American-British Q&A

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Oh, another question for Brits:
Are MacDonalds over there really more upscale eating establishments than they are here, or are they the same depressing shitholes full of obese poor people?

Latter

Also, is the Graham Norton show really popular? Cause I fucking love that guy.

Popular but God knows why. Just don't ask any Who fans about him. (Long story)

And do you all find Gordon Ramsay as obnoxious as we do here? Or is he some kind of revered chef and we just get to see his stupid American-tailored persona?

Nah, Gordon Ramsay is just as much a F word as he is over there.

Question back: Is Stephen Colbert hugely popular or just semi-popular?

 

[Wadders]

Oh, another question for Brits:
Are MacDonalds over there really more upscale eating establishments than they are here, or are they the same depressing shitholes full of obese poor people?

Also, is the Graham Norton show really popular? Cause I fucking love that guy.

And do you all find Gordon Ramsay as obnoxious as we do here? Or is he some kind of revered chef and we just get to see his stupid American-tailored persona?

Yeah, I watch a lot of BBC America.

1. Yep. MacDonald's (affectionately known as Maccy D's) really are not up market. They have refurbished a lot of them recently, and I wouldn't go as far to say that the only people who go there are fat poor people, but they aint exactly the nicest places around, and are depressing as fuck if you go there in the night time.

2. Yeah Ramsey is a bit of a nob, but he can be entertaining sometimes. Not sure how most people feel about him. I'd guess that general consensus is that he's an idiot.

 

[Agayek]

Ah thanks, well that certainly makes sense. Here I was thinking people in the cities drove vehicles like that as well!

It's similar in the UK to an extent. Where I live in the countryside, a lot of families who aint even farmers (our family included) own 4x4's or 4WD vehicles because we can often get cut off with snow and things.

Although you do get posh rich people in towns driving expensive Land Rovers and other SUVs, just because they can. But everyone else thinks they're idiots

Yea, about the same here. The people who drive SUVs in the city aren't really considered idiots (as it's really not that uncommon, and sometimes you just need to haul something even in the city), but they are definitely not the majority.

America: What is Arby's?

Arby's is a fast-food chain in the same vein as mcdonald's. Instead of burgers though, they sell roast beef sandwiches and things like that. It's actually fairly tasty. It's fast food, so obviously the quality is about 2 steps above shaped plastic, but for what it is, Arby's is halfway decent.

 

[beema]

Question back: Is Stephen Colbert hugely popular or just semi-popular?

I think he's pretty hugely popular these days. Lots of friends on my facebook are always posting links to his clips and stuff, if that's any indication.

btw, to the OP, this thread is fucking awesome (or the dogs bollocks... did I get that right?)

 

[Agayek]

Question back: Is Stephen Colbert hugely popular or just semi-popular?

Stephen Colbert is pretty damn popular. Everyone I know in the 18-28 age bracket loves his shenanigans.

From what I gather, a lot of the previous generation(s) don't care for him, but with people born after 1980, he's damn popular.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

(or the dogs bollocks... did I get that right?)

Pretty much, though it often depends on the context. The "Dog's Bollocks" is more of a expression of extremity, like Epic. So something bad can also be the Dog's Bollocks (or the Mutt's Nuts), it depends on the tone used. Tone (and especially sarcasm) are very important in British speech.

 

[Ris]

Do you brits actually like Spotted Dick and Blood Pudding?

No, and no. I consider them old school foods that my parents might eat; I don't know a single person under 30 who would thank you for serving either.

I think the country has become so culturally diverse in recent years (particularly since the 80s) that our paletes have changed a lot more than other countries might realise. I mean, the nation's favourite food is curry; not fish and chips or steak & kidney pie!

 

[Wadders]

Do you brits actually like Spotted Dick and Blood Pudding?

No, and no. I consider them old school foods that my parents might eat; I don't know a single person under 30 who would thank you for serving either.

I think the country has become so culturally diverse in recent years (particularly since the 80s) that our paletes have changed a lot more than other countries might realise. I mean, the nation's favourite food is curry; not fish and chips or steak & kidney pie!

I resent that! Black pudding is the stuff legends are made of!

Can't say that Spotted Dick is too enthralling. It's like bread and butter pudding, it's just boring as hell.

 

[Saucycarpdog]

Do you brits actually like Spotted Dick and Blood Pudding?

It's called Black Pudding, but yeah it's lovely! Just don't think too much about the stuff that's in it

For Americans:

It's a common perception that you all drive around in big trucks or fuel guzzling vehicles. To what extent is this true, and if it is, then why?

In the UK we (mostly) manage to get about without over-compensatory trucks and jeeps, we just use like... normal cars, so it seems odd for people to be driving in like 5.7 L trucks and stuff.

Trucks are common in some areas along while not so common in others. Mostly guys buy it because they feel it makes them look manly and seems to fit them. I don't think American guys want to be driving mini vans.

Question for Brits:

Do you guys have a democracy system that's like ours? Like a president and congress system?

 

[Ris]

Do you brits actually like Spotted Dick and Blood Pudding?

No, and no. I consider them old school foods that my parents might eat; I don't know a single person under 30 who would thank you for serving either.

I think the country has become so culturally diverse in recent years (particularly since the 80s) that our paletes have changed a lot more than other countries might realise. I mean, the nation's favourite food is curry; not fish and chips or steak & kidney pie!

I resent that! Black pudding is the stuff legends are made of!

Can't say that Spotted Dick is too enthralling. It's like bread and butter pudding, it's just boring as hell.

All I have to say to you is: Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwww.

 

[megajon]

Do you brits actually like Spotted Dick and Blood Pudding?

Personally i don't eat spotted Dick but i love Blood pudding which we normally call black pudding so it dosen't sound as bad but i love it, i know its not as popular as it used to be i'm one of few people around 20 who eat it not many over 30s even eat it themselfs but you will find it on alot of menus that do full english.

 

[luas_dublin]

So, how are Americans on European geography? and do many of you accept that Scotland, Wales and Ireland are a part of Britain and not just parts of England? I personally can't recite all fifty states but if you told me one of them, I could point out it's general area on a map.

gnnnh..
For the last time kids,repeat after me.
Ireland...is...not...part...of.. Britain.
seriously
Jesus wept!
Northern Ireland is(and thats a whole other kettle of fish) but Ireland isnt.
I like Britain , been there lots of times , generally lovely people and while we may have a lot in common I need to stress we are not part of them in any way shape or form.
Different country , different government,different traditions, different army, different police force different passports, but again just to be clear not part of Britain.




(there is the confusing oh its in the 'British isles' thing , but that's an anachronism based on pre Irish Independence in 1922 .Its purely an(outdated) geographical term.But using that logic you could claim Canada was part of America as its part of the north Americas.)

 

[Wadders]

Do you brits actually like Spotted Dick and Blood Pudding?

No, and no. I consider them old school foods that my parents might eat; I don't know a single person under 30 who would thank you for serving either.

I think the country has become so culturally diverse in recent years (particularly since the 80s) that our paletes have changed a lot more than other countries might realise. I mean, the nation's favourite food is curry; not fish and chips or steak & kidney pie!

I resent that! Black pudding is the stuff legends are made of!

Can't say that Spotted Dick is too enthralling. It's like bread and butter pudding, it's just boring as hell.

All I have to say to you is: Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwww.

Pfft, you don't know what you're missing!

You absolutely cannot have a full English breakfast without a bit of Black Pudding. Just don't think too much about what's actually in it, and you'll be fine

 

[luas_dublin]

oh and preemptively before someone asks...yes everyone in Ireland drinks.
All of us
Oh Yes!
We're all drunk right now ..every single damn one of us , from the Head of state , to the little old lady who just sideways staggered past me now ..oh we do love our drink .yes indeed.
I'm drinking as I write this , and I'll be drinking when I drive the school bus in a few minutes.Its a wild ride , the kindergartners aboard would be terrified , if they weren't all hammered too.
What with the drinking
drink
drink
drink
etc

 

[luas_dublin]

..on a totally unrelated topic.
Do Americans 'get' Irony?

 

[Scrubiii]

Do you brits actually like Spotted Dick and Blood Pudding?

Yep. "Blood Pudding" is actually called black pudding and the blood isn't liquid, it's congealed and solidified and tastes similar to haggis. Its also not a pudding, it's usually eaten for breakfast as a substitute for sausage. Spotted Dick is just dough or suet cooked with currents in it.

awe here i was willing to try Haggis until that >.< I've had the 'pudding' and no sir, i do not like!

Spotted Dick sounds really bland

Don't listen to his slanderous lies Haggis is amazing much better than spotted dick also I really only eat spotted dick with custard or ice cream or something like that makes it a lot better.

I never said Haggis was like Spotted Dick I said it was like Black Pudding. I also said in a later post that Spotted Dick is usually eaten with custard.

 

[aashell13]

America: What is Arby's?

a fast-food barbecue chain. fairly substandard even for fast food. The best barbecue places are almost inevitably small local businesses with maybe a half dozen locations tops.

 

[aashell13]

..on a totally unrelated topic.
Do Americans 'get' Irony?

Legitimate irony? most of the time, yes.
Stupid hipsters calling everything and its dog ironic? no.

 

[Jonabob87]

To Americans:

Why do American football players wear arseloads of armour, whereas Rugby players run around in shorts and a shirt?

 

[Wadders]

To Americans:

Why do American football players wear arseloads of armour, whereas Rugby players run around in shorts and a shirt?

American Football's rules for tackling are different. Usually rugby players just tackle the legs or waist, but in American Football you can pretty much tackle anywhere or how as long you dont kick, punch, or spear them as far as I'm aware. This can lead to some pretty brutal hits, often more so than Rugby.

Having said that, Rugby is obviously the better sport, and Rugby players are obviously hard as nails