Things Americans do that 'Brits' hate.

[Corky]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_rVzBt20N0

 

Rip off our Cockney accents.

[ADK]

Never been to Canada but would love to go. It's got all the things I actually like about America but less of the things I don't like.

[Julian Joachim Jr Shabadoo]

I don't want to generalise so I'll stay away from the more common things, but the tipping snobbery is a bit strong. Tipping should be reserved for particularly good service, standard service is covered by your pay

 

Also as Fingers pointed out - "I could care less" boils my blood. Obviously means "I care to a certain extent" but always used when "I don't care at all" is meant, surely someone in the country has figured that out by now?

 

I don't really mind the national pride and flag hanging - they've got an identity, a presence, a history - why not be proud? I just don't like it when a shit band or comedian waltzes on stage and gets a huge cheer from saying "USA" or whatever town the event happens to be held at. 

[MikeyT]

When they say "Aluminum" and not "Aluminium".I know it's a variant, but Grrr!

 

When they pronounce Hitler's first name "Ay-dolf" and not "Adolf". (I know it's only Hitler but still annoying when they pronounce it wrong)

 

Whenever I watch a show they always seem to take a dig at our dental service as if we all have bad teeth in this country. 

[James.]

Just a bit.

 

http://www.direct-travel.co.uk/travel-insurance-news/millions-of-brits-cant-locate-their-holiday-destination-on-a-map-801628295

 

Amazes me how our people call the Americans thick, a lot fo them are no better these days.

 

Fúcking hell...

 

Perhaps the most gobsmacking revelation of all is that just under a quarter of Brits who have visited Ireland failed to correctly identify the country on an atlas, pointing to Spain instead.

 

 

They don't give shit where England or any other place is, why would they? If they wanted to travel they would, millions don't and it doesn't bother them. Moreover why does it bother you?

 

I don't think them not knowing is down to having not travelled the world. I think it's largely because there is a widespread arrogance that it's only their little part of the world that counts and an ignorance towards what goes on in the world outside of their borders (not saying it's just Americans but I think they're worst than many).

 

I have never been to Iraq or Afghanistan but I know exactly where they are on a map because I think it's important to know these things.

 

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-201_162-1571756.html

[Smudge]

So it's not really a tip is it?

Nope, they earn less than minimum wage so the tip is part of their wages.

Don't write the tip on the cheque, just give it them in cash.

You can but they might still be taxed

[Trav Le Bleu]

COULD CARE LESS.

 

A very American way of saying that you couldn't care less?

[Manwell Pablo]

They don't give shit where England or any other place is, why would they? If they wanted to travel they would, millions don't and it doesn't bother them. Moreover why does it bother you?

 

 

It doesn't, that's what I am saying, what are you on about  

 

I am attempting to illustrate the point that the yanks have a reputation over here for being particularly stupid when it comes geography, but that's because people here base that on their knowledge of European geography which of course, we're going to have a better knowledge of as we live here. The blogger claims to be able to name all 50 states, even if he's telling the truth he incorrectly implys this is something a lot of British people could do, well in fact I would guess your probably looking at more like 1 in 50 possibly even more. 

[Guest Bilo]

Would you like to be a lumberjack?Leaping from tree to tree as they float down the mighty rivers of British Columbia?

 

Well, I do like to press wild flowers. 

[indierich06]

Nope, they earn less than minimum wage so the tip is part of their wages.

 

So why should the customer be expected to make up their wages, instead of them getting a proper wage from their employer in the first place? It's ridiculous. A tip should be something you give to someone when they go above and beyond, not something that is expected because the employers are too tight to cough up.

[Smudge]

It doesn't, that's what I am saying, what are you on about

 

I am attempting to illustrate the point that the yanks have a reputation over here for being particularly stupid when it comes geography, but that's because people here base that on their knowledge of European geography which of course, we're going to have a better knowledge of as we live here. The blogger claims to be able to name all 50 states, even if he's telling the truth he incorrectly implys this is something a lot of British people could do, well in fact I would guess your probably looking at more like 1 in 50 possibly even more. 

Fair enough, I misunderstood you. By raising this point in "What Americans do that Brits Hate." thread, threw me a curve ball

 

My point is that it's not an arrogance thing, it is ignorance but they really don't care. Before I became an American citizen, I had study the history, the Constitution and Bill of Rights and how the Separation of Power. When I asked anyone I knew about what I'd learned, almost no one knew the answers.

 

By the way, if you are ever traveling in and around South Carolina, don't be referring to them as Yanks, trust me they still haven't got over Sherman's ride. (I nearly wrote gotten there)

[Jace]

Its like the opening scene from Reservoir Dogs in here

[Smudge]

So why should the customer be expected to make up their wages, instead of them getting a proper wage from their employer in the first place? It's ridiculous. A tip should be something you give to someone when they go above and beyond, not something that is expected because the employers are too tight to cough up.

I don't know why, in fact I suspect no one does, it's the custom.

 

The justification I see for it is that you do get better service in a tipping restaurant, maybe too much at times but there's ways of dealing with that. Like telling them to leave you alone for a while or I'll call you when I'm ready. Places that don't expect or receive tips, usually give crappy service, UK pubs and US fast food places come to mind.

[Zingari]

Fair enough, I misunderstood you. By raising this point in "What Americans do that Brits Hate." thread, threw me a curve ball

 

My point is that it's not an arrogance thing, it is ignorance but they really don't care. Before I became an American citizen, I had study the history, the Constitution and Bill of Rights and how the Separation of Power. When I asked anyone I knew about what I'd learned, almost no one knew the answers.

 

By the way, if you are ever traveling in and around South Carolina, don't be referring to them as Yanks, trust me they still haven't got over Sherman's ride. (I nearly wrote gotten there)

can you call them "bummers" ?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bummers

[Smudge]

can you call them "bummers" ?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bummers

Nope that be the Yankees.

[Guest]

Also as Fingers pointed out - "I could care less" boils my blood

I found people in NYC to be really helpful and courteous when I was out there, no real complaints whatsoever.

Tipping is a bit of a ball ache when considering how you interpret service (particularly given that most English people like to be left the hell alone whilst doing something in my experience). But then I guess if they had a decent minimum wage structure like we do people in service industries probably wouldn't need it.

Looking forward to 3 weeks in California in October. I shall report back in this thread if anything grinds my gears

[Fox92]

So why should the customer be expected to make up their wages, instead of them getting a proper wage from their employer in the first place? It's ridiculous. A tip should be something you give to someone when they go above and beyond, not something that is expected because the employers are too tight to cough up.

 

I agree.

[Larry_LCFC]

Hmm things that Americans do that Brits hate.... er breathe?

[FuriousFox46]

I can honestly say I've never met a Canadian I haven't liked. They're polite, friendly and generally intelligent, rational people. 

 

If I ever emigrated, it'd probably be to Canada.

I do really like America but Canadians are superior in almost every respect.

[MPH]

They would always win a bucket of gold medals at the Olympic. Always hated that....

[MPH]

They laugh at me when I say I had some great tits nibbling on my nuts. Hate that.. get upset when my dad wants to smoke a fag on his bed... all very annoying..

[The God Emperor]

the way they shat all over their constitution. It was perfect! (apart from the slavery) they had an eden! and they ruined it! Damn you! Damn you, you Damn dirty yanks!

why is there no place for the crazy libertopian? 

[Out Foxed]

people moaning about the term "soccer" are some of the lamest people going. get over it.

[Jordan]

With regards to the OP's blog post, yes, some of the American adoration for British accents is a little over the top! There are a lot of accents in the UK that are not very pleasant (as in a lot of other countries) but most people don't hear them enough to know the difference. Also, that whole chav speak thing... No. Just no.

As for the sports thing with sponsorship... Commercialism is rampant in the UK, too. I can understand soccer (yes, I wrote it ) players being billboards on legs for Asian betting companies and airlines because soccer cannot make as much revenue from selling TV advertising spots as American sports, with their constant stoppages of play. While fewer and fewer things are sacred these days, the New York Yankees still wear their simple interlocking NY logo on their chests and caps, play at Yankee Stadium, are a member of the American League's East Division in Major League Baseball, and contest for the World Series, where the winner is awarded the Commissioner's Trophy. Meanwhile, Arsenal play at the Emirates Stadium, are members of the Barclays Premier League, and also play for the Capital One Cup and the FA Cup Presented by Budweiser.

Light-hearted points well taken, but I just thought I'd joust back a little. I suppose I could give my response, but we're not nearly as fussed about you folks as you are about us! I guess 1) Your boxers suck and 2) We think it's funny that you call cigarettes "fags" but that's about it!

Now, with regards to tipping culture: I'll note that in many jobs where tipping is customary (waitstaff, bartender, taxi driver, bellhop, shoe shiner etc.), workers do not earn much money and often rely very much on tips. In fact, restaurants/bars are allowed to pay waiters less than the standard minimum wage--in New York, minimum wage for waitstaff/bussers/bartenders that receive tips is $2.13/hour. Emilio Lestavez is correct about our minimum wage structure, btw.

There are positive and negative factors in our "tipping culture," if you will, but you can argue that this promotes workers providing excellent customer service (either that, or it favors waitresses and bartenders with great tits).

For further reading on how Americans and "Brits" interact and see each other, Sarah Lyall's recent take on her 18 years living in London working for The New York Times may be an interesting piece:

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/opinion/sunday/ta-ta-london-hello-awesome.html

(Apologies for the mobile-optimized link)

[ADK]

$2.13 an hour!

 

Full time on that is less than Jobseekers allowance