Interesting that Americans think that self deprecation is indicative of low self esteem. As a Brit, the more self deprecating someone is - the more indicative it is of high self esteem. It takes a good degree of confidence to take the piss out of oneself amongst strange company.
Absolutely correct. The British, or at least the English, are the most self confident peoples on the planet. Many of us may not realise it but it easy to be self deprecating when you don't have to prove anything to anyone. The English have not been invaded for over 1000 years, and not been humiliated like the French or shamed like the Germans. The British have shaped the modern world and our culture is global and omnipresent. We have no inferiority complex and really couldn't give a monkey's what foreigners think about us.
You're right, and we (Grace & Eric) don't think Brits have low self-esteem. But that's how Americans back home, who aren't used to UK humour, might react.
It's all context, though. In the US nobody knows you're using that particular conversation style so they interpret it literally and it can come off odd. Once they figure out what the Brit is doing they would likely see it as funny and try it themselves, maybe. Americans are sometime self depreciating. We like to point out our personality flaws, usually expressed in terms of the pharmaceutical drugs we take to counteract them.
Very true. Actually, a person only tries to be self-deprecating if they feel drawn towards arrogance. I frequently call myself stupid because I worry that my high IQ, large vocabulary and vast collection of unimportant information will lead me to think and maybe say that I am brilliant. All my very attractive friends constantly point out their own, often imagined flaws for the same reason. People lacking in self-confidence or self-esteem tend to be boastful. I have to admit, that's what I have always assumed is the reason for Americans telling me how incredible their country is in comparison to mine - insecurity. Same reason they need guns.
An American travelling by train in England strikes up a conversation with another passenger... American: It takes three days to cross my country by train. Englishman: Yes, some of ours are quite slow as well.
Americans do not travel long distance by rail. She refers to the impracticality of rail travel for Americans. She is not bragging about how large the country is.
To be fair, the US is SUCH a huge country, with practically every type of terrain, I can see why Americans wouldnt need to travel abroad to see all different things from snow clad mountains, through deserts, plains, etc etc . So they would go abroad mainly for the history and that is likely to be fewer people. (it is expensive, too). I believe there are a huge number of British people who go abroad for the summer weather and don't ever think about history - so "going abroad" doesnt mean that they are any better informed than someone from America who has never left the country.
@@WanderingRavens The same distance getting you from New York to San Diego or from Seattle to Miami would get you from England to how many European countries? I'm sick of the whole Americans don't have passports line. I would be more impressed to know how many Brits and Europeans for example have used a passport to go more than 3,000 miles from their home to another country. Then you would be on equal footing to an American travelling within the lower 48.
@@AngelA-qi1br Agreed. It's actually silly for Brits to think Americans are arrogant because they aren't more informed about European culture. People in the UK are literally schooled in European history, cultures and mores from day one. They can also easily visit nearby European countries for first-hand experiences. Americans are not schooled in these things (except for an overview of the Renaissance period) unless you specifically choose to study those courses in college. We also don't have easy proximity to "other" European countries so we don't pick up much knowledge that way. We have to travel across a huge ocean just to get there.
I've said the same thing. When Europeans (who live in relatively small countries very close to a myriad of other small countries) boast about travelling to other countries, it's actually quite ridiculous. Of course, you've travelled to other countries - you don't have much choice if you desire better weather, mountains or nice beaches - whereas we have all of those things in our country. (FTR, I've lived abroad for many years and travelled to over 40 countries - but for work and to experience other cultures).
I find the "I'm Italian" statement from a second generation person from the US to be perplexing. I'm an Australian, my grandfather was Greek. I"M AN AUSTRALIAN. That is the way we think. Australia has migrants from more than 165 countries who have made Australia home. Yes we acknowledge and respect our heritage but we are ALL AUSTRALIANS. We even have a song that says this.
Exactly. Americans with their hyphenated ethnicities seem very odd sometimes, like they haven't fully committed. My mother was part Italian and had an Italian surname before marriage, but never considered herself anything other than British. All the African-American or Italian-American stuff sounds like a lack of commitment when people do it to themselves and racist when others do it to them. Maybe that's what all the flag-waving is about. They have not committed to their allegiance so over-compensate.
Helen Wood true. But the one hyphenation lacking is Anglo-American. Also “America” a synonym for “the USA” neglecting the other states on the continent of America.
Yeah I get ya m8, and I said it else where b4 about the I'm Irish American or I'm African American etc etc...... Its just a Murica thing but its wierd as they all about America being the best and there proud Americans but still cling on to the past.... Maybe that's it.... Clinging to the past..... While other countries with their culture move forward the afro American thing etc is boring.....the whole world sees a American as American doesn't matter if your black, white or brown or whatever...if your born there then your American.....and the Anglo American.... Yeah that's a good point lmao..... Dont here of Danish American or French American or whatever European or even Asian American....
I love how America and Britain are like a petty couple that just broke up (America's independence from Britain) and stalk each other's social media pages because they're still pretty obsessed with each other(Brits watch American content, Americans kinda sorta watch British content).
I actually favor Law & Order: UK over most of the franchise over here in America. Since the creator of the American series, Dick Wolf, had a role in creating the U.K.'s version, the episodes are inspired by the American episodes but, I love seeing the show from the English perspectives. And of course Torchwood. Because John Barrowman. And I've always loved Capt Jack Harkness.
British people watching Americans is like parents watching their teenage kids and shaking their heads over the silly things they do :) They tend to annoy at times, but they are still family.
When Americans live here long enough they become somewhat native and that is brilliant and grace is becoming very much like a british native it's great to watch her
I think it is better to say that us Brits are not "overtly" earnest in their patriotism rather than not "overly" earnest. There is a steel and a 'grit' to Britishness that sees us steam and brood and when necessary devolve into yelling screaming 'patriots'. We just pick our moments and don't use it all the time.
I'm from the UK and love the states. You guys can go a bit overboard with the patriotism but I think people should be proud of where they're from regardless. Also europe and the UK were all just kingdoms for thousands of years whereas the US was found relatively recently and is built on the idea of personal autonomy and a separation from the old feudal ways so I understand it. I was in Missouri a few years back and the amount of American flags there took me by surprise but I liked the sense of community I felt there. If you hang an English flag in some places people will see you as a racist which I think is sad as I'm proud of where I'm from (England and Wales). Anyway love you guys' videos, if you're ever in Brighton give me a shout you'd fit in really well 😋
@@MagentaOtterTravels Yeah I agree. Yesterday was VE day and there were a lot of people celebrating outside (distancing 😂) and bunting was everywhere. But yeah especially during the world cup everyones in an England shirt and drinking at the pub
@@juliachurch6567 I'm going to guess you are a Septic..... "I don’t understand why flying a British flag is seen as being racist." It's not. The *ENGLISH* flag has been hijacked by far right racists organisation. ie: EDL
@@juliachurch6567 yeah but there has been many racist organisations using it in their name which is sad, I have a Union Jack which I fly regardless as it represents the union between all nations of the UK
As a Brit, I can verify that British arrogance is definitely a thing, and it actually annoys me. We seem to have this idea that we're so well educated and cultured compared to Americans, but there are a lot of very intelligent people in the USA, and we have our share of idiots too. Some of it is banter, but there is often a snooty, condescending undertone (while watching American films, drinking American beverages, listening to American music, and playing American computer games on American consoles), and I really think we need to stop acting so superior just because we know how to pronounce Leicestershire. /rantover
Thank you. My experience to the U.K. is limited to a long stay in an airport and British Tourists here in the U.S. The limited exposure that I have had with them has me not wanting to travel to there. I rather spend my money and time traveling to another nation where I feel welcome.
100 agree. As an American we tend to also make fun of ourselves. Sometimes too much of making fun of ourselves . But having traveled to the U.K. many times , I found the British culture arrogant. Even when traveling to other countries in Europe , Brit travelers think they own the place Maybe because of their old colonialism thinking but there’s a lot of Brits we met that aren’t smart and are heavily drunk during their holdiays . I prefer now to go to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and the South Pacific region in the world . They’re much friendlier and people are less uptight .
And these replies validate our gripes on Americans, we arent up tight, its called propriety you want to see uptight ask any american anything political. And secondly yes there are many obnoxious brits abroad and every britiah person hates them, i wonder if its the same with americans... Nope American double standards and willful ignorance is appalling And finally you are more than welcome here, if you dont feel welcome that is your own insecurity and thin skin
@@fireyhand and yet here is your reply. Just confirming what I said. The person that I first replied to was honest and respectful. No name calling, just stating a fact that I felt. I respect that. Your comment is just the same British ugliness that I have experienced. Your arrogance is the issue. I rather spend my money in Africa and South America where people are nicer and show more respect.
The Open Golf Championship of Great Britain must only be called the" OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP" lest it be confused with some other" lesser" golf championship. But golfers in the USA invariably insist on calling it the BRITISH OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP. Its wrong but the tournament organizers grit their teeth, smile and take the big $$$$$ the American networks pays them to show it on American TV. BTW the USA only calls the baseball champions "World Series" Champions, a tradition going back to a bygone era which no longer exists. They just keep the name because they never came up with a better one.
Right so I think there's certainly elements of everything everyone mentioned here. The two probably most significant things are the fact that Americans rise to it a lot, and the arrogance. On the pie chart proposal arrogance wouldn't have its own slice, it would be & arrogance suffixed on to every other wedge of the pie, or a second 100% circle laid over the rest. Though I'm not sure if that's always strictly the case. Though the end result is the same, for me I don't believe the UK is the best country in the world but I do believe we're an incredibly slow moving country that hates sudden change or differences. So when I look at a country like the US that is so so similar to the UK, they just do a lot of the same things in different manners, I hate it (or rather the idea of having to live it). I've actually grown tired of travelling to the continent because of it. I also don't think we bash every country in the world. We bash countries we have significant ongoing ties with. I've not seen anyone persistently slagging off African countries in a banterish way as opposed to a pure racist way, or for the most part Asian countries, either. That could be colonial hangover, but were that the case we probably wouldn't do it so much with the US or Australia. The countries we bash are almost like family. It's our monkey sphere and we're showing affection. But also they do things wrong and we express serious criticism, suggestions or even our own flaws under the guise of humour. Just in case someone doesn't like it so we can be all "lol jk"
I should also say as well, as a Brit whenever I hear Brits attack America with no good reason, I always stick up for America. I've yet to go to the States, but as I said down below I've worked at a US army base in the past whilst abroad and I have a lot of American friends. So I will always stick up for the States, not that you need it, but if a load of Brits just attack the country I always defend you guys and rightly so as our greatest Ally. My past few posts have been way too serious btw, I realise that. It even makes me feel uncomfortable. Haha
When I see an American, I rub my hands together - "such an easy target, this is going to be good! hahaha!" It's like playing golf where the hole is the size of a bucket. We're trying to trigger a reaction, for our own amusement - and we respect anybody who doesn't take the bait and is instead super chill. (like you two :)) (... oh, and Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon)
Haha your point defeated, you stated your nationality. I would have said that I wasn't, and then listed every other English speaking nation except my own. (from someone on planet earth)
juscurious I have not heard Americans spouting the “greatest nation” stuff to foreigners. What Britons “know” about Americans is almost entirely from television and films.
I’m 56 and I’ve never bashed anybody😂 I think younger people in the U.K. are basically just rude lol I think you two are great for not taking it personally. We are just different to the US, as we are every other country, there’s no need to be rude.
I have found most Britons to be admirably polite. I particularly admire their reticence. In Texas we tend to "shoot from the hip" and "go off half-cocked."
As a 20 year old I can say proudly we're less likely to bash a nation/person than older generations are. Rude to each other? Sure, but not others. I very rarely 'bash' a country - and only then it is because it's against my morals or something. But itvs also important to remember that it's in jest. It's in humour. It's not hateful or hurtful. It is an exaggeration. And it is based on centuries of rivalry - especially when it comes to the French, where it's been 954 years of rivalry (and at least four or five wars against each other, one being nearly 100 years). It's going to take longer than roughly 200 years of peace with each other to eradicate that rivalry. But other countries also do the same to us - and rightly so. It's jest and at the end of the day we all work together when we need to. It's no different to a family: 'bash' each other but when the worst happens you're there for each other. That's what matters.
@@WanderingRavens As a Brit may I make a sincere and serious point about why we feel that the US treats British people unfairly (which in turn leads to us "bashing" Americans). Yes, you probably guessed. It concerns WW2. We are continually told by Americans that "you'd all be speaking German if it wasn't for us winning the war for you..." This genuinely hurts and dismays us because many Americans appear to know little or nothing about what the British and Commonwealth forces (and critically, the Soviet Union) did to defeat the Nazis. Yes, OF COURSE we are grateful for what the US did, but to be told, as I was by an American youtuber, that "you Brits sat on your little island and waited for us to fight the Germans for you..." This is both untrue and deliberately provocative. And it is a constant message that Americans repeat ad nauseum. I know facts and figures are boring but sometimes they are necessary to clarify things. Between 1939 and 1942 (when the US entered the war) Britain alone in Europe refused to surrender or bargain with Hitler. In the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940 for a period of 3 months, the German airforce repeatedly attacked the Royal Air Force's fighter stations in the south of England in an attempt to win air superiority, prior to a planned invasion of Britain. The RAF beat them off. Then the Germans began the so-called "Blitz", the nightly bombing of London and other cities, which lasted until May 1941. Meantime the British 8th Army fought the German Afrikakorps in North Africa from 1941 to 1943. The Royal Navy fought and defeated the Italian fleet in the Mediterranean. RAF Bomber Command began a three year bombing campaign on Germany (and lost 55,000 aircrew). The British fought alongside US and Canadian troops in the allied invasion of NW Europe in 1944 and across Europe until the Germans surrendered in May 1945. And while the US lost 415,000 men in WW2, the British and Commonwealth forces lost 450,000. But the most important figure is the 27 million (military and civilian deaths) lost by the Soviet Union. This is not an attempt to hit out at anyone. All losses in wartime are tragic. But now maybe you can begin to understand the anger that many of America's wartime allies feel when Americans tell us "America won the war for you." This is NOT America bashing. Simply a plea for those who make such statements to do some research into what your allies did (and suffered).
Parliament, in either 1906 or 1908, proclaimed that the name of the UK flag is 'The Union Jack, whether flown from a ship or not'. The Flag Institute, an official adviser to Parliament's Heraldry and Flags committee, came across this little known proclamation. It is, to date, the last official pronouncement by Parliament on the name of the flag of the UK and it until Parliament says otherwise 'Union Jack' is the official term. See the Flag Institute's website for a full explanation of the history of the Union Jack's name and why it is called that.
There's a lot to like about the US, especially that the people I've me there are the friendliest, most polite I've ever met. Although Americans abroad may be loud and enthusiastic, they are the ones I like best, because they are the ones who are interested enough to look outwards from their own doorstep.
There are many other Americans who are interested in the world but cannot afford to travel. If it hadn't been for the US military I would not have been able to travel to Spain, Australia, England, Saudi Arabia and even Mexico and Canada. Being an avid reader I learned a lot about other countries and was fortunate to see places where famous people from the distant past walked. I think it's more people who don't read miss out. They never get to learn that there is an outside world.
American : "Oh, you spell differently to us." me: "no, we spell it correctly." One difference between USA and England, is USA *thinks* they own the world, while England *DID* own the world. Yes, the English are arrogant, too. And, imho, it depends on the age of the person you ask. My grandparents were what you might call anti-american but that was purely of Americas` role in the war. Another brill video from you both.
Some of the American spellings are the original old English spelling, it is us Brits that have changed our spelling. The same goes for Eastern sea board and mountain USA accents, they are actually like Canadian French more like how us brits used to sound like. And no there is no right or wrong way, it depends where you are.
Just wanted to thank you for your slot here and for your unbiased opinions which is quite refreshing and much appreciated. Although British, I have traveled around and been living mostly in the Philippines since 2007. Have met various Americans and found them friendly and approachable. The UK had an empire which lasted a long time and spread it's influence all over the world, for better and worse. Seeing the USA prosper and do so well, especially when they were lost to Britain in a humiliating, if just military defeat, can still rattle a few cages in the British psychie, including my own, especially when younger. But it's just ignorence mostly. With maturity, hopefully comes wisdom and a greater understanding of life and people in general, wherever they come from. I would encourage more people to travel and interact with different nationalities, as and when it's safe to do so and never judge a book by its cover.... God bless you! 😀
I’m American, and I agree with a lot of these. The flag worship and in-your-face patriotism is uncomfortable to me as well. One of the comments I wanted to reference was one about how a lot of Americans haven’t even traveled abroad. That is probably very true, but the cost to travel from the United States to almost any country not on our northern or southern border is ridiculously expensive. Flying from the west coast to the east coast of the US and vice versa can be almost as expensive as flying to another country altogether. I’d love to travel so much more if it wasn’t so expensive.
The main reason is we bash everybody, including ourselves. But I think the naivety and ignorance of many Americans, especially their inability to understand the problems of their own country, makes Americans an easier target...
Eric, well done on getting those digestive biscuits down. 👍 A side note... a semi-sweet biscuit that originated in Scotland, and is popular worldwide. The digestive was first developed in 1839 by two Scottish doctors to aid digestion. The term "digestive" is derived from the belief that they had antacid properties due to the use of sodium bicarbonate when they were first developed. - Wikipedia
It's about age, like most of the world we have had an empire and thought of ourselves as the greatest and then realised that we are not. We have grown up like an adult and looked back at our teenage years and cringe at our old actions. Were as the US is still a teenager and is not aware of itself so is easy to see the problems it is going through as we know we did the same. So think about an adult laughing at the comments made by a teenager.
Brits can be arrogant too... just listen to the Brexit supporters who think that the EU is weak and that Britain is strong. They are embarrassing for sure.
I always correlated the US patriotism thing with it still being a relatively young country. They haven't "grown out of it" yet. I don't mean that as a negative thing I just don't know how else to word it.
We have nothing of the ostentation of the Brits when it come to patriotic display. I had a British colleague who was an officer in the Blues and Royals. (What a twit....)
@@martinreddy3823 Boomers are patriotic. The younger generations know better. Sadly that is not the case in America. You pledge your allegiance TO A FUCKING FLAG every day for fucks sake
Yes indeed. 1. Some computer setups such as with cheap external speakers emphasize musical frequencies, 2. Some brains naturally notice music more than others do, I'm always aware of it.
It's purely rivalry and the fact you came from us. You are like our young son who has now grown bigger, who thinks they know everything, but as adults we know and you don't. USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, you are all our kids and who we love the most. We have rivalries in sports, but when the shit hits the fan, we all stick together. We are the older Dad who doesn't know everything, but we have experience. USA with movies goes around saying we are the biggest best Military in the world, whilst we realise we had the worlds largest Empire that the world has ever known and probably will ever know. It stood out in Afghanistan when we tried to tell you guys, the way you conquer a country is you get the local leaders onside and you give them stuff, you develop a relationship and then you end up taking over the place with their consent. America just wanted to blow everything up and it didn't work. A few years into Afghanistan USA got the memo and started listening to us. I mean what did we know taking over most of the planet? ;)
Btw I worked at a US army base (Patrick Henry Village) in Germany and I do think the American bravado and having the flag everywhere comes from a place of insecurity. Probably as you are such a young country. We have houses in our country older than your country, as you know and I think that's a lot to do with it. imo. PS: Don't get me started on circumcision again. ;) Hahaha. PPS I still love you guys. :)
Hi Greg! We loved the imagery in your comment. We haven't thought of it that way before and I think you're spot on - the UK's relationship with all the ex-colonies is much like an older father with their young-adult children. Thank you for sharing your insight :)
Usa might have the LARGEST military but as the military term 'Yanks all the gear but no idea' FUN FACT! We British and our special forces TRAIN the Yanks in mountain and cold warfare. Let us face it, the Americans NEED training with their abysmal and world wide joke of a friendly fire record.
I spent some time in California to look at teaching in the USA. I was asked to hot seat for a 10th grade class to let them ask me questions. Of course I was happy. The questions though!!!! 1) we heard you have double decker buses? 2) have you met the queen? 3) do you have nigh clubs? 4) we heard you throw your toilet waste into the street! (Yes in 1764 but not now!) The laughter when I showed the English £5 £10 £20 notes and their colours was unbelievable.
"I am against any nationalism, even in the guise of mere patriotism. Privileges based on position and property have always seemed to me unjust and pernicious, as did any exaggerated personality cult." - Einstein
Probably because he was a Jew in Germany and although they were actually treated fairly well in Germany compared to most of Europe before the nazis, he still may never have felt complete love for Germany. Personally I believe a degree of patriotism is important for protecting the culture and people you are part of
jools2323 Funnily he didn't feel that way about Israel. He was a committed Zionist and a massive hypocrite as well as shameless self promoter and plagiarist . Not someone to look up to or quote
Really loved the video! You do a great job. I think it really does boil down to the fact that British people take the piss out of everyone and everything. In fact, if you are friends with a British person, you can probably expect merciless abuse. America stands out because American culture is so prominent in the UK, reinforced by the feeling that what we see of America is very brash, self-congratulatory and over-confident. The perception that America is the centre of the world is not one we especially agree with. (It irks me, for instance, that really good UK TV shows are often remade in America, whereas US shows would not be remade elsewhere-maybe due to a lack of budget). I think it sometimes taps into a strange and complex relationship that British people have with superiority and inferiority. It is true that British people often prefer laughing at their failures rather than being vocal about their successes. Sometimes America is seen as better than the UK in that it seems to be glitzier and more impressive than understated UK mundanity. At the same time much of the humour directed against the United States presents ourselves as superior, whether it is our use of language, tea making abilities, health or intelligence. Again, much of this is banter, but make no mistake: many British people are arrogant. Often British people will claim that their humour is clearly the best, will assume importance in world politics or will dismiss the cultures of others and assume social backwards in other countries. The picture is muddied because we were once (in terms of power) the 'best in the world' (I use that term with sarcasm) due to imperialism. That has since collapsed and we have come to realise that there were many crimes committed in the name of Britain. But a sense of prominence does linger. Now in the present day, when American culture and politics has a huge influence on the UK and the rest of the world, it may lead to some frustrations- maybe exaggerated by the relationship of underdog vs master between the US and UK, which seems to have been reversed. America is now the big, confident giant of the world and the British, with their confused view of themselves, resort to their favourite hobby of mockery. But, whatever, that's just my view. Also on being outwardly enthusiastic about things- as you pointed out Americans and American tourists kind of are- many British people (myself included) are so unused to such behaviour that they may assume that the enthusiastic person is being disingenuous or sarcastic and taking the piss. Possibly we don't tend to think that something we see quite often can really be that amazing either. Jesus, why did I write so much?
About being an American so excited to be in the UK... summer of 2019, I spent some time in the UK. I don't know how "obvious" I was...I tend to think not so much, cuz I'm kind of introverted...but maybe my British cousins could take into account the fact that many American tourists are interested (as I am) in history...and we come from a very young country. I come from a city where the oldest building in town is from the 1860s. My British friend comes from a place where his corner pub dates from the 1600s, and isn't any kind of historic landmark or anything....that's just how old it is. In most London neighborhoods, an 1860s building wouldn't be the oldest around, it might even be the youngest. So yeah, a lot of us are star struck by renaissance or medieval buildings, and jeez, I could spend hours looking at Roman-era buildings in London or York or Hadrian's Wall. Maybe it's kind of nerdy if you've grown up around such old stuff, but maybe cut some slack to us who've been less fortunate.
I was travelling on a train in Europe, some years ago, with a young American couple. The husband told me that he was so proud that his country had spread the English language around the world. I responded that maybe the British had contributed a little, too. His wife laughed out loud, but he just didn't get it! I think the Americans are an incredibly smart people. What I don't understand is the extremes in your country. So rich, but so many in poverty. Love your work.
@@tonyboyd6434 Not at all, viz,. I am not suggesting that. However, while Britain was the pinnacle civilization, French was the international lingua franca.
My Mom was New England blood, and they believed in not "wearing your heart on your sleeve". Yet she and they would hug each other in greeting and could hug their children if needed. And they had a kind of sarcastic humor too.
Yeah usually the only time you’d see a flag in the the uk would be on a special occasion such as the queens jubilee or VE Day. Oh and when the World Cup is going on then you’d see lots of union jacks and people in England T-shirts.
Col Harris the thing is The uk is a very unique country It is a country made up of 3 constituent countries and 1 overseas province, however there are different things for different events For the World Cup it’s England (wales and Scotland too but they never do as well) for the olympics it’s team gb (Great Britain is the physical island that has England Scotland and wales on it), in Eurovision were the uk but in junior Eurovision wales competes separately So because of this it’s often confusing of which flag to use In England it’s mainly the Union Jack because they were the sort of head In Scotland they may use the Scottish flag more often, especially when it’s a holiday to do with independence or something like that Wales I don’t actually know Northern Ireland is a mess in itself as it’s technically not a constituent country at all and doesn’t have an official flag, but the commonly used one is basically the English flag but instead of it coming from the centres of the lines it comes from the corners
If you drive through some of the waterfront communities in Florida you'll see the British Union Flag on every other corner. I've often wondered how it would go over it I moved to Britain and hosted the Stars and Stripes over my flat. Not too well I suppose.
I like the comment "I spoke good english for a foreigner". When working in Munich Germany I was asked directions by some American tourists. We chatted a bit and as they walked away I heard them comment how good my English was. 🤣
Perhaps one of he biggest things for me is how much American media younger kids here in the UK consume... I'm 16 but most younger people always use American words or are always taking about American things. It really hurts tbh. Our kids are becoming more American than British at this point... American TV, American UA-cam, American words, steryotypical American attitudes... you name it... but once again, another great vid from you guys 👍
I think I may be a bit older than many of the other people who have commented and it is interested to note that WW2 was not mentioned. As a child, I listened to my family talk about the war and the Number 1 complaint from them would have been that the Americans think they won the war or that they rescued us. While this might have a certain element of truth to it, we never heard them mention how long the UK had been in the war. For the UK it started in 1939 not in 1941. Also the Brits were fighting overseas while the Germans bombed and killed their families back home. One of my relatives was really angry about the U571 film because it 're-wrote' history and now the film is all the history that is known to many. My parents' generation were probably as patriotic as Americans but kept that fairly quiet and I believe many older Brits still are but don't mention in because it is now frowned upon. One thing that bugs me is that the baddies in US films are always English even in US films about our national hero Robin Hood - mind you Alan Rickman's Sheriff of Nottingham stole the show in 'Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves". Keep up the good vids - I love them.
Deary, the UK is just a footnote in history and you need to adjust accordingly. The Americans are just NOT going to fight YOUR wars. We fight only OURS.
I took an American around the British museum once, and she was reading the plaque about the Isle of Lewis chess pieces (look em up, they’re pretty cool), and it mentioned how old they were. She thought it was a typo and that they’d added an extra 0. Makes me laugh that a lot of Americans can’t comprehend how old a lot of the UK is, we have pubs older than your country.
Years ago, when I was a postgrad, in Bristol, an American friend of mine had a call from his mum asking how we - the English - were "celebrating" the US Bicentennial. He told her it wasn't likely that we'd be much interested: after all, he told her, he lived in a bedsit in a house that was a hundred years older than America. (I forget her reply.)
Martin Reddy There’s loads. The one in question in my comment was the Old Ferryboat Inn in Cambridge, which was established in or around 1400. There are older ones I believe
The thing I love about you two, is that you are always reasonable and unassuming, which makes your videos a delight. I live near some touristy cities; I'm sad to say, I often come Amercians who make demeaning comments about aspects of British culture, simply because those aspects are different. The irony is, the UN in its regular Human Development Index ('standard of life'), found that the USA and UK were in joint 15th place last time round! (Norway topped the chart for umpteenth year in a row)
@Peter Newhouse Not to worry, it happens to the best of us :-) (I suppose I'm old school: I say "my error"-- or "mea culpa" to be really rebellious. "Bad" to me is poor quality or malevolent, rather an oversight.)
You sometimes cheer/applaud things that wouldn’t happen in the UK. For example on a chat show an audience member may say they’ve been married for 5 years and the audience are cheering and applauding. Or they’ll say which state/city they’re from and you cheer. Doesn’t happen in the UK. Other than that nothing else bothers me
Americans say things like “you speak good English”. It pisses us off. You guys are speaking OUR language, so don’t tell us we’re speaking OUR OWN language wrong, or speaking it “well for a foreigner”. It’s so frustrating. A guy came from America to my college and he was like this, it was infuriating
No. There are more Americans than Britons. Still, they speak English, after a fashion, because they came from England and it is THEIR language, as well.
Martin Reddy it’s the English language. I haven’t really got an issue with you changing it. Speak how you like. But don’t tell ME that I’m speaking my own language wrong. Infuriating and so unaware.
@@joeharvey8402 I would not dream of telling you were were speaking it wrong. Language is always changing. (Actually, I am something of an anglophile.) If someone says "for a foreigner," it is meant to be a joke. I agree it is obnoxious.
@@martinreddy3823 mmm, I wonder how many nations there are tat have English as their first language and how many have t as a second language? Remember that the Commonwealth of nations is considerably larger than the USA in population, area, and GDP.
my favourite thing I love to joke about is typically in American films when the wife makes a HUGE slap up breakfast, and the husband or the kids come in, grab some orange juice and then says "sorry hunny im late bye !!!!" thats my favourite thing ever hahahahaha american films are elite
American films were all I ever watched in childhood, then I was disappointed when I went to secondary school and we didn’t have lockers and break into song 😭, I’d say most films made in Britain are more than likely set in London or somewhere down south, and it will include lots of dry humour 😂 if it’s portrayed up north it will be made to look very grim most of the time
@@MagentaOtterTravels thats really interesting, its like the first thing i laugh about everytime i watch an american film, i absolutley love it though... i certainly would not be rushing to school if my mum made me a huge breakfast hahahaha!!
@@WanderingRavens Gritty Northern based comedy drama starting in the 50's with Saturday night & Sunday Morning, Kes(kestrel for a knave) bittersweet story about a school boy who trains a kestrel, Full Monty, Brassed off etc. These will teach you a lot about the British mindset👍 ua-cam.com/video/pVvQ-wf_Iu8/v-deo.html
I am impressed at your ability to stand back and consider what might be wrong about your own country. I think many people find it hard, if not impossible, to stand back and consider what may be wrong about themselves/their country. Your level of self awareness and maturity is quite something.
Every American who is able to comprehend concepts does this. It's why people have elections. You really shouldn't be impressed. If Americans thought we were the best at everything legislation would never happen.
Everyone is a target, we take the piss out of ourselves the most. If your in a group of British mates, you're not really part of the group until you have the piss taken out of you. I am a Brit and I love America, been there on holiday many times, but I am still going to take the piss out of you. Love the video.
Some things that Brits should take into consideration when discussing this topic: 1. The primary reasons that most Americans don't travel to Europe is because they typically have WAY less vacation time than their European counterparts do, they have to travel WAY, WAY farther to get to common destinations in Europe than their British counterparts would, and a HUGE portion of Americans simply don't have the money for that kind of endeavor. Working class Brits may be able to afford the occasional holiday in France or Spain, but it is simply out of reach for working class Americans. 2. Yes, Americans really are earnest. Generally speaking, they say what they mean and expect others to do so as well. So when they hear Brits engaging in anti-American "banter" -- regardless of how lighthearted the intention may be -- many Americans feel genuinely insulted and are dismayed by the hostility they perceive in it. Any joviality from which it sprang evaporates completely as it crosses the water. 3. What many people outside the US perceive as arrogance and over-the-top patriotism is actually a dysfunctional expression of deep cultural pain. The "American Dream" is getting further and further out of the reach for the average American. And instead of facing this economic truth and either accepting it or working to change it, many people, sadly, are doubling down on the myth of "the land of opportunity" and the notion that if you can "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" you can achieve all your goals and live happily ever after. The louder they mentally bellow the national anthem and the more vigorously they wave the flag, the less likely they are to hear that little voice inside their heads that is telling them that they will NEVER get to comfortably and securely retire in a mortgage-free home in safe and pleasant suburbia... but will instead spend their old age working for minimum wage as a Walmart greeter and worrying about losing their home. Denial is a very deep river, and many Americans are drowning in it.
There are several reasons why a lot of Americans don't travel outside our country and it's not from a lack of intellectual curiosity. We're aware the rest of the world exists. We're just either having to work a lot, or it's too expensive to travel or family obligations tie us down, like caring for a sick, dying parent, or sometimes all of the above. These are the reasons I never traveled to other countries. I'm lucky if I get to travel to other states. Our country is so big it takes a lifetime for some of us to see it all.
Scrolled way too far to find this! I was thinking the exact same thing as soon as it was said in the video…but then got sidetracked reading comments! XD (What a lovely online community this is btw). Working full time and having to make constant payments due to life just not stopping for anything tends to make traveling out of state sound like a dream, never mind the country. Some live more financially abundant lives that allows them to go wherever, which I admire greatly. But I wish they’d remember that not traveling isn’t always a choice on every American’s part. Most of us can’t pack up and fly overseas even if we want to.
I feel another reason we make fun of the US is that in the UK, we will just say "I'm Scottish" or "I'm English" and americans will be like "my moms, dogs, cats, grannies, great great grandpas son was french so I'm 17% this, 2% that, 67% this and some of that" Also, Americans dont seem to have a lot of knowledge of the outside world, it's like "your from outside the US? how is that possible?" and americans seem to stereotype A LOT... Americans also talk about their "freedom" very often which many people can find annoying and sometimes rude. Americans also seem to be very talkative and loud but in the UK most people prefer to stick to their own business and not talk to other people.
Why British bash America? I can answer with my thoughts with a question - why do Americans gather around a table for Thanksgiving dinner only to engage in an unnecessary argument with a sibling before mum says "You two cut it out!" It's because you're family! American and British culture is so similar and our histories so entwined that we are like family
British who bash America do so out of resentment and envy. I have been putting up with it through 60 years of association. I went to one of your public schools. (That's right...an English public school.)
Maybe (but that's far too simplistic , public school boys are toffs not representative) anyway envy certainly exists within families, and not just dysfunctional families
@@williamwright2308 Agree. However, I side with the "toffs," as you call them. LOL. (...and I damned well know what you mean. I was at school with a lot of them over there in the early 60s. I was called, "Tex" for 6 years.)
On the subject of the flag, one important difference between the US and the UK is that the UK is a monarchy, so whereas in the US the flag is your symbol of the nation, our symbol of the nation is dear old Queenie, and the flag is much less important. That said, a lot of (probably most) Brits would consider putting a picture of the Queen on the wall to be an uncomfortably servile thing to do, so we just don't bother. In fact, flying the Union Jack or more so, the Saint George Cross in England can often be considered an offensively chauvinistic thing to do - not so in Northern Ireland, where they are more inclined to think their identity is under threat, but that's a whole 'nother topic...
Be honest. Like looking at a mirror, isnt it ?"RULED BRITANNIA", etc.. Must be incredibly frustrating to be considered so irrelevant in the modern world; kind of like being Belgian. Have a nice cuppa tea and relax....China will be Number One very soon and you can complain about them, But you will have to do it in Mandarin. Just sayin...
Yes, we still take ourselves seriously, but to be fair no nation has ever been a hegemonic power without taking themselves seriously. Britain used to as well, but that declined alongside their empire. If you don't take every slight against your country as a personal attack and are not willing to demand war to defend the honor of the nation, you will quickly find your power eroding, this attitude is a necessary component of empire.
Americans do not think they are better than everyone. They are not ignorant. I say this despite the handicap of having gone through the first three forms at an English public school.
Don't forget wandering ravens,we brits are widely disliked around europe,going around wearing our union jack shorts and telling everyone how we won the second world war single handedly.In fairness though,many americans,like the two of you,are perfectly reasonable and socially aware adults as are many of us brits but it is always the loud fifty percent that make the most noise.The rest of us just have to grin and bear it,don't we?
I have to disagree with some of this, America is a big place, thus, personalities and cultural things change a LOT. Around where I live, there is a lot of self depicting humor, but even more so is Dark humor. In the south, from what I've seen, dark humor is very very common. There are however a lot of sensitive (thin-skinned as we see it) who are offended by this humor. And as we have dark humor, when these more sensitive people cry out, we respond with "grow a pair of balls" or something of that nature. To others we may seem arrogant, however, we see this as confidence. When we accomplish something, we understand that we can do ot again with equal or greater results, but we also understand that are always others who can do much better, and have no problem admitting that. A phrase I have often heard is this. "There's always more to learn." Meaning we can always improve upon our current abilities. We do desire to constantly improve. I hope I can get my point across, I'm not the best with words.
I love your interesting takes on the differences between the US and UK. One thing you raised in this video was the way patriotism is perceived in our respective countries. I've been lucky to have had the opportunity of travelling the world at someone else's expense when I worked for many years as aircrew for BOAC/British Airways, so I've had the chance to see Americans on their home territory as well as overseas. I remember one incident very well when staying in Anchorage, Alaska over New Year. The whole of my crew were invited to Elemendorf Airbase for a New Year party where we were well entertained by our hosts so we enjoyed it greatly. At one point the band struck up "Our Country Tis Of Thee" which, in a moment of inebriated bonomy, we Brits accordingly joined in by singing "God Save The Queen" (same song, different lyrics!) The reaction around us was quite sudden, some staring at us in horror as if we were singing some sedicious song! Luckily, two of our hosts had served at Lakenheath airbase in the UK and knew the connection and, explaining it to their colleagues, they diffused the situation beautifully and every one had a a good laugh resulting in a memorable night. God bless the TransAtlantic Alliance.
There is little positive media regarding the US coming into the UK on UA-cam, news channels etc. All we see is the problems with your government's response to the pandemic, cost of basic health services, general lack of concern for the safety of your citizens and the madness of King Donald. Sometimes it's like watching a real life series of GTA. Some people might feel the perceived over confidence and lack of humility hasn't been earned. I really enjoy your videos and content. Keep up the good work and stay safe.
I am British and have American friends and relatives. I'm almost 50 now but have had American classmates ( and other nationalities ) since the age of 7. I have attended 4th of July and Thanksgiving celebrations/dinners. I love many American writers, singers and actors, and love just as many of those from Europe, Asia and some from Africa. So I really dont have a problem with all American people, by any means. However, I have come across, both online and in person, lots of the "U.S.A! U.S.A! U.S.A!" shouting types who are usually Republicans and who are not well educated, and believe absolutely that the U.S.A is,was and always shall be the greatest at everything. The minute you present these people with facts, instead of researching them, they just begin to shout louder and louder that they ( not just the country! ) are the best and anyone who doesn't agree is a liar, a "Commie," or jealous of them. I've also found they have an appalling grasp of world history. Those people do the U.S.A no credit whatsoever. I do believe there are cultural issues that lead to misunderstandings and have to wonder how Brits are viewed by Americans. Being loud: in general Brits don't like to draw attention to themselves, so when we perceive someone to be loud, it comes across as attention seeking, and under certain circumstances, childish ( literally like a spoilt child trying to grab the parents' attention. ) If you are brought up here not only will you be well-trained in "taking the mickey" but you will grow up learning to be critical of your government, your political parties, your education, British foreign policy, etc. whereas many Americans ( not saying all ) are the exact opposite. If a Brit questions an American with blind faith in the greatness of the U.S.A sometimes this will be the first time that anyone has said something critical of the country to them, and they will often react badly. British people moan about our countries and everyone else's all the time so we tend not to think of it as a big deal. We are also less likely to be taught " one version " of history and will be taught to critically analyse sources while in high school, rather than just accepting them. So that's before college, so before the age of 16. ( Here we go to high school, then college and then university.) So we are more likely to question things than just accept them. Patriotism is seen as a bit of a mug's game here because we have a more critical view of our country's past and present, it is often said you only go into the armed forces here if you can't get a job! That contrasts with America where patriotism is seen as something akin to a virtue. I, personally, believe in God, but I am in the minority, most people in the U.K are atheists. I remember hearing an American lady say that she would be afraid to say that back home, but perhaps she lived in a particularly religious area of the States. Here, you are quite likely to be mocked for being religious. Americans do seem to be more enthusiastic and excitable than Brits, which can make them seem less discerning or perhaps insincere to us. The loudness and over confidence of some Americans can come across to us as arrogance. But that makes me wonder if Americans view Brits as quiet, miserable, overly bookish snobs.
@@martinreddy3823 Not as far as I can tell. If I ask someone who they vote for, and often I don't have to, they show a poor education/ intelligence level if the vote Republican. Who else would vote in a greedy, narcissistic moron, that is so thick he even asked his chief medical advisor on camera if injecting disinfectant was a good idea! He said later he was being sarcastic but he clearly wasn't. Even his advisor was so embarrassed she looked at the floor and shook her head. Then there are all his temper tantrums and screaming "Scam!" "Fale news!" and even "Treason!" whenever he is exposed or doesn't like something. No-one of an even moderate level of intelligence, with even basic education could vote for that. If Republicans are so clever why don't they want healthcare for all, when it would actually cost them between half and two thirds less than what they pay for healthcare now.
Americans once made fun of the British, ie: bad food, bad teeth, bad weather, men are girlish/effeminate, talk fast/fight slow, Brits drink far too much alcohol, unreliable cars that always leak oil, faulty Lucas electrical systems and they are always bashing America behind your back, but I believe most of these things are starting to change now. British food has improved greatly.
Many years ago i was in Spain on holiday the hotel i stayed in was quiet international there was British Dutch French and Canadian then a bus load of Americans came they were only in the hotel a few minutes when everyone new they had arrived they were so loud it is amazing how different Americans and Canadians are the Canadians seem to be more like the Europeans
In fairness heaving jellicals are obnoxiously present in every country. It's just that yours are so much more visible, and your politicians seem to care what they think.
Firstly I love watching everything you guys put out on UA-cam. And also you guys are not typical. I mean you know other cultures. But the main problem with the USA and its relationship with the rest of the Christian world. Is this: the American's are constantly re-inventing the Bible and it's teachings. In the last 150 years the have come up with. Evangelists, penticostals, elim penticostals, seventh day Adventists, Jehovah's witnesses, Mormons, Baptists, ( and all the Baptist breakaways), there are many more to numerous to mention. but it's now resulted in the westboro Baptist church, and the church of Scientology. The American's seem to put the center of Christianity somewhere due north of Birmingham Alabama. This filters into everything politics, military, the American dream etc. And seems to be the basis of the American personality/psyche. And that is what jars with the British sensibilities. . As a footnote I read recently that the American churches invented the notion of being saved. None of the old churches have such a teaching at all. WHY?
"They invented the notion of being saved" maybe due to 1st new englanders being over zealous puritans an criminals being sent away from england in the tudor era... seemed to me when i was learning as a teen that they started killing people to get their own way of life as the only way of life that they couldnt in england.. of course as mostly puritans they would have rationlised it as an act for god and they used fire as a cleansing method to save souls of those who wouldnt convert mostly i think...
@@johanelkerton5460 oh it's definitely a puritanical notion but I still don't understand why it has spawned so many factions and cults in only the last 150 years. When I was in the church this fact altered my feelings for God completely. I'm now practically an atheist with spirituality but the penticostal church of which I was part plays no part in my life anymore.
@@vanburger I went to a catholic primary school myself, but it was a very tolerant one and even though I don't follow the faith myself now, i always enjoyed learning about other faiths by the time I got to secondary school... There are zealots in all religions, alas... I've come away with the view that as long as people don't try and force their faith on you, then live and let live!
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, Russell! We're so glad you enjoy our content. We'd never considered the US vs. World, Christian issue and this is a very interesting train of thought. Orthodox and Catholic Christians are definitely few and far between in most of the USA. You said that American churches invented the notion of being saved - would love to hear more about that. Don't Catholic and Orthodox churches also teach the doctrine of salvation from hell and to heaven?
@@WanderingRavens I think Johan means something more specific. Being a good Christian, whether Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist or whatever, is an ongoing project to engage with. The Conservative Evangelical concept of 'being saved' converts it to a once-off tick-in-the-box that allows you to go back to your (decadent?) life without having to worry about... It's a meal ticket.
5:50 thinking logically when you live in America with every type of countryside, weather and scenery. From snowy Alaska to Caribbean Florida, from sandy deserts of Nevada to forests in New England. Most people who attack Americans for not going abroad forget, Americans don't need to. Most Brits who have been abroad haven't left Europe so there is no real difference... leaving England for Italy is no different that going from New Hampshire to California!
@@saxx9088 not really, from the Roman empire, Christian religion, trade and movement of peoples, to the fact the Normans conquered England and they also conquered Italy and Sicily! There's a lot more cultural and historical similarities than differences between England and Italy.
I grew up in the Bay Area and lived in NYC for 15 years. I don't have friends that are patriotic and hanging the American flag in your front yard or wearing it on your shirt is just plain tacky to many of us...
To be fair, if I was born in a place where I could get great skiing, deserts, access to the Pacific and the Atlantic and check out some bears and see some of the most iconic bits of pop culture in modern times without having to get a passports...well, I’d probably not be in a great screaming rush to pay a huge amount to fly to other countries either. Don’t get me wrong, I think travel to foreign countries is great and I’m gutted I’m not going to Greece in 51 days as planned, I’m just saying that I understand why Americans might not see international travel, with all the language and cultural difference, as such a big draw.
I feel the same way living in the UK. Used to dream of travelling the world, but the thought of not being in the UK breaks my heart. Reminds me of the song "If Ever I Would Leave You" from Camelot. There is no season in which I could leave the beauty of Britain. On the other hand. if Americans tasted proper biscuits, they would not mistake Oreos for food.
A W - well, we’re talking travel, not basic standards of education. Having said that, I recently overheard someone in this country refer to the local mayor’s wife as being Filipino and then have to listen to her husband patiently trying to explain that that’s not a generic term for someone from Philadelphia. I’m normally pretty courteous but, on this occasion, I didn’t even bother trying to hide my laughter...
You might not have to get a passport to see all of that but with the exception of the Pacific (and possibly bears) you'd probably have to travel a great deal further than the average Brit or European to do it all, and it would cost you a great deal more too!.
paddy864 - I think scientific testing is in order. Any chance of an interest free, payment deferred loan of $100k to find some way of getting out there and doing a grand tour of the USA once Covid just....just goes away. I’m missing ridiculous things, like queuing and not having to constantly freak out if I hear someone clear their throat and planning to go to the cinema and then not actually going but knowing I could have done.
@@martinreddy3823 I've been reading your comments a lot. You seem stupid. Also it's funny cos this comment bugs you so much its been in your mind probably cos one comment is 2 days ago the other 13 hours ago. You are a prime example of what some of us can take the piss out of tbh
Great video as always, and the thing that you touched upon about having to say “it’s the greatest” makes it seem fairly cult-like as you have to constantly reassure yourself (not you personally) of your belief. And those impressions were spot on 😂 In terms of British arrogance it absolutely exists but I don’t think it’s as conscious as very few Brits will still say “this is the greatest country in the world” and I’m not sure a majority think that, but plenty certainly think we’re the bees knees or have been historically. Contrast that to the US where I’ve been at a lot of events where someone will actively say “we’re the greatest country in the world”, such as at invocations at the Indy 500 (even having a religious figure delivering a prayer at sporting events is jarring). To then hear 300,000 Americans chanting “USA, USA, USA” as A-10s and F-16s roar over is impressive and part of yourself as a Brit finds it hard not to get swept up in it, but it’s also genuinely quite chilling. That sort of thing would never happen here (we don’t have the budget for flypasts for a start 😂). But there’s no equivalent UK or Britain chant, and I’d be extremely uncomfortable taking part in one. It’s far too reminiscent for us in Europe of what led to the Second World War. Sorry, didn’t mean to ramble on that much but hopefully some of that made sense. A lot of this does come from love, it’s like watching a self-destructive friend (and we’re not doing too great either on that front lately). And I genuinely love the US, I spend a lot of time in Seattle/Washington, Indiana and Nashville and the people are so lovely, I love the history of the country even though the lack of context the Rev War is taught in is sometimes infuriating and there’s a lot of common ground there if there wasn’t the insistence of saying “we whooped your ass” (lots of support for patriots in the U.K. at the time, including parliament, lots of the ideals and ideas having their origins in British politics and given the subsequent immigration into the US it’s perhaps more likely the Brit your gloating at had a relative that was a Patriot than the gloating modern American) My girlfriend is also American, and fairly patriotic, but since spending time in the U.K. she’s started to look at it differently. And in terms of earnestness we’re certainly not as open initially but she thinks we’re more genuine on the whole. I’ll actually shut up now. And again, fantastic video and very fair - I’d gave probably defended Americans a little more even, but appreciate it’s a tricky line to tread for you.
Thank you for taking the time to comment and share your thoughts with us! We read this together and appreciated your insight :) Something we'd love to learn more about is the presence of Patriots in England during the Revolution and how they helped aid the colonies - that's something we don't really hear about back home. Recently, we heard about Boston Castle (in Rotherham) and how the Earl there built it to show his support for the colonies. And yeah, it's a tricky line! With topics like this, it's hard to not offend someone. We're glad you enjoyed the video!
@@WanderingRavens sorry to have subjected you to that stream of consciousness, but thank you for taking the time to read it. If when you're back in the US and you find yourselves in Philadelphia I highly recommend the new(ish) Museum of the American Revolution. They do a really good job of presenting the history with a bit more nuance, there are some (relatively few) that I've seen describe it as "anti-American" and revisionist history because it deconstructs the mythology they grew up being taught and doesn't just present the Britsh as evil automatons that wanted nothing more than to oppress the 'Americans'. And that's part of the problem, it's now treated as if we were two separate nations at the time, we weren't, and that fundamentally overlooks why it even happened in the first place - Samuel Adams said (something along the lines of) "we only want our rigths as Englishmen, as if we had never left England". The whole idea of natural-born English Rights is central to it all, and they were firmly established in the English Civil Wars - which started with that old classic "taxation without representation". Charles I tried to rule without Parliament and we said this isn't on. And ultimately he was executed in 1649 for treason against the nation, and it was established that power of the Crown came from the People - the monarch only has the right to be in place as long as we say so. (A lot of these Parliamentarians would move to the American colonies or already had connections here, some came back 'home' to fight in the English Civil Wars). This leads us onto the next problematic part, the Patriots we really effective at propaganda (the ournal of the American Revolution has a great, recent article making this point from a US Army Officer before I get accused by anyone of being bitter, I'm not, I'm glad you won - I'm a historical reenactor and portray a Continental soldier) - most British people today only know the broad American version of events. Anyhow, they managed to portray King George as a tyrannical, autocratic ruler. He wasn't, after we killed the last King that tried to be an autocrat, Parliament was very much sovereign - Parlaiment made the laws. Most of Europe very much had autocratic rulers, but they considered Britain 'a Republic in all but name' (after Charles I execution we were a Republic, sort of, but that complicates things even more). Anyhow, within Parliament you had the Whigs and the Tories (another reason the Patriots were called Whigs and the Loyalists Tories). The Tories had the ruling majority in Parliament, they controlled the House as it were. It was the Whigs that were sympathetic to the colonies. When the colonists protested against the Stamp Act, the former Prime Minister William Pitt said in Parliament "The [Tories] tells us, America is obstinate; America is almost in open rebellion. I rejoice that America has resisted." The Prime Minister of Britain - rejoiced. I can't recall the exact quote but he called the idea of taxing the colonies without their say as the worst thing that man could consider. Really need to find the exact quote. You can still read all of the Parliamentary debates now on Hansard online, there was a lot of support for the colonies - and this is the reason that I wince when I hear Americans say "we whooped your ass" - it's difficult not to think, "What, the ones that were arguing your case in Parliament? The ones that actively supported you? The ones that did not want that war agaisnt you?" There's no shame for us in that defeat, we absolutely lost it in the end, and we feel far far less of a connection to the British soldiers that fought there compared to the average Americans sense of connection to the Patriot - they were the "First Americans", the British soldiers to us were just some guys fighting a war. We don't mind that we lost the war, but tell the stories of it with all of the full and fascianting details of both sides rather making it a simple good versus evil story that does nobody any favours and does a disservice to the real and incredible achievements of the Founding Fathers, who were real, compliated humans not mythological figures. In terms of Parliament, General Howe himself, the commander of the British forces in America was a Whig politician - and part of his platform and why he was elected here - he was pro-American. People voted him in becuase he was on the side of the colonists. There's some belief that this was part of the reason he never decisively crushed Washington after continually beating him in New York - but the other part to consider that I don't often think is - Britain was trying to bring the Colonies back into the fold, you can't bring a people back to you if you've gone around absolutely decmating everything so in the first half of the war they were trying to end the war with minimal impact. The war was super unpopluar back in Britain because it was seen as waging war against our own people, against ourselves. There was a slighlty older, smaller movement called the Country Party, they never made much of an impact in Britain but their ideas really took hold in the colonies. One of the key ideas was that tyrrany was always trying usurp liberty. So when what were really small taxes (despite what the propagnada would claim), the Patriots saw this as the first step in a British attempt to impose more and more restrictions when there was no indication that this was really true. Oh bloody hell, sorry, I've written another essay but I hope it's of interest! But the point is that there's so much shared history and culture, and even though we have developed in slightly different ways to emphasise different things, the two countries where individual liberties are considered so important are the US and the UK, becaue the ideas came from the same place. There is still common heritage and we do better to appreciate that rather than try to pretend America appeared out of thin air, or for British people to see Americans as completely different from us. There'll stilll be the bants though of course. I'd really really recommend two podcast series, the first is War Time by Brady Crytzer - season 3 is around 18 episodes on the Revolutionary War (he also now hosts the excellent podcast of the Journal of the American Revolution). The second is the Revolutions podcast - their first series is on the English/British Civil Wars and the second following on from that is the Revolutionary War. Sorry again for this ludicrously long comment, didn't even get into the role of class and the Founding Fathers! I think it's time to go and get a tea (before it ends up in a harbour somewhere...)
Was on a weekend break to Paris and took a tour of the Place of Versailles. As the tour guide explain about the history of Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution an American woman put up her hand and ask the guide "What kind of central heating did them have" !!!
You guys are great. Have recently got hooked by 'reaction' utube, and you are by far the best, clear, consist and thought provoking. Hope to watch much more of you.
We do go on a bit about how you don't turn up for World Wars on time and then claim you won them, mostly after the British and Commonwealth forces (and others - Poles etc in British service) have been fighting for years before you deigned to help. FDR had to really fight Congress to get the US to supply Britain with the materiel (sic) it needed before the US entered WW2 because he knew if Britain fell America would be screwed. It was self-interest but most Americans couldn't see that. It's interesting to note that, as far as I know (and shoot me down in flames if this is an 'urban myth'), the US was the only participant in WW2 that actually made a profit out of the war - if true that disgusts me. I think the problem is that most Americans believe the 'Hollywood' version of events.
@@theSFCchannel Thanks for that. Now I think back I seem to recall a news report years ago saying that we had actually, finally, paid off our war debt. I believe it took us a long time to pay off the WW1 debt as well. Trust the Americans to put a price on freedom and democracy. BTW I happen to think FDR was the best President the US ever had - or ever will have by the looks of things, but then I'm British so what do I know.
@@michaelsanderson6968 Yes : saving the world from the Germans (long before the Americans joined) cost us so much, that is why the Americans joined in late as they saw that they could take advantage and set themselves up on the world stage by not spending as much. Making the british PAY though the nose for 50 world 1 mothballed destroyers. Did you know that the copyright and plans for the JET ENGINE was transferred to the USA in exchange for ammunition? . From Yorkshire btw
@@theSFCchannel Yes, even though Frank Whittle held the patent Churchill gave it to the Americans. In hindsight that was a mistake but, in the middle of a global war, needs must. And yes, the Americans did take the piss with those old destroyers, but we were desperate for destroyers of any sort - again, needs must. Don't get me started on the McMahon Act post WW2 (forgive me if the spelling isn't correct) that locked us out of nuclear bomb research even though we helped them build the f'ing thing in the Manhattan Project. I could go on but I won't. Mike, Newcastle upon Tyne
The British used to be proud to be British but that is sadly lacking today. On royal weddings it comes out though with much flag waving. I would rather be a proud flag waving American than a self depreciating Brit. We could take a leaf out of your book on this one I think.
Firstly, love watching your content. All very interesting stuff. Now to an honest British perspective - the impression I get is that a large majority of Americans mistake their country's military might for being the 'best' country - the two things are actually very different ideas. Although it's impossible to say which country is 'best' (as it's entirely subjective) it would seem to me that a good indication of being a 'good' country is how well you look after your own people. America's ongoing race issues, the overwhelming power of corporations and the intense individualism of its people, points towards a country whose democracy is compromised by corporate interests and a culture that celebrates individualism to the point of national self-harm. It was interesting to see how the Covid crisis unfolded in the States, the idea that wearing a mask was un-america and infringed upon personal freedoms was a good example of this - the 'screw everyone else, I'm looking after myself mentality' in play. The same concept that seems to underpin American culture in general. I appreciate the fact that Britain is more socially minded. Having said that, you put a man on the moon for heaven's sake, and that definitely wouldn't have been possible without a little over confidence and arrogance. That said, by no means is Britain perfect. All nations can learn from one another, if they dare to look outwards, a dare to admit they're not 'the best'.
One of the things that sits at the back of my mind is the "Special Relationship" we keep getting told about by our politicians, which seems to be taken far more seriously on this side of the pond as compared to yours. Both Obama and Trump don't seem to dig this as much and some people and it then begins to feel like a lopsided relationship.
As a former US military member we keep seeing you and others gut your military and not able to keep your end of partnership so a lots us keep question it over here also
Donald Harris From our end, the British people and politicians are a bit reluctant to engage in any military partnership with the US since Iraq (which was received EXTREMELY badly here). That said, the economic and trade partnerships are still very important, and Obama seemed to really emphasise this whereas Trump doesn’t seem to really care as long as he gets a photo op with the Queen.
"I wear my heart on my sleeve, I'm not afraid, to say what I mean, mean what I say." - Gallagher and Lyle That song was already stuck in my head before this video and now you've made it worse!!!
My husband and I are American. We love British comedy, many bands, and other British media. I have been to Germany, Austria, and Holland, but not the UK yet. I anticipate visiting one day. Our kids love watching “The Young Ones” with us and we are asked by our youngest to put on “Vyvyan and Rick”. I enjoy watching the Wandering Ravens videos.
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Interesting that Americans think that self deprecation is indicative of low self esteem.
As a Brit, the more self deprecating someone is - the more indicative it is of high self esteem.
It takes a good degree of confidence to take the piss out of oneself amongst strange company.
Jack Russell you got it 100%
Absolutely correct. The British, or at least the English, are the most self confident peoples on the planet. Many of us may not realise it but it easy to be self deprecating when you don't have to prove anything to anyone. The English have not been invaded for over 1000 years, and not been humiliated like the French or shamed like the Germans. The British have shaped the modern world and our culture is global and omnipresent. We have no inferiority complex and really couldn't give a monkey's what foreigners think about us.
You're right, and we (Grace & Eric) don't think Brits have low self-esteem. But that's how Americans back home, who aren't used to UK humour, might react.
It's all context, though. In the US nobody knows you're using that particular conversation style so they interpret it literally and it can come off odd. Once they figure out what the Brit is doing they would likely see it as funny and try it themselves, maybe. Americans are sometime self depreciating. We like to point out our personality flaws, usually expressed in terms of the pharmaceutical drugs we take to counteract them.
Very true. Actually, a person only tries to be self-deprecating if they feel drawn towards arrogance. I frequently call myself stupid because I worry that my high IQ, large vocabulary and vast collection of unimportant information will lead me to think and maybe say that I am brilliant. All my very attractive friends constantly point out their own, often imagined flaws for the same reason. People lacking in self-confidence or self-esteem tend to be boastful. I have to admit, that's what I have always assumed is the reason for Americans telling me how incredible their country is in comparison to mine - insecurity. Same reason they need guns.
An American travelling by train in England strikes up a conversation with another passenger...
American: It takes three days to cross my country by train.
Englishman: Yes, some of ours are quite slow as well.
😂😂Thank you for the laugh
Roger's Ramblings That joke is just copied from Only Fools and Horses but with some of the things changed
@@oliveroates Strange that I heard it long before Only Fools and Horses appeared on our screens.
@@oliveroates that joke goes as far back as when horses were the only mode of transport. It's just evolved over time.
Americans do not travel long distance by rail. She refers to the impracticality of rail travel for Americans. She is not bragging about how large the country is.
To be fair, the US is SUCH a huge country, with practically every type of terrain, I can see why Americans wouldnt need to travel abroad to see all different things from snow clad mountains, through deserts, plains, etc etc . So they would go abroad mainly for the history and that is likely to be fewer people. (it is expensive, too). I believe there are a huge number of British people who go abroad for the summer weather and don't ever think about history - so "going abroad" doesnt mean that they are any better informed than someone from America who has never left the country.
That's a new perspective - we hadn't considered that before!
@@WanderingRavens The same distance getting you from New York to San Diego or from Seattle to Miami would get you from England to how many European countries? I'm sick of the whole Americans don't have passports line. I would be more impressed to know how many Brits and Europeans for example have used a passport to go more than 3,000 miles from their home to another country. Then you would be on equal footing to an American travelling within the lower 48.
@@AngelA-qi1br Agreed. It's actually silly for Brits to think Americans are arrogant because they aren't more informed about European culture. People in the UK are literally schooled in European history, cultures and mores from day one. They can also easily visit nearby European countries for first-hand experiences. Americans are not schooled in these things (except for an overview of the Renaissance period) unless you specifically choose to study those courses in college. We also don't have easy proximity to "other" European countries so we don't pick up much knowledge that way. We have to travel across a huge ocean just to get there.
The whole of Britain is the same size as Michigan. Going "abroad" isn't so impressive is it?
I've said the same thing. When Europeans (who live in relatively small countries very close to a myriad of other small countries) boast about travelling to other countries, it's actually quite ridiculous. Of course, you've travelled to other countries - you don't have much choice if you desire better weather, mountains or nice beaches - whereas we have all of those things in our country.
(FTR, I've lived abroad for many years and travelled to over 40 countries - but for work and to experience other cultures).
I find the "I'm Italian" statement from a second generation person from the US to be perplexing. I'm an Australian, my grandfather was Greek. I"M AN AUSTRALIAN. That is the way we think. Australia has migrants from more than 165 countries who have made Australia home. Yes we acknowledge and respect our heritage but we are ALL AUSTRALIANS. We even have a song that says this.
Exactly. Americans with their hyphenated ethnicities seem very odd sometimes, like they haven't fully committed. My mother was part Italian and had an Italian surname before marriage, but never considered herself anything other than British. All the African-American or Italian-American stuff sounds like a lack of commitment when people do it to themselves and racist when others do it to them. Maybe that's what all the flag-waving is about. They have not committed to their allegiance so over-compensate.
Helen Wood true. But the one hyphenation lacking is Anglo-American. Also “America” a synonym for “the USA” neglecting the other states on the continent of America.
Michael Maynard that’s something I never thought of before - where did all the Anglo Americans go?🤔
Sharon Kay they are hiding in plain sight
Yeah I get ya m8, and I said it else where b4 about the I'm Irish American or I'm African American etc etc...... Its just a Murica thing but its wierd as they all about America being the best and there proud Americans but still cling on to the past.... Maybe that's it.... Clinging to the past..... While other countries with their culture move forward the afro American thing etc is boring.....the whole world sees a American as American doesn't matter if your black, white or brown or whatever...if your born there then your American.....and the Anglo American.... Yeah that's a good point lmao..... Dont here of Danish American or French American or whatever European or even Asian American....
I love how America and Britain are like a petty couple that just broke up (America's independence from Britain) and stalk each other's social media pages because they're still pretty obsessed with each other(Brits watch American content, Americans kinda sorta watch British content).
No they don't.
A bunch of people I know love British stuff. Especially now with streaming.
I actually favor Law & Order: UK over most of the franchise over here in America.
Since the creator of the American series, Dick Wolf, had a role in creating the U.K.'s version, the episodes are inspired by the American episodes but, I love seeing the show from the English perspectives.
And of course Torchwood. Because John Barrowman. And I've always loved Capt Jack Harkness.
Good comment
British people watching Americans is like parents watching their teenage kids and shaking their heads over the silly things they do :)
They tend to annoy at times, but they are still family.
I feel like Grace’s humour is getting more sarcastic and British. Love it!
Yay!! I'm making progress! 😂
When Americans live here long enough they become somewhat native and that is brilliant and grace is becoming very much like a british native it's great to watch her
Be careful! It gets addictive.
Emma, i think you're spot on. ( also a slight accent change sometimes.)
@@WanderingRavens I don't know if anyone who didn't grow up here can get to the Master-class of self-deprication and sarcasm of a true brit
I think it is better to say that us Brits are not "overtly" earnest in their patriotism rather than not "overly" earnest. There is a steel and a 'grit' to Britishness that sees us steam and brood and when necessary devolve into yelling screaming 'patriots'. We just pick our moments and don't use it all the time.
That's an excellent distinction! Thank you for sharing your insight!
Agree,
Well put
Awesomely put
I'm from the UK and love the states. You guys can go a bit overboard with the patriotism but I think people should be proud of where they're from regardless. Also europe and the UK were all just kingdoms for thousands of years whereas the US was found relatively recently and is built on the idea of personal autonomy and a separation from the old feudal ways so I understand it. I was in Missouri a few years back and the amount of American flags there took me by surprise but I liked the sense of community I felt there. If you hang an English flag in some places people will see you as a racist which I think is sad as I'm proud of where I'm from (England and Wales).
Anyway love you guys' videos, if you're ever in Brighton give me a shout you'd fit in really well 😋
@@MagentaOtterTravels Yeah I agree. Yesterday was VE day and there were a lot of people celebrating outside (distancing 😂) and bunting was everywhere.
But yeah especially during the world cup everyones in an England shirt and drinking at the pub
So glad you enjoyed the video! And I'm glad you understand why Americans are a bit more emotional when it comes to patriotism. :)
I don’t understand why flying a British flag is seen as being racist. Certainly your country has multiple races and the flag represents all. .??
@@juliachurch6567
I'm going to guess you are a Septic.....
"I don’t understand why flying a British flag is seen as being racist."
It's not.
The *ENGLISH* flag has been hijacked by far right racists organisation. ie: EDL
@@juliachurch6567 yeah but there has been many racist organisations using it in their name which is sad, I have a Union Jack which I fly regardless as it represents the union between all nations of the UK
As a Brit, I can verify that British arrogance is definitely a thing, and it actually annoys me. We seem to have this idea that we're so well educated and cultured compared to Americans, but there are a lot of very intelligent people in the USA, and we have our share of idiots too. Some of it is banter, but there is often a snooty, condescending undertone (while watching American films, drinking American beverages, listening to American music, and playing American computer games on American consoles), and I really think we need to stop acting so superior just because we know how to pronounce Leicestershire. /rantover
Thank you. My experience to the U.K. is limited to a long stay in an airport and British Tourists here in the U.S. The limited exposure that I have had with them has me not wanting to travel to there. I rather spend my money and time traveling to another nation where I feel welcome.
This is absolute truth.
100 agree. As an American we tend to also make fun of ourselves. Sometimes too much of making fun of ourselves . But having traveled to the U.K. many times , I found the British culture arrogant. Even when traveling to other countries in Europe , Brit travelers think they own the place Maybe because of their old colonialism thinking but there’s a lot of Brits we met that aren’t smart and are heavily drunk during their holdiays . I prefer now to go to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and the South Pacific region in the world . They’re much friendlier and people are less uptight .
And these replies validate our gripes on Americans, we arent up tight, its called propriety you want to see uptight ask any american anything political.
And secondly yes there are many obnoxious brits abroad and every britiah person hates them, i wonder if its the same with americans... Nope American double standards and willful ignorance is appalling
And finally you are more than welcome here, if you dont feel welcome that is your own insecurity and thin skin
@@fireyhand and yet here is your reply. Just confirming what I said. The person that I first replied to was honest and respectful. No name calling, just stating a fact that I felt. I respect that. Your comment is just the same British ugliness that I have experienced. Your arrogance is the issue. I rather spend my money in Africa and South America where people are nicer and show more respect.
"I don't think it's cultish" Sounds like something a cultist would say.
We take the piss out of anything and anyone, nothing (and I mean nothing) is off limits.
We've been watching Jimmy Carr this week (for the first time) and see what you mean!
so true!
This is very true.
You guys get arrested for mean tweets. Sit your ass down 😂
@@bandit6272 We also take the piss out of that XD
Well done Eric - you have that biscuit, 'tea-dunking' off to a fine art now.
Eric, only dunk a biscuit in tea not coffee!
Rodney Shinkfield - That’s pure twaddle. Just pick your biccie for your chosen brew.
So glad you noticed! The practice is paying off 😂
@@WanderingRavens I was so proud, when he let it sit there in the drink for a little bit.
@@WanderingRavens And the expression on Horton's face every time you do is just priceless.
American bashing Americans?
Search for George Carlin on UA-cam.
He should have been awarded an honarary British passport.
When an American sports team wins a domestic competition, then declares themselves as the world champions.
The Open Golf Championship of Great Britain must only be called the" OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP" lest it be confused with some other" lesser" golf championship. But golfers in the USA invariably insist on calling it the BRITISH OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP. Its wrong but the tournament organizers grit their teeth, smile and take the big $$$$$ the American networks pays them to show it on American TV. BTW the USA only calls the baseball champions
"World Series" Champions, a tradition going back to a bygone era which no longer exists. They just keep the name because they never came up with a better one.
At one time, a few Canadian teams were an excuse for "World"...
Baseball.
@@Frank-mm2yp World Wrestling Federation, International Federation of American Football among others
@@martinreddy3823 Yeah, but it's just rounders really though isn't it? Played by girls in the UK.
This comment section could get heated lol
lol
We can only hope.🤞🏼
"Especially France." I don't bash France. I just pity the French. Imagine having to wake up every day and realise you're French
Imagine having to wake up every day and realise you're Mike Rees
Right so I think there's certainly elements of everything everyone mentioned here. The two probably most significant things are the fact that Americans rise to it a lot, and the arrogance. On the pie chart proposal arrogance wouldn't have its own slice, it would be & arrogance suffixed on to every other wedge of the pie, or a second 100% circle laid over the rest. Though I'm not sure if that's always strictly the case. Though the end result is the same, for me I don't believe the UK is the best country in the world but I do believe we're an incredibly slow moving country that hates sudden change or differences. So when I look at a country like the US that is so so similar to the UK, they just do a lot of the same things in different manners, I hate it (or rather the idea of having to live it). I've actually grown tired of travelling to the continent because of it.
I also don't think we bash every country in the world. We bash countries we have significant ongoing ties with. I've not seen anyone persistently slagging off African countries in a banterish way as opposed to a pure racist way, or for the most part Asian countries, either. That could be colonial hangover, but were that the case we probably wouldn't do it so much with the US or Australia. The countries we bash are almost like family. It's our monkey sphere and we're showing affection. But also they do things wrong and we express serious criticism, suggestions or even our own flaws under the guise of humour. Just in case someone doesn't like it so we can be all "lol jk"
They have no choice but to surrender to their Frenchness
@@daubreyjaneweirdsley no need to imagine, I do it every day. I can confirm there's a similar sense of horror
@@MikeRees 😂😂 this is the level of self-deprecation that I aspire to
I remember my uncle once told me he was in Conwy and heard an American couple ask why was the castle built so close to the railway.
Facepalm moment if there ever was one!
🤦♂️
😂😂😂
The joke normally runs "why didn't they build the castle nearer to the railway."
Funny.
I should also say as well, as a Brit whenever I hear Brits attack America with no good reason, I always stick up for America. I've yet to go to the States, but as I said down below I've worked at a US army base in the past whilst abroad and I have a lot of American friends. So I will always stick up for the States, not that you need it, but if a load of Brits just attack the country I always defend you guys and rightly so as our greatest Ally. My past few posts have been way too serious btw, I realise that. It even makes me feel uncomfortable. Haha
If you do go to the states dont go to Florida
@@hiitsmorgan5431 this is wise advice
When I see an American, I rub my hands together - "such an easy target, this is going to be good! hahaha!"
It's like playing golf where the hole is the size of a bucket.
We're trying to trigger a reaction, for our own amusement - and we respect anybody who doesn't take the bait and is instead super chill. (like you two :)) (... oh, and Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon)
That is because you are an abusive person.
Mai Nem Try that over here :-)
actually the first man on the moon was neil armstrongs camera man lol
julie gate Yes. And he was Black. Good one.
@@martinreddy3823 haha
“If you ARE the greatest country in the world, then you shouldn’t have to tell people you are.” BINGO!!! (From a Canadian)
Haha your point defeated, you stated your nationality. I would have said that I wasn't, and then listed every other English speaking nation except my own. (from someone on planet earth)
We don't. We tell each other.
We don't.
@@martinreddy3823 Keep reinforcing the lie.
juscurious I have not heard Americans spouting the “greatest nation” stuff to foreigners. What Britons “know” about Americans is almost entirely from television and films.
I’m 56 and I’ve never bashed anybody😂 I think younger people in the U.K. are basically just rude lol I think you two are great for not taking it personally. We are just different to the US, as we are every other country, there’s no need to be rude.
We appreciate you, Dawn!
Thanks you too! Gosh reading some of the comments here makes me embarrassed to be British 🙄🙄 Please know we a are not all like that x
I think younger people are more polite than 60 years ago. Perhaps they may appear as more argumentative and abrupt but they also listen.
I have found most Britons to be admirably polite. I particularly admire their reticence. In Texas we tend to "shoot from the hip" and "go off half-cocked."
As a 20 year old I can say proudly we're less likely to bash a nation/person than older generations are. Rude to each other? Sure, but not others. I very rarely 'bash' a country - and only then it is because it's against my morals or something. But itvs also important to remember that it's in jest. It's in humour. It's not hateful or hurtful. It is an exaggeration. And it is based on centuries of rivalry - especially when it comes to the French, where it's been 954 years of rivalry (and at least four or five wars against each other, one being nearly 100 years). It's going to take longer than roughly 200 years of peace with each other to eradicate that rivalry. But other countries also do the same to us - and rightly so. It's jest and at the end of the day we all work together when we need to. It's no different to a family: 'bash' each other but when the worst happens you're there for each other. That's what matters.
Building on the first comment, when Americans then become insulted it really eggs us on
Oh dear, Americans can get insulted pretty easy 😂
I think that's right. British don't really attack but we defend very well if you offend our big stuff. We see this on Quora ALL the time.
When they bite - we wind them in.
@@WanderingRavens he's right, I thrive on people being offended 😂 if you don't want us to carry on then don't bite
@@WanderingRavens As a Brit may I make a sincere and serious point about why we feel that the US treats British people unfairly (which in turn leads to us "bashing" Americans). Yes, you probably guessed. It concerns WW2. We are continually told by Americans that "you'd all be speaking German if it wasn't for us winning the war for you..." This genuinely hurts and dismays us because many Americans appear to know little or nothing about what the British and Commonwealth forces (and critically, the Soviet Union) did to defeat the Nazis.
Yes, OF COURSE we are grateful for what the US did, but to be told, as I was by an American youtuber, that "you Brits sat on your little island and waited for us to fight the Germans for you..." This is both untrue and deliberately provocative. And it is a constant message that Americans repeat ad nauseum.
I know facts and figures are boring but sometimes they are necessary to clarify things. Between 1939 and 1942 (when the US entered the war) Britain alone in Europe refused to surrender or bargain with Hitler. In the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940 for a period of 3 months, the German airforce repeatedly attacked the Royal Air Force's fighter stations in the south of England in an attempt to win air superiority, prior to a planned invasion of Britain. The RAF beat them off.
Then the Germans began the so-called "Blitz", the nightly bombing of London and other cities, which lasted until May 1941. Meantime the British 8th Army fought the German Afrikakorps in North Africa from 1941 to 1943. The Royal Navy fought and defeated the Italian fleet in the Mediterranean. RAF Bomber Command began a three year bombing campaign on Germany (and lost 55,000 aircrew). The British fought alongside US and Canadian troops in the allied invasion of NW Europe in 1944 and across Europe until the Germans surrendered in May 1945.
And while the US lost 415,000 men in WW2, the British and Commonwealth forces lost 450,000. But the most important figure is the 27 million (military and civilian deaths) lost by the Soviet Union. This is not an attempt to hit out at anyone. All losses in wartime are tragic. But now maybe you can begin to understand the anger that many of America's wartime allies feel when Americans tell us "America won the war for you." This is NOT America bashing. Simply a plea for those who make such statements to do some research into what your allies did (and suffered).
British flag is called the "Union Flag" by the way, the "Union Jack" is the naval ensign
A few years ago it was announced that the term for our British flag is both the Union Flag and the Union Jack, so either is applicable.
I only know this because of an episode of Doctor Who 😅
Either is okay. Sorry bud.
Parliament, in either 1906 or 1908, proclaimed that the name of the UK flag is 'The Union Jack, whether flown from a ship or not'. The Flag Institute, an official adviser to Parliament's Heraldry and Flags committee, came across this little known proclamation. It is, to date, the last official pronouncement by Parliament on the name of the flag of the UK and it until Parliament says otherwise 'Union Jack' is the official term. See the Flag Institute's website for a full explanation of the history of the Union Jack's name and why it is called that.
I've always called it the Union Jack
There's a lot to like about the US, especially that the people I've me there are the friendliest, most polite I've ever met.
Although Americans abroad may be loud and enthusiastic, they are the ones I like best, because they are the ones who are interested enough to look outwards from their own doorstep.
There are many other Americans who are interested in the world but cannot afford to travel. If it hadn't been for the US military I would not have been able to travel to Spain, Australia, England, Saudi Arabia and even Mexico and Canada. Being an avid reader I learned a lot about other countries and was fortunate to see places where famous people from the distant past walked. I think it's more people who don't read miss out. They never get to learn that there is an outside world.
I loved England by the way!
The loud Americans may be annoying but they just wanna be friends and have a beer with you
We get s lot of Brits visiting here, they will always complain if their pancakes or syrup touches anything else on their food plate.
EVERY TIME.
The best nation is the one you feel is home
Lovely!
But I feel at home in more than one nation. I'm half British half Norwegian.
@@jiros00 Best nations, then. 👍
American : "Oh, you spell differently to us."
me: "no, we spell it correctly."
One difference between USA and England, is USA *thinks* they own the world, while England *DID* own the world.
Yes, the English are arrogant, too. And, imho, it depends on the age of the person you ask. My grandparents were what you might call anti-american but that was purely of Americas` role in the war.
Another brill video from you both.
Some of the American spellings are the original old English spelling, it is us Brits that have changed our spelling. The same goes for Eastern sea board and mountain USA accents, they are actually like Canadian French more like how us brits used to sound like. And no there is no right or wrong way, it depends where you are.
@@gordoncampbell3514 thank you, yes i know this. you probably missed the gag.
So glad you enjoyed it, Steven! :D
Yup, that one when right over my head. Sorry.
@@gordoncampbell3514 lol.. no probs.
thanks for the chat
The other day I acc called you guys the raving wanderers 🤣. Straight away I was all 🤭. 🤣
Haha, we'll take that 😂🤘🤘
Just wanted to thank you for your slot here and for your unbiased opinions which is quite refreshing and much appreciated. Although British, I have traveled around and been living mostly in the Philippines since 2007. Have met various Americans and found them friendly and approachable. The UK had an empire which lasted a long time and spread it's influence all over the world, for better and worse. Seeing the USA prosper and do so well, especially when they were lost to Britain in a humiliating, if just military defeat, can still rattle a few cages in the British psychie, including my own, especially when younger. But it's just ignorence mostly. With maturity, hopefully comes wisdom and a greater understanding of life and people in general, wherever they come from. I would encourage more people to travel and interact with different nationalities, as and when it's safe to do so and never judge a book by its cover.... God bless you! 😀
I’m American, and I agree with a lot of these. The flag worship and in-your-face patriotism is uncomfortable to me as well. One of the comments I wanted to reference was one about how a lot of Americans haven’t even traveled abroad. That is probably very true, but the cost to travel from the United States to almost any country not on our northern or southern border is ridiculously expensive. Flying from the west coast to the east coast of the US and vice versa can be almost as expensive as flying to another country altogether. I’d love to travel so much more if it wasn’t so expensive.
The main reason is we bash everybody, including ourselves.
But I think the naivety and ignorance of many Americans, especially their inability to understand the problems of their own country, makes Americans an easier target...
We are kinda asking for it :(
Well said Jerry
I would not bet on Americans being naive or ignorant.
@@martinreddy3823 Did you know the word "gullible" isn't in the dictionary?
I get the impression you are a kid
Eric, well done on getting those digestive biscuits down. 👍
A side note... a semi-sweet biscuit that originated in Scotland, and is popular worldwide. The digestive was first developed in 1839 by two Scottish doctors to aid digestion. The term "digestive" is derived from the belief that they had antacid properties due to the use of sodium bicarbonate when they were first developed.
- Wikipedia
Thank you! I've been practicing ;) And thank you for the fun history fact!
Great Quote! I have another one, Source: Canada. “Sharing a border with the US, Is like having an apartment above a Meth Lab”.
You would never sell that apartment!
Oh dear 😂😂
Canadians considered a Trump style wall. They decided it would only have to be two feet high due to the level of obesity in the USA.
The only people in the U.S. who can comprehend the metric weights system are all drug dealers!
and people from and educated in countries that adopted the metric system.
It's about age, like most of the world we have had an empire and thought of ourselves as the greatest and then realised that we are not. We have grown up like an adult and looked back at our teenage years and cringe at our old actions. Were as the US is still a teenager and is not aware of itself so is easy to see the problems it is going through as we know we did the same.
So think about an adult laughing at the comments made by a teenager.
Brits can be arrogant too... just listen to the Brexit supporters who think that the EU is weak and that Britain is strong. They are embarrassing for sure.
I always correlated the US patriotism thing with it still being a relatively young country. They haven't "grown out of it" yet. I don't mean that as a negative thing I just don't know how else to word it.
We have nothing of the ostentation of the Brits when it come to patriotic display. I had a British colleague who was an officer in the Blues and Royals. (What a twit....)
And the fact they've only ever lost one war
They haven't been put in their place yet even though the rice farmers had a good crack at it
Alucard Nawww. American Forces withdrew by January 1973. The North Vietnamese broke the treaty and invaded in Spring of 1975. I was there.
@sneksnekitsasnek true, but a general American wouldn't call them losses either
@@martinreddy3823 Boomers are patriotic. The younger generations know better. Sadly that is not the case in America. You pledge your allegiance TO A FUCKING FLAG every day for fucks sake
Great video, as always. You probably don't need the background music ... I find it distracting, and makes it harder to concentrate on the content.
Thanks for letting us know, Patrick! It would be easier for us to leave it out anyway :D
Yes indeed. 1. Some computer setups such as with cheap external speakers emphasize musical frequencies, 2. Some brains naturally notice music more than others do, I'm always aware of it.
Oh god. I hate you Patrick Harris!!!
I hadn’t noticed and now it’s all I can hear!!!
@@WanderingRavens I agree NO music at all please!!!!!
It's purely rivalry and the fact you came from us. You are like our young son who has now grown bigger, who thinks they know everything, but as adults we know and you don't. USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, you are all our kids and who we love the most. We have rivalries in sports, but when the shit hits the fan, we all stick together.
We are the older Dad who doesn't know everything, but we have experience. USA with movies goes around saying we are the biggest best Military in the world, whilst we realise we had the worlds largest Empire that the world has ever known and probably will ever know. It stood out in Afghanistan when we tried to tell you guys, the way you conquer a country is you get the local leaders onside and you give them stuff, you develop a relationship and then you end up taking over the place with their consent. America just wanted to blow everything up and it didn't work. A few years into Afghanistan USA got the memo and started listening to us. I mean what did we know taking over most of the planet? ;)
Btw I worked at a US army base (Patrick Henry Village) in Germany and I do think the American bravado and having the flag everywhere comes from a place of insecurity. Probably as you are such a young country. We have houses in our country older than your country, as you know and I think that's a lot to do with it. imo. PS: Don't get me started on circumcision again. ;) Hahaha. PPS I still love you guys. :)
Hi Greg! We loved the imagery in your comment. We haven't thought of it that way before and I think you're spot on - the UK's relationship with all the ex-colonies is much like an older father with their young-adult children. Thank you for sharing your insight :)
Haha, we'd be happy to rant about circumcision all day! PS love you too :)
Usa might have the LARGEST military but as the military term 'Yanks all the gear but no idea' FUN FACT! We British and our special forces TRAIN the Yanks in mountain and cold warfare. Let us face it, the Americans NEED training with their abysmal and world wide joke of a friendly fire record.
@Gofuckyourself Nicely The native Americans were not actually native, they are actually from Mongolia. Christopher Columbus wasnt British :P
I spent some time in California to look at teaching in the USA. I was asked to hot seat for a 10th grade class to let them ask me questions. Of course I was happy. The questions though!!!!
1) we heard you have double decker buses?
2) have you met the queen?
3) do you have nigh clubs?
4) we heard you throw your toilet waste into the street! (Yes in 1764 but not now!)
The laughter when I showed the English £5 £10 £20 notes and their colours was unbelievable.
They asked you silly questions because they already knew you can't spell "night" and there are no British footprints on the moon.
Americans like to criticise anything that isn't as it is in their part of America.
"I am against any nationalism, even in the guise of mere patriotism. Privileges based on position and property have always seemed to me unjust and pernicious, as did any exaggerated personality cult."
- Einstein
Probably because he was a Jew in Germany and although they were actually treated fairly well in Germany compared to most of Europe before the nazis, he still may never have felt complete love for Germany. Personally I believe a degree of patriotism is important for protecting the culture and people you are part of
Einstein was mainly a poster after 1905.
An important aspect of the American Revolution was the abolition of the British class system, which cripples British society to this day.
jools2323
Funnily he didn't feel that way about Israel. He was a committed Zionist and a massive hypocrite as well as shameless self promoter and plagiarist . Not someone to look up to or quote
@@martinreddy3823 how the fuck does the class system cripple Britain?
Thank you for this amazing content I love your videos.
Aww, thank you for the kind words, Milo! We're so glad you enjoy our video!
Really loved the video! You do a great job.
I think it really does boil down to the fact that British people take the piss out of everyone and everything. In fact, if you are friends with a British person, you can probably expect merciless abuse. America stands out because American culture is so prominent in the UK, reinforced by the feeling that what we see of America is very brash, self-congratulatory and over-confident. The perception that America is the centre of the world is not one we especially agree with. (It irks me, for instance, that really good UK TV shows are often remade in America, whereas US shows would not be remade elsewhere-maybe due to a lack of budget).
I think it sometimes taps into a strange and complex relationship that British people have with superiority and inferiority. It is true that British people often prefer laughing at their failures rather than being vocal about their successes. Sometimes America is seen as better than the UK in that it seems to be glitzier and more impressive than understated UK mundanity. At the same time much of the humour directed against the United States presents ourselves as superior, whether it is our use of language, tea making abilities, health or intelligence. Again, much of this is banter, but make no mistake: many British people are arrogant. Often British people will claim that their humour is clearly the best, will assume importance in world politics or will dismiss the cultures of others and assume social backwards in other countries.
The picture is muddied because we were once (in terms of power) the 'best in the world' (I use that term with sarcasm) due to imperialism. That has since collapsed and we have come to realise that there were many crimes committed in the name of Britain. But a sense of prominence does linger.
Now in the present day, when American culture and politics has a huge influence on the UK and the rest of the world, it may lead to some frustrations- maybe exaggerated by the relationship of underdog vs master between the US and UK, which seems to have been reversed. America is now the big, confident giant of the world and the British, with their confused view of themselves, resort to their favourite hobby of mockery.
But, whatever, that's just my view.
Also on being outwardly enthusiastic about things- as you pointed out Americans and American tourists kind of are- many British people (myself included) are so unused to such behaviour that they may assume that the enthusiastic person is being disingenuous or sarcastic and taking the piss. Possibly we don't tend to think that something we see quite often can really be that amazing either.
Jesus, why did I write so much?
About being an American so excited to be in the UK... summer of 2019, I spent some time in the UK. I don't know how "obvious" I was...I tend to think not so much, cuz I'm kind of introverted...but maybe my British cousins could take into account the fact that many American tourists are interested (as I am) in history...and we come from a very young country. I come from a city where the oldest building in town is from the 1860s. My British friend comes from a place where his corner pub dates from the 1600s, and isn't any kind of historic landmark or anything....that's just how old it is. In most London neighborhoods, an 1860s building wouldn't be the oldest around, it might even be the youngest. So yeah, a lot of us are star struck by renaissance or medieval buildings, and jeez, I could spend hours looking at Roman-era buildings in London or York or Hadrian's Wall. Maybe it's kind of nerdy if you've grown up around such old stuff, but maybe cut some slack to us who've been less fortunate.
If it weren't for America the Brits would be speaking German.
Er. No.
I was travelling on a train in Europe, some years ago, with a young American couple. The husband told me that he was so proud
that his country had spread the English language around the world. I responded that maybe the British had contributed a little, too.
His wife laughed out loud, but he just didn't get it! I think the Americans are an incredibly smart people. What I don't understand
is the extremes in your country. So rich, but so many in poverty. Love your work.
The spread of culture: the rise of food banks. A UK success story!
Actually, he was correct. International English is based on American usage.
I'm sorry, are you suggesting the British didn't contribute to the spread of the English language, including America?
@@tonyboyd6434 Not at all, viz,. I am not suggesting that. However, while Britain was the pinnacle civilization, French was the international lingua franca.
@@martinreddy3823 Nonsense.
My Mom was New England blood, and they believed in not "wearing your heart on your sleeve". Yet she and they would hug each other in greeting and could hug their children if needed. And they had a kind of sarcastic humor too.
Yeah usually the only time you’d see a flag in the the uk would be on a special occasion such as the queens jubilee or VE Day. Oh and when the World Cup is going on then you’d see lots of union jacks and people in England T-shirts.
Seems strange to fly Union Flags during a world cup, when GB is not taking part.
Football is strange.
Col Harris the thing is
The uk is a very unique country
It is a country made up of 3 constituent countries and 1 overseas province, however there are different things for different events
For the World Cup it’s England (wales and Scotland too but they never do as well) for the olympics it’s team gb (Great Britain is the physical island that has England Scotland and wales on it), in Eurovision were the uk but in junior Eurovision wales competes separately
So because of this it’s often confusing of which flag to use
In England it’s mainly the Union Jack because they were the sort of head
In Scotland they may use the Scottish flag more often, especially when it’s a holiday to do with independence or something like that
Wales I don’t actually know
Northern Ireland is a mess in itself as it’s technically not a constituent country at all and doesn’t have an official flag, but the commonly used one is basically the English flag but instead of it coming from the centres of the lines it comes from the corners
Underpants ?
If you drive through some of the waterfront communities in Florida you'll see the British Union Flag on every other corner. I've often wondered how it would go over it I moved to Britain and hosted the Stars and Stripes over my flat. Not too well I suppose.
I like the comment "I spoke good english for a foreigner".
When working in Munich Germany I was asked directions by some American tourists. We chatted a bit and as they walked away I heard them comment how good my English was. 🤣
Perhaps one of he biggest things for me is how much American media younger kids here in the UK consume... I'm 16 but most younger people always use American words or are always taking about American things. It really hurts tbh. Our kids are becoming more American than British at this point... American TV, American UA-cam, American words, steryotypical American attitudes... you name it... but once again, another great vid from you guys 👍
I think I may be a bit older than many of the other people who have commented and it is interested to note that WW2 was not mentioned. As a child, I listened to my family talk about the war and the Number 1 complaint from them would have been that the Americans think they won the war or that they rescued us. While this might have a certain element of truth to it, we never heard them mention how long the UK had been in the war. For the UK it started in 1939 not in 1941. Also the Brits were fighting overseas while the Germans bombed and killed their families back home. One of my relatives was really angry about the U571 film because it 're-wrote' history and now the film is all the history that is known to many. My parents' generation were probably as patriotic as Americans but kept that fairly quiet and I believe many older Brits still are but don't mention in because it is now frowned upon.
One thing that bugs me is that the baddies in US films are always English even in US films about our national hero Robin Hood - mind you Alan Rickman's Sheriff of Nottingham stole the show in 'Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves". Keep up the good vids - I love them.
Deary, the UK is just a footnote in history and you need to adjust accordingly. The Americans are just NOT going to fight YOUR wars. We fight only OURS.
I have to admit I stood gawping in awe at the Rosetta Stone too - and I'm English.
Glad I wasn't the only one!
I took an American around the British museum once, and she was reading the plaque about the Isle of Lewis chess pieces (look em up, they’re pretty cool), and it mentioned how old they were. She thought it was a typo and that they’d added an extra 0. Makes me laugh that a lot of Americans can’t comprehend how old a lot of the UK is, we have pubs older than your country.
Years ago, when I was a postgrad, in Bristol, an American friend of mine had a call from his mum asking how we - the English - were "celebrating" the US Bicentennial. He told her it wasn't likely that we'd be much interested: after all, he told her, he lived in a bedsit in a house that was a hundred years older than America. (I forget her reply.)
Americans came from England. They are Just as "old." I never saw a pub in England that was older than 413 years old. Where is it?
Martin Reddy There’s loads. The one in question in my comment was the Old Ferryboat Inn in Cambridge, which was established in or around 1400. There are older ones I believe
Goldenshark 14 Very good. I really must get out more.
The thing I love about you two, is that you are always reasonable and unassuming, which makes your videos a delight.
I live near some touristy cities; I'm sad to say, I often come Amercians who make demeaning comments about aspects of British culture, simply because those aspects are different. The irony is, the UN in its regular Human Development Index ('standard of life'), found that the USA and UK were in joint 15th place last time round! (Norway topped the chart for umpteenth year in a row)
@Peter Newhouse You're right. It only has 15th best standard of living in the world, and just the sixth biggest economy. It's calamitous.
@Peter Newhouse Ha. First time I've heard the UK called an "organization".
@Peter Newhouse Ah right, fair enough :-)
@Peter Newhouse Not to worry, it happens to the best of us :-)
(I suppose I'm old school: I say "my error"-- or "mea culpa" to be really rebellious. "Bad" to me is poor quality or malevolent, rather an oversight.)
America is the greatest country in the world and Brits are upset that they are no longer at the top like they were 200 years ago......
You sometimes cheer/applaud things that wouldn’t happen in the UK. For example on a chat show an audience member may say they’ve been married for 5 years and the audience are cheering and applauding. Or they’ll say which state/city they’re from and you cheer. Doesn’t happen in the UK.
Other than that nothing else bothers me
We love to clap lol
Americans say things like “you speak good English”. It pisses us off. You guys are speaking OUR language, so don’t tell us we’re speaking OUR OWN language wrong, or speaking it “well for a foreigner”. It’s so frustrating. A guy came from America to my college and he was like this, it was infuriating
This one really gets to me. They're speaking some fucked up version of the Queen's English lol.
No. There are more Americans than Britons. Still, they speak English, after a fashion, because they came from England and it is THEIR language, as well.
Martin Reddy it’s the English language. I haven’t really got an issue with you changing it. Speak how you like. But don’t tell ME that I’m speaking my own language wrong. Infuriating and so unaware.
@@joeharvey8402 I would not dream of telling you were were speaking it wrong. Language is always changing. (Actually, I am something of an anglophile.) If someone says "for a foreigner," it is meant to be a joke. I agree it is obnoxious.
@@martinreddy3823 mmm, I wonder how many nations there are tat have English as their first language and how many have t as a second language? Remember that the Commonwealth of nations is considerably larger than the USA in population, area, and GDP.
my favourite thing I love to joke about is typically in American films when the wife makes a HUGE slap up breakfast, and the husband or the kids come in, grab some orange juice and then says "sorry hunny im late bye !!!!" thats my favourite thing ever hahahahaha american films are elite
😂😂 Every American film ever.
What's a common British movie stereotype?
American films were all I ever watched in childhood, then I was disappointed when I went to secondary school and we didn’t have lockers and break into song 😭, I’d say most films made in Britain are more than likely set in London or somewhere down south, and it will include lots of dry humour 😂 if it’s portrayed up north it will be made to look very grim most of the time
@@MagentaOtterTravels thats really interesting, its like the first thing i laugh about everytime i watch an american film, i absolutley love it though... i certainly would not be rushing to school if my mum made me a huge breakfast hahahaha!!
@@WanderingRavens Gritty Northern based comedy drama starting in the 50's with Saturday night & Sunday Morning, Kes(kestrel for a knave) bittersweet story about a school boy who trains a kestrel, Full Monty, Brassed off etc. These will teach you a lot about the British mindset👍 ua-cam.com/video/pVvQ-wf_Iu8/v-deo.html
Antony Charnock full monty would be a surprise to the Americans who think we’re all posh
I am impressed at your ability to stand back and consider what might be wrong about your own country. I think many people find it hard, if not impossible, to stand back and consider what may be wrong about themselves/their country. Your level of self awareness and maturity is quite something.
Every American who is able to comprehend concepts does this.
It's why people have elections.
You really shouldn't be impressed.
If Americans thought we were the best at everything legislation would never happen.
Everyone is a target, we take the piss out of ourselves the most. If your in a group of British mates, you're not really part of the group until you have the piss taken out of you. I am a Brit and I love America, been there on holiday many times, but I am still going to take the piss out of you. Love the video.
hey guys, I would absolutely love some sort of video dedicated to Wales 😀 have a nice day!
Great idea! Which topic about Wales should we do? :D
@@WanderingRavens Honestly, I have no ideas, but I've been loving the town pronunciation videos recently, or trying to pronounce Welsh words 😊
Ydw, dysgu Cymraeg os gwelwch chi’n dda!
Yes, learn Welsh please!
It would be great if you looked at Welsh Culture! Theres the costumes, food and language.
Lots of pictures of sheep.
Some things that Brits should take into consideration when discussing this topic:
1. The primary reasons that most Americans don't travel to Europe is because they typically have WAY less vacation time than their European counterparts do, they have to travel WAY, WAY farther to get to common destinations in Europe than their British counterparts would, and a HUGE portion of Americans simply don't have the money for that kind of endeavor. Working class Brits may be able to afford the occasional holiday in France or Spain, but it is simply out of reach for working class Americans.
2. Yes, Americans really are earnest. Generally speaking, they say what they mean and expect others to do so as well. So when they hear Brits engaging in anti-American "banter" -- regardless of how lighthearted the intention may be -- many Americans feel genuinely insulted and are dismayed by the hostility they perceive in it. Any joviality from which it sprang evaporates completely as it crosses the water.
3. What many people outside the US perceive as arrogance and over-the-top patriotism is actually a dysfunctional expression of deep cultural pain. The "American Dream" is getting further and further out of the reach for the average American. And instead of facing this economic truth and either accepting it or working to change it, many people, sadly, are doubling down on the myth of "the land of opportunity" and the notion that if you can "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" you can achieve all your goals and live happily ever after. The louder they mentally bellow the national anthem and the more vigorously they wave the flag, the less likely they are to hear that little voice inside their heads that is telling them that they will NEVER get to comfortably and securely retire in a mortgage-free home in safe and pleasant suburbia... but will instead spend their old age working for minimum wage as a Walmart greeter and worrying about losing their home. Denial is a very deep river, and many Americans are drowning in it.
To be honest,air travel within the US is a lot more expensive than the UK.
What you also have to realise is we can't risk being caught saying nice things about Americans so the easiest option is to only say bad things 😂
😂😂
Good one.
I've been popping in and out of your channel for about 7-8 months now. I just thought I should let you know, I am seriously considering subscribing.
You hit the nail on the head , we in the UK do not need to shout about how great we are ...
Don't you guys see it as a bad thing when someone has uk flag in their yard ?
@@lucylerma8211 Why ? It is not racist to be proud of your Country .. and where you live.
@@cctvmanbob No, it's just that I see some comments saying as such. So, it's not percieved as a bad thing ?
There are several reasons why a lot of Americans don't travel outside our country and it's not from a lack of intellectual curiosity. We're aware the rest of the world exists. We're just either having to work a lot, or it's too expensive to travel or family obligations tie us down, like caring for a sick, dying parent, or sometimes all of the above. These are the reasons I never traveled to other countries. I'm lucky if I get to travel to other states. Our country is so big it takes a lifetime for some of us to see it all.
Scrolled way too far to find this! I was thinking the exact same thing as soon as it was said in the video…but then got sidetracked reading comments! XD
(What a lovely online community this is btw).
Working full time and having to make constant payments due to life just not stopping for anything tends to make traveling out of state sound like a dream, never mind the country.
Some live more financially abundant lives that allows them to go wherever, which I admire greatly. But I wish they’d remember that not traveling isn’t always a choice on every American’s part. Most of us can’t pack up and fly overseas even if we want to.
I feel another reason we make fun of the US is that in the UK, we will just say "I'm Scottish" or "I'm English" and americans will be like "my moms, dogs, cats, grannies, great great grandpas son was french so I'm 17% this, 2% that, 67% this and some of that"
Also, Americans dont seem to have a lot of knowledge of the outside world, it's like "your from outside the US? how is that possible?" and americans seem to stereotype A LOT...
Americans also talk about their "freedom" very often which many people can find annoying and sometimes rude. Americans also seem to be very talkative and loud but in the UK most people prefer to stick to their own business and not talk to other people.
They go on about being the most Democratic, the UK almost invented it, well, the modern day version at least!
@@mrmonstermunch3925 800 years of democratic parliament and they still can't get it right.
You’re a dumb fuck man. The reason why Americans do that is because we are a country of immigrants!
Why British bash America? I can answer with my thoughts with a question - why do Americans gather around a table for Thanksgiving dinner only to engage in an unnecessary argument with a sibling before mum says "You two cut it out!"
It's because you're family!
American and British culture is so similar and our histories so entwined that we are like family
British who bash America do so out of resentment and envy. I have been putting up with it through 60 years of association. I went to one of your public schools. (That's right...an English public school.)
Maybe (but that's far too simplistic , public school boys are toffs not representative) anyway envy certainly exists within families, and not just dysfunctional families
@@williamwright2308 Agree. However, I side with the "toffs," as you call them. LOL. (...and I damned well know what you mean. I was at school with a lot of them over there in the early 60s. I was called, "Tex" for 6 years.)
4.19 - 4.36: Pleased with that new biscuit dunking skill, Eric, we saw you! xxx
On the subject of the flag, one important difference between the US and the UK is that the UK is a monarchy, so whereas in the US the flag is your symbol of the nation, our symbol of the nation is dear old Queenie, and the flag is much less important. That said, a lot of (probably most) Brits would consider putting a picture of the Queen on the wall to be an uncomfortably servile thing to do, so we just don't bother. In fact, flying the Union Jack or more so, the Saint George Cross in England can often be considered an offensively chauvinistic thing to do - not so in Northern Ireland, where they are more inclined to think their identity is under threat, but that's a whole 'nother topic...
For me, it's American arrogance and them thinking they are better than everyone else that grates.
Be honest. Like looking at a mirror, isnt it ?"RULED BRITANNIA", etc.. Must be incredibly frustrating to be considered so irrelevant in the modern world; kind of like being Belgian. Have a nice cuppa tea and relax....China will be Number One very soon and you can complain about them, But you will have to do it in Mandarin. Just sayin...
But we British assume that's just American irony. Except ...
Yes, we still take ourselves seriously, but to be fair no nation has ever been a hegemonic power without taking themselves seriously. Britain used to as well, but that declined alongside their empire. If you don't take every slight against your country as a personal attack and are not willing to demand war to defend the honor of the nation, you will quickly find your power eroding, this attitude is a necessary component of empire.
Americans do not think they are better than everyone. They are not ignorant. I say this despite the handicap of having gone through the first three forms at an English public school.
@@Frank-mm2yp irrelevant, until some middle east country needs invading and everyone else isn't so keen
Now that's an interesting difference - you said 'beating a dead horse' we say 'flogging a dead horse' 😁😁😁
I say beating a dead horse and I'm British
Don't forget wandering ravens,we brits are widely disliked around europe,going around wearing our union jack shorts and telling everyone how we won the second world war single handedly.In fairness though,many americans,like the two of you,are perfectly reasonable and socially aware adults as are many of us brits but it is always the loud fifty percent that make the most noise.The rest of us just have to grin and bear it,don't we?
British people are not widely disliked in Europe, English people are.
@@colharris5283 point taken Col Harris
I have to disagree with some of this, America is a big place, thus, personalities and cultural things change a LOT. Around where I live, there is a lot of self depicting humor, but even more so is Dark humor. In the south, from what I've seen, dark humor is very very common. There are however a lot of sensitive (thin-skinned as we see it) who are offended by this humor. And as we have dark humor, when these more sensitive people cry out, we respond with "grow a pair of balls" or something of that nature.
To others we may seem arrogant, however, we see this as confidence. When we accomplish something, we understand that we can do ot again with equal or greater results, but we also understand that are always others who can do much better, and have no problem admitting that. A phrase I have often heard is this. "There's always more to learn." Meaning we can always improve upon our current abilities. We do desire to constantly improve.
I hope I can get my point across, I'm not the best with words.
I love your interesting takes on the differences between the US and UK. One thing you raised in this video was the way patriotism is perceived in our respective countries.
I've been lucky to have had the opportunity of travelling the world at someone else's expense when I worked for many years as aircrew for BOAC/British Airways, so I've had the chance to see Americans on their home territory as well as overseas.
I remember one incident very well when staying in Anchorage, Alaska over New Year. The whole of my crew were invited to Elemendorf Airbase for a New Year party where we were well entertained by our hosts so we enjoyed it greatly. At one point the band struck up "Our Country Tis Of Thee" which, in a moment of inebriated bonomy, we Brits accordingly joined in by singing "God Save The Queen" (same song, different lyrics!)
The reaction around us was quite sudden, some staring at us in horror as if we were singing some sedicious song! Luckily, two of our hosts had served at Lakenheath airbase in the UK and knew the connection and, explaining it to their colleagues, they diffused the situation beautifully and every one had a a good laugh resulting in a memorable night.
God bless the TransAtlantic Alliance.
There is little positive media regarding the US coming into the UK on UA-cam, news channels etc. All we see is the problems with your government's response to the pandemic, cost of basic health services, general lack of concern for the safety of your citizens and the madness of King Donald. Sometimes it's like watching a real life series of GTA.
Some people might feel the perceived over confidence and lack of humility hasn't been earned.
I really enjoy your videos and content. Keep up the good work and stay safe.
I am British and have American friends and relatives. I'm almost 50 now but have had American classmates ( and other nationalities ) since the age of 7. I have attended 4th of July and Thanksgiving celebrations/dinners. I love many American writers, singers and actors, and love just as many of those from Europe, Asia and some from Africa. So I really dont have a problem with all American people, by any means.
However, I have come across, both online and in person, lots of the "U.S.A! U.S.A! U.S.A!" shouting types who are usually Republicans and who are not well educated, and believe absolutely that the U.S.A is,was and always shall be the greatest at everything. The minute you present these people with facts, instead of researching them, they just begin to shout louder and louder that they ( not just the country! ) are the best and anyone who doesn't agree is a liar, a "Commie," or jealous of them. I've also found they have an appalling grasp of world history. Those people do the U.S.A no credit whatsoever.
I do believe there are cultural issues that lead to misunderstandings and have to wonder how Brits are viewed by Americans. Being loud: in general Brits don't like to draw attention to themselves, so when we perceive someone to be loud, it comes across as attention seeking, and under certain circumstances, childish ( literally like a spoilt child trying to grab the parents' attention. ) If you are brought up here not only will you be well-trained in "taking the mickey" but you will grow up learning to be critical of your government, your political parties, your education, British foreign policy, etc. whereas many Americans ( not saying all ) are the exact opposite. If a Brit questions an American with blind faith in the greatness of the U.S.A sometimes this will be the first time that anyone has said something critical of the country to them, and they will often react badly. British people moan about our countries and everyone else's all the time so we tend not to think of it as a big deal. We are also less likely to be taught " one version " of history and will be taught to critically analyse sources while in high school, rather than just accepting them. So that's before college, so before the age of 16. ( Here we go to high school, then college and then university.) So we are more likely to question things than just accept them. Patriotism is seen as a bit of a mug's game here because we have a more critical view of our country's past and present, it is often said you only go into the armed forces here if you can't get a job! That contrasts with America where patriotism is seen as something akin to a virtue. I, personally, believe in God, but I am in the minority, most people in the U.K are atheists. I remember hearing an American lady say that she would be afraid to say that back home, but perhaps she lived in a particularly religious area of the States. Here, you are quite likely to be mocked for being religious. Americans do seem to be more enthusiastic and excitable than Brits, which can make them seem less discerning or perhaps insincere to us. The loudness and over confidence of some Americans can come across to us as arrogance. But that makes me wonder if Americans view Brits as quiet, miserable, overly bookish snobs.
Thank you for taking the time to share such a lengthy comment! We enjoyed reading your perspective together and we learned a lot! Thank you :)
@@WanderingRavens Thankyou, you have a great channel and are charming people.
Republicans tend to be the more highly educated.
@@martinreddy3823 ahhhh. who are ya tring to fool....shouldm't you be out waving a flag
@@martinreddy3823 Not as far as I can tell. If I ask someone who they vote for, and often I don't have to, they show a poor education/ intelligence level if the vote Republican. Who else would vote in a greedy, narcissistic moron, that is so thick he even asked his chief medical advisor on camera if injecting disinfectant was a good idea! He said later he was being sarcastic but he clearly wasn't. Even his advisor was so embarrassed she looked at the floor and shook her head. Then there are all his temper tantrums and screaming "Scam!" "Fale news!" and even "Treason!" whenever he is exposed or doesn't like something. No-one of an even moderate level of intelligence, with even basic education could vote for that. If Republicans are so clever why don't they want healthcare for all, when it would actually cost them between half and two thirds less than what they pay for healthcare now.
Americans once made fun of the British, ie: bad food, bad teeth, bad weather, men are girlish/effeminate, talk fast/fight slow, Brits drink far too much alcohol, unreliable cars that always leak oil, faulty Lucas electrical systems and they are always bashing America behind your back,
but I believe most of these things are starting to change now.
British food has improved greatly.
Oh don’t worry, we still do make fun of you. Bunch of rotten-toothed drunks.
Merry Christmas Mahyar!
Many thanks for all your productions this year! 🏆
Many years ago i was in Spain on holiday the hotel i stayed in was quiet international there was British Dutch French and Canadian then a bus load of Americans came they were only in the hotel a few minutes when everyone new they had arrived they were so loud it is amazing how different Americans and Canadians are the Canadians seem to be more like the Europeans
Statements like... I’m covered in Jesus’s blood so I’m immune to co-vid 19... wtf
Everybody has their loonies.
In fairness heaving jellicals are obnoxiously present in every country. It's just that yours are so much more visible, and your politicians seem to care what they think.
Firstly I love watching everything you guys put out on UA-cam. And also you guys are not typical. I mean you know other cultures. But the main problem with the USA and its relationship with the rest of the Christian world. Is this: the American's are constantly re-inventing the Bible and it's teachings. In the last 150 years the have come up with. Evangelists, penticostals, elim penticostals, seventh day Adventists, Jehovah's witnesses, Mormons, Baptists, ( and all the Baptist breakaways), there are many more to numerous to mention. but it's now resulted in the westboro Baptist church, and the church of Scientology. The American's seem to put the center of Christianity somewhere due north of Birmingham Alabama. This filters into everything politics, military, the American dream etc. And seems to be the basis of the American personality/psyche. And that is what jars with the British sensibilities. . As a footnote I read recently that the American churches invented the notion of being saved. None of the old churches have such a teaching at all. WHY?
"They invented the notion of being saved" maybe due to 1st new englanders being over zealous puritans an criminals being sent away from england in the tudor era... seemed to me when i was learning as a teen that they started killing people to get their own way of life as the only way of life that they couldnt in england.. of course as mostly puritans they would have rationlised it as an act for god and they used fire as a cleansing method to save souls of those who wouldnt convert mostly i think...
@@johanelkerton5460 oh it's definitely a puritanical notion but I still don't understand why it has spawned so many factions and cults in only the last 150 years. When I was in the church this fact altered my feelings for God completely. I'm now practically an atheist with spirituality but the penticostal church of which I was part plays no part in my life anymore.
@@vanburger I went to a catholic primary school myself, but it was a very tolerant one and even though I don't follow the faith myself now, i always enjoyed learning about other faiths by the time I got to secondary school... There are zealots in all religions, alas... I've come away with the view that as long as people don't try and force their faith on you, then live and let live!
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, Russell! We're so glad you enjoy our content. We'd never considered the US vs. World, Christian issue and this is a very interesting train of thought. Orthodox and Catholic Christians are definitely few and far between in most of the USA. You said that American churches invented the notion of being saved - would love to hear more about that. Don't Catholic and Orthodox churches also teach the doctrine of salvation from hell and to heaven?
@@WanderingRavens I think Johan means something more specific. Being a good Christian, whether Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist or whatever, is an ongoing project to engage with. The Conservative Evangelical concept of 'being saved' converts it to a once-off tick-in-the-box that allows you to go back to your (decadent?) life without having to worry about... It's a meal ticket.
5:50 thinking logically when you live in America with every type of countryside, weather and scenery. From snowy Alaska to Caribbean Florida, from sandy deserts of Nevada to forests in New England. Most people who attack Americans for not going abroad forget, Americans don't need to. Most Brits who have been abroad haven't left Europe so there is no real difference... leaving England for Italy is no different that going from New Hampshire to California!
David B except the massive cultural and historical differences between the two
@@saxx9088 not really, from the Roman empire, Christian religion, trade and movement of peoples, to the fact the Normans conquered England and they also conquered Italy and Sicily! There's a lot more cultural and historical similarities than differences between England and Italy.
Problem is, Americans themselves hardly ever go to these places.
I grew up in the Bay Area and lived in NYC for 15 years. I don't have friends that are patriotic and hanging the American flag in your front yard or wearing it on your shirt is just plain tacky to many of us...
I have found out and realized living in both countries ,..they both are proud ,patriotic and believe in freedom. Very similar in a lot of ways.
To be fair, if I was born in a place where I could get great skiing, deserts, access to the Pacific and the Atlantic and check out some bears and see some of the most iconic bits of pop culture in modern times without having to get a passports...well, I’d probably not be in a great screaming rush to pay a huge amount to fly to other countries either.
Don’t get me wrong, I think travel to foreign countries is great and I’m gutted I’m not going to Greece in 51 days as planned, I’m just saying that I understand why Americans might not see international travel, with all the language and cultural difference, as such a big draw.
I feel the same way living in the UK. Used to dream of travelling the world, but the thought of not being in the UK breaks my heart. Reminds me of the song "If Ever I Would Leave You" from Camelot. There is no season in which I could leave the beauty of Britain.
On the other hand. if Americans tasted proper biscuits, they would not mistake Oreos for food.
I'm not sure that excuses the fact that most Americans couldn't find Europe on a map.
A W - well, we’re talking travel, not basic standards of education.
Having said that, I recently overheard someone in this country refer to the local mayor’s wife as being Filipino and then have to listen to her husband patiently trying to explain that that’s not a generic term for someone from Philadelphia.
I’m normally pretty courteous but, on this occasion, I didn’t even bother trying to hide my laughter...
You might not have to get a passport to see all of that but with the exception of the Pacific (and possibly bears) you'd probably have to travel a great deal further than the average Brit or European to do it all, and it would cost you a great deal more too!.
paddy864 - I think scientific testing is in order. Any chance of an interest free, payment deferred loan of $100k to find some way of getting out there and doing a grand tour of the USA once Covid just....just goes away. I’m missing ridiculous things, like queuing and not having to constantly freak out if I hear someone clear their throat and planning to go to the cinema and then not actually going but knowing I could have done.
American to English guy, "It takes me 3 days to drive around my property" English guy "Yeah i had a car like that i sold it" : )
Good one.
You never heard an American say that.
@@martinreddy3823 I've been reading your comments a lot. You seem stupid. Also it's funny cos this comment bugs you so much its been in your mind probably cos one comment is 2 days ago the other 13 hours ago. You are a prime example of what some of us can take the piss out of tbh
@@josephroberts2831 No. Perhaps you are stupid. You are certainly quite rude. Not a gentleman . Nowhere in this stream have I stooped to your level.
@@josephroberts2831 By the way the time lapses are due to my schedule and th he devices I am using at different times.
Great video as always, and the thing that you touched upon about having to say “it’s the greatest” makes it seem fairly cult-like as you have to constantly reassure yourself (not you personally) of your belief. And those impressions were spot on 😂
In terms of British arrogance it absolutely exists but I don’t think it’s as conscious as very few Brits will still say “this is the greatest country in the world” and I’m not sure a majority think that, but plenty certainly think we’re the bees knees or have been historically. Contrast that to the US where I’ve been at a lot of events where someone will actively say “we’re the greatest country in the world”, such as at invocations at the Indy 500 (even having a religious figure delivering a prayer at sporting events is jarring). To then hear 300,000 Americans chanting “USA, USA, USA” as A-10s and F-16s roar over is impressive and part of yourself as a Brit finds it hard not to get swept up in it, but it’s also genuinely quite chilling. That sort of thing would never happen here (we don’t have the budget for flypasts for a start 😂). But there’s no equivalent UK or Britain chant, and I’d be extremely uncomfortable taking part in one. It’s far too reminiscent for us in Europe of what led to the Second World War. Sorry, didn’t mean to ramble on that much but hopefully some of that made sense.
A lot of this does come from love, it’s like watching a self-destructive friend (and we’re not doing too great either on that front lately). And I genuinely love the US, I spend a lot of time in Seattle/Washington, Indiana and Nashville and the people are so lovely, I love the history of the country even though the lack of context the Rev War is taught in is sometimes infuriating and there’s a lot of common ground there if there wasn’t the insistence of saying “we whooped your ass” (lots of support for patriots in the U.K. at the time, including parliament, lots of the ideals and ideas having their origins in British politics and given the subsequent immigration into the US it’s perhaps more likely the Brit your gloating at had a relative that was a Patriot than the gloating modern American)
My girlfriend is also American, and fairly patriotic, but since spending time in the U.K. she’s started to look at it differently. And in terms of earnestness we’re certainly not as open initially but she thinks we’re more genuine on the whole. I’ll actually shut up now. And again, fantastic video and very fair - I’d gave probably defended Americans a little more even, but appreciate it’s a tricky line to tread for you.
Thank you for taking the time to comment and share your thoughts with us! We read this together and appreciated your insight :) Something we'd love to learn more about is the presence of Patriots in England during the Revolution and how they helped aid the colonies - that's something we don't really hear about back home. Recently, we heard about Boston Castle (in Rotherham) and how the Earl there built it to show his support for the colonies.
And yeah, it's a tricky line! With topics like this, it's hard to not offend someone. We're glad you enjoyed the video!
@@WanderingRavens sorry to have subjected you to that stream of consciousness, but thank you for taking the time to read it.
If when you're back in the US and you find yourselves in Philadelphia I highly recommend the new(ish) Museum of the American Revolution. They do a really good job of presenting the history with a bit more nuance, there are some (relatively few) that I've seen describe it as "anti-American" and revisionist history because it deconstructs the mythology they grew up being taught and doesn't just present the Britsh as evil automatons that wanted nothing more than to oppress the 'Americans'.
And that's part of the problem, it's now treated as if we were two separate nations at the time, we weren't, and that fundamentally overlooks why it even happened in the first place - Samuel Adams said (something along the lines of) "we only want our rigths as Englishmen, as if we had never left England". The whole idea of natural-born English Rights is central to it all, and they were firmly established in the English Civil Wars - which started with that old classic "taxation without representation". Charles I tried to rule without Parliament and we said this isn't on. And ultimately he was executed in 1649 for treason against the nation, and it was established that power of the Crown came from the People - the monarch only has the right to be in place as long as we say so. (A lot of these Parliamentarians would move to the American colonies or already had connections here, some came back 'home' to fight in the English Civil Wars).
This leads us onto the next problematic part, the Patriots we really effective at propaganda (the ournal of the American Revolution has a great, recent article making this point from a US Army Officer before I get accused by anyone of being bitter, I'm not, I'm glad you won - I'm a historical reenactor and portray a Continental soldier) - most British people today only know the broad American version of events. Anyhow, they managed to portray King George as a tyrannical, autocratic ruler. He wasn't, after we killed the last King that tried to be an autocrat, Parliament was very much sovereign - Parlaiment made the laws. Most of Europe very much had autocratic rulers, but they considered Britain 'a Republic in all but name' (after Charles I execution we were a Republic, sort of, but that complicates things even more).
Anyhow, within Parliament you had the Whigs and the Tories (another reason the Patriots were called Whigs and the Loyalists Tories). The Tories had the ruling majority in Parliament, they controlled the House as it were. It was the Whigs that were sympathetic to the colonies. When the colonists protested against the Stamp Act, the former Prime Minister William Pitt said in Parliament "The [Tories] tells us, America is obstinate; America is almost in open rebellion. I rejoice that America has resisted."
The Prime Minister of Britain - rejoiced.
I can't recall the exact quote but he called the idea of taxing the colonies without their say as the worst thing that man could consider. Really need to find the exact quote.
You can still read all of the Parliamentary debates now on Hansard online, there was a lot of support for the colonies - and this is the reason that I wince when I hear Americans say "we whooped your ass" - it's difficult not to think, "What, the ones that were arguing your case in Parliament? The ones that actively supported you? The ones that did not want that war agaisnt you?" There's no shame for us in that defeat, we absolutely lost it in the end, and we feel far far less of a connection to the British soldiers that fought there compared to the average Americans sense of connection to the Patriot - they were the "First Americans", the British soldiers to us were just some guys fighting a war. We don't mind that we lost the war, but tell the stories of it with all of the full and fascianting details of both sides rather making it a simple good versus evil story that does nobody any favours and does a disservice to the real and incredible achievements of the Founding Fathers, who were real, compliated humans not mythological figures.
In terms of Parliament, General Howe himself, the commander of the British forces in America was a Whig politician - and part of his platform and why he was elected here - he was pro-American. People voted him in becuase he was on the side of the colonists. There's some belief that this was part of the reason he never decisively crushed Washington after continually beating him in New York - but the other part to consider that I don't often think is - Britain was trying to bring the Colonies back into the fold, you can't bring a people back to you if you've gone around absolutely decmating everything so in the first half of the war they were trying to end the war with minimal impact. The war was super unpopluar back in Britain because it was seen as waging war against our own people, against ourselves.
There was a slighlty older, smaller movement called the Country Party, they never made much of an impact in Britain but their ideas really took hold in the colonies. One of the key ideas was that tyrrany was always trying usurp liberty. So when what were really small taxes (despite what the propagnada would claim), the Patriots saw this as the first step in a British attempt to impose more and more restrictions when there was no indication that this was really true.
Oh bloody hell, sorry, I've written another essay but I hope it's of interest! But the point is that there's so much shared history and culture, and even though we have developed in slightly different ways to emphasise different things, the two countries where individual liberties are considered so important are the US and the UK, becaue the ideas came from the same place. There is still common heritage and we do better to appreciate that rather than try to pretend America appeared out of thin air, or for British people to see Americans as completely different from us. There'll stilll be the bants though of course.
I'd really really recommend two podcast series, the first is War Time by Brady Crytzer - season 3 is around 18 episodes on the Revolutionary War (he also now hosts the excellent podcast of the Journal of the American Revolution). The second is the Revolutions podcast - their first series is on the English/British Civil Wars and the second following on from that is the Revolutionary War.
Sorry again for this ludicrously long comment, didn't even get into the role of class and the Founding Fathers! I think it's time to go and get a tea (before it ends up in a harbour somewhere...)
Was on a weekend break to Paris and took a tour of the Place of Versailles. As the tour guide explain about the history of Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution an American woman put up her hand and ask the guide "What kind of central heating did them have" !!!
You guys are great. Have recently got hooked by 'reaction' utube, and you are by far the best, clear, consist and thought provoking. Hope to watch much more of you.
We do go on a bit about how you don't turn up for World Wars on time and then claim you won them, mostly after the British and Commonwealth forces (and others - Poles etc in British service) have been fighting for years before you deigned to help. FDR had to really fight Congress to get the US to supply Britain with the materiel (sic) it needed before the US entered WW2 because he knew if Britain fell America would be screwed. It was self-interest but most Americans couldn't see that. It's interesting to note that, as far as I know (and shoot me down in flames if this is an 'urban myth'), the US was the only participant in WW2 that actually made a profit out of the war - if true that disgusts me. I think the problem is that most Americans believe the 'Hollywood' version of events.
Nope is true lease lend actually made a profit. It took the Uk until 2006 to pay it all off 2006 we paid the LAST 49 million.
@@theSFCchannel Thanks for that. Now I think back I seem to recall a news report years ago saying that we had actually, finally, paid off our war debt. I believe it took us a long time to pay off the WW1 debt as well. Trust the Americans to put a price on freedom and democracy. BTW I happen to think FDR was the best President the US ever had - or ever will have by the looks of things, but then I'm British so what do I know.
@@michaelsanderson6968 Yes : saving the world from the Germans (long before the Americans joined) cost us so much, that is why the Americans joined in late as they saw that they could take advantage and set themselves up on the world stage by not spending as much. Making the british PAY though the nose for 50 world 1 mothballed destroyers. Did you know that the copyright and plans for the JET ENGINE was transferred to the USA in exchange for ammunition? . From Yorkshire btw
@@theSFCchannel Yes, even though Frank Whittle held the patent Churchill gave it to the Americans. In hindsight that was a mistake but, in the middle of a global war, needs must. And yes, the Americans did take the piss with those old destroyers, but we were desperate for destroyers of any sort - again, needs must. Don't get me started on the McMahon Act post WW2 (forgive me if the spelling isn't correct) that locked us out of nuclear bomb research even though we helped them build the f'ing thing in the Manhattan Project. I could go on but I won't. Mike, Newcastle upon Tyne
@@michaelsanderson6968 It's not just the venal Yanks. Did you know that the French charged us RENT for the trenches in the First World War?
Video on Yorkshire slang? Love you guys! ❤️
Good idea! We appreciate you :)
@@WanderingRavens I also agree - this blokes videos a good start ua-cam.com/video/CFo_e623uNA/v-deo.html
Wandering Ravens come to south yorkshire get ye sen dann sheff (get your self down sheffield)
@@flameon8673 Get *thissen* dahn Sheff?
„The Importance of Being Earnest“ 😇
The British used to be proud to be British but that is sadly lacking today. On royal weddings it comes out though with much flag waving. I would rather be a proud flag waving American than a self depreciating Brit. We could take a leaf out of your book on this one I think.
Firstly, love watching your content. All very interesting stuff. Now to an honest British perspective - the impression I get is that a large majority of Americans mistake their country's military might for being the 'best' country - the two things are actually very different ideas. Although it's impossible to say which country is 'best' (as it's entirely subjective) it would seem to me that a good indication of being a 'good' country is how well you look after your own people. America's ongoing race issues, the overwhelming power of corporations and the intense individualism of its people, points towards a country whose democracy is compromised by corporate interests and a culture that celebrates individualism to the point of national self-harm. It was interesting to see how the Covid crisis unfolded in the States, the idea that wearing a mask was un-america and infringed upon personal freedoms was a good example of this - the 'screw everyone else, I'm looking after myself mentality' in play. The same concept that seems to underpin American culture in general. I appreciate the fact that Britain is more socially minded. Having said that, you put a man on the moon for heaven's sake, and that definitely wouldn't have been possible without a little over confidence and arrogance. That said, by no means is Britain perfect. All nations can learn from one another, if they dare to look outwards, a dare to admit they're not 'the best'.
One of the things that sits at the back of my mind is the "Special Relationship" we keep getting told about by our politicians, which seems to be taken far more seriously on this side of the pond as compared to yours.
Both Obama and Trump don't seem to dig this as much and some people and it then begins to feel like a lopsided relationship.
We're sorry about them :(
As a former US military member we keep seeing you and others gut your military and not able to keep your end of partnership so a lots us keep question it over here also
@@donaldharris3037 That's an interesting perspective - I've never thought of it from a military angle, only a civilian one.
@@WanderingRavens No need to apologise, it's not your fault!
Donald Harris From our end, the British people and politicians are a bit reluctant to engage in any military partnership with the US since Iraq (which was received EXTREMELY badly here). That said, the economic and trade partnerships are still very important, and Obama seemed to really emphasise this whereas Trump doesn’t seem to really care as long as he gets a photo op with the Queen.
Ah yes the French, the neighbors from hell.
"I wear my heart on my sleeve,
I'm not afraid, to say what I mean,
mean what I say." - Gallagher and Lyle
That song was already stuck in my head before this video and now you've made it worse!!!
Never heard that song before!
If you ever hear the banter between the Aussies and the Brits, especially about cricket, then you will get it.
TBH, the British are normally quite not good at cricket and its always either a miracle when we win or the aussies self-implode.
You mean the Poms, surely - i.e. the English?
@@aw6936 You are correct. mistake on my part.
My husband and I are American. We love British comedy, many bands, and other British media. I have been to Germany, Austria, and Holland, but not the UK yet. I anticipate visiting one day. Our kids love watching “The Young Ones” with us and we are asked by our youngest to put on “Vyvyan and Rick”. I enjoy watching the Wandering Ravens videos.
I love the young ones. I'm sure you are aware of Bottom.