What's wrong with being British?

1. 82

   Stevennix2001posted 11 years ago

   I just saw the new McG movie, "This Means War", and there's this one recurring joke that I don't understand, so I was hoping someone here can explain to me.  In the film, Reese Witherspoon's character says that one draw about Chris Pine's character is that he has small hands.  Now, I get that reference, as I've been told that the size of a man's hands are indicators about how big he is...well you get the idea. 
   
   However, she also goes on to mention that the one flaw about Tom Hardy's character is that he's British, which she's implying makes him less than a man.  I thought about that last part for a while, but i don't really get it.  The only thing I could think of is that there's either a stereotype about British men being rather small...or she's a racist.  I don't know.  Therefore, can you ladies please tell me what's wrong with a guy that's british?   I know it's only a movie, but I would really like to know what the hell that joke means, as it doesn't make any sense.

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      Diane Insideposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I didn't see the movie and I know no stereotype about how endowed a man is just because he is British.  Although there probably is one. lol
      
      When I think of British men, I think of Snobbish Bores with no sense of humor. Of Course this is not true of all Brits and I'm sure its mostly to do with the media that I would even think this at all. Especially since I only knew one Boy in high school from Britain here on the student exchange program.  He was the star basketball player at our school.  He got alot of attention because of it and yes I considered him quite snobbish. But of course its not like I hung out with him. He might have been a really good guy.

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         Stevennix2001posted 11 years agoin reply to this

         That's a very interesting story Diane.  Thanks for sharing it.    To be honest, I wouldn't breath too much into the joke in this movie, as most of McG films aren't that great to begin with.

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      IzzyMposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Are you sure she said British and not 'English'?
      
      Just asking...perfectly understandable if she meant or said English..
      
      Us Scots can sit back and wait for the flack....
      
      Seriously even I, as a Scot, know of no reason why the English, or British for that matter, should be categorised in any way derogatory. Relating to..emmm, you know what. They are rubbish, European men are much better, but that's not widely known

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         Stevennix2001posted 11 years agoin reply to this

         No, I'm pretty sure she said British, and not English, as it's a recurring joke about Tom Hardy's character throughout most of the movie.  That's why I was trying to figure out how that recurring joke about the guy being British was funny, as I don't get it.  But then again, it's directed by McG, so I shouldn't be surprised.

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            couturepopcafeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            I don't think it was an inference to size but passion. Brits are noted for being more reserved in the display of passion.

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               couturepopcafeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               Personally, I love the British accent, whether it's English, Scottish, Irish, Welch. Something about it makes me feel like this guy is ok.

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2. 79

   Greekgeekposted 11 years ago

   How very bizarre.
   
   Here I just got finished watching Patrick Stewart on Netflix just because he has a British accent, which of course gives him +10 sexy points over any American actor.
   
   Er...TMI?

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3. 84

   CMHypnoposted 11 years ago

   There's been a fairly anti-British. and especially anti-English thing going on in Hollywood for a while now.  British characters in American films tend to be  either 'baddies' or portrayed as fairly stupid toffs, and there are several films like Braveheart and The Patriot that don't let a little thing like what really happened stand in the way of making a film and portraying England as nothing but oppressive bullies. That's not to portray English/British history in too glowing a light either, but there is always two sides to any story and a non-biased balanced approach to historical films is to be applauded. And any stereotype is going to find its way into public consciousness if it is reinforced often enough.
   
   And as we have a population of around 60 million, I don't think that they can all be boring snobs, be less than generously endowed and rubbish in the sack?  Well, as a British woman I hope not LOL!

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      couturepopcafeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah, Hollywood's great at making something out of nothing. Unfortunately, some people take it as gospel truth. I love all things British and would move there in a heartbeat if I could.

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4. 81

   LeanManposted 11 years ago

   I'm English / British and proud of it... and I have big hands!
   
   As to anything derogatory about us Brits who knows - in the time that I have spent overseas most of the foreign young ladies that I have met are far more interested when they know I am British than they are in any Americans..

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      couturepopcafeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It's the accent. The only accent that compares in sexiness is Outback or Montana (real cowboy).

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5. 60

   evvy_09posted 11 years ago

   I don't get it.  I love a British accent.  Just like having a Russian accent, you can say anything you want to and it sounds awesome.  Maybe it's just me

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      couturepopcafeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Me, too. Russian is cool also but never thought about it the same way. Italian accents are cool, too. But Italian men are quite the opposite of Brits. One is reserved and polite in courtship, the other is all passion and romance. Maybe a bit too much unless you love that sort of thing.

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6. 81

   Bard of Elyposted 11 years ago

   I am Welsh but I don't sound like it I am told! lol

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7. 61

   SomewayOuttaHereposted 11 years ago

   ..didn't see the movie...what's wrong with Brits?...nothing that i know of......ooohhhh - such lovely accents....talk dirty to me baby!......oops sorry...i better get to work

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      LeanManposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi sexxxxxyyyyy..... martini???

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      1. 60

         couturepopcafeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         See? That right there. Reserved and polite. I know you can't get too dirty on the forum but someone else might have said, "I'm gonna slap you up." I prefer not.

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8. 87

   SimeyCposted 11 years ago

   Well being British I actually thought this line was cute and funny - see I do have a sense of humor (humour!) - the British humor is very dry usually. BTW as you can see, I have written over 500 hubs therefore I MUST have very big hands. Nudge nudge wink wink say no more say no more!

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      couturepopcafeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It's crazy to see all the Brits coming out. People I never would have suspected of being. I love you guys.

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         LeanManposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         We try to hide our Britishness but as soon as people see our hands ... they just know!!!!

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            couturepopcafeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Sometimes I'm afraid to travel the world being an American. I hear such horrible stories about American tourists being offensive. It's just because we're spoiled, have no manners, can't behave in polite society, throw money around like we're showing off, have no taste or style and carry junky luggage. Other than that, what's the problem?

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            JKennyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Yep, must definitely be a British thing, because I have big hands and big feet too!

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               LeanManposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               The feet thing is a major problem!! I have size 12 UK feet (yes girls I know what you're thinking) and I am currently living in the Philippines - there is not one store here that stocks anything of size 11 upwards.. Can someone send me some good quality slippers?

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                  prettydarkhorseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  Tony behave!! How's the weather there?

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                     LeanManposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                     Hi PDH, not sure - its 1am and dark outside! But quite hot still, have the fan on full blast.. It was sunny earlier and too hot to be outside, I hope it cools off tomorrow a little as have a lot to do in town..
                     How is it there??

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                        prettydarkhorseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                        going to spring, 12 C, PA, US, back to 6C on weekends.
                        
                        I miss markets! Maybe you are eating lots of fish now. Enjoy your stay there.

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                           LeanManposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                           I have nearly finished my Talapia ponds now, so will soon be harvesting my own..
                           
                           I am loving it here, earning enough now on HP and my own sites to survive here.

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                              prettydarkhorseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                              Its a beautiful country and I know you are down south, beautiful, enjoy the beach and good luck. Learn the local language.
                              
                              Tilapia, yummy...

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                  couturepopcafeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  I've got some banana leaves. Or send me your address via email and I'll find you some slippers. Do you prefer fuzzy, open toe, fabric, sandal type, or what?
                  
                  And what size is that U.S.?

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                     LeanManposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                     I believe that the US size is one size bigger as it is with everything else, much like the cars etc. Not quite sure what is being compensated for.
                     
                     I have quite a few banana leaves also, they grow behind my rear wall... along with mango and various other fruits..

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                        couturepopcafeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                        It might have to do with centimeters v inches.

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9. 63

   Greek Oneposted 11 years ago

   The teeth

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10. 54

    prettydarkhorseposted 11 years ago

    Good actors, as to the size I am not sure . Steven, I can't help you as I didn't watch that film, sorry
    
    Those who portrayed James Bond character
    
    Niven - English
    Connery - Scottish
    Craig - English
    Brosnan - Irish
    Dalton - Welsh
    Moore - English
    
    Not British
    Lazenby - Australian
    
    THE BEST actor, handsomest British - the winner is my favorite Daniel Day Lewis - both British and Irish citizenship. Never portrayed the role of James Bond, but that of Abe Lincoln

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       Greek Oneposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Mike Myers - played James Bond with a funny edge (aka Austin Powers)
       
       Mike Myers - Canadian

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          prettydarkhorseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          

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11. 76

    Anti-Valentineposted 11 years ago

    There's nothing wrong with being British. But it's common for American films to cast British actors or characters who are supposed to be British (played by Americans) in a film as being bad or undesirable. It's a stereotype. Few people like the British much, but probably many more dislike Americans. Sorry, has to be said.
    
    The Irish and the Scottish don't like the British, but the British don't like anyone, especially not the Welsh.

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    1. 87

       Jason Marovichposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       That probably explains the serious and grumpy image we get across the pond.  It's because they're forced to live in misery on the same island with one another! (excluding the Irish, of course).

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       Nell Roseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       The Irish and Scottish are British! Northern Ireland, Wales Scotland and England are British when you put them all together! Scottish Irish and Welsh don't like the English, the English try and get on with everyone!

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    stclairjackposted 11 years ago

    it may be a back handed joke,.... i've never seen the movie, nor will i likely,... but perhaps she doesnt like britts preciseley because she doesnt get the dry witt,...
    
    the over-all implication is not that britts are a bad group,.. but that her charcter is stupid?
    
    just guessing.

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    innersmiffposted 11 years ago

    Well I can't imagine what that could imply. Americans seem to invent British stereotypes at will. I had no idea that British people were supposed to have bad teeth until I started speaking to Americans.

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    PaulGoodman67posted 11 years ago

    As a Brit living in the USA, I have to say that Americans are generally very positive about British people and their accents in my experience, whatever Hollywood says!  :-)

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