Xenophobia is possibly too strong a word, but I suspect it is a little bit of the 'Little Englander' syndrome (apologies to the Welsh, Scots, Irish, but Little Britainer, doesn't sound right and might refer to the BBC3 comedy).

It's OUR Big Brother, we don't want no foreigners winning it do we? Daft I know but suspect that may be part of it.

Britain with it's Empire used to be the worlds only Military and Economic Superpower, now it is America, it's quite simple we're jealous.

Hmmn - I'm not sure that 'Little Englander' syndrome comes into it as many of the leading 'Little Englanders' have traditionally been extremely pro-American (though some might argue it is simply as a counter-weight to the perceived danger of Europe).

Perhaps we are approaching this from the wrong direction. This probably isn't the place but there are fascinating comparisons (and difeerences) to be found in at least four areas -

1) A comparison of the internal nature and attitudes of 1800s Britain and 1900s USA.
2) A comparison of external hostility to 1800s Britain and 1900s USA
3) A comparison of the cultural hegemony of 1800s Britain and 1900s USA an its immediate effects.
4) A comparison of reactions to the decline of the world super-power both from within and without. A work in progress with the current example of course but the internal reaction from some American commentators has been going for at least 30 years now. The description above of the US as 'the world's only...Economic Superpower' is already rather out of date.

It isn't a simple phenomena and 'its quite simple we're jealous' is on about the same level as 'yanks are all fat and wear tartan shorts' - neat little populist sound-bite but doesn't exactly shed much light.

Frankly anyone needing an american studies, history or sociology PHD thesis topic might do worse than to pick an aspect of this phenomenon.

It's not anti-american (except in Barrymore's case), it's anti "The american way". You know, things like Arabs should become democratic ......errrrr Hamas......no we won't have anything to do with you, you didn't vote for the corrupt lot who we like.

It's simple really.

Totally agree with you. There were times when the group completely ignored Traci and Dennis at the beginning and excluded them in that way way that groups do by either not including or over compensating and then turning back all chummy with their mates. It was a horrible display of bad manners that went on until well into half way through the show.

I totally agree.

As the poster in my kitchen says: If every person in the world were to consume as much as the average American, 8 additional planets would be required to meet the consumption.

I think most people care more about that than whether Traci 'loves' everyone or Dennis also 'loves' everyone. Or maybe I'm deluded...?

You Talk a load of C**P

I expect Traci can spell and use punctuation bettere than you, though.

So which bit of America invaded Iraq? And which bit refuses to sign the Kyoto emissions treaty? And which bit causes the mass consumption of poor quality consumer good and foods? And which bit should we blame for the global erosion of human rights? If you tell us which bit is which, we can direct our annoyances to the right part.

The most blatant anti-Americanism has come from George and so-right-on Rula. Her patronising attitude to Dennis and Traci who enjoy going in the gym annoyed me intensely. She seemed to imply that they were easily satisfied with a physical work-out, while the British HMs required a more stimulating intellectual environment. She obviously didn't say it in so many words but that was the meaning that came over to me. You know, "It's all right for the Americans, they can go in the gym, and that's all they need", sort of thing.

George is now vigorously back-peddling over how he sat and did nothing when Pete attacked Traci for being a Californian and all the other words he used. He now claims he argued with him about it later but he certainly did not from what I saw - in fact he agreed with him. These two men have spent nearly 3 weeks heaping abuse on American culture (except of course for New York, which is regarded as in a separate category).

They are not alone. I could get on my anti BBC soapbox and say that anti Amercan sentiments are peddled on the BBC, particularly Radio 4, on a daily, routine basis. The assumption that the whole population is insular, obese and stupid is rarely challenged. How dare we ridicule Americans for not knowing where Iraq is when our own lovely Chantelle is confused about Scotland and Wales? (Sorry, darling).

I can't believe we can talk about the War in Irag in the same thread as The Big Brother House,it's a bloody game show for Gods sake .And no lives are being lost ,just our sanity watching this load of rubbish

S'True! night night

I'm thinking if we slagged off any other nationality like some posters have the U.S.A. , would this thread still be around .

They get told that they are coming to a palace with the best brains in Britain.

That's what they told Brackie anyway.

Brains Skull Attack (Welsh Beer)
Well at least Maggot would be Happy

And you think the British educational system is any better? 62% of males still can't get 5 decent GCSE's after decades of dumbing down have reduced the standard to probably somewhere about second year secondary school level from three decades ago (certainly true in languages) Half the population doesn't know who Gordon Brown is and large numbers are too illiterate to read their ASBO.

The only problem I have with Americans is that they call he UK "England" And they think Scotland is on another planet.... But they love the "Scotch" people and are sure they have rellies over here. Spend a lot of time over here think we toss cabers and wear kilts and lurrve our castles and stuff....... (tongue in cheek I promise)

No, seriously the only problem I have with the Us is Bush.The American people are lovely (apart from John Wayne won WW2 single-handledly). My mum lived in California for 14 years and I lived in New York for 6 months and was loved for my accent over there.


And I actually wantTraci to win. I have just watched last nights live feed and just pmsl at her with Maggot.

A lovely lass- who seems as if she has been transported to BB house from Planet Zog and hasnt a scooby what the script is......... So innocent and cool

Well said, networkbabe. I am appalled by the post by Wildbairn that you are replying to. It is so typical of the ignorant anti-American sentiment that is so casually trotted out in this country, which I referred to in my post above.

You could never get away with saying such things about another country.

So true... Traci genuinely is adorably clueless without being just ignorant... What a pity she has been edited out of CBB in favour of the warped and damaged nutters in there

The 'bit' to which you refer is the Government which, as I'm sure you know, was elected by a minority. What you're doing is the ludicrously ignorant confusion of Government with the people.
Which 'bit' of the UK invaded Iraq? Do you have equal hatred for Americans who weren't pro-war?( there were some).
You've completely proved my point .

The last American who stayed at my house wasn't overweight, he deplored the invasion if Iraq, supports human rights, is well travelled ( and educated ) and lives on a farm and rides a mountain bike. Fit your stereoype of Americans does he?
Last edited by djbrenton : 27-01-2006 at 11:08

100% true my fiend.

All *pakistanis are fat and useless. They are all stupid and have a foreign policy that could destroy the world with their clear over-eagerness to use Nuclear weapons.

I bet people read that AGHAST and thought racist, racist

However, if i substitute *Pakistanis for *Americans it suddenly becomes OK!

(Just to clarify, i dont hold either of these points of view, i was making a point)

Hope you meant FRIEND

Lets be honest, they could of introduced some normal Americans to the show instead of those two misfits from Hollywoood.

I totally agree with what you're saying. But I think it is time that Americans realised that the rest of the world just feel subjected to the actions of the US government. This is a common feeling throughout the world - I have travelled a lot - and Americans are always shocked when they leave America and find out what the rest of the world think about them. Clearly, different individuals have different beliefs and only a moron would hold the entire US political system against one individual person. But you did ask why people don't like americans in general and I was answering. I would say most of the world doesn't like Americas political, religious, and commercial actions and the US impact on the environment and by default hold that against the people as a mass. When Americans ask 'why don't you like us' they clearly expect acquiescence rather than a reply.

well - my two best friends are american - one who lives in this country - and the other in Los Angeles - and i love them both to bits - neither of them are brash, over the top, or vulger - they're just lovely people.

I've notice some american bashing on here quite a bit - and i can't understand it either. Maybe some people live in a small insular world and therefore have small minds.