Looking Through UK Eyes - by Nick Carter and Bob Miller

On the face of it, we and the Americans get along just fine.   We share similar values, we’re traditionally aligned politically and we just can’t get enough of McDonalds and US sitcoms.   In fact, when it comes down to the crunch, we’re not that different after all…right?

Well, not exactly.  While we might seem best buddies, there’s actually quite a bit we disagree on, particularly in politics and culture.  While our leaders might be quick to show appreciation and build relationships, there’s an unspoken feeling of resentment against America that’s been bubbling for quite some time.

Britain has moved on since imperialism, and we’re more equipped than ever to deal with the challenges faced in modern society.  Accepting and respecting other cultures is the name of the game, and gradually these changing social attitudes will help undo the damage inflicted by the war in Iraq.

Britain is a proud land of heritage and culture, but we’re not afraid to embrace a multicultural society and celebrate our melting pot of backgrounds, experiences and understandings.  Things just work over here, and we accept those that are different to ourselves, even though the rest of the world might think we’re uptight.

One thing we don’t admire is the jingoist, retentive notion of culture that seems to be all the rage in the States.  Our children are brought up to survive in a modern world where immigration and integration are a key focus of what it means to be British, rather than outdated, unhelpful nationalism.  Across the pond, it appears to be a different story.  While there’s nothing wrong with a bit of pride in one’s heritage, it’s also important to encourage our children to integrate and ‘get along’ with other sectors of society – a concept that seems alien to the US authorities.

When it comes to foreign policy, we’re worlds apart.  The British people don’t support war in any form – we’re much more liberal and genuinely accepting of other cultures and interests.  Despite the Iraq fiasco, we prefer to follow rather than lead on the international force front.  But not the Americans.  The Americans are far more gung-ho, out to deliver justice to the world whatever the cost.  Whether or not we stereotype, we think of the US as one of the major threats to international security we’re currently facing – who’s next on the hit list, George?  There’s still time for one last hoorah!

So here’s our message.  Ditch the crusade, get with the times, and celebrate the world in which we live.  To the rest of the world, America is like the finicky uncle with outmoded conservative values that are now completely irrelevant.  Modernise your view on the world and start to win back the respect lost by Iraq and other miscellaneous foreign policy catastrophes.  It’s not that the British don’t like America, rather we’re just completely different now, and growing further apart by the second.  Don’t worry - it’s nothing personal.