Why is the UK seen as such a bland country?

Question

Americans in particular see the British as being all white, Christian, conservative and traditional. They don't seem to understand that the UK is a multicultural country and has people from all religions, walks of life and ethnicities. Modern UK is anything but bland, yet the over-whelming perception...

Answer 1

A couple of observations:

* I think Americans realise we are actually a very non-religious country
* Most of them think the UK is actually just England, and that England is just the home counties and London

Basically, most of them really don't know very much about us at all.

@Nuclear Idiot: The UK is indeed one country, and I was so sick of hearing your nonsense from Angel, I prepared a list of definitions of the UK. Here it is...

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topi...
"Island country, western Europe, North Atlantic Ocean."

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/United+...
"United Kingdom - A country of western Europe comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland"

http://www.wordiq.com/definition/United_...
"The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country in western Europe, and a member of the European Union."

http://www.yourdictionary.com/united-kingdom
"United Kingdom - country in W Europe, consisting of Great Britain & Northern Ireland"

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/united%20kingdom
"United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland country W Europe in British Isles comprising Great Britain & Northern Ireland"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_kingdom
"The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy and unitary state. It is a country consisting of four countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/1038758.stm
"United Kingdom country profile... Britain was the world's first industrialised country. "

http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/home/scotland/britain.html
"England, Scotland and Wales together with the province of Northern Ireland, form the country officially known as "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" or simply the United Kingdom"

http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/europe/uk.htm
"The United Kingdom (UK) is arguably Europe's most influential country."

Answer 2

I've never known Americans to stereotype us as Christian or conservative. That describes them much better, the UK is overwhelmingly non-religious and liberal(ish). Besides, it's well known that many Americans neither know nor care very much about any country other than their own. In my experience most of them think the UK is just London and the surrounding areas

Answer 3

It is not . Many of my ancestors emigrated to the USA in the 19th and early 20th century. One of them became Secretary of State for War in that country . I have a host of distant cousins across the Pond and we communicate regularly . They are fully aware of what it is like here . Your assertion that the UK is boring , white, Anglo Saxon etc etc is somewhat of the beam ! Mind you I am not Anglo Saxon but Celtic in genetic source . Perhaps that makes a difference !!

Answer 4

Ummm well you ain't met me Bro, I'm The Real Thing, T'Upsidedown Tyke!

Answer 5

Sorry, I object to you saying that if the UK weren't multi-cultured it would be the 'ultimate boring, white, Anglo-Saxon Protestant country with no diversity'. A bit racist and provocative don't you think?

And you're basically saying that any country without cultural diversity is boring. Would you say Korea or Japan were boring because most visitors would probably disagree. Anyway, I'd hardly call old-fashioned, pre1960s Britain boring. Rich and fascinating, maybe.

Answer 6

it would suck to be a Brit. would I propose you bypass to Spain or France? those international places have a reliable cultural presence and are interior reach. possibly having no lifestyle is a fashion of existence? Why do you want to develop into an intensive, it is more desirable suitable to be imagine sane.

Answer 7

I'm not trying to be funny or anti-American, but American's don't really have a very good reputation for their knowledge of any country, state, culture, or peoples, outside of the USA. I wouldn't worry about it.

Answer 8

I live in England. But I've never known anyone too think this. The people I talk to are fascinated by our History and culture.. But you know, different people think different things. That's just the way it is

Answer 9

The UK isnt a country !!! Its a union between Scotland , England, Wales and Northern Ireland , its not one country !

3 thumbs down for being correct ???

Laughable ppl on this site !!!