Britain and America

[jiii]

My question is especially interested in the thoughts of any British visitors to this thread, but also to anyone that has an idea to add. The question is general, and thus may be difficult to address thoroughly, but I'm interested in hearing what others think.

America, having gained independence from England only a few hundred years ago, would seem to be very similar, and yet at the same time, recognizably different from it's old mother land. My question follows:

In what fundamental ways do Britain and the English differ from America and the Americans (and vice versa)?

By this, I am especially looking for insights into general psychology, the subtleties of culture, and basic attitudes toward life. Although a good deal of pages could be filled with the quite trivial and incidental ways in which Britain differs from America, I am looking for some deeper perspectives that go beyond just apparent differences (ex. the fact that both carry different accents is not the kind of thing I think we need to expound upon...it's pretty obvious).

I got to thinking about this because I live in what is still very commonly referred to by Americans as "New England"...it makes me wonder just how different "New England" is from, well, not "Old England" but the original England. Commentary need not be limited by this, though.

Your thoughts?

[InLove]

Hi, and Peace, jiii--I don't think we have ever spoken together before. Nice to meet you.

When you refer to "America", I am assume you mean the United States, since this is where you live. So do I, but in a different part of the country.

This is just my personal observation--my opinion, and certainly others might disagree. But I think that the British, for the most part, seem to be a bit more "laid back" in their attitudes than many people in the States. And they seem to have a shared dry sense of humor that is unique to them. I have also observed that they tend to preserve their architectural history better than we do (although I think we are getting better at it, I hope).

Again, these are just my personal thoughts. I don't know if this is the sort of answer you are looking for, but I hope it helps.

InPeace,
InLove

[jiii]

Excuse my vague terminology InLove, I did mean to indicate the "United States" when I used the term "America". I suppose America actually refers to both of the American continents, not just one country upon them. LOL, I guess I wrote it like that out of habit, since people of the United States prefer to call themselves "Americans", rather than, um, "United Statians" (now that's awkward).

And, indeed, your thoughts are certainly appropriate to my question. I'm just interested to hear what people think.

[InLove]

"United Statians", huh? (Insert giggles here.) I love it when people make up new words.

Something I meant to add regarding the British interest in preserving architectural history vs. ours is that they have so much more of it to preserve. Could apply, I guess.

Just another thought.

InPeace,
InLove

[Ain_Soph]

We like ketchup and ranch!

Thats about all I can add.

[InLove]

Hi, Ain_Soph. Peace, and nice to meet you .

Originally Posted by Ain_Soph

We like ketchup and ranch!

Thats about all I can add.

I have actually known some people here who like ketchup while at the ranch.

Ain_Soph's comment actually does bring up a valid point, though. The food is quite different here than it is "across the pond". There is different terminology for some of the same foods we have here. And besides, the food is just kind of different. It's better over here, from what I understand (now maybe THAT will get the attention of some of our buds in the UK!)

Com'on, guys--you know I am just kidding. But let's help her out, okay? And I would especially love to hear some comments about the architectural topic. And maybe someone could comment on the difference in the language--not accent, but language. It does differ to an extent--maybe not so much here in CR, but in everyday life.

And then there are the differences in the governmental structure...I don't know so much how to discuss that, but I'll bet someone here does.

InPeace,
InLove

[Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine]

Concerning government (what little I know): here in the US, the only difference between the two Houses of Congress (in order to get in, I mean) is you can initially run for one at the age of twenty-five (I believe) and the other you must be thirty. In England, almost anybody can run for a seat in the House of Commons, but must have a legitimate title for the House of Lords. there are no term limits for Prime Minister; there are for President (and, in some cases, thank the PtBs.)

Concerning language (again, what little I know): there are fewer dialects in England than in the US, which (sometimes) effects written language as well as spoken language.

On architecture: the US has slightly different "raw materials" than England, plus England has had several centuries of alteration/fusion. The US has had roughly six centuries of "fusion" from the Spanish conquistadores to today's modern condo complex.

These are things that I can think of, but I could be mistaken (please correct anything I have incorrect, thank you.)

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine

[cavalier]

I'm an English guy who has never visited America and hasn't even lived in England for the greater part of the last six years. You decide how much worth my comments have.

There are noticable differences between English and American expatriots out here in Taiwan. Americans seem more able, or more willing, to converse with people of other nationalities. The English will, but are much more comfortable with their own.
Americans seem to have, pretty much, the same personality and characteristics whether they are in a group of Americans, a group of mixed nationalities, or on their own. The English seem more quiet, polite, and respectful when on their own, or in a mixed nationality group, but are much louder and more disrespectful when in a large all-English group.
It would appear the Americans, at least those in Taiwan, have a greater sense of who they are and what they are about.

It seems English people generally consider themselves superior to Americans, more intelligent, refined, discreet, and principled, the general feeling is that our schools, our version of the language, sense of humour, TV, history, army (in terms of its training only(we would obviously be obliterated in a war)), manners, and probably a hundred other things as well, are all superior. I'm sure that there is truth in some of those things, but some of them are just absurd.

We are a once great nation that is now unsure of its place in the world.

[InLove]

Hi again, jiii--

I realize that I may have slipped up when I said "Let's help her out". I don't know whether you are male or female, and it doesn't matter. My bad. I apologize.

But this got me to thinking. What about exploring the differences and/or similarities in the women's rights movement of both countries? I entered the following keywords into my browser: Great Britain, United States, women's rights, glass ceiling. The results were, among other items, some term papers that are for sale. Now, I am sure that you do not want to copy from a source, and it does cost some money to get the whole text--I do not know if it is even reliable. However, you might look at the sample posted there and glean an idea or two. Here is the link:

http://www.academictermpapers.com/ab...000/17354.html

Other contrasts/comparisons that might be interesting:

Civil rights in general and how they have evolved in each country--or how about discussing how religion has evolved in both since the American Revolution? (an area where CR would hopefully be quite helpful).

InPeace,
InLove

[jiii]

Heh, yes, I am male...no offense taken though.

I don't personally know too much about the civil rights movement in England, though it would be interesting to take a look at.

In terms of the Women's Movement, I would be also curious to know if there is the same income gap between men and women in England that is found in the United States.

Another aspect I've been considering has to do with government. A big part of American lifestyle revolves around our rallying behind our form of government, a "republic". Americans, in many cases, are expected to defend our "democratic" ways to bitter end. We really identify, as a whole, with "democracy". I certainly wonder if the issue is so charged in England.

[Faithfulservant]

from what Ive learned... they dont eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They dont have A-1 sauce... the only flavored food they have is curry and they eat the heck out of it. They actually do have a tea time still.. they have weird sayings that dont mean anything like "what are you like?" some actually do speak cockney and I accidentally said something "cockney" when I referred to my fanny pack. They dont call them that there. and you dont want to know what that means to them ROFL. Like In love said they have weird senses of humor... the jokes they laugh at and think are hilarious are ones like the chicken crosses the road. When you laugh at someone you are taking the piss. another weird phrase that makes no sense to me haha. They love getting into insult fests.. and its not a malicious thing.. its all good fun its actually a camraderie thing they only do it with you if they like you. They think we take ourselves too seriously and they joke about it... It actually rains there more than my home state of Washington.

I love the british.. I just dont want to eat their food.

[I, Brian]

A number of Brits I've speaken to who've been to the USA comment on a few key difference in mindset - namely that in the US people are more open and optimistic, but also more competitive and boastful of their achievements - while in the UK we tend to be cynical and withdrawn, less competitive and more modest about when we achieve things.

It's a case of generalisations, though - and my impression is that it's hard to apply generalisations to people in the US, because there's a such a varied spectrum of people. Some key differences between the South of England compared to the North of England, though - the latter as seen as more rough, but also more friendly, at the same time.

The British class system still has a weird sort of hold on our outlook - apparently, if you're in the US, and you tell people you're aiming to achieve something, you'll receive encouragement and support and people will believe you can do it. In Britain, you're told not to be silly, to "get real", because psychologically a lot of people don't seem to believe you can better yourself much.

2c.

[Ain_Soph]

This whole thread is interesting. I would love to go visit the other side of the pond sometime. Anyone gotta couch I can crash on so I can get some firsthand experience.

[InLove]

Er, umm..in my own defense, I did say "dry" not "wierd".

InPeace,
InLove

[wil]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

It's a case of generalisations, though - and my impression is that it's hard to apply generalisations to people in the US, because there's a such a varied spectrum of people. Some key differences between the South of England compared to the North of England, though - the latter as seen as more rough, but also more friendly, at the same time.

The British class system still has a weird sort of hold on our outlook - apparently, if you're in the US, and you tell people you're aiming to achieve something, you'll receive encouragement and support and people will believe you can do it. In Britain, you're told not to be silly, to "get real", because psychologically a lot of people don't seem to believe you can better yourself much.

Great points. And I think both apply heavily to the US, in the impovershed inner cities thinking you are going to be a sports star or drug dealer are accepted ways to get out...but thinking you are going to college to be a doctor or lawyer may be met with less enthusiasm about success. But if you are a member of a more positive community you could be heralded for your entreprenurial spirit (unless of course it is family).

If you were to take generalized attitudes from Maine, Florida, South Carolina, Louisiana, Montana, Wisconsin, Texas, LA, NYC, Seattle...I think you'll find you can't generalize Americans...