American Reacts to British Stereotypes (That May Be True)

American tend have countless countless stereotypes about all different cultures around the world, and perhaps most of all about people in Britain. Today I am very excited to finally learn about what stereotypes have any truth to them and perhaps which ones are simply false. If you enjoyed the video feel free to leave a comment, like, or subscribe for more!

Mailing Address:
Tyler E.
PO Box 2973
Evansville, IN 47728

[tracy.aughan]

My brother had been fighting cancer for many years, when the cancer returned my brother asked how long he had to live, adding should I get a book from the library. The Dr replied yes just don't make it war and peace and we all laughed. Sarcasm in this instance make light if something so awful

[MrOgMonster]

Sadly social classes are still a large influence in the UK. While often tied or compared to income, it is important to note that it is more about upbringing, the way one talks, their behaviors, education, and nepotism. It is possible for a middle or upper class person to fall into poverty but still be considered upper or middle class, and for a lower class citizen to get rich and never be considered upper class by their peers (though their children if brought up in a rich area with expensive education might). I'm sure there are some videos out there about it!

[cookiesroblox]

We use sarcasm to get us through bad news.. bad situations.. bad days.. sad times.. we twist words.. you have to laugh or you'll cry.. so we use humour to help us get by.. x

[corringhamdepot]

Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced "bouquet") is a classic British sitcom character in "Keeping Up Appearances". She is obsessed with class and her phone conversations are epic. She is the stereotypical aspiring "middle class" wife married to a middle management type, living in suburbia. Obsessed with being superior to he neighbours, and not being embarrassed by her working class sister Daisy and her slob of a husband Onslow. Who sits around all day drinking beer from a can, wearing a baseball cap and a vest (undershirt).

[cireenasimcox]

I don't think it's possible to "know" British culture without learning about the Class system - it permeates society. It also affects the way one speaks: we're often gobsmacked when an American describes certain British accents as "fancy" and 'proper'...when those particular accents, in the UK, are often those that label a person as Working Class! The 'proper/fancy' way of speaking is RP (Received Pronunciation). RP is taught to students learning English because it's clear, the vowel-sounds are rounded, consonants are clear, it has no regional sayings or words to have to worry about. And everybody understands it. (Tons of people speak RP in business/academic etc. settings, but lapse in to their own regional accents when they're at home.)

The biggest difference of all, and something many Americans just don't get, is that our Class distinctions do NOT depend upon money. If a Brit were to suddenly come into piles of money that doesn't make them Upper Class. While an Upper Class/Middle Class person who lose all their money & possessions still remains Middle/Upper Class. I put "Middle" & "Upper" together because what Americans think of as Middle Class differs between our two countries: in the UK "Middle Class" refers to those who go to private (what we call "Public School") expensive schools, have holiday homes in other countries, employ Nannies or Au Pairs, and give the kids ponies (horses) for their birthdays. While it appears that the sector Americans call "Middle Class" would be Upper Working Class or Suburbanites here.

We've spent centuries working our way towards equality.. That's why so many people who actually have Titles don't actually use them. They don't consider a title, or money, should be used to position them in the social hierarchy. So sure, we still have different Class distinctions...but we don't judge people on where they fit in the social distinctions. We just accept that people come from different backgrounds: but whether they are honest, kind, funny, considerate, thoughtful, creative is what earns them respect. (It's why many of us cringe at the USA habit of calling people "Sir" or "Madam". I have never called anyone that because it's from the bad old days where some people really considered themselves to be better than others.)

It's complicated, but it's worth exploring and explains so much of our history, as well as our contemporary way of looking at the world.

[larabanham]

The best (short) way to explain the British Class System is that it is not directly about money. A professional footballer maybe a millionaire but will still probably be "working class" - A Duke can be very short of cash, maybe having to rent out his ancestral family home or even sell it, and will still be "Upper Class"

[tomorrowkiddo]

Pubs are places where you know you can socialise, ask local questions (if you're travelling through) have some decent food generally at an ok price, use the bathroom etc. A local pub is a community venue, affordable restaurant, place for a drink and chat, but lots more. There's also events there too, music sometimes, trivia quizes, etc.

[alanpeacock]

In her christmas speech the Queen would never refer to classes but always use the term "different walks of life". Everyone knew exactly what she meant.

[beardyface]

Last pub I visited had a whole kids' playground outside next to the beer garden. They'd hardly have built that if families didn't bring kids, mostly families that were there for a pub meal.

[niknoks]

When I left senior school ( high school ) my teacher wrote in my leavers book, may your sarcasm blossom. 😊🇬🇧

[davebirch]

Growing up, my generation was always taught to "mind our P's and Q's" which basically means to remember to say please and thank you.

[annerichards]

As a 66year old Brit I've really enjoyed your videos, your openess and approach. My only criticism is that sometimes the videos you choose are using outdated or strange material. The one re humour was using TV clips from 30-40 years ago and humour has changed a lot and one re houses was mostly unrecognisable, never heard of some of the things. Please keep going though, I think you're great👍

[gillianrimmer]

I wouldn't say we were 'obssessed' with the class system here - we are just acutely aware of it as an underlying current in everyday life.

Everyone can pinpoint someone's social class very quickly after first meeting them.

[jasoncallow]

I'm frankly appalled that we are known for our sarcasm; I've never been sarcastic in my entire life.

[elunedlaine]

As a Brit, I learned French and German at school. A lot of people here speak several languages. The idea that we go abroad, speak to the native people in English but much louder is not so much a thing any more

[JaguarInfinity]

Class division was historically a big thing often limiting progression and opportunities. Today it impacts on progression a lot less in many ways than it once did but the legacy of class can still impact on the amount of opportunities you might get access to, especially during childhood such as quality of education, social groups you fall into etc. A historically lower class family may be located in an area with weaker schools for example which then can impact on higher education and employment opportunities as an adult. As such there still exists a perceived difference between the various classes, especially in a social sense, even as what constitutes these classes evolves into the modern day.

[martinbobfrank]

The old TV series Cheers from America is pretty much like a British pub, except a British pub has sections in it and are not really open plan. You have a Bar, which is a part of the pub where work boots and more manly (not office type words) type banter is okay. Then the Lounge area, where you have to watch your Ps and Qs (only nice language). People in the Bar area tend to know each other, and is like Cheers.

[misschieflolz]

I'd say the sarcasm and general calmness of the british (in general. There are exceptions) is what can really make dire situations funny.

For example, several years ago I was out horse riding and I was supposed to be acting as volunteer support for paying customers. I'd clocked one of the younger horses looking none to happy and the rider also not looking too happy, so I offered to swap. I was then told by one of the teens that this horse threw her twice about 5 days ago and this horse hadn't been out of the stable or ridden since.

Cue the sarcasam knowing full well that this ride is going to go to shit real fast.

We didn't even manage to leave the yard before this horse started leaping about and tryng to bolt. I was sitting there just talking at this horse real calmly and sounding about done with it less than 5 minutes in. Y'know, I had to put on the brave face for the paying people, I KNEW they were all thinking that could have been them.

Eventually everyone started to ignore me and this horse every time it decided to have a little tantrum. The only person super concerned was my friend and instructor, since she had the experience and knowledge that things were borderline dangerous. The calmness and sarcasm to lighten the mood really REALLY helped stop a bad situation being far worse.

[apexbaines]

Let me be clear… Tea is a way of life… a Brit that doesn’t drink tea is like an American who isn’t that keen on the Constitution… rare and weirdos!

[jenniferharrison]

A cup of tea, best part of my day, every day! 😍😊 A stereotype is a handy local identifier, sometimes a proud local joke! Yes, American assumptions when overseas - go loud and stomp your feet if they question your instructions!! 🧐 Yes, Australians love the British sarcasm, very handy here too! A smile in the face of agrovation!! Have a pint like Inspector Morse, discuss and dissect your day before going home or talk just problems out/catch up! 🫂 Good Manners are never, ever, unfashionable! Aggression is a last resort, after family therapy! Class obsession, endlessly, even now in Australia! (Keeping up appearances, you must check it out!) Was: Royalty, The Ton, Upper Class, Upper Middle Class, Middle Class, Affluent working Class, Merchant Class, Working Class! Yes, like Oxford vs Essex, or Mayfair vs East End!! 😁