How sad...

Submitted by Catherine (United States), Jun 22, 2007 at 11:19

Greetings to everyone.

After reading many of the opinions posted here, I came to realize how absolutely depressing it is to be universally hated. I've always loved Britain and her people and its been one of my greatest dreams to be able to visit there one day. However, I have read and heard (second hand) that Americans touring Britain have been verbally berated and generally treated like pariahs.

My job brings me in close contact with British folks at times and I have always enjoyed working with them and have never been mistreated by them. Maybe because they are visiting us in our country, I don't know. A close friend of mine returned from London two months ago and related to me how she was window shopping in the city when a British woman approached her and made small talk about the items displayed in the window. As soon as my friend replied in kind, in an American accent, the lady sneered at her and stepped smarty away. My dream about visiting Britian is fading, if that is what I can expect for simply being an American. I would hope to be judged by my own personal behavior and appearance and not disliked automatically the moment I open my mouth.

All I can say is, before you decide that you hate us, give us a chance individually, get to know us. We're really very friendly, open-hearted people for the most part. We are humans like you, we are not our government, our foreign policy, our military or President.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".