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.
IIN that I seriously hate it when Americans stereotype the British?
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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.