"Brits drink too much, have bad eating habits, are ignorant, intolerant and too nationalistic, a survey of foreigners has found.

People overseas are none too keen on UK weather or food either, however it is a relief that they think people from the United Kingdom are still very polite.

The poll carried out for the British Council found politeness and good manners are the best characteristics of British people, who are also seen as educated and skilled.


Here are the negative characteristics foreigners associate with Brits:

Drink too much alcohol (27% thought so)

Bad eating habits (23%)

Too nationalistic (22%)

Ignorant of other cultures (22%)

Intolerant towards people from other countries (20%)

Rude (17%)

Unfriendly (13%)

Complain too much (13%)

Too pessimistic (11%)

Lazy (10%)


It's very complimentary of the British, however it's disappointing that the pollsters stupidly chose Brazil, Germany, China, and India for these results.

France, Ireland, Australia, Italy, Greece, Spain etc would have been a lot more relevant and interesting.

All the Btits I've met have been nice people. I can't say the same for stinking Indians.

Shakey wrote on Jul 29^th, 2014 at 9:04pm:

All the Btits I've met have been nice people. I can't say the same for stinking Indians.

What did you find disagreeable about the Indians?

Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 29^th, 2014 at 9:07pm:

Shakey wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:04pm: All the Btits I've met have been nice people. I can't say the same for stinking Indians. What did you find disagreeable about the Indians?That wasn't a fair comment. I've met some nice Indians. I've met some right turds though. They are up themselves and they love to run up to the boss. Just arrogant twerps.

That wasn't a fair comment. I've met some nice Indians. I've met some right turds though. They are up themselves and they love to run up to the boss. Just arrogant twerps.

And they are dirty.

Shakey wrote on Jul 29^th, 2014 at 9:11pm:

That wasn't a fair comment. I've met some nice Indians. I've met some right turds though. They are up themselves and they love to run up to the boss. Just arrogant twerps.

If that's your experience, fair enough.

I must admit I've had nothing but good experiences with the Indians I've worked with.

Shakey wrote on Jul 29^th, 2014 at 9:13pm:

And they are dirty.

They get into trouble quite a lot from government food inspectors who pay their restaurants surprise visits. Apparently the hygiene in some of the kitchens is disgusting.

Shakey wrote on Jul 29^th, 2014 at 9:11pm:

That wasn't a fair comment. I've met some nice Indians. I've met some right turds though. They are up themselves and they love to run up to the boss. Just arrogant twerps.

whatdayaknow .... sparky for once (and probably the only time) I agree with you.

I've found Indians to be the rudest kiss arses on the planet

England at the time of lord nelson.
England at the time of James Cook.
England at the time of Rorkes Drift.

probably the most courageos, noblest, most innovative , most honourable people ever to walk the earth.

And they gave it all up for free dentures , public housing and a curry.

How f**king disgraceful :'( :'( :'(

Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 29^th, 2014 at 9:14pm:

Shakey wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:11pm: That wasn't a fair comment. I've met some nice Indians. I've met some right turds though. They are up themselves and they love to run up to the boss. Just arrogant twerps. If that's your experience, fair enough. I must admit I've had nothing but good experiences with the Indians I've worked with.

I started in a new section and in the first 10 minutes I had a manager come up to me asking why I wasn't helping some old bloke. I found out this c sucking Indian just wanted to start crap. I fronted him and he melted because they can't fight. Funny thing was about 6 months ago he rang an ambulance at work because he had the flu. All the blokes yell out 'ring another ambulance, you've got work to do". They are bludgers also. I forgot that one.

John Smith wrote on Jul 29^th, 2014 at 9:16pm:

Shakey wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:11pm: That wasn't a fair comment. I've met some nice Indians. I've met some right turds though. They are up themselves and they love to run up to the boss. Just arrogant twerps. whatdayaknow .... sparky for once (and probably the only time) I agree with you. I've found Indians to be the rudest kiss arses on the planet

God, I don't believe it. :-/ :-/ :-/ :-/ :-/

Shakey wrote on Jul 29^th, 2014 at 9:20pm:

John Smith wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:16pm: Shakey wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:11pm: That wasn't a fair comment. I've met some nice Indians. I've met some right turds though. They are up themselves and they love to run up to the boss. Just arrogant twerps. whatdayaknow .... sparky for once (and probably the only time) I agree with you. I've found Indians to be the rudest kiss arses on the planet God, I don't believe it. :-/ :-/ :-/ :-/ :-/

don't get used to it .....

John Smith wrote on Jul 29^th, 2014 at 9:16pm:

Shakey wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:11pm: That wasn't a fair comment. I've met some nice Indians. I've met some right turds though. They are up themselves and they love to run up to the boss. Just arrogant twerps. whatdayaknow .... sparky for once (and probably the only time) I agree with you. I've found Indians to be the rudest kiss arses on the planet

I'm really surprised to hear this ~ but my experience with Indians has been very limited.

My niece who lives in an Indian suburb of Sydney thinks they're 'arrogant' ~ and yes, rude.

How have they been rude to you?

Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 29^th, 2014 at 9:28pm:

John Smith wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:16pm: Shakey wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:11pm: That wasn't a fair comment. I've met some nice Indians. I've met some right turds though. They are up themselves and they love to run up to the boss. Just arrogant twerps. whatdayaknow .... sparky for once (and probably the only time) I agree with you. I've found Indians to be the rudest kiss arses on the planet I'm really surprised to hear this ~ but my experience with Indians has been very limited. My niece who lives in an Indian suburb of Sydney thinks they're 'arrogant' ~ and yes, rude. How have they been rude to you?

one once called me for a quote, I  drove 20km and 40 minutes each way, to go and quote the job and when I got there all he wanted was to borrow a caulking gun he could have bought for $5

miserable tight arse scum the lot of them. (although I'm sure there are one or two nice ones)

John Smith wrote on Jul 29^th, 2014 at 9:33pm:

one once called me for a quote, I  drove 20km and 40 minutes each way, to go and quote the job and when I got there all he wanted was to borrow a caulking gun he could have bought for $5 miserable tight arse scum the lot of them. (although I'm sure there are one or two nice ones)

;D ;D ;D

What a classic!!

Got any more stories like that?

Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 29^th, 2014 at 8:58pm:

Drink too much alcohol (27% thought so) Bad eating habits (23%) Too nationalistic (22%) Ignorant of other cultures (22%) Intolerant towards people from other countries (20%) Rude (17%) Unfriendly (13%) Complain too much (13%) Too pessimistic (11%) Lazy (10%)

So general that if it was a survey was about the US (or any one of dozens of countries) you'd likely get the same result.

in other words 10% to 25% of foreign travelers shouldn't leave home.

Drink too much alcohol (27% thought so)

Bad eating habits (23%)

Too nationalistic (22%)

Ignorant of other cultures (22%)

Intolerant towards people from other countries (20%)

Rude (17%)

Unfriendly (13%)

Complain too much (13%)

Too pessimistic (11%)

Lazy (10%)


**********

Complain too much: 87% disagree ... which blows the 'Whinging Pommy' myth right out of the ball park.

Lazy: 90% disagree ... which blows the 'Dole Bludging Pommy' myth right off the planet.

:P

Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 8:05am:

Complain too much: 87% disagree ... which blows the 'Whinging Pommy' myth right out of the ball park. Lazy: 90% disagree ... which blows the 'Dole Bludging Pommy' myth right off the planet. :P

Pretty hard, I'd imagine, for non-English speaking foreigners to understand what British people are speaking about in the first place... Made almost impenetrable by the likely dialects and local vernaculars in which these overheard British people would be speaking.

If monolingual English speakers had to guess the context of Latin and Greek conversations, I'd bet 25% of them would think the speakers were brewing for a fight.

NorthOfNorth wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 8:13am:

Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 30th, 2014 at 8:05am: Complain too much: 87% disagree ... which blows the 'Whinging Pommy' myth right out of the ball park. Lazy: 90% disagree ... which blows the 'Dole Bludging Pommy' myth right off the planet. :P Pretty hard, I'd imagine, for non-English speaking foreigners to understand what British people are speaking about in the first place...

Nonsense again ...

The countries surveyed would almost all speak English as a first or second language.

And obviously the opinion poll would have been conducted in English for the English-speakers.

Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 8:19am:

NorthOfNorth wrote on Jul 30th, 2014 at 8:13am: Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 30th, 2014 at 8:05am: Complain too much: 87% disagree ... which blows the 'Whinging Pommy' myth right out of the ball park. Lazy: 90% disagree ... which blows the 'Dole Bludging Pommy' myth right off the planet. :P Pretty hard, I'd imagine, for non-English speaking foreigners to understand what British people are speaking about in the first place... Nonsense again ... The countries surveyed would almost all speak English as a first or second language. And obviously the opinion poll would have been conducted in English for the English-speakers.

Would it?

And you know this because pollsters never lie, obfuscate, conflate and/or exaggerate?

NorthOfNorth wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 8:38am:

And you know this because pollsters never lie, obfuscate, conflate and/or exaggerate?

You're becoming obstreperous, unruly, and downright ADHD, helian. My patience with you is Godly.

Almost everybody speaks English nowadays.

Why? Because of Hollywood.

The entire world wants to understand Hollywood movies without the bottom third of the screen crawling with subtitles.

It was the Jews of Hollywood who brought English to the world.  8-)

Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 7:39am:

John Smith wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:33pm: one once called me for a quote, I  drove 20km and 40 minutes each way, to go and quote the job and when I got there all he wanted was to borrow a caulking gun he could have bought for $5 miserable tight arse scum the lot of them. (although I'm sure there are one or two nice ones) ;D ;D ;D What a classic!! Got any more stories like that?

got a few ... all to do with Indians ... thats why I don't like them. Most of them are along the lines of provide a quote, they accept you do the work and AFTER you finish they want to haggle over the price.

Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 9:11am:

Almost everybody speaks English nowadays.

you obviously don't travel often

Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 9:11am:

NorthOfNorth wrote on Jul 30th, 2014 at 8:38am: And you know this because pollsters never lie, obfuscate, conflate and/or exaggerate? You're becoming obstreperous, unruly, and downright ADHD, helian. My patience with you is Godly. Almost everybody speaks English nowadays. Why? Because of Hollywood. The entire world wants to understand Hollywood movies without the bottom third of the screen crawling with subtitles. It was the Jews of Hollywood who brought English to the world.  8-)

Probably one of the most ignorant things you've ever said!! And from a British codger who should know better (not norven monkey - so you say - souven poof? - Watch "Lock, Stock and 2 smoking barrels"!).

An example of how we all believe the polls we want to believe.

Was it Channel 7 some years ago that conducted a 'poll' on which major city in Australia had the most beautiful, then sent out the story to each state capital changing the city's name to that state's capital! Sort of a pisstake on polls... Of course viewers in each respective state believed the story.

Much of the world populations speaks their own dialects of English... ("The United States and Great Britain are two countries separated by a common language" - George Bernard Shaw), but that does not mean they are understandable by all nor the is the context of the language use the same nor are the semantics the same...

Age wearies; Inanity renders irrelevant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71kEvXoxLOY

Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 9:11am:

NorthOfNorth wrote on Jul 30th, 2014 at 8:38am: And you know this because pollsters never lie, obfuscate, conflate and/or exaggerate? You're becoming obstreperous, unruly, and downright ADHD, helian. My patience with you is Godly. Almost everybody speaks English nowadays. Why? Because of Hollywood. The entire world wants to understand Hollywood movies without the bottom third of the screen crawling with subtitles. It was the Jews of Hollywood who brought English to the world.  8-)

2 thirds of the real world have never seen a tv Herbert.

Quote:

Complain too much (13%)

I'm surprised that isn't higher up the list.

On Indians, there is an article floating about by a female student who spent some time there. She claims she came back with ptsd, from all the blokes dropping everything to gawk at her as she walked past.

John Smith wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 9:20am:

Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 30th, 2014 at 7:39am: John Smith wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:33pm: one once called me for a quote, I  drove 20km and 40 minutes each way, to go and quote the job and when I got there all he wanted was to borrow a caulking gun he could have bought for $5 miserable tight arse scum the lot of them. (although I'm sure there are one or two nice ones) ;D ;D ;D What a classic!! Got any more stories like that? got a few ... all to do with Indians ... thats why I don't like them. Most of them are along the lines of provide a quote, they accept you do the work and AFTER you finish they want to haggle over the price.

Jesus. Thanks for the tip.

Multiculturalism in action. We're so lucky.

No wonder you're pissed off with them. You might think of giving them a miss in future.

freediver wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 12:34pm:

Quote: Complain too much (13%) I'm surprised that isn't higher up the list.

I love your little jokes, FD.


freediver wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 12:34pm:

On Indians, there is an article floating about by a female student who spent some time there. She claims she came back with ptsd, from all the blokes dropping everything to gawk at her as she walked past.

That I can believe.

Ocularly stripped, fondled, and raped wherever she went.

Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 12:39pm:

Multiculturalism in action.

no, it's just Indians .... I've dealt with many nationalities in my time, and many argue over money, but only the Indians try to argue AFTER the deal is done and the work is complete. It's a bit hard to remove the paint once I've put it on.

John Smith wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 12:44pm:

Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 30th, 2014 at 12:39pm: Multiculturalism in action. no, it's just Indians .... I've dealt with many nationalities in my time, and many argue over money, but only the Indians try to argue AFTER the deal is done and the work is complete. It's a bit hard to remove the paint once I've put it on.

It's a cultural tradition with these people ~ nothing to do with racial genetics.

Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 12:46pm:

John Smith wrote on Jul 30th, 2014 at 12:44pm: Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 30th, 2014 at 12:39pm: Multiculturalism in action. no, it's just Indians .... I've dealt with many nationalities in my time, and many argue over money, but only the Indians try to argue AFTER the deal is done and the work is complete. It's a bit hard to remove the paint once I've put it on. It's a cultural tradition with these people ~ nothing to do with racial genetics.

its also their culture to wipe their arse with their hands .... I'm not about to embrase that either

John Smith wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 1:10pm:

its also their culture to wipe their arse with their hands .... I'm not about to embrase that either

I personally find their custom of eating off the plate with their fingers, quite disgusting.

But each to their own ...

John Smith wrote on Jul 29^th, 2014 at 9:23pm:

Shakey wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:20pm: John Smith wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:16pm: Shakey wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:11pm: That wasn't a fair comment. I've met some nice Indians. I've met some right turds though. They are up themselves and they love to run up to the boss. Just arrogant twerps. whatdayaknow .... sparky for once (and probably the only time) I agree with you. I've found Indians to be the rudest kiss arses on the planet God, I don't believe it. :-/ :-/ :-/ :-/ :-/ don't get used to it .....

I'll kill myself if it happens again.

Shakey wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 2:22pm:

John Smith wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:23pm: Shakey wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:20pm: John Smith wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:16pm: Shakey wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:11pm: That wasn't a fair comment. I've met some nice Indians. I've met some right turds though. They are up themselves and they love to run up to the boss. Just arrogant twerps. whatdayaknow .... sparky for once (and probably the only time) I agree with you. I've found Indians to be the rudest kiss arses on the planet God, I don't believe it. :-/ :-/ :-/ :-/ :-/ don't get used to it ..... I'll kill myself if it happens again.

hey ..I agree with that too ...

opps, bad luck to you .. nice knowing you  ;D ;D ;D

John Smith wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 2:29pm:

Shakey wrote on Jul 30th, 2014 at 2:22pm: John Smith wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:23pm: Shakey wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:20pm: John Smith wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:16pm: Shakey wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:11pm: That wasn't a fair comment. I've met some nice Indians. I've met some right turds though. They are up themselves and they love to run up to the boss. Just arrogant twerps. whatdayaknow .... sparky for once (and probably the only time) I agree with you. I've found Indians to be the rudest kiss arses on the planet God, I don't believe it. :-/ :-/ :-/ :-/ :-/ don't get used to it ..... I'll kill myself if it happens again. hey ..I agree with that too ... opps, bad luck to you .. nice knowing you  ;D ;D ;D

No, we'll be going out together. You first. ;D ;D ;D ;D

Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 1:20pm:

John Smith wrote on Jul 30th, 2014 at 1:10pm: its also their culture to wipe their arse with their hands .... I'm not about to embrase that either I personally find their custom of eating off the plate with their fingers, quite disgusting. But each to their own ...

what do you use to wipe your arse with Herbert? Your feet?

John Smith wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 12:44pm:

Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 30th, 2014 at 12:39pm: Multiculturalism in action. no, it's just Indians .... I've dealt with many nationalities in my time, and many argue over money, but only the Indians try to argue AFTER the deal is done and the work is complete. It's a bit hard to remove the paint once I've put it on.

The Indian caste system is at the root of this, you have to go to India to understand it. we are going to have major problems in this country if we keep allowing middle class Indians to immigrate here in such numbers.

ian wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 3:22pm:

The Indian caste system is at the root of this, you have to go to India to understand it. we are going to have major problems in this country if we keep allowing middle class Indians to immigrate here in such numbers.

As I've always said: "The UK is the Crystal Ball to Australia's future".

Shakey wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 2:33pm:

John Smith wrote on Jul 30th, 2014 at 2:29pm: Shakey wrote on Jul 30th, 2014 at 2:22pm: John Smith wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:23pm: Shakey wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:20pm: John Smith wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:16pm: Shakey wrote on Jul 29th, 2014 at 9:11pm: That wasn't a fair comment. I've met some nice Indians. I've met some right turds though. They are up themselves and they love to run up to the boss. Just arrogant twerps. whatdayaknow .... sparky for once (and probably the only time) I agree with you. I've found Indians to be the rudest kiss arses on the planet God, I don't believe it. :-/ :-/ :-/ :-/ :-/ don't get used to it ..... I'll kill myself if it happens again. hey ..I agree with that too ... opps, bad luck to you .. nice knowing you  ;D ;D ;D No, we'll be going out together. You first. ;D ;D ;D ;D

you made the promise, not me .... typical lib

ian wrote on Jul 30^th, 2014 at 3:22pm:

John Smith wrote on Jul 30th, 2014 at 12:44pm: Lord Herbert wrote on Jul 30th, 2014 at 12:39pm: Multiculturalism in action. no, it's just Indians .... I've dealt with many nationalities in my time, and many argue over money, but only the Indians try to argue AFTER the deal is done and the work is complete. It's a bit hard to remove the paint once I've put it on. The Indian caste system is at the root of this, you have to go to India to understand it. we are going to have major problems in this country if we keep allowing middle class Indians to immigrate here in such numbers.

I knew all that ... that doesn't help them, they're still miserable arseholes