Yo! UK ... 'sup? Seriously, what gives?

[Necron2.0]

[Note: Sarcasm]

I've noticed this a lot with people from the UK, both on the internet and in my personal conversations. You guys seem to really be concerned with what Americans do, say and think. If it was concern over what our government does, that I would understand. Our government (stem to stern, top to bottom) is filled with inbred jackwagons who are constantly getting us into wars when what they should be doing is there job - that is to say, oh I know, NOT getting us into wars. You guys, however (some of you, not all of you) seem to take a deep and abiding interest in what we individually say and do, and really ... it's a little creepy. It kinda reminds me of this meme:

http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/264/c/f/obsessivegirlfriendmeme_by_necron2_0-d5ff6fi.jpg

I have a boss who gets all flipped out over Americanisms, to the point that it is comical. The other day he went full aggro over the fact I put two spaces after a period. Back in the day that's how I learned to type (because fonts on typewriters weren't kerning).

In response, we've written "aluminum", "color" and "labor" all over his whiteboard.

[DrLove42]

I think a certain part of it is that America affects the rest of the world.

Culture....largely affected by the states
War - all our wars we wouldn't be in bar the US
Research - The US lead the world in spending on so many subjects
Firepower - Do we want someone in charge of that much power with certain beliefs

[Psychosplodge]

It does irritate me when English gets displayed with a little stars and stripes, and your spellings in UK published books do my head in as I'm mentally correcting them.

It's probably because we can't go on the internet without tripping over you so while you're there we'll tell you :D

[Deadlift]

I think I maybe stepping out for a verbal kicking here from my fellow compatriots, but I love all things North American. Admittedly I have no idea about your politics or anything else about how the American or Canadian political system works. I don't give a rats *** really about your foreign policy's and to the same extent I enjoy living in a blissful bubble of my own ignorance. My wife is the brains of our outfit with her degrees in **** knows what (political science and history) that she got from UVIC in BC.
I am not an idiot but I just live in the here and the now. My business ticks along and I am quite happy thank you very much.

What I do know about America and Canada is what I have experienced 1st hand. I love it on your side of the pond. Everyone I have met has been open and friendly. I love your mish mash of cultures and the way you all seem to celebrate the various holidays in style. You all seem to be openly proud to be patriotic which is lacking here in the UK, and sense of family is much more prevalent too. Sure it's fun for us Brits to think we are superior in some kind of way but I just don't see it.
The only thing I am not keen on is your gun laws.
I have been all over too, Newyork, Miami, Orlando, New Orleans are some that spring to mind, Canada too is another just amazing country. I have only seen mostly BC but again I loved it. The mountains and the wildlife are fantastic. My Brother in Law is a Park Ranger and having been camping with him I think he may have the best job in the world.
Yeah I love it over there and it maybe my accent but people genuinely seem to want to get to know me, even the more dodgy ones :)
Central Park at 8pm was a bit hairy, but even then the chaps I got talking too there were just fine.

I managed to meet the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when I was 5, what I remember of that experience maybe shapes my thoughts on you yanks today, I still have the signed shirt they gave me.

I think it's all well and good for us Brits to criticise you yanks and Canucks but really unless they have experienced the countries for themselves, it means sweet **** all.

Did I mention the food ? Bloody amazing. Oh and watching the Dudley Boys slam Santa though a table at the WWE Bar was just fantastic.

[wittdooley]

I think a certain part of it is that America affects the rest of the world.

Culture....largely affected by the states
War - all our wars we wouldn't be in bar the US
Research - The US lead the world in spending on so many subjects
Firepower - Do we want someone in charge of that much power with certain beliefs


You seem to have forgotten one thing:

Awesomeness - The United States clearly leads the world in it :D

But seriously, I know that I'm probably pretty privledged to be an American, but I'd be more than happy to live in the isles. I shall now list reasons.

1. I hate the sun, mostly, and you guys get a ton of rain and clouds.
2. I love rugby (even more than American football) and I could watch it there any time.
3. I like roundabouts. We have some here, but no one uses them correctly.
4. I like beer served at just colder than room temp. You can't get that here in a bar.
5. I like the notion that, for the most part, I could live in a village and not 'need' a car.
6. Eldergal Lives there, and I have an internet crush on her.
7. Deadlift Lives there, and I have an internet man-crush on him (really, I think we'd be buddies)
8. I actually like tennis, and you people actually care about it.
9. Page 6 girls. Easy enough explanation there.
10. Less Rednecks. I'm pretty tolerant. I don't fundamentally hate any ethnic or racial groups except white trash and rednecks, but I figure that's okay because I'm white. Right?

[Deadlift]

Lol it's page 3 girls, and yes they are pneumaticly pleasing and were already buddies :)

[Iyandagar]

I haven't bought a newspaper in a while but the ref. to page 6 girls made me chuckle. I have no beef with anyone unless they choose to have it with me. Am a live n' let live kind of guy, unless we are talking 40K then am just a die horribly and barely dent your army kind of guy.

[Kyban]

The other day he went full aggro over the fact I put two spaces after a period. Back in the day that's how I learned to type (because fonts on typewriters weren't kerning).


I always do that too. Not sure why but that's how I learned how to type, even though I've never used a typewriter.

I can see why the UK might be interested in US culture seeing as how we're the largest and probably the most influential country in the western world, not necessarily a good thing. :p

[Mr Mystery]

US does a lot of good. US does a lot of bad.

I hate the war mongering oil grabbing swine side of the US, but I love the melting pot culture of the US.

I hate the right wing religious nutters of the world, and the US seems to have more than it's fair share, but I love Hollywood.

I think what annoys me most is the refusal to accept they aren't quite what they used to be. I mean India and China, that's the future of world power balance. And frankly, I'm a little scared of the Sarah Palin types getting into power. Lord knows what will happen if that brainless bint becomes head honcho.....

[Kyban]

I think what annoys me most is the refusal to accept they aren't quite what they used to be. I mean India and China, that's the future of world power balance. And frankly, I'm a little scared of the Sarah Palin types getting into power. Lord knows what will happen if that brainless bint becomes head honcho.....

Yeah, it's kind of depressing to realize how far the US is falling back, and scary because I don't think I'd like to live in either India or China.

I'm scared of Sarah Palin types too, there really isn't much hope of changing the thinking that leads to those kinds of people though... :(

[DrLove42]

Theres also a certain power in the government. The President of Norway for instance (no offence to anyone from there) doesn't have much power in international affairs.

But a lesser power in a US government position (say where Mrs Clinton is now) has more international sway and power, let alone the president.

The British Prime Minister (is a ****) but has less power internationally than the US Pres. So when it comes to forming international power blocks or laws, its important to note where the US goes

[DarkLink]

I hate the war mongering oil grabbing swine side of the US

I'll point out that we only get a tiny fraction of our oil from Iraq, maybe one or two percent. Our oil is either produced domestically, or imported from Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, or Nigeria, in that order. The idea that we invaded Iraq for oil simply doesn't make sense. No matter the actual effect of the war, the general idea was pretty clearly to remove Saddam and promote democracy, and hope it would spread and stabilize the middle east in the long run.

Edit: Stabilizing the middle east does protect the oil supply a little, but again that's a grand total of about 12% of our oil, the oil supply was already safe, and there are a wide host of other benefits that come with a stable middle east. Iran, Israel, humanitarian crises, etc, are all more important issues than American oil in the middle east.



I think what annoys me most is the refusal to accept they aren't quite what they used to be. I mean India and China, that's the future of world power balance.

It's more complicated than that. While India and China are growing quickly in influence, that does not mean that the US is losing power per se. America just won't be alone at the top anymore. But China and India's growth, and their relationship with America, is far more complex than 'they'll take America's place'. In fact, China has this odd economic relationship with America such that if America were to collapse or greatly decline, China would go with it. China's growth has already slowed recently due to America's economic problems.

[Sean_OBrien]

It is also important to note that way back in the Kuwait invasion of Iraq - Saddam offered up $10 per barrel oil to us for as long as he stayed in power if we would let him abuse the Middle East as he saw fit. Wouldn't have been any skin off our back...and you know what - I could definitely go for filling up the tank on my car for a 10 spot...

Then of course there is that little thing in Bosnia. Pretty sure we don't get crap all from there. Kosovo too for that matter. Haiti? Nope - no oil. Vietnam or Korea? Nope...still no oil.

If we were actually interested in oil for ourselves we would start a fight with someone closer...Canada or Mexico - or start a proxy war between Columbia and Venezuela, they already don't like each other too much.

While there might be justifiable complaints regarding the manner in which the US has used its military influence - oil tends not to be one of them.

[Wolfshade]

2. I love rugby (even more than American football) and I could watch it there any time.
3. I like roundabouts. We have some here, but no one uses them correctly.
4. I like beer served at just colder than room temp. You can't get that here in a bar.
5. I like the notion that, for the most part, I could live in a village and not 'need' a car.

2 - unfortunately unless you choose Wales (shudder) then football is easier to find on TV, though I do notice ITV are now showing highlights.
3 - people over here fail to sue them correctly, even when they have spiralled lines so you don't need to think about changing lines
4 - real ale is awesome
5 - the strange thing is that in a village you do need a car to cummute, shop and socialise, now if you live in a city centre that is another story, everything within walking distance.

[Psychosplodge]

I think I maybe stepping out for a verbal kicking here from my fellow compatriots,

I think that's the only type of kicking we'd be able give you ^_^


You seem to have forgotten one thing:

Awesomeness - The United States clearly leads the world in it :D

But seriously, I know that I'm probably pretty privledged to be an American, but I'd be more than happy to live in the isles. I shall now list reasons.

1. I hate the sun, mostly, and you guys get a ton of rain and clouds.So you want to live west of the pennines
2. I love rugby (even more than American football) and I could watch it there any time.depends where you live
3. I like roundabouts. We have some here, but no one uses them correctly.Yeah you've got 50/50 chance of that
4. I like beer served at just colder than room temp. You can't get that here in a bar.RealAle FTW
5. I like the notion that, for the most part, I could live in a village and not 'need' a car.No you couldn't
6. Eldergal Lives there, and I have an internet crush on her.She's a bot, sorry to break it to you
7. Deadlift Lives there, and I have an internet man-crush on him I think he lives in the sunny bit
8. I actually like tennis, and you people actually care about it.For two weeks a year
9. Page 6 girls. Easy enough explanation there.:D close enough
10. Less Rednecks. I'm pretty tolerant. I don't fundamentally hate any ethnic or racial groups except white trash and rednecks, but I figure that's okay because I'm white. Right?We have chavs, you'll fit right in hating them

[Wolfshade]

You can't force people to live in Lancashire, that is mean.

[eldargal]

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/suspicion.png

I actually have nothing against the US and I have a lot of respect for many aspects of the culture but there are some truly terrifying things about it too. Mostly the far right, relious loons and some of the things they want to do, like in one case actually talk about using deadly force to stop an abortion (http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/08/22/sheriff-candidate-would-use-deadly-force-to-stop-abortions/). Because two deaths are better than one.:rolleyes:

I do dislike the stupid stereotypes a lot of people have of America, ranging from 'Americans are stupid' to 'American food is terrible'. I've actually been to the US several times and like any country it is always more complex than that. Also the food was lovely, outisde some of the big fast food chains but if you eat at them what do you expect? I like Hot Browns... At one diner in Kentucky I had a very good discussion about egyptology with a truck driver who looked like a stereotypical truck driver and sounded like a redneck.

Anyway, I like poking fun at Americans, but I like poking fun at everybody.

[Psychosplodge]

You can't force people to live in Lancashire, that is mean.
It's probably some sort of human rights violation, maybe the lakes would suit him?


http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/suspicion.png


Anyway, I like poking fun at Americans, but I like poking fun at everybody.

Yeah I couldn't be arsed to look for that lol, and doesn't everybody? Isn't that why we're all here? O_o

[Wolfshade]

Anyway, I like poking fun at Americans, but I like poking fun at everybody.

You like cockburning

[Drunkencorgimaster]

I dig being a Yank (in the heart of Rebel-land no less) but the UK is cool too. Here's some more love back at Britain. I like your many regional and class accents. It is amazing how many you've packed into that tiny country. British Rail? Love it. Trains are fast, clean, convenient and have nice big picture windows. US trains suck in comparison and have almost no routes (unless you are on the East Coast). Fish & Chips? Yummy! Even crappy Fish & Chips in the UK are really good. Meat Pies? Yes, more please. Bitter Ales? Super good and reasonably priced. The British Museum? Best in the world. The Smithsonian is way bigger and yet somehow doesn't seem to have half the cool stuff the British Museum has. Stuff in general is a bit small (cars, toilets, chairs, rooms, houses, streets) and packed together but that makes it easy to walk around. Great historical archives, but that is probably something relatively few people besides me care about. Cool historical stuff everywhere. Its like, "Oh, I'm walking to the bus stop. What is that sign? Whoa! Richard III cut some noble dude's penis off right here? At this spot?!? How cool! Oh...I missed the bus while reading this totally cool sign." Oh... and of course...a monarch who surrounds herself with packs of the cutest, coolest, funniest, most awesome little dogs in the world. There are some things I don't like of course, but generally Britain has a lot going for it.

[Denzark]

I like America and I like Americans. Having served alongside them in both sandpits helps. However I think OP was correct - we are interested in what is said done and thought by Americans. America (is, or can be - insert which one you are happy with) young, brash, and (over) confident. Actually just what a self made individual who had succeeded and rasied themselves up with the 'American Dream' is entitled to be.

Sometimes this grates as we are almost the opposite - old, reserved and modest or even under-confident. Maybe our role to America(ns) is the slave that stands on Caesar's shoulder during the Triumph, reminding him that he is merely mortal.

As it is proven that people act with less restraint through their online profiles then they do in real life, I think it is magnified. We're no more snidey and nitpicky about the yanks and enjoy reminding them they have no history than yanks are trying to export Coca Cola Imperialism to the world whilst chanting USA USA - it just seems tha way on T'internetz.

[Psychosplodge]

I like America and I like Americans.

Maybe our role to America(ns) is the slave that stands on Caesar's shoulder during the Triumph, reminding him that he is merely mortal.

Yeah the half a dozen yanks I've met have all been really nice, can't fault them, but you know what everyones like online lol.
I like that idea, almost Yeah we had an empire once, it's all just experience sonny

[Chris*ta]

I'm from Australia and I hate both lots of ya!

Sorry, I thought something need to be done to break up this mutual love-fest :D

[Psychosplodge]

I'm from Australia and I hate both lots of ya!

Sorry, I thought something need to be done to break up this mutual love-fest :D

It's ok it still amazes us that you're allowed the internet there, considering everything they won't let you have...

:D

[Chris*ta]

Some of the rules are a little random.

You're no longer allowed swords in Victoria without a special licence.

In NSW, you're allowed swords, but not "non-ceremonial" maces.

Best one is crossbows are illegal in NSW. I've been told that this entirely is because of an incident a long time ago where some politicians prize cow was shot :eek:

I'm still annoyed by the expense of getting GW stuff down here -- I need to acquire me a UK (or maybe US) address :rolleyes:

[Chris*ta]

Some of the rules are a little random.

You're no longer allowed swords in Victoria without a special licence.

In NSW, you're allowed swords, but not "non-ceremonial" maces.

Best one is crossbows are illegal in NSW. I've been told that this entirely is because of an incident a long time ago where some politicians prize cow was shot :eek:

I'm still annoyed by the expense of getting GW stuff down here -- I need to acquire me a UK (or maybe US) address :rolleyes:

TL;DR There's an argument in Australia that we should actually eliminate the state level of government entirely -- and this is part of why :D