''Generally, Americans are civil and conscientious''

Having visited America several times I can only agree with Andrew Gimson. I've found Americans in general to be polite, courteous and helpful and quite often, interested in where one's from, giving the lie to the notion they can't see further than their noses. A nice people.

Conversely, manners would appear to be an endangered species in modern Britain.

Why would people from the UK believe that Americans "can't see beyond their noses"? Step up and take a bow BBC and your anti-American slant on every news story possible.

Not everyone in the UK thinks that of course, but there is opinion amongst some that, US foreign policy notwithstanding, Americans are inward looking and not interested in the world at large. This can be said of any peoples in the world, the UK included and, as stated, I don't subscribe to that view.

I have nothing against Americans, just American policies. Unfortunately, they are just the same as our policies in the UK.

Wow, you guys must have some rude people.

I disagree, seems to me that you are looking at a small population of Americans.
Here too, one could say the rudest are among the middle classes.

Look how civilly you handled this comment:

Step up and take a bow BBC and your anti-American slant on every news story possible

(and you've got some of my most favorite TV shows - Doctor Who, Torchwood, re-runs of Ab Fab)

Thank you, mickfinn, for a kind-America clip. By and large we are very kind, courteous (except in rush-hour traffic :~), generous, and tolerant. We enjoy people coming to our country. On my tennis team I have two ladies from China, one from Vietnam. On my husband's, one man from Iran, one Pakistan.

Come to the South; we're still famous for our hospitality.

@jatfla Thanks for the invite. I'm sure the hospitality in the South is of the highest order

except in rush-hour

We visited New York at Christmas and after a walk through Central Park decided to stroll down 5th Ave and look at the shops. It was the day the sales began. Bad idea!!!

I know nothing of New York and never want to go there. Try Savannah, Pensacola, Tallahassee, Pahokee....
:~)

One of the reasons I love America is its people. You're all Americans, but each with your own take on life and your own customs. I'm trying to work my way round places that just once in life I have to visit. I will get down South one day. I'll put these places on my list.
PS: New York is a must see. Honest. And not that far from you (relatively)

ne of the reasons I love America is its people. You're all Americans, but each with your own take on life and your own customs. I'm trying to work my way round places that just once in life I have to visit. I will get down South one day. I'll put these places on my list.
PS: New York is a must see. Honest. And not that far from you (relatively)

I agree

Well speaking of manners, respect, and courtesy, I think the Japanese society might place these virtues highest. Though they too lament the rise of rudeness and disrespect shown by the younger generations.

I've read a few historical accounts (mostly 19th century) of the origins of Southern hospitality. The motives weren't always totally self-less...in much of the South and frontier lands, real cities were weeks journey away and neighbors were miles apart. Thus outside travelers were prized sources of news and just plain conversation. Offering room and board was often the enticement to keep them around...small price to break-up of the monotony of the isolated hard life.

oops:
...small price to pay for the break-up...

You know what I meant, but I hate typos.

Who are friendlier and more polite: Americans or ...
ops - http://www.sarkipedia.com/sarki/f/frank-sinatra/index.php
?!?

@Rustee

outside travelers were prized sources of news and just plain conversation. Offering room and board was often the enticement to keep them around

The distances in the US are vast compared to here and what you say makes perfect sense. Without some human contact we'd probably all go stir crazy.