That’s Just British…[by Russ]

Wit and Wisdom from Across the Pond

So British, or how I learnt to stop worrying and love America

I’m going to level with you Revo. I love America. I’ve been fascinated by your country since I studied History. I was hooked by Uni when I read a module on the Making of Modern America. Now Rivers rubs Disneyworld and Epcot in my face frequently like it’s the Holy Grail – I have to get to Florida one day. I need it, all of it. It’s so unbritish – It’s brash, in your face, it knows exactly what it is and doesn’t give a fuck. It’s everything as a people us Brits aren’t. (note to the Bloginista of course Florida would be awesome to give you a squeeze too)

I’m sorry to say to my friends from the USA but you get a bad rep sometimes. You to us Brits seem loud, in your face, you don’t give a fuck what people think of you and you know just what you are. But god dammit I love your country and I’ve been trying to put my finger on why. Then Harley shared an article with me and a line stuck out:

Americans are supposed to be nicer than us, and most are.

See if you want to make a Brit uncomfortable – Be nice to him. We hate that. We can’t take a compliment. We are coy with emotions, hiding behind humour. But the US, often I’ll be told by people they love me, and it’s scary, you say it so easily. What’s more scary is you mean it. For me to say it (and ask people who know me how much of a softee I am) I need weeks of build-up, social awkwardness and enough beer to tranquilize an elephant.

I wish we expressed and were as honest to ourselves as you were. And these are of course generalizations. But let me give you an example, elsewhere on this site: Design 101. I hated it and loved it. See everyone is so blaze about putting yourself out there, asking for help and advice. Do you know how hard that is for a Brit? Splitting the atom seems easier and less risky. Have someone critique me? No thank you. And yet you’re bloody rubbing off on me, as I’ve started trying it. I asked Kitten to feedback on something, and I admit I, my toes curled but I did. Honestly we just aren’t good with emotions.

And compliments? Ugh – no thank you. I’ve told you all time and time and time again I hate it, I don’t know how to deal with it. And yet you won’t give up. Honestly, we are a nation of self-depreciation and jokes. We are at our best when it’s hopeless. We celebrate our failures the most. Don’t believe me Dunkirk. So praise us we’ll hate it.

But I love this about us, honestly the gallows humour I have all the time in the world for it. I think our humour is lost on other nations sometimes, but if you cannot take your selves too seriously we will love you for it.

I could go on but this is long already so I might make this a two-parter if people like it. See being British again, self-loathing, we hate all we do. It’s guild from empire building I think. I’m always down on my avs, my rp etc and even what you all thing of me. And like I said you are all so patient and kind. In truth your what I think we’d like to be.