why Brits understate just a bit and Americans EXAGGERATE EVERYTHING!

Want extra content and my general, unimportant, life updates as an American in the UK straight to your inbox? Join the free Girl Gone London newsletter here: sendfox.com/lp...
Some people have asked for a small way to say "thanks" if they've found my information helpful or entertaining. There's no need, but if that's you, I have a little "buy me a coffee" option here (okay, or tea, we're in the UK, after all): www.buymeacoff...
Check out the Girl Gone London book on Amazon, a humorous and practical guide to life in the UK as an expat: amzn.to/3iobJGt
// CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE: girlgonelondon...
// WHO AM I
Hi! I’m Kalyn, an American expat in the UK, and I’m super glad you’re here (yes, I’ve lived in the UK for almost 10 years and the word “super” is still very much part of my vocabulary!) Whether you’re thinking about moving to the UK or just visiting, I have plenty of information and other resources for you below, so make sure to find your section and let me help you make the most of your trip or your move to the always-sunny, beautiful, and historic UK (okay, two of those things are true, but if you squint really hard at the lights when the London Underground is coming into station, you can kind of pretend it’s the sun?)
---MOVING TO THE UK (OR DREAMING OF IT?---
//GIRL GONE LONDON BOOK
Check out the Girl Gone London book on Amazon (amzn.to/3iobJGt), a humorous guide to life in the UK that every future expat needs to read.
//MOVING TO THE UK COURSE
If you want more practical tips, my comprehensive course on moving to the UK is the perfect gift to yourself to save hours and hours of time and tons of headaches. Use code “Friend” for $20 off and check out everything that’s included here: courses.girlgo...
VISITING THE UK?
//ULTIMATE LONDON’S VISITOR’S GUIDE
This is the most all-inclusive, up-to-date visitor’s guide (that’s always kept up to date, thanks to be virtual, no more trying to go to a restaurant that no longer exists! Your London trip is no small cost, so make sure you are truly ready and making the most of it with the guide here: courses.girlgo...
CONTACT:
For all subscribers and partnership enquiries, please use [e-mail]
And make sure you subscribe to my channel!
DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. In addition, I participate in several other affiliate programs that allow me to earn while I recommend products that I use and love.
MUSIC: www.bensound.com

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Notes from the Girl Gone London diaries: I'm sorry I haven't been filming more "out and about" videos lately - I was ill, then did my back in a few weeks ago and have had other behind-the-scenes things going on so hopefully you're still enjoying these topics from home. ♥

[@bun6758]

keep well

[@FalcomScott312]

I hope your feeling better Kalyn & I love watching your videos. ❤

[@natalielang6209]

"Did my back in." Kalyn is fully English now.

[@shaunw9270]

Always enjoy your videos Kalyn 👍

[@michaelwant8501]

Your opinion pieces from home are always very watchable. You give the impression of a person ready and able to express and defend her opinions without constantly adjusting to what might please or displease the audience. Sorry to be so longwinded 😅 but I do find it a refreshing approach.

[@rattytattyratnett]

“I am just going outside and may be some time” are the last words of Captain Lawrence Oates, Antarctic explorer, as he walked to his death.

[@_Meng_Lan]

My dad uses to say that one!

[@byronmorley2907]

Don't forget Monty Python, "It's just a flesh wound"

[@MiscellanyTop]

A tiger - in Africa?

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

We can learn a lot from Monty Python!

[@AutomaticDuck300]

African swallow or European swallow?

[@noggintube]

"T'is but a scratch"

[@berniethekiwidragon4382]

​@@MiscellanyTopBit off the officer's leg, to which he said, "it stings a bit."

[@steveknight878]

Some Royal Navy ships were entering an American harbour during or just after the 2nd world war, and were greeted by the message "How is the world's second largest navy?". The responded "Fine, thank you. How is the world's second best?"

[@mandeville7474]

The Royal Navy was the largest navy in the 2nd world war , number 2 was the French navy , America number 3 .

[@madMARTYNmarsh1981]

This is similar to British and American soldiers in a more recent war, although I forget which one. American soldiers put 'second to none' on a sign outside their barracks. British soldiers simply wrote 'none' one the sign outside theirs 😂

[@Yandarval]

@@mandeville7474 At the start of WWII, yes. Losses and the massive building spree (not having shipyards bombed really helps) of the US. The USN was larger by the end of the War.

[@devilsreject320]

​@@madMARTYNmarsh1981remember that SAS and some jelly babies.

[@JAmediaUK]

@@madMARTYNmarsh1981 Also in recent wars, the US military is referred to as "all the gear but no idea"

[@tracyl1368]

One i use regularly when everything is falling apart is "Well.....that went well!"

[@jimdaw65]

That's more our habit of saying the opposite of what we mean. It must be quite confusing for Americans: "Lovely weather", we say, when it's pissing down with rain.

[@theunholybanana4745]

That's just sarcasm, understatement is like "bit wet innit?" during a flood

[@CiciColino]

I've made myself the guy that will shout "This is going great!" when things are not, in fact, going great. It's quite a liberating feeling actually!

[@VoxelLoop]

You know things REALLY hit the fan when it becomes "Hmmm... That could have gone better", maybe the worst possible thing a Brit can say.

[@contessa.adella]

Understated sarcasm…A Brit speciality!

[@andrewtadd4373]

A Brit after never being so insulted in their life; "That's a bit harsh"

[@getnohappy]

Might just be the Brit in me, but being American sounds exhausting.

[@mjinba07]

Depends on where you are in America. I took a job as a mental health counselor in a small, rural midwestern town and discovered that, "I haven't been myself lately," meant, "I've been so depressed this is the first time I've been out of bed in two weeks." On the other hand, a New Yorker responded to being asked how she felt about something by leaning into my face and proclaiming, "I HATE IT!"

[@carolynsanders3185]

@@mjinba07I agree, it depends where you live.

[@jackflanagle6079]

Lot of exhaustion since Nov. 5th.

[@ptonpc]

A friend of mine has moved from California to here in August. Just being around them is exhausting.

[@SpaceMarine113]

Being all fake like them IS exhausting. It takes a lot of energy to pretend. They might not realize it but it takes a toll on your psyche. Strive to be a no nonsense person and let your emotions happen, do not force them to show fake smiles and enthusiasm.

[@outsidestuff5283]

I find that understating yourself helps people take you more seriously. I had a Canadian friend who was quick to give people dramatic and overstated compliments, which feels great when you hear it for the first time but when you've heard her say something similar to everyone in the room it doesn't feel very genuine anymore.

[@Unethical.FandubsGames]

The linguistic equivalent of crying wolf

[@Jill-mh2wn]

@@Unethical.FandubsGames Harry and Meghan

[@John-Dennehy]

My grandmother used to say "Self praise is no praise at all". I think that sums up how most people this side of the Atlantic feel.

[@robertcreighton4635]

Mine too.

[@Lyonsbane75]

British Airways flight to Jamaica from Heathrow, through a tropical storm. Lots of turbulence and some bangs on the side of the plane. Pilot speaks up to reassure the passengers (which included me) - “You might have heard some bangs on the side of the plane. Well, that was lightning… but don’t worry, this old bird can take it”.

[@andrewwmacfadyen6958]

Daily Mail "Hero pilot saves passengers"

[@crossleydd42]

To me, this is so reassuring to hear.

[@davidhyams2769]

Texan (T)being taken to dinner in the UK by his British (B) hosts: T. What are these little things here? B. Potatoes T. Those are potatoes? Where I come from in the good ole USA we grow potatoes as big as this whole plate. B. Yes, we grow them to fit our mouths too.

[@johnkitchen4699]

Since coming to live in the USA, American emotional roller coasters have been stand out to me. I encountered it early when I used to go to Church. People would ask how I was, I would reply ‘OK’ - the intonation would say (if I had been at home in Britain) whether things were going well or not. If I asked the question of Americans, invariably the reply would be either ‘Awesome’ or ‘I need prayer’. 😱 I warned an American pastor that, when he went to Ireland to work he would encounter the issue in reverse. Subsequently he told me that one of his first experiences was when he told an Irish priest that he was awesome. The priest replied ‘Do not use that word loosely, only God is awesome!’

[@isabelstokes4042]

On the snowiest day of the year at -5c in my part of Scotland you pass someone in the street and say: "wee bit nippy!"

[@geoffclarke8934]

I remember travelling up to Central London on the train in a record breaking heatwave with temperatures in excess of 40C (104 Fahrenheit) in July 2022 and a well spoken, elderly man remarked ' it's a warm one today'.

[@wbertie2604]

Unseasonably Clement for this time of year.

[@seywerd]

American Understatement "Houston we have a problem"

[@Steeyuv]

Brit speaking: utterly BRILLIANT counter-example!!! OMG you absolutely NAILED it!

[@wbertie2604]

British: it's not quite as tickety-boo as would be ideal

[@glenchapman3899]

What makes that quote even funnier in the circumstances, he actually said "Houston we HAD a problem"

[@nicolasbeachy4862]

@@glenchapman3899 *"we've had a problem" but yeah essentially the same

[@PedroConejo1939]

I love expression, "Oh dear," delivered as if to a child, in a descending tone hovering between sarcasm and slight disappointment while something akin to Armaggedon breaks out in the background.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

This is one of my favorites as well. 😂 Thanks for watching!

[@gillianmeehan3206]

You need to sigh deeply as you deliver the 'oh dear' too

[@Stephen-Fox]

@@gillianmeehan3206 Basically just do your best Eeyore or Marvin the Paranoid Android impersonation.

[@PedroConejo1939]

@@gillianmeehan3206 It's definitely all in the delivery. The worse the situation, the more unflappable we have to appear.

[@peterhewson3216]

I remember in 1994 a former British Army Nurse was being interviewed about her experiences in a Military Hospital during the Normandy invasion and she mentioned that none of the wounded men she tended swore or yelled but just said, quietly "Oh Dear" I have never forgotten that.

[@TheFatwelder]

All Brits understand the phrase " needs a bit of work" when buying a used car, particularly a 'classic'.😁

[@ceejay0137]

Or a house . . . !

[@FlashPan73]

A bit of fettling. Or it'll take a weekend to fix.

[@Troubleatmill-h6d]

Your video also explains to me why I saw so many World Famous things advertised in the USA that I had never heard of.

[@Teverell]

It also probably explains the World Series of a game nobody but the Americans play.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Yes, we think everything is world famous over there!

[@depmil1]

@@Teverell Baseball is also very popular in Japan, but I suspect this fact is not well-known in the USA.

[@rjs_698]

​@@Teverell Apparently it's called The World Series because it was originally sponsored by a newspaper called "The World".

[@JAmediaUK]

@@rjs_698 True but (The World In Boston I believe) Ironic as US newspapers, even the nationals, have little or no international news in them.

[@jackx4311]

Classic example of British understatement: Picture the scene; a convoy of merchant ships, travelling through the English Channel in 1942; a German bomber comes over and drops a string of mines across the convoy's path. A small fishing trawler, converted into a minesweeper, goes ahead to clear the mines with its acoustic minesweeping gear - but doesn't know that the mines have both acoustic and magnetic fuses. First mine explodes at a safe distance - but triggers off a second mine, much closer. That sets off another two mines, one each side of the trawler - *KERBOOM!!* - and all the commodore of the convoy can see is huge columns of water. Eventually, the water clears, with the trawler staggering along, listing heavily to one side, with tons of water pouring off her deck and upperworks. (signal from commodore to minesweeper) "That was a big one." (signal from minesweeper to commodore) "What was?" *:))*

[@wbertie2604]

HMS Edinburgh was torpedoed near Murmansk. Apparently, there was much concern as the tea store was flooded (apparently there was a room dedicated to tea) and they had to make do with cocoa thereafter. The entire rear of the ship had been blown off and the middle was held together only because the deck was strong, but the big issue was the tea... The main power lines were severed in the middle of the ship, back up within three minutes. Got to make the kettle work somehow... Sadly, many did die, and the ship was ultimately lost. But they had to launch a dozen British torpedoes to scuttle her. She took out a German ship before going down

[@wbertie2604]

But apparently, ship to ship Comms mentioned slight issues and things being a bit off, etc. Did I mention the rear of the ship had been blown off?

[@Diovanlestat]

Queen Elizabeth II during Covid - Everything was falling apart, trains and buses out of service because drivers were dying, hospitals full and everone imprisoned at home. I had to go unvacinated into the Covud ward to look after my 90 year old father. Up she pop's on the TV, calm and strong and reassuring. "We'll meet again" she said, and the sunshine came out for me. This too we can conquer. ❤

[@garethjones6082]

The famously german queen?

[@glenchapman3899]

I have to admit that broke me when she said that - My mind immediately jumped to the famous Verna Lynn song

[@hawkmoon03111951]

@@garethjones6082 We English have been part Saxon since around the 6th century. The Royal familiy, like all of the royal families of Europe, are totally intermixed. The blood of many nationalities runs through the peoples of every European country.

[@AlienDenzil85]

As a Brit, I find your videos quite entertaining.

[@pollyparrot8759]

They're not bad are they?

[@CovBloke1310]

An understatement....

[@Jamrham]

13 years ago when I lost my job and facing lossing a place to live. I told people "it's not ideal"

[@bobanob-q2u]

Wow, that was absolutely awesome!!!! I think that was without doubt the best video you or anyone has ever made! Sorry just trying out being an American.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

you did a great job at it! 😂 Thanks for watching!

[@irenelindenmann4717]

Im Swiss but did some studies in the U.K. decades ago. One Monday morning, I decided to play drums in the chapel of the college I was studying at. Unfortunately, the chapel was right next to the library. It didn’t take long for a British student to turn up in the chapel and say: „You won’t find this the best times to practice your drums.“ I felt very embarrassed and left immediately.

[@BoxinaBand]

As a Brit working in the US (military), someone asked if "anyone was any good at Excel". I replied that I "wasn't too bad" to which they rejected my offer of help an re-asked the question to find someone who was actually good at Excel. Tbh, it saved me some nugatory work (a phrase that, incidentally, has no meaning in the US)

[@philspurling6414]

It's used all the time.

[@jockeyladjockeylad8492]

In my dim distant past I was working in a welding/fabrication shop when a fire broke out. A leak from a hydraulic pack got touched off & despite emptying six fire extinguishers on it we couldn't bring it under control & were forced outside to wait for the fire brigade. I was stood next to my manager watching several million pounds worth of equipment plus the building itself go up in flames when he remarked "Well, that's unfortunate." To which I replied "I think we might have a bit of trouble getting this week's orders out of the door." God only knows what an American listening in would have made of that.

[@VoxelLoop]

This is painfully true! If you get into a car accident, it's pretty much the same thing: Look at the car, "Well... That's unfortunate, how am I supposed to get shopping now?"

[@ultraredd]

This American would have laughed.

[@Troubleatmill-h6d]

One time I was trying without success to explain something to a visitor to the firm I worked for. He clearly did not understand and said, "I do apologise for not grasping what you are saying, I am but a humble neurosurgeon."....Which he was as it turned out.🙂

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Haha! Great story.

[@scottythedawg]

well it's not rocket science...

[@creakybones2407]

Regarding No4. There's an old saying that goes:- "Self praise is no recommendation" Enough said.🙂

[@robertcreighton4635]

My grandmother used to say that

[@gailstevens6831]

My mother drilled that saying into my head, and I'm an Aussie

[@stevenbalekic5683]

The modesty thing is the exact same thing in Australia. We call it the tall poppy syndrome, "a tall poppy gets cut down", meaning the same as what you mentioned here in the video. Many US tourists take it the wrong way here in Australia and seem to think we Aussies "cut down" anyone who becomes successful which is totally incorrect. We only cut down prideful boastfulness of oneself and when personalities change and start believing other people are below you...this is a big no in Australia.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Great point, thanks for sharing another culture's point of view and for watching!

[@peckelhaze6934]

I have been saying for a long time that Australians are very similar to us Brits. Very similar sense of humour,

[@ub3rfr3nzy94]

@@peckelhaze6934 I grew up in both countries, moving between them feels very natural. Aussies are just hot climate brits lol

[@jenniferwhite3258]

What really grates is some Americans' response to, for example, a whale breaching - screaming 'Oh My God' several times. I think perhaps Brits might watch open-mouthed in silence.

[@VoxelLoop]

I think it's really interesting how the different cultures handle stuff like this. For example, I'm a software developer, when I'm responding to support tickets I'll gladly throw myself under the bus. "Oops, looks like I forgot something there", that kind of thing. Personally? I feel like it makes me more relatable, I don't want to be up on some podium. I just want to be normal, a normal guy who screws things up sometimes but is trying to make things right. I can't relate to people wanting to be seen as 'above' everyone else, totally agree that in British and Aussie culture that stuff just doesn't stand.

[@TukikoTroy]

Just the opposite of what you said, I think most Brits would say that it is American hyperbole that comes across as being insecure and British understatement that gives an air of quiet confidence.

[@mrpositronia]

A Royal Air Force officer one told me the difference between UK and US soldiers, while tempering crowd anger and avoiding a flare-up (not at the time, but in general, I was only an air cadet!): British armed forces are told to keep calm and use a calm voice, and always use eye contact to prove you are listening and never wear sunglasses while doing so. US soldiers are more likely to wear sunglasses, have raised voices or show a lack of concern. it's a generalism, but it is noted. It's not 100% related to this topic, but it's an example of how we don't want to make a situation worse by overstating, or causing upset.

[@JAmediaUK]

That is true. The US Military tend to wear sunglasses and try to look macho when dealing with locals. That doesn't do down well. Eye contact and being quieter works far better. I have seen this first hand in warm climates.

[@LizPower-nw4mf]

@@JAmediaUK I seem to recal an advert (for Army recruitment?) doing exactly that. The person being addressed was angry and aggressive, until the wearer removed his sunglasses and he then became reasonable.

[@JAmediaUK]

@@LizPower-nw4mf There was a UK Military advert like that. It is something taught as part of how to handle people and understanding the locals and the energy (who many, or may not be the same thing) Despite the US being a nation of immigrants their military on the ground usually have a very hard time understanding the "rest of the world" and don't understand different cultures. Brits have a habit of "going native"

[@jacquieclapperton9758]

Much like the police where the UK police are trained to be unconfrontational and talk down situations.

[@philspurling6414]

Good Luck with Putin, Trump's not helping you all anymore! 😂

[@mericet39]

Tintin: What a storm! What a frightful storm! Captain Haddock: Nice little breeze, isn't it?

[@janetwilliams2835]

Belgian! 😅

[@jeffcable9961]

It has been said that a pessimist is an optimist but with all of the facts! 😂

[@Brockite]

Pessimists are rarely disappointed.

[@davidhines7592]

Sir Humphrey Appleby to Minister Jim Hacker (Yes Minister tv series) 'A pessimist is what an idealist calls a realist'

[@CymruCreator]

It's similar to sarcasm. The subtlety is part of trust building. if you can say something in a subtle way, and the other people can appreciate the extent of the situation, you have a shared unspoken understanding. It's part of social cohesion, something that seems to be absent in the USA as the american mindset seems adversarial. For example, in America, a server will treat you nice as a performance, since they want to get paid a bigger tip, but in the UK, people treat you nice because they want to make a connection. I also thin Americans want to be super obvious about everything because they are afraid to get sued. it feels like most things are transactional.

[@AWAL602]

Your recent content going much more deeply into not only the cultural differences between our countries, but the reasons for them have been really great. I keep wanting to reference them in discussions!

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Thank you for the lovely feedback, so glad you're enjoying and finding them useful!

[@CeiStockport-nx2qi]

You missed that understatement in the right place with the right tone is just FUNNY.

[@ajivins1]

Just a tad...

[@Liriq]

4:16

[@Diovanlestat]

The missing leg one destroyed me. 😂

[@terryhand]

It's all in the the suble inflections of the voice. When somebody says "it's a bit chilly" we know immediately if it is just a bit chilly or -10° c.

[@glen1555]

Its fresh today

[@ceejay0137]

Emphasis on the 'bit' = it is a bit chilly. Emphasis on the 'chilly' = absolutely bloody freezing!

[@samanthaharrison1826]

My 2 year old daughter stood in the door to the kitchen as water flooded through the ceiling and calmly said 'oh dear' - we Brits learn understatement young!!

[@billyo54]

Hi Kalyn. When I lived in the US I was initially taken aback (shocked) in American, by the hyperbole. After I acclimatised to this I overblown, over dramatised speech I just became bored with it as I realised none of these dramatics was real. After five years of this when I returned to London I found myself exaggerating from time to time. My friends back home pulled me up on my new found propensity and I quickly adjusted my speech. I must say I kind of missed the exaggeration for a little while but now I'm back to my understated, and perhaps slightly boring and predictable old self again.

[@Paul_Allaker8450]

Monty Python summed it up perfectly with the infamous "Tis but a flesh wound" 😂

[@johnadey9464]

Also it comes from a long military history, commanders always had to seem cool and unruffled - if they panicked the men would follow suit, If the men saw that the leaders weren't worried they would feel everything would be O.K..

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

very good point, thanks for watching!

[@JAmediaUK]

@@GirlGoneLondonofficial Normally in the British military if things are not going really well we put on a brew (make tea) OTOH if things have gone very well we stop and make a brew (and find some cake) Having won the world's largest empire, and lost it with many ups and downs along the way we have seen it all before and there is the immortal saying in the British Military. "If you can't take a joke, you shouldn't have joined". There is a very big difference between US and UK military ethos.

[@nicolasbeachy4862]

Indeed, I recall that way back when, British officers were expected to not duck during oncoming fire when advancing as they can't be seen showing any fear in front of the men they are leading

[@davidgriffiths9156]

I wouldn't say that the British are more fearful of confrontation, you don't get the worlds largest empire through fear of confrontation, rather I think it is more that the British (now, at least) would rather resolve the situation through diplomacy first then through action if need be (there are always exceptions to rules, of course). The American way, on the other hand, comes across as "gung-ho" - go in with all guns blazing first and if you have any questions you want answered hope that there is still something, or someone, alive to ask later. This video was good, I'm not going to go as far as saying very good. I don't want to appear too over the top with my comments.

[@dianeshelton9592]

To be honest most of the Empire was acquire by trade and then defending British trade. For example India was acquired by the British east India company trading and then needing its trading interests protected by the British Army. Admittedly by killing many Indians. Never forget most prefectures in India were controlled by one man and. A horse and a bicycle or car in later years. It’s not as if the British government decided it needed the Americas for anything other than trade initially.. 😊

[@DeclanFeeney]

My bother’s highest superlative when evaluating something is ‘Yeah. It’s not bad.’ I on the other hand am willing to be more positive and will stretch to: ‘I quite like it.’

[@RichWoods23]

Steady on there!

[@richardsinger01]

"It wasn't bad" eg about a meal can also mean it was truly horrible. At least when I say it...

[@garethjones6082]

Sorright (with a roll of the shoulders)

[@clivewilliams3661]

British understatement is a foundation stone of our diplomacy and it was our diplomacy that resulted in a small island on the edge of the Atlantic having the greatest empire that the world has ever seen for more than two centuries.

[@JAmediaUK]

And having lost it, with many ups and downs along the way, we have seen it all before. Nothing new and take it in our stride.

[@chantellelandon85]

I find it fascinating that America is a young country and they over exaggerate and are hyper about things. Kinda like a young child would be. And the U.K is a very old country and is just like a much older adult, who is like yeah yeah. It's o.k. and is more chill because they're older and over all the child like wonder and over exaggeration and hype.

[@eh1702]

The UK is pretty young, actually. Arguably, less than a century. Scotland and England united “into one country by the name of Great Britain” in 1707 (Wales never got mentioned). Then the government annexed Ireland into the British state in 1800, and the result was named “The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland”. And then in 1927, after the partition of Ireland, it morphed into another new country called The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

[@scottythedawg]

This is something I considered too. Emotional control is a sign of maturity. I also wondered if the hardships endured during the war and Victorian society values have cemented it.

[@samanthagibson5791]

​@@eh1702For the people (except Ireland) those were just name changes. A name change doesn't change your age. As she said in an earlier video, many Americans have only been there a couple of generations. It's different

[@garethjones6082]

Been there done that

[@eh1702]

@@samanthagibson5791 WTF? Did you think Scotland and England had the same government or something before 1707? Ireland was the personal property of the monarchy until 1800. Each one of these changes was effectively a change of national citizenship for millions of people.

[@wncjan]

In parts of Jutland, Denmark they have only two degrees when asked how they feel about something. Bad and Not too bad

[@jackx4311]

*:))* Reminds of what Norwegians say about their weather: "If it's not raining, it's either just stopped, or just about to start."

[@Atom.Storm.]

It'll be minus degrees, brutally cold outside and all you will here is "bit brisk out"

[@reluctantheist5224]

We say " A bit parky", no idea why.. 😊

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

So true!

[@King-balloon]

“A bit fresh” is my favourite

[@DraftingandCrafting]

"It's a little nippy."

[@offgrid7837]

I delivered a parcel to a customer the other day when it wasvery cold and snowing heavily and he asked what it was like outside. I said " A bit fresh".

[@davegoodwin1950]

A full lesson on why us Brits don't bullshit about everything

[@ceejay0137]

True. We're selective in our bullshit!

[@philipcochran1972]

You used a common British understatement, 'across the pond'.

[@brigidsingleton1596]

Am a tad surprised that the infamous sinking of a previously considered 'unsinksble' ship, was not described sooner as being "lost in the pond"...?!

[@bobhale7302]

When I was training some American teachers in China there was a couple who had brought their two teenage sons with them. They asked me for a good place to eat and I recommended a friend’s bar, particularly his pretty good sandwiches. Next day I asked one of the boys if he had enjoyed his sandwich. His reply was a wildly enthusiastic “It was awesome, awesome!”

[@theelmonk]

Ossum

[@DraftingandCrafting]

This brought back memories of the British contingent of our family visiting the Canadian side for ski season. At one point we rented Ski-doos and had an overly enthusiastic guide whose favourite term was "awesome", we joined in as we found it most amusing to refer to the mundane as awesome. It is still an in--joke when we get together, and an awesome one at that.

[@davidgiddings8845]

Love your videos, I love the way you make me think about the common differences. You're a great mirror to U.K. love ❤

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Thank you so much, appreciate it!

[@MrMuel1205]

Here in Australia we'll often respond when asked how we're going by replying "not too bad". How bad/good we're actually going can be determined from the intonation. I've always found it to be amusing - it implies we expect things to be unbearably bad and if they're not, it's a pleasant surprise.

[@andrewobrien6671]

One of my favourites is after a disaterous event "well that could have gone better" Als saying "Well that went well" for the same disaster". Peronally I like to use "Lets do this and then see how it goes wrong"

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Haha, I've definitely picked this kind of speaking style up...I like to preface everything by how it's about to go wrong and then be pleasantly surprised if anything goes right!

[@helenchelmicka]

Or you've got the worst result possible 'It is what it is' 😂😂

[@Jason_L10]

UK and America, two countries separated by a common language.

[@MiscellanyTop]

Oscar Wilde! :)

[@tobywjparkes3035]

And a bloody great ocean ( Al Murray 😆)

[@kenhobbs8565]

Brits can say "this is the best pizza in the world" and make it sound like the worst. It's a talent.

[@sophietucker3163]

Can’t get enough of these videos 🇬🇧💕 love your perspectives Kalyn

[@jimdaw65]

5:47 As I understand it, the "Keep Calm and Carry On" poster was never used. It was created in case of a German invasion, which, as we now know, never happened.

[@mericet39]

I can imagine Brits of the time reacting to an invasion: "Nice weather for it, anyway. Would you like to cup of tea, Jerry?"

[@bushwhackeddos.2703]

We are in vaded on a daily basis now, Keep calm and carry on until the bitter end.

[@alanmon2690]

​@@mericet39 After the second world war a German POW (Bert Trautmann) joined Manchester City football club as their goalkeeper (not without some disquiet from the supporters). He told the story of how he was captured: he was running away from captors in Germany and landed amongst some British soldiers who simply handed him a cup of tea.​

[@andrewtadd4373]

​@alanmon2690 he also played a game with a broken neck

[@barbararichards8700]

@andrewtadd - you’ve just reminded me of our family watching that game on tv, and spending some time commenting unfavourably on the player who kept holding his neck. I must have learned very early that the right thing to do is make light of an injury. I do recall also family contrition when we learned about the broken neck!

[@mdpenny42]

"Nice weather for ducks" when it's raining heavily.

[@MichaelLamming]

We live on a small crowded island, people need to get along with each other. Wanting privacy also explains at least some of the behaviour. Being loud and boastful, rather understated and polite tends to work better.

[@jackflanagle6079]

I think Brits maybe get on better in Japan as they have some similar circumstances. (I'm American)

[@AlOh-2]

When I was in year 7. A class maté chopped his thumb off in woodwork class. He started screaming. Which made the teacher walk over and he noticed the thumb on the floor. He grabbed the kids hand and said ‘oh it appears you have chopped your thumb off Sean. Think I should take you to reception’. I will never forget how calm the teacher was 😂

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Great story...poor Sean though!

[@scottmasson3336]

I was a technical teacher and understand that totally. If you stay calm the class stay calm.

[@AlOh-2]

@@GirlGoneLondonofficialit gets worse. He blamed me for it and I got suspended for two weeks. I didn’t even do anything 😂

[@AlOh-2]

@@scottmasson3336that makes total sense. Teenagers are dramatic enough.

[@johnbath616]

as always ,interesting ,enlightening and never boring , another topic that is new and refreshing .

[@richieb7692]

The Americans are always Super Excited over everything... In Britain it wouldnt even be worth mentioning

[@Wee_Langside]

I Find these videos very interesting. Sometimes British understatement doesn't go down well in Europe as well. My wife and I were in a small restaurant in rural France with another British couple. The owner and chef asked how the meal was? The other husband said "pas mal" which really upset. Fortunately my wife is really fluent in French and was able to explain it meant the meal was in fact very good.

[@grahamtravers4522]

"Not bad" was my father's typical observation if he approved of something. Coming from South Wales, his full endorsement would bring forth a "Tidy !". Otherwise he might profer "A blind man would be glad to see it" ...

[@paulgnsn554]

When I was 9 and in science class I had been sneak eating the end of a pack of crisps with all the dusty flavouring. It went down the wrong way, and suddenly I couldn't breathe properly. The teacher was infamously strict and I didn't want to disturb him, even as my face turned red and I struggled to breath. I grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled the SOS "I seem to be having some problem getting air into my lungs". The note was given quickly to the teacher, who stopped the lesson immediately, gave me some water and took me outside to recover. Even aged 9...I was dyed in the wool British😂

[@darkpitcher5242]

I recall a story about P.T Barnum when asked how business was going he replied " It's colossal it's terrific, but it'll buck up later"

[@TroelsNybo1st]

Is this why USAmericans describe their nation as the greatest in the world?

[@CovBloke1310]

Americans can do understatement VERY well, as in "Houston, we have a problem"

[@ceejay0137]

But it happens so infrequently that it gets used as an example for decades . . . !

[@jerry2357]

So the only example of American understatement that you could come up with was said over fifty years ago!?!

[@jamesbeeching6138]

Good video GGL....Admiral Beattys quote was "There's something wrong with our bloody ships today"!! Which at the time "bloody" was quite a strong swear (or curse in USA😅) word!! Probably equivalent to the f word for swearing!!!😊😊😊😊😊. Additionally Britain is one of the most sarcastic countries in the world!! So if you WERE being OTT about a pizza, film or lasagne most people would think you are actually being sarcastic!!😊😊😊😊😊

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Thank you so much!

[@grahamtravers4522]

What was "wrong with the ships" was that the watertight and blast doors were left open to allow the guns to be reloaded faster (thereby allowing explosions to spread easily to the ammunition magazines) - presumably on Beatty's orders ...

[@paulchambers3142]

Oh dear😂

[@jamesbeeching6138]

@@GirlGoneLondonofficial no thank you!! This is the most amazing and inspiring You tube video I have ever seen....You are like a content genius Kalyn!!😆😆😆😆😆

[@Upemm]

I remember “bloody” being the worst swear word you could use growing up 😂

[@Pesmog]

Its like when you ask your wife how she is doing today. If she says 'fine', then that is a big red flag for a British husband that he has done something pretty wrong and that there may be long silences for the rest of the day and that you might 'have words' later. 🙂

[@stevealharris6669]

Quick buy a Shed at once 😊 (or two if you can afford them).

[@andywright1634]

Yeah, but if she said "Awesome", you know she's getting a bit on the side from that hunk at work.....or a new pair of hideously expensive shoes ;)

[@garyiow8482]

If she says 'Fine', just treat her as if everything is fine. Job done.

[@DraftingandCrafting]

Yet describing a meal as "fine" is high praise. I wonder if the term fine dining is related...

[@oldgreybeard2507]

I must say that a great deal of hyperbole not to say downright lying was dished out by the bucket full in a recent American election. That worked out well.

[@JAmediaUK]

Americans usually don't get irony or sarcasum.

[@eleveneleven572]

Yes, very well indeed 😂

[@emdiar6588]

Related to understatement, we Brits describe a thing/situation not by stating the obvious but rather by eliminating the opposite. For example: How did it feel? American, "great" = Brit, "not bad" You want some cake? American, "Hell yeah" = Brit, "I wouldn't say no." You win the lottery. American, "The best day of my life" = Brit, "not the worst day I've ever had". I notice this a lot. We usually define a thing by listing things that don't apply to it. Positive things - non too shabby. Could be worse etc Negative things - I've seen better. Can't say I'm happy about... etc It's a natural cousin of understatement.

[@CirTap]

"America is the greatest country on Earth." "New York is the biggest city on the planet." sentences like that always make me laugh 😂

[@Quzinqa1122]

😆 For onlookers/-listeners this could be seen as arrogance. 😉

[@CirTap]

​@@Quzinqa1122 I'm just being realistic 😂 because none of these frequently uttered phrases are true and a tiny sample of the exaggeration she's referring to 👋

[@Quzinqa1122]

@@CirTap 😀👍

[@Tass...]

"Oh we're high fiving the arrival of the salad now are we" - Micky Flanagan.

[@fabulousaardvark4776]

Top Gear : 'That could have gone better' Glorious Glosters live forever.

[@slytheringingerwitch]

Usually you know how much by using the phrase 'just a tad!'

[@graveperil2169]

tad helpfully translated by the 2000 AD comic into american as Total Annihilation Device

[@WX51]

Andy Wallace - McLaren F1 Top Speed Run 31st March 1998 - "But anyway, 391km/h (243MPH) is quite fast isn't it?"

[@grahamwalker2312]

A near crisis for a Brit is when your about to run out of tea !!

[@terrym3837]

Yes it does raise the temperature a notch

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

You guys have an incoming head of state who sees everything as, "the biggest ever", or "the most in the history of America", or maybe, "a stable genius", or even, "the first time in human history". You love this guy. Never trust someone who uses only superlatives.

[@JAmediaUK]

The US will learn, but the rest of the world (particularly NATO and the EU) has already come to that conclusion some while ago.

[@aeris2001]

Trump would never get elected in the UK for this reason

[@tomtom21194]

"We might be in a spot of bother" (We're all about to die.)

[@10538overture]

A lot of British understatement is, as you say, simply humorous.

[@wivenhoeessex]

I was a police officer in London. When I needed urgent assistance I would radio the controlroom (dispatch) in a very matter of fact voice saying "this isn't going as well as I would have hoped".

[@davidfreeman2522]

And as an American I would know you were up to your ass in trouble

[@andrewwmacfadyen6958]

"You may say that but I couldn't possibly comment"

[@kristinapaxton9686]

I think it comes from WW2 - "Keep calm and carry on." If the British flapped around with high octane dramatic statements every time the nazis bombed London - it would damage morale. Understating things is an art form of mental survival and wit in a sticky situation. Also Americans love drama e.g. American news whereas in Britain keeping everyone as sedated as possible is more sensible in order not to cause panic. I rather prefer this style and attitude because it has helped me survive some difficult situations myself.

[@tomhedger7013]

I've noticed that where a British person might say 'throw stones an American would say 'Hurl rocks' which always puts me in mind of Thor and the Hulk trying to down a dragon! Also that thing in the utility room that the British call a boiler (whilst regarding that as an exaggeration since the last thing you want it to do is boil!}, seems to be known as a Furnace. 'My god are you smelting iron ore in there!!! Apparently some Brit once referred to the sinking of the Titanic as a very nasty boating accident.

[@delskioffskinov]

Another interesting and original piece of content Lass! thoroughly enjoyed it!

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Many many thanks!

[@FalcomScott312]

It looks like we Brits can teach many Americans not to exaggerate everything here!

[@grahamtravers4522]

That may be a slight exageration ... 😉

[@_starfiend]

@@grahamtravers4522 Look, I've told you a million times not to exaggerate!

[@michaelj3282]

As a Brit, we love self depracating humour, see the differences between the Office UK and USA, totally different. Could the USA come up with The Life of Brian? But then again we couldn't come out with Animal House, s that's a 50/50.

[@nigelogilvie9450]

I work in the British railway / railroad industry. A colleague went to New York to study methods in maintenance depots of the subway system. There were three depots. The first one he visited had a stone monument outside, marked "No 1 best depot". He later visited one of the other depots, and there was an identical monument at the entrance. Also no 1. When he returned and told us, we all shook our heads at this deception.

[@tonys1636]

From a Police officer that pulled me for speeding "Where's the fire? and you forgot the blues and twos, oh, you don't have any". Got away with just the usual producer, a form to take to a nominated police station along with license, MOT and insurance within 5 days if not carrying them. The Falklands has never been described as a war in MOD documents, that was the press and Politicians, to the MOD it was an incident.

[@grahamstubbs4962]

I read that in a war history of Korea: 'To the Last Round'. What the Brits were attempting to say was send help, we're being f***ing slaughtered. Best hope NATO have developed better inter-national communications in the subsequent years.

[@stephenlee5929]

On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is the situation: Brit maybe a 6 (or well we are speaking, so we aren't dead yet). American Its a definite 11. I love that the Americans will give 110%. Its weird, there was one famous line where an American gave the typical British phased 'Call for help'... 'Houston, We have a problem' (Apollo 13). As the Officer (British) calling for Help, you don't know how bad everything else is, that's for Central Command to know, you don't want your men to think its worse than it is, you don't want the enemy (who might hear your call) to know how bad your situation is.

[@JAmediaUK]

@@stephenlee5929 the reason for "'Houston, We have a problem'" is there is a hell of a lot of screening at NASA and they only send mature adults into space. The US military as a whole is far less selective.

[@grahamstubbs4962]

@@stephenlee5929 Quite so. Never panic the men. Although, if you are surrounded by dead bodies and they are wearing your regiment's uniform, expect a little unsettledness.

[@davidhines7592]

we understate when we are confident. sort of 'if you got it, you don't need to flaunt it'. its also being calm and in control.

[@danmayberry1185]

Kalyn, this was a master class - without a word of exaggeration. 🏆

[@Dreador.]

I work for an American company and the noticeable thing in interactions is the one sidedness of accepting these differences, with UK side doing the heavy lifting.

[@rain_down_]

You missed one of the best (understandable if it's against KZbin rules!) If a Brit says something is 'bollocks' it means it's awful, the worst, not good at all. However if a Brit says something is 'the dogs bollocks', then it's the best, it's the ultimate compliment.

[@andrewwmacfadyen6958]

You will need to revisit this topic 4 years from now.😮

[@XenonPrimeSBSV]

I have to admit I do find exuberance and exaggeration untrustworthy, like the speaker is trying to sell me a trash product for more than it's worth. If something is good it is self-evident, if it's getting hyped up then it clearly isn't very good if it needs people to shout about it so much. The best, are, the worst try to hide their inferiority.

[@davidhyams2769]

That's the best description of the USA I've seen. Claims to be the biggest and best at everything but statistics tell otherwise. About the only things where it's top of the table are defence spending and the size of its military. But the effectiveness thereof is questionable. They have never won a war in the 20th & 21st centuries in which they were the sole combatant fighting the enemy. I don't think invading a small Caribbean island counts.

[@PaulMundy-f8k]

In the UK there is also a differential between someone from down south and a Yorkshireman. A southerner might say it's minus 5 degrees and we're snowed in whilst a Yorkshireman would say, I'd better put my big coat on.

[@noggintube]

Just an urban myth.

[@eddhardy1054]

Wouldn't a Yorkshireman actually say 'I would put a big coat on but they're expensive and I'm not made of money. I'll just wear a thicker vest.'

[@glen1555]

​@@eddhardy1054it's a bit parky outside love, tha'll need thee coat on today

[@DraftingandCrafting]

Tha' nesh or summat?

[@barbararichards8700]

When I lived in W Yorks for a few years, I was at first baffled in cold weather by frequent references to ‘ crombie coats’ and envy expressed of someone who had ‘a reet good crombie coat’ - it was some time before I felt at home enough to ask what one was. As I was living up on the moors, I also did once ask a local, in June and I was still wearing gloves and winter coat, if they ever got much Summer up there. The reply was, ‘aye, I remember one day last August that was really nice’.

[@garyiow8482]

I live on the south coast of England (Isle of Wight). We get some pretty wild storms down here. It's not unusual to hear someone say 'It's a bit bit breezy out today' when the wind is topping 120 mph!

[@paulchambers3142]

Some years ago i visited a friend who lives in a 20 bedroom mansion in the UK....he described it as "quite adequate ". Yet another great subject which is both thought provoking and comical. ❤😊

[@JAmediaUK]

Being less than 500 years old, it would have been fairly modern.... :-) Some years ago a colleague had to go to the US to set up some kit. They took her on a social and showed her with pride the "oldest house in the state" . They were somewhat disappointed when she said her own hose was about 10 years older. As was the whole street she lived in, in Birmingham, UK

[@glen1555]

Didn't Rolls Royce used to say, when asked about the HP rating of their car engines, say it was "adequate "

[@joshuarosen465]

The mansions in Newport were called cottages so understatement isn't limited to England.

[@JAmediaUK]

@@joshuarosen465 I assume Newport, Wales?

[@joshuarosen465]

@JAmediaUK Newport Rhode Island.

[@ChrisShelley-v2g]

"The Unpleasantness" Winston Churchill regarding the second world war.

[@dinger40]

American - Bloody furious = English - Slightly miffed

[@genevievenoble8120]

A tad vexed..