BellaOnline Forums Travel and Culture English Culture English Stereotypes

I just posted my latest article about English stereotypes:

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art43454.asp

It's a commentary on the book Xenophobe's Guide to the English.

So, let's open this up for discussion...what are some of your favorite stereotypes about the English? Are these stereotypes true? I'm curious to read your thoughts, since this topic has been brought up a few times as something that you guys are interested in.

But please...let's keep this discussion light-hearted and fun. I will not tolerate any mean-spiritedness or insulting. I realize that stereotypes can be a touchy subject for some people, but since the book referenced in this forum is silly and fun, let's keep that in mind and approach this with a sense of humor.

Actually, I guess I should start by mentioning one stereotype...

English people are stuffy and formal.

I found this not to be true at all. When I was doing my study abroad courses in Bath 7 years ago, I found that our professors were very warm and funny and personable. They often went to the pubs with us and attended plays with us and such.

One professor in particular, and coordinator of the program (on the British end) came to Ohio State the following year to meet the new batch of students coming to Bath. So some of us who were in the class the year before showed him around campus and we ended up at a karaoke bar where he sang several songs to much applause.

So no...not stuffy and formal AT ALL.

It's rubbish (no offence). England and the UK is full of many different cultures (as are most countries) and racial stereotyping is completely meaningless (and degrading).

I agree. I just think it's interesting that there are certain perceptions out there of people just based on the country that they come from (not necessarily talking about race here...just the society in which one is brought up). That's what makes the Xenophobe's guides so interesting. I disagreed with some of it as I was reading, but I've also read the one about Germans and I found some of that to be true (just based on personal experience) and some of that to be false. People are individuals, but they are also shaped by society. Some stereotypes exist for a reason and some are just hurtful.

Yeah we all know about them...Irish people drink loads (I admit to following that particular stereotype, but we'll say no more about that), Germans are racist, English are stand-offish, Americans are bonkers (no offence) etc etc

It's all rubbish, so why are you giving it the time of day? I think we'll just leave it there. I shall say no more.

Well, it's been mentioned more than once on other posts in the forum that people were interested in this subject. So since I read that book, I thought this would be a good time to discuss it. I have gotten requests to write an article about it.

Someone mentioned something to me about bowler hats and tweed. It's all so silly.

And thus, why it's being discussed.

And yes, I am bonkers sometimes. No offense taken. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I only met a very few people who would measure up to the stereotypes you mention in your article. Most of the English people I met were loud, vulgar, drunk, outgoing, confident, promiscuous, proud... (and that was before we got to the pub - inside the pub they turned into Japanese karaoke singers).

Well, I've seen that too. At a bar in Amsterdam, my husband and I stopped for a drink and a bit of a rest, and there was a huge group of very loud, obnoxious drunk Brits singing songs. People were stopping to photograph and videotape them. It was actually pretty funny and we were enjoying it. And then one of them made a pass at me right in front of my husband, so we just got up and left.

I witnessed the same thing all over Prague, as that is apparently a very popular spot for stag parties.

But as an American living in Germany, where people are quick to make assumptions about you just because of where you come from, I am wary of making generalizations about people. I know that the US is not well liked or respected all over the world, and I try to do my part to change any misperceptions that people may have about Americans. But then I know some Americans here who fit into the very stereotype that I am trying to contradict. And sadly, they tend to be the people that leave the lasting impression.

Obviously, stereotypes can be a sore subject with many people, but the book I reviewed is just meant to be lighthearted and fun. The guy who wrote it is English, and I suppose if you can't poke fun at your own country, who can you poke fun at?

And yes...I seem to remember that karaoke is pretty popular in England. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

The tea in that cup on the cover looks the right color to me. Mmm. Makes me want one. Kettle on. Anyone? <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Certainly! Lots of cream and sugar, please. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />