What do people around the world think of the British?

LOL! Well I'm a Brit so I'm bound to say I think we're wonderful!!!! But seriously - I think a lot of people see us as being very snobbish and also a little quaint and old fashioned - like something out of a 1930's black and white movie or something. I am very proud to be a Brit though - so many countries don't have the democracy and freedom of speech that we take for granted!

I think the British are great people,i dont see them as any of the things you mentioned ,but just people.Im from the USA

Hmm, I have never had a negative thought about the British. Though I always hear the joke about them having pretty messed up teeth, but who am I to talk? I suffered through 2 years of braces and headgear because I had messed up teeth. I have actually always viewed the British as sophisticated. England is the main country I have always wanted to visit. I love british literature!! I would love love love to visit the UK. This summer, I actually met a couple of people from England in line at Disney World waiting to ride the Tower of Terror and they were probably the nicest people we spoke with all week. I loved being able to talk to them!! I have no negative thoughts about Brits; I think they are great!

I am an Australian: a fair dinkum, true blue Aussie. Well, that is how I like to think of myself, but everyone says I am very English and I suppose I am. I am both. I was born in England and came to live in Australia in 1947 when I was 11 years old. I am extremely proud of my English heritage. I believe Britain was the greatest nation ever, and many other nations of the world owe their present quality of life to Britain. I fight against moves to make Australia a republic. What do Aussies think of the British? For a start, I believe Aussies think of English, Scottish and Irish separately. I have never heard the Welsh mentioned, apart from praising their singing. Most Aussies hold Scottish people in very high esteem. I have never heard a word against the Scots, but much praise. I found Scots very friendly, happy people when I was there. People either love or hate the Irish, considering many of them to be trouble makers. I will concentrate on English. How can we possibly comment on a whole country? England, like Australia or any other country has a mix. There are very good, very bad and everything in between in ANY group of people. I wouldn’t like you to judge Australia by Barry Humphries and I won’t judge England by Benny Hill, Dave Allen or the likes. I have been back (home?) to England several times. The first time, I was amazed at the lack of friendliness everywhere, and I was told many people didn’t even know their neighbours. On subsequent trips, this changed, and the last time I was there, people were friendly. Smiles were exchanged, just as in the street here. People said hello to us and chatted to us on buses. I think Aussies would class English tourists in two categories. Most (possibly around 80-90%) are well mannered, friendly, well respected and accepted. I would possibly even say many are envied, not only for their fair skin (not sun-ravaged like Aussies) but for their whole disposition and attitude to life. The minority is found to be loud-mouthed, foul mouthed, complainers (Pommy whingers) and generally a pain. Aussies think English are very class conscious. The first time I returned, I was very aware of this, both with working class relatives and with the more upper class relatives. It did seem to be everywhere, even in common chitchat. On later trips I didn’t notice it as much, but it was still there. I don’t think we have this in Oz. Of course, it would be more noticeable in England because of the royalty and the associated pageantry (which no other country could manage, but I am sure they are jealous of). When I first returned for a visit, one child burst into tears when meeting her Aussie relatives. She expected us to be coloured with almost no clothes and holding a spear and boomerang. People thought we had kangaroos jumping down our main streets, and one cousin exclaimed in surprise “You are just like us!” That was before the world became much smaller through TV and other visual media. I thought then that Brits were rather insular, knowing almost nothing about Australia, or indeed other countries. Later, my eldest son lived in the centre of London for 12 years and he had this same idea. He found it difficult to get news of the world. I think that this has changed now and people are more aware of Australia and other places. I think Aussies tend to see the English on a whole, as more business like, more cultured, more dignified, more home loving, but with a bigger diversity than we have. We are much more laid back or carefree, and some would even say sloppy. The English diversity is not just in class, but in attitudes and dialects, from the cultured BBC voice to the guttural or the difficult to understand. I’ve heard it said that people can’t watch some British TV because it is almost a foreign language. While the way we speak in different states does differ slightly, it is mostly only different words being used for the same article, with almost no difference in dialect. What do we think of British? On the whole I think Aussies love them and admire them, but can’t stand the small minority who come here and are whingers. (I’d have to say Aussies love to have our cricketers defeat them, whether or not they have an interest in cricket) Great discussion. One of the best. Thanks.

well as for me and my bf, were from the philippines by the way, we think that British are very classy, some are racist and some are not really conscious of hygiene. im sorry if you got offended but after watching Trainspotting it became a general idea for all europeans (for the hygiene part).

I'm American and we've always sort of hero worshipped you Brits. We think of you as speaking with a better accent and having a more rational, intelligent approach and making things better. We gobble up anything that says "Made in England" because we think it's ritzier while our own companies making products just as good fold up....That's why I was shocked in the recent wave of American bashing to realize that a lot of the British can't stand us.

I love the Brits! My ancestors were British. The Brits have a unique sense of humor that I totally enjoy. I also like their tendency to put good drama on tv. They have great actors. I think people think them a little stuffy, though. Maybe some are, but it is hard to generalize about a whole country of people. We Americans love to hear a British accent.- Both "the kings English" and Cockney.

Now everyone thinks of Gudy. The T.V channel regained the ratings of the viewership but what about the prestige of the country. Why the Law did not act against the channel ? I believe you got the opinion.

Hi Rhinoboy Along with Gabs I will watch this one! Interesting to see what the rest of the world thinks about us!

i am originally from ireland but i now live in the uk i find this country nice i live in a small village and we do have some lager louts and some city slickers lol but then we cant all be the same can we alot of people judge me when they meet me and think i am a traveller or a really backward person lol as im irish. i can see how anyone who hasnt been here would think all uk citizens are stuck up or a lout as thats all that tends to be on the news about them around the world.

I am from the US and I don't really know any Brits. I think the average Brit is like the average American. Hard working, middle class, confused about government, loves sports, watches tons of TV, travels to the beach or countryside for leisure, wears jeans much of the time, likes music and dreams of living a better life. Since I am a male, I think a British woman would make a fine wife. Besides, you gave us the Beatles and we have yet to repay you. Hope tea time is is just delightful for you. I have always wondered, do you ever get any sunny days over there? Everything I see is always cloudy and rainy.

I am also a brit who hates football! Well, I work with the upper and middle classes (doctors and surgeons) though I must say, not many of them are snobs. I also live on a housing estate and see the american youth culture thats happening. I shall be following this thread with interest

Im from Australia, and personally I love the British. Well actually, there are allot of different types of British people, obviously I don't like the "chavs", or the type that the characters in "Little Briton" represent. However it provides excellent comedy, as little Briton, is a fantastic show. I do love the classy side of the UK though, like James Bond, and Aston Martins and Cunard and all that, the whole high society thing is pretty cool.

Thats an interesting topic dude. Myself from India. Have never been to Britain(for that matter to even Europe). Have lot to say about Britain. Your guess about the football team is not very correct about India. This(India) is the country of CRICKET. I feel sorry for the current status of England cricket team. I think Britain(especially London) as the land of opportunity. Its real cosmopolitan city with people from across the globe. Has famous colleges which attract students from Africa,Asia,Australia etc. Apart from that, one thing all we observe is that Britain is in close association with US in all front, good in most of the cases(But I did not liked the stance on Iraq). The average Britain who are visiting India, I feel they are little bit more aggressive,some sort of arrogance etc. In total, I would love to visit Britain & should see the London and its famous palace... Famous personalities I love from Britain are Bekham-Victorea, Britney spears(hmmm),Paris Hilton,Flintoff & Pieterson(though rooted to SA, he is British now I think).

i'm a filipino and thinks of british ppl as anti-asian, discriminater and highly aristocrat. sorry to offend you but that is my outward feelings for british ppl.

Well i m a Pakistani And proud to be. The majority of british are very friendly,helpful and respectful. My senior bro told me.but just like everywhere there are some bad people in the britain.

As an American, I don't have any preconceived notions about the average Brit. I know that there is a marked difference among the social classes but not as extreme as most others imagine, and that policemen are usually unarmed. British English is very different from US English, with different spelling in some words and different terms for common things. Food is different (bangers and mash, beef and kidney pie) and sometimes (unfairly) tagged as bland. I'm sure, though, that in most respects Brits share most of the same values and culture that we Americans do.

i visited UK last year and it was awsome...rele liked it....in general i like ur country and ppl but one thing i don't like it how much obssesed you ppl are with ur sportsmen...take for example jenson button...hes highly overrated by ur country's ITV crwe and they are just turning him into a pampered boy

I live in Canada and we get alot of British TV shows, so we see you as cross between Corination Street and Monty Python with a smattering of Doctor Who tossed in for good measure.

hey i live in here in uk for 7 years and every day i get up and say i have to take my business some where eles,well i'm still here,i'm not talking about just white people,police and courts, and parents gone to soft,you won't see any bus stop is damaged,phone box, shops windows,cars windows,you won't see,no1 is beaten to that extend,uk is for rich people only.