to attain it. Since we are very passionate about our country, the emotion can run high. But we love each other anyway.


I read the post well enough - just do not understand the attitude towards the government

[gmc]

wildhorses;1062580 wrote: Yes we have differences of opinion....so what? I dont know why you think the opposing sides think of each other as the spawn of satan .....lol. We are a family...all of us Americans. Like in any family we fight....so what? Just let someone outside the family take a swing and we pull together. I was trying to "demystify" why Americans go on the defense so quickly. I guess you did not read my post very thoroughly. Americans think of themselves as the government. They do not think of the government as a separate entity. Maybe it is because that is the way we are trained from childhood. Government by the people for the people...you know. We are trained differently. We all want the same thing, we just dont always agree on the best way to attain it. Since we are very passionate about our country, the emotion can run high. But we love each other anyway.


If you think of yourselves as the government why do so many apparently feel the need to defend themselves against it and insist on the right to bear arms in case it attacks them? Not trying to wind you up it's just many of the posters on this forum seem terrified of the government trying to run their lives or becoming socialist which if it is not a separate entity is not going to be a problem presumably. How do you think we see our government? It's elected as well you know although we have a bad habit of electing idiots as well.

It's a mistake to assume other nations are any less patriotic just because we are less overt about it. Extreme nationalism leads to wars and we associate it with the politics of the right i.e nazism/fascism. Fatherland/motherland/homeland what spot is getting at is the term has rather unpleasant connotations for most europeans. The term homeland is associated with apartheid in south africa. When our own politicians tried to use the term there was a collective hiss of disapproval that kind of stopped the practice.

Add that to aggressive nationalism and maybe you will begin to appreciate why most Europeans find American patriotism irritating. Mostly it's seen as unnecessary- everybody is proud of where they come from kind of goes without saying.

[Oscar Namechange]

Bryn Mawr;1062682 wrote: Served in the appropriate glasses if not brewed in the original equipment.

Having taken to several varieties we had it black, red and yellow


Mr Oscar is unaware as yet but one of his Christmas presents is the two part Turkish pot for brewing. Also some of the little glasses to drink it from. I found a wonderfull Turkish retail store near by. He will be delighted with his gift and so will i when we can use at home instead of just with our Turkish friends.

I'd say i prefer the red to the black, it seems to be sweeter which is to my liking.

[Oscar Namechange]

Fyrenza;1062318 wrote: Hey, Oscar, i'm beginnin' to wonder...

Are you Gordon Brown's WIFE, by any chance?...



:yh_rotfl Just kidding!


:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

No, I'm not but i do find him sexy in a sort of disturbing Scottish type way.

I also have his picture as a screen saver on my P.C. so every day i can remind myself of how this country should be so gratefull to have such a wonderful world leader.

:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

[gmc]

oscar;1063309 wrote: :yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

No, I'm not but i do find him sexy in a sort of disturbing Scottish type way.

I also have his picture as a screen saver on my P.C. so every day i can remind myself of how this country should be so gratefull to have such a wonderful world leader.

:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl


That image is enough to give anyone the dry boak. I'm also from Fife, am younger, far better looking maybe I should send you my picture for use as a screen saver. Then again Mr oscar might get upset.

[Oscar Namechange]

gmc;1064465 wrote: That image is enough to give anyone the dry boak. I'm also from Fife, am younger, far better looking maybe I should send you my picture for use as a screen saver. Then again Mr oscar might get upset.


:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

Being married to me, Mr Oscar is very much used to being upset most days. :yh_rotfl

Send me your pic please,:yh_rotfl so i can put on top of the Great Gordon.

[Bryn Mawr]

oscar;1064470 wrote: :yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

Being married to me, Mr Oscar is very much used to being upset most days. :yh_rotfl

Send me your pic please,:yh_rotfl so i can put on top of the Great Gordon.


The mind boggles

[Oscar Namechange]

Bryn Mawr;1065528 wrote: The mind boggles
Yes, the thought of gmc and Gordon Brown even in the same breath, is something not left to the imagination.

[wildhorses]

gmc;1063196 wrote: If you think of yourselves as the government why do so many apparently feel the need to defend themselves against it and insist on the right to bear arms in case it attacks them? Not trying to wind you up it's just many of the posters on this forum seem terrified of the government trying to run their lives or becoming socialist which if it is not a separate entity is not going to be a problem presumably. How do you think we see our government? It's elected as well you know although we have a bad habit of electing idiots as well.

It's a mistake to assume other nations are any less patriotic just because we are less overt about it. Extreme nationalism leads to wars and we associate it with the politics of the right i.e nazism/fascism. Fatherland/motherland/homeland what spot is getting at is the term has rather unpleasant connotations for most europeans. The term homeland is associated with apartheid in south africa. When our own politicians tried to use the term there was a collective hiss of disapproval that kind of stopped the practice.

Add that to aggressive nationalism and maybe you will begin to appreciate why most Europeans find American patriotism irritating. Mostly it's seen as unnecessary- everybody is proud of where they come from kind of goes without saying.


We dont need guns to protect ourselves against the government. But we do need guns to protect ourselves against renegade representatives. In other words, we are the government....we have representatives that are suppose to act with regard to the desires of their constituents. But should our representatives stray out of control then we would have to be armed to reign them in. If we are not equipped or willing to take it back, then we would not longer be the government would we? Because we are the government we must be equipped and willing to defend the country against threats.

I am not making a statement about any other government or the patriotism of citizens of other countries. I have not said that citizens of other countries are not patriotic. I am only trying to explain the basic psychology of the average American citizen in relation to the government....which is the American citizen.



Futhermore, I never said I was in favor of the term "Homeland". In fact, I really dont like it. I prefer country.

I have no problem with socialism. Our country was rather socialist during the 50's and 60's and that seemed to work fine.

[Oscar Namechange]

wildhorses;1065637 wrote: We dont need guns to protect ourselves against the government. But we do need guns to protect ourselves against renegade representatives. In other words, we are the government....we have representatives that are suppose to act with regard to the desires of their constituents. But should our representatives stray out of control then we would have to be armed to reign them in. If we are not equipped or willing to take it back, then we would not longer be the government would we? Because we are the government we must be equipped and willing to defend the country against threats.

I am not making a statement about any other government or the patriotism of citizens of other countries. I have not said that citizens of other countries are not patriotic. I am only trying to explain the basic psychology of the average American citizen in relation to the government....which is the American citizen.



Futhermore, I never said I was in favor of the term "Homeland". In fact, I really dont like it. I prefer country.

I have no problem with socialism. Our country was rather socialist during the 50's and 60's and that seemed to work fine.


Don't worry wildhorses.... gmc is Scottish and if you knew what they are like, you'd have sympathy for him. They even believed they could beat our prime Minister in a by-election on gmc's own turf. :yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

[wildhorses]

oscar;1065725 wrote: Don't worry wildhorses.... gmc is Scottish and if you knew what they are like, you'd have sympathy for him. They even believed they could beat our prime Minister in a by-election on gmc's own turf. :yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl


HA HA HA!!! um...what is a by-election?

[Oscar Namechange]

wildhorses;1065732 wrote: HA HA HA!!! um...what is a by-election?
It's a little like your senator's. Each memeber of Parliment has his own state but here it's called a 'Constituancy'. They have to hold their own 'constituancy' to remain in governmant.

Gordon Brown is Scottish and his home constituancy is 'Fife' in Scotland. They have their own party in Scotland called 'The Scottish national Party. A by-election is where there is an election in an MP's own constituancy but not an election with the whole country. That's called 'The General Election' when the whole country votes.

gmc predicted that his party, The Scottish National Party would beat Gordon Brown, and they got battered by him :yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

[wildhorses]

oscar;1065742 wrote: It's a little like your senator's. Each memeber of Parliment has his own state but here it's called a 'Constituancy'. They have to hold their own 'constituancy' to remain in governmant.

Gordon Brown is Scottish and his home constituancy is 'Fife' in Scotland. They have their own party in Scotland called 'The Scottish national Party. A by-election is where there is an election in an MP's own constituancy but not an election with the whole country. That's called 'The General Election' when the whole country votes.

gmc predicted that his party, The Scottish National Party would beat Gordon Brown, and they got battered by him :yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl


Oh now I get it. He he he. GORDON BROWN IS THE MAN!!!!

[Oscar Namechange]

gmc;1064465 wrote: That image is enough to give anyone the dry boak. I'm also from Fife, am younger, far better looking maybe I should send you my picture for use as a screen saver. Then again Mr oscar might get upset.


A dry what???????? You should know by now that us fine upstanding British folk don't understand your celtic language.

[Oscar Namechange]

wildhorses;1065751 wrote: Oh now I get it. He he he. GORDON BROWN IS THE MAN!!!!


He is the ONLY man wildhorses. :yh_rotfl