Angloviles

So I, the lone Brit, was out for dinner with a bunch of Canadians on Friday night (not that unusual a scenario in this expat melting pot) when one gave the reason for not wanting to step foot in a particular ski resort: "agh, no way, too many Brits." Far from being insulted, that's just not me, I was intrigued. What's not too love? There's plenty I miss about my own people, the apologising for everything, self-deprecating humour, underselling one's self, the willingness to queue, sharp wit. So why they hatin' on us??

Then it dawned on me as I sat in front of the tele and saw the trailer for "William & Kate: the movie" Yikes!



This is why and the actors aren't even British! The scene of Kate crying in the bath about her relationship is akin to a scene from Bridget Jones. No wonder British women have a bad name.

No matter where you're from you're likely to think that your country is centre of the universe. This is particularly true if your from the U.K., with the arrogance of the British Empire rule still prevailing in our  subconsciousness. However, I can probably count on one hand the number of Brits I've seen in the media here on my ten digits. William & Kate on E! and Piers Morgan with his new chat show on CNN, Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant somewhere, all perpetuating the stereotype of middle/upper class old skoolism.

Then you have a handle of Brits that may just as well be American as they've been so Americanised, making you wonder why they even hired a Brit in the first place. Cat Deeley on Dancing with the Stars for one. I nearly choked on my tea-dunked hobnob when I caught sight of Vernon Kay presenting on U.S. TV What the hell is that accent all about?? It's not Barnsley that's fo shizzle. The Beckhams, though not true Brits through and through anymore, are at least projecting a positive image in the sports and fashion arenas. The likes of Jamie Oliver, Ricky Gervais and Gordon Ramsey are keeping it real but still giving legs to the cockney wide boy stereotype.

It's not till you live outside of the UK that you realise how little of British culture makes it to the mid-Atlantic, let alone all the way across the pond. Mention the mighty Take That to any non-Brit and you are met with crossed-eyes and confusion. Such a shame for this fine specimen of Anglo talent to be unknown, while, bogglingly, Natasha Bedingfield has somehow exceeded any fame she had in her home country over in the States. Although thank god Craig David and Blue never really made it big in the U.S. of A.

I do revel in our supposed sensibilities and stiff upper lip though. One of my American friend's husbands happened to, god forbid, swear in front of me and my English buddy. He got a brisk slap on the arm: "Don't talk like that in front of these guys, they are Brrrrritish!" I guess I should thank my beautiful country for exposing me to so little cursing before, it's usually drowned out by all the clay pigeon shooting, the barking foxhounds, the brass band, the clang of the dinner gong and the whistling of the kettle for another pot of tea.

Luckily, Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex land in Bermuda tomorrow to present the Duke of Edinburgh Awards so the English stereotype will get redressed then. Ho ho ho.