Why are Americans so nice?

[V4NT0M]

You think they're nice because you're from the South of England.

 

[Josh P]

What a strange thread.

I think this is all a matter of perception.
The UK has been the Americans little buddy for quite some time, maybe that's a reason why they are friendlier towards you, once they hear your accents? Americans love British accents, and people are also generally friendlier or more open towards visitors/tourists. On top of that if you are there on holiday you are probably in a better mood than at home which perhaps makes you think that people are friendlier.
I'm not saying that Americans are not friendly, but they are people just like others around the world and there is nothing in their history or culture that would indicate extraordinary friendliness unlike some Asian countries and cultures where respect, not necessarily friendliness, is a lot more common.
Would you also say that Americans show more respect towards you?

+1 I'm the same with foreign guests.

 

[platypus]

I'd like to live in Minnesota.

 

[Rich_L]

Not at the moment I bet - it's minus 20C there

 

[stockhausen]

It's not fair to blame the people of the US for that... it's like blaming the people on the street of the UK for Iraq and Afghanistan as well, surely?

Actually, I am inclined to blame the American people for the wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan and for their unwavering support of Israel.

I have had a fair amount of contact with Americans for years and I wouldn't deny that most of them are very friendly towards the British. On the other hand, they are usually remarkably uninformed about the rest of the world, quite convinced of their superiority, remarkably relaxed about violence and fiercely nationalistic; not a great combination of qualities for a self-appointed international police force.

As to blaming the British people for the attacks on Iraq and Afghanistan, we do tend to take our lead from the Americans, we did after all re-elect Blair two years after the invasion of Iraq and not that my people actively opposed the war; so yes, I do think that it is reasonable to blame the gent on the Clapham omnibus for the acts of our Government - not that the Tories opposed the war or would have done anything any differently

 

[Wang Computer]

What a strange thread.

I think this is all a matter of perception.
The UK has been the Americans little buddy for quite some time, maybe that's a reason why they are friendlier towards you, once they hear your accents? Americans love British accents, and people are also generally friendlier or more open towards visitors/tourists. On top of that if you are there on holiday you are probably in a better mood than at home which perhaps makes you think that people are friendlier.
I'm not saying that Americans are not friendly, but they are people just like others around the world and there is nothing in their history or culture that would indicate extraordinary friendliness unlike some Asian countries and cultures where respect, not necessarily friendliness, is a lot more common.
Would you also say that Americans show more respect towards you?

I agree with this.

Many people in this country have some strange fixation with the US and I find it baffling to be honest.

My father is a yanky doodle incidentally.

 

[iNPUt]

Americans are "too" friendly, but the problem is you can't really tell if it fake or real and most of the time I feel like they are fake. Its good to know if someone likes you or doesnt, not some random crap they spout.

 

[sanaxe1]

I've spent many months in the following :

Florida
LA , Hollywood , Venice beach , Santa Monica
San Francisco
Vegas
New York

Americans are very nice but a lot of the time it also feel very fake however one 10minute walk shown me the contrasts of people in america :

Walking down Melrose Avenue in hollywood, Lost looking for my hotel dragging suitcases. I see a guy approaching " excus..." don't even get to finish my sentence before he goes " NO " The next guy i approach gives me directions and offers to give me a lift to the hotel. Which i refuse in case he trys to bum me but still the offer was there!

 

[steve-h]

Must admit that I really love the US and its people. We usually spend each christmas in Colorado (Breckenridge/Keystone area). I'm always very pleased by how friendly people are, strangers pass me in the street in the mornings and say a greeting to us as they pass etc.

People are as friendly as you make them... I say hi to everyone I pass (obviously not in crowded places... more like on the way to the butchers)

 

[Efour]

id say they 1stly they are treating you as a novelty factor - im nice to everyone but if i bumped into a yank in the street id be "nicer" than usual. Probably even posh up my accent for the lulz.

Ive worked and travelled across Europe and N Africa.

Ive never ever met an un-cool Dutch person - they are nice the nicest people on Earth.

Americans are brought up to be super happy, super achievers.

 

[Margaret]

Staff are always nice in general, however remember they are trying to earn tips so you can't always tell how genuine they are.

Have met the odd friendly person over there but I have over in the UK too...

Been to Orlando 4 times now.

 

[Tefal]

It's because you're white and speak with a British accent

 

[Freefaller]

Actually, I am inclined to blame the American people for the wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan and for their unwavering support of Israel.

I have had a fair amount of contact with Americans for years and I wouldn't deny that most of them are very friendly towards the British. On the other hand, they are usually remarkably uninformed about the rest of the world, quite convinced of their superiority, remarkably relaxed about violence and fiercely nationalistic; not a great combination of qualities for a self-appointed international police force.

As to blaming the British people for the attacks on Iraq and Afghanistan, we do tend to take our lead from the Americans, we did after all re-elect Blair two years after the invasion of Iraq and not that my people actively opposed the war; so yes, I do think that it is reasonable to blame the gent on the Clapham omnibus for the acts of our Government - not that the Tories opposed the war or would have done anything any differently

Don't get me wrong I'm a huge pro-arab supporter and have a huge amount of disdain to their pro-Israel support, however I don't blame the people for that at all. I still don't think they should have dropped the bomb, and Vietnam was of course a disgrace.

However this is politics, what we're talking about isn't politics - it's the people we're talking about and they're good people on the whole. Considering there are so many of them.

As has been pointed out, the UK is brill as are the people, but the people are fab in the US (and other countries mind). I just think there's something quite wonderful about the people there.

 

[Chronictank]

The british are nice enough people when you engage them - but you don't, just like they don't engage you.

You can't really complain about the coldness of british reserve when you are a part of it. What it seems you want is a warm welcoming foriegner to do the hard work for you.

nail on head
Oddly enough theAmerican's i have met say its nicer here ><

 

[zetec452]

There's demand but because it's a Federal position, I need to be a naturalized citizen (5 years living there or 3 years if I marry an American) to be able to apply. Canada is much quicker.

I see your loication as Canada so I assume you emigrated? Do you mind if I pick your brains about a few things some time by email or MSN/Yahoo?

Hey, I did emigrate to Canada this year. Feel free to msn me ([email protected]) or email [email protected].

Jon

 

[Kutter]

I love new hampshire, in fact im there next week.

The wife used to work at the visa center in portsmouth nh. If your not in a relationship with a us citisen then your best bet would probably be a reputable agency.

The problem is, people with higher priority will be processed before your application, no matter how long you,ve waited.

 

[zetec452]

Anyone got any tips? I'm interested in that agency you spoke of JonRohan

Hey, I used an agency to get to Canada. I'm engaged to a Canadian and took the family class sponsorship route (the easiest way).

Some links for you:
www.canadavisa.com (the company I used).
www.loonlounge.com - an online community forum from the above. There is some good information on this site but you have to take a look through.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp - this has all information but can be a little confusing.

That'll keep you busy for a while.

 

[philip2009]

I spend some time on US forums and I'm surprised nobody has mentioned US healthcare yet. I wouldn't want to live in the US and have a serious illness or chronic long-term health problems because, from all the posts I've seen from Americans, it's a complete nightmare.

 

[Jono8]

It could just be that people moan more in the UK... People from other countries apart from the US seem nice also.

People who I have met from The Netherlands, Greece, Italy, Ukraine, Poland, France and a few countries who's names I forget all seem to be nice too...

the French are horrible! Well, in paris anyway.

 

[Dan87]

The UK has lots of loverly people.

I was a fundraiser for Amnesty international for 2 years. (one of those annoying ****ers who try and sign you up to charitys in the streets)

and have traveled the whole UK doing it, I've spoken to thousands of members of the general public in the uk - i was told to 'Eff off maybe about 2 times in that whole time...
not only that but i met some amazing people - 95% of people who stopped were really sound and polite- also made many good friends