Is it normal that i seriously hate it when americans stereotype the british?

Last night I watched Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. I wanted to check it out because the concept sounded funny.

While the film was OK, the film is very offensive, it frequently insults the British, believing us to be stupid, boring, and like the stereotype, posh and arrogant.

1. When the food starts falling from the sky and onto US, the world is alerted by a news report translated into other languages. When Londoners watch it it's translated as something like "The houses simply have ice cream". Implying that we're too stupid to know "a la mode".(in New York, the news report says a la mode).

2. It is later revealed that NONE of the food rain will reach Britain. When the world is alerted that the food will go around the world, London is just told that China will (A Chinese person gasps). This is also insulting because it's like saying our country is cultureless and doesn't deserve to experience such a phenomenon.

3. Later in the film the food starts getting bigger and causes destruction. Because none of the good food reaches Britain, it rains just tea in London. Posh, brainless people run around with teacups shouting "Gosh, tea anyone?" avoiding the hot rain. Boring cars are shown and everyone wears bowler hats. We don't get giant dougnuts or hot dogs. We don't deserve that.

4. Then, in the credits, world landmarks are shown to be rebuilt using the giant food. So while New York and Paris become colourful after a rainbow washes over them, a dismal, destroyed, stormy London STAYS THE SAME. We suck, don't we?

I've had enough. Really, I was greatly offended by the stereotypes in the film. It went overboard and I'm sick of you all believing that our country is so dismal. It's like "Who needs Britain? We have America!" and because of this, the UK is always laughed at and LIED ABOUT.

Yes, that's right. Quite a lot of Americans believe this stereotype, and therefore think we're not worth bother. I'll bet if you ask an American what Britain is like, they'll just say "Rainy, miserable, don't go there".

I really have had it. I just want you to accept us. WHY can't we be treated normally? Why can't a normal English person appear in a TV show, just to prove that we are normal, friendly people? When a British child appears, it's just a orphan that gets beaten up by American teenagers? After seeing this I felt such anger and shame.

But if that's what you really think of us... I hate the stereotype, it isn't funny anymore, it's a lie. So many brilliant things have come out of Britain, and you know it. But in movies and on TV shows, this is invariably ignored. However, the US is happy to rave on about themselves. Why do you leave us out? Why?

One more thing: DON'T bring up the "British people think we're all fat" thing. We all know that that isn't the case. You'll believe anything you see on TV. That's why the stereotype has been carried on for years. Sometimes I just wish I wasn't part of a country I should be happy to live in.

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Based on 130 votes (73 yes)
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Comments ( 39 )
  • Tancho

    "ask an American what Britain is like and they'll say rainy, miserable, don't go there". Hang on a minute, I'm British born and bred and Britain is rainy and miserable and if I had the chance I wouldn't be here! Love to know what part of the country you're in cos it ain't no tropical paradise!
    Joking aside though, why would you get so eaten up over a silly film? Us Brits take the pee out of other cultures enough, it's all very tongue in cheek!

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  • dappled

    Well, someone has a bee in their bonnet. The most important thing to remember is that American films are made by individual American film makers, not by the American populace at large.

    The second thing is how the English characterise the countries closest to them. The Irish are drunk, thick, terrorists, lazy, toothless people who grow eyebrows on their cheeks and speak with an Irish accent. Is any of that true? No, not really. Not even the Irish accent bit. There isn't "an" Irish accent. There are lots of Irish accents (like there are regional accents in England), yet we insist on saying "tirty tree" for 33, or "top o' the marning to ya". It's really insulting.

    We think the Scots are tight-fisted, unhealthy, dour, alcoholics who are allergic to vegetables, and that the Welsh all sing in valleys (when they're not having sex with sheep).

    Getting back to the point, American TV and film is made for Americans. Just because we in England see it and understand it, doesn't mean that Americans should be lambasted for something every country does. Every country in the world has an opinion about us. The reason you don't rise up against Hungarian, Korean, or Somali impressions of us, is because you're not exposed to what they say, and wouldn't understand it even if you were.

    I asked a Finn once what she thought about the English. The Finns are blunt, honest, and matter of fact, so I knew I'd get the truth. She thought we were all very conservative and afraid to try new things. I wasn't insulted. I was just really curious to be told the way we are viewed. A German woman once told me I was being a bit English about things and she rolled her eyes. I still have no idea what it means, but there you go.

    There are countries in the world that think we are noble, honest, gentlemanly, and that we are always prepared to do the right thing. I'll be honest - I don't see that in this country any more. Would you be upset about that incorrect opinion?

    To sum up, if you have a problem with the film, tell the film maker. I know Americans both here in my home city and back in America. I like them and even though I occasionally feel some frustration at some of the perceptions of the English, it's always a TV programme or film rather than an individual American. I'm serious. It is NEVER an American. Because of that, I'm not sure you should be ranting at the large number of Americans who use this site.

    I've felt welcomed here by all the nationalities that use the site, and I want to be welcoming too. But if anyone has done anything to alter the perception of English people, it's you.

    You don't do us any favours.

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  • I'm sorry for all the Americans who had to read this. A post by some sad creep who's clearly a jealous wuss. America doesn't care about Britain in the slightest in terms of entertainment, and the country's TV shows and films have no intention of displaying Britain's good points. This has been an accepted form of entertainment for years, and it isn't going to change. You will NEVER see an American program that praises the British, it just won't happen. Americans want to see other countries being ridiculed. America will laugh at us for years to come, so get over it already. In fact, your post probably made them hate us even more. Thanks a fucking bunch.

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  • aussiewolf

    its just a kids movie. relax. stop being racist.

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    • Lord_Of_All_Cabbage

      But the OP wasn't being racist.

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    • IHATEUSERNAMES

      prejudice not racist

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  • ajayy_21

    Ok you gotta chill out. I just think you're blowing it way out of proportion. First of all it's a movie aimed at children so who's really paying that much attention. Don't generalize all Americans, you should've just said you think the creators of the movie were being stereotypical. It's not ALL of us Americans. Sheesh! :/

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  • House

    wow! you are taking films waaaayy to seriously and in this case an animated movie.Why do you feel insulted when you know you're not how they depict British people, maybe because there is some truth to what their saying. You're being very immature about it.

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  • CheekyChihuahua

    It's just a kids movie. I've never met anyone here who had anything against British people. I thought it was the British that hated us.

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  • alv1592

    I haven't seen the movie. But if you're going to hold somebody responsible for the "insults" toward British people, it should be the filmmakers, not America as a whole.

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  • spiffy

    This is too long and sounds like a really bad film as is is!

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  • Okay 'tard. Everyone I know love British people! It's an animated cartoon, are you really saying that you're mad because a cartoon made fun if British people because if small things like that? Really? Grow up please.

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  • Hansberger

    This is normal since the British are allied to the Americans. Never give in to us and we will be your friends, it's brilliant! Land of the fairies, beautiful accent and all.

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  • Americans love the UK! In fact, I wonder if it is the English who look down upon Americans. But yah we have nothing against you.

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  • jesusj

    Hey I know how you feel. But I think it's just one of those rivalry things. You know, the ones where you hate another race just because their saying something bad about you. I'm Mexican and I sometimes hate black people because some of them sometimes say bad stuff about us.

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  • howaminotmyself

    I'm sorry the movie made you so angry, and not a good kind of angry. I never saw the movie, I thought it sounded dumb. Now I really don't want to see it. I am a firm believer in turning movies off if I am not impressed. Why torture yourself.

    People, please don't stereotypes Americans based on a movie that was plagued with stereotypes.

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  • It's perfectly normal/justified to get annoyed over things like that.

    This post did kind off catch me off guard, though. I'm American myself, and I don't think I can name anyone within a 50-mile radius who wouldn't absolutely kill to be British.

    We kind of love you guys.

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    • dappled

      We kind of love you too. :)

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      • IHATEUSERNAMES

        liar!

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  • I really want to go to england

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  • Springering

    I agree totally, I hate the whole American superiority thing. Its as if a large portion of them have forgotten that there "great" nation was born of ours. The stereotype I hate the most is the one where they all assume we are stiff and never laugh.

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    • User-name

      It's a kids' movie, I only ever watch it if nothing else is on. I'd like to add that some of the Brits I talk to in the comments section of Stupid American videos (which there are a plethora of by the way), seem to have the superiority complex going on.

      That said, that stereotypical USA patriotism doesn't exist with all of us, I personally think the US is just barely decent myself. As far as dry humor goes I think Brit comedies hit it out of the park. To this day no zombie movie beats Shawn of the Dead. Clearly you guys enjoy a good laugh.

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  • CillyMe

    I'm from America and I love the uk! I dream of visiting there, and sometimes fantasize about actually moving there. It seems so much more peaceful and understanding than the USA. Plus you have the BBC ;)

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    • dappled

      You should definitely come and have a look. I bet it's different to what you expect and I think you'll find us ruder than you imagine but if you head up north (where me and MissSorel are), you'll meet nice, friendly people who will like you too.

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    • IHATEUSERNAMES

      TOP GEAR ROCKS

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  • User-name

    We all stereotype each other, it isn't a one way street you know. British people call me a fat, stupid yank constantly, so I say don't dish it if you're not able to take it.

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  • muiri

    Americans might have misconceptions about the British, like the stereotype that we all have bad teeth (despite Britain having a better standard of dental care), however, the British definitely stereotype Americans too.
    The American stereotype of being obese, rude, extremist Christians etc is (in my opinion) worse.

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  • littleladysteamug

    I only saw the film today and cannot preach more.
    When the sky was cleared at the end. Paris/New York/... all had beautiful blue skies.. then it came to London - miserable grey sky! And everyone cheered?! Hehe, VERY FUNNY!

    I mean.. the moment when Britain only had tea and stuff.. I can understand that they are kinda making fun of Britain.. but some parts are just obviously offensive.

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  • lb1612

    Lmao I'm watching 'Skint' showing us Brits in our true colours, we all swear so much our 2 yr old are running around saying 'Fu*k' and smoke loads of weed, heroin and crack, live in council houses etc, nothing wrong with that but it doesn't give a complete picture of the place :/ BUT in sayyy...Family guy, we all got buck teeth, speak like the queen and are pale, skinny, blah blah...and I think it's funny. The guy who writes that loves us Brits, but yeah we're pretty miserable at the moment coz our government are taking every penny off us when we don't have enough to live on as it is and no jobs. Every culture/country takes the piss out of others but have a sense of humour eh, I love America, France and even (gasp) Germany- people are people and are either dickheads or not, doesn't matter where they come from.
    ps. I love nothing better than a slice a' cake and a cuppa ;)

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  • Avant-Garde

    I'm from america, unfortunately, and I love Britain. I hate this, but I also hate my culture stereotypes countries like France, Germany and Canada. I makes my cauldron boil.

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  • nAt2017

    Right, as if the UK doesn't make fun of Americans in turn :P

    It was just a kids movie. It wasn't a representation of the American population at large. I could mention a number of British television shows and films that poke fun at Americans (the whole fat and ignorant thing).

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  • SweetSherry

    @ stuametra that's quite a rant LOL I reckon you're gonna have a lot of hate mail coming your way for days !!! Americnazi LOL

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  • shoVel

    You really thought this out didn't you?

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  • LiveLaughLove73

    I LOVE THAT MOVIE haha I thought it was gonna be dumb and a waste of my time but I whatched it with my daughter and it is halarious.. I don't recall the tea falling from the sky though? Anyways there are lots of stereotypes in this world for example British and their tea. All Muslims and bombs just cuz one idiot out there. Mexican and beans when I know lots of Mexican who hate beans... And lots more...Everybody makes things up and spreads it around thinking it's alright when It hurts in the inside.. :/

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  • xxxbeautifullybrokenxxx

    Tea raining down is much better than doughnuts or hot dogs lol

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  • help_is_here

    I freaking love British people! The accent, their expanded vocabulary, everything! One day I hope to marry a British woman...or i would totally go gay for a British man if I absolutely had to lol

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  • Faceless

    Yes, London. You know: fish, chips, cup 'o tea, bad food, worse weather, Mary fucking Poppins... LONDON.

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  • I just read about half of it and i get the picture I myself are british I find it quite funny due to how they take the piss out of the people whos language they use not to mention america use to be part of the birtish empire. Im not saying britain is the best infact I would say it is a dump (most of it) but when people try insult british people due to their accents I find it ironic due to most people who say it sound like hill billies.
    No offence to americans but your not exactly the most liked country due to the way you try to slander people. I mean I can take it as a joke in movies or television series but its obvious when they are trying to make everyone laugh at the joke and when they are trying to laugh at the people aimed.

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  • momma420

    Well...u c...I get it. Ur angry b/c of a childs movie. Americans do think to highly of themselves. But just think about it...u can't change the way every1 does r saids things. Americans r dumb fat and lazy I am from the USA & i don't approve everything they do r say either. I'm stuck. So just take a deep breath and think about how u can make ur own movie to get back at us! Lol!

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