Top Gear (TG) presenter James May’s nickname is Captain Slow. As you’d expect from a country where sarcasm is a team sport, the moniker disses Mr. May’s driving skills. But the nickname could just as easily refer to May’s intellectual agility. Like automotive alpha Jeremy Clarkson, May is always happy to take an analytical shortcut, especially if it leads to some good old fashioned America bashing. Writing about his recent stateside sojourn in the Telegraph– "Eat Junk, Drive Junk"– May once again reveals that the U.S. and the UK are two nations separated by British snobbery.
“Since I'm still in the States this week, I thought I'd have another go at headbanging that old chestnut about American cars and why they never work in Europe. Because, let's be honest, they generally don't. There have been one or two surprising successes in recent years, such as the Jeep 4×4s, but on the whole you drive an American car only if you're an Elvis impersonator or a dealer in vintage Wurlitzer jukeboxes. That is, a bit unhinged.”
Fair enough. American cars are generally larger and thirstier than the European sedans. Provided you’re not an Elvis fan or jukebox collector, you can spot May the “unhinged” comment. But what follows has nothing to do with American cars and Eurozone roads. It’s impure, adulterated bile.
“I've been driving a few this week… the Dodge Grand Caravan (a large MPV, or what the yanks would call a ‘minivan’), the Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn Edition (no, honestly, it's a pick-up) and the new Mustang convertible. And there is a common characteristic that is apparent in all of them and in every other mainstream American car I've ever tried. They don't seem to be very good.”
One wonders if May’s Ram was built in Coahulia, and whether his definition of “mainstream American cars” includes U.S.-built Toyotas, Hondas, etc. In any case, May’s Caravan and Mustang are part of a contracting niche. And while the Ram may not be class-leader, it’s very good at doing what it’s supposed to do. But Captain Slow’s driven a bunch of Yank tanks and they all suck. Really? Really.
“In the past, this has been explained away as a fundamental disparity in the remit of the car between the old world and the new… I think it might be something a bit more complex than that. American cars might genuinely be a bit rubbish, and to explain why I'd like to return to the tiresome and pretentious subject of food.”
And then May gets genuinely insulting. He slams American cuisine “because it would appear that the principal job of food is to be thrown away.” For some reason, this insight inspires May to buy some local ingredients and make a shepherd’s pie (ground meat and mashed potato topped with melted cheese). The pie turns out “twice as big [as UK pies] that had cost half as much and yet tasted pretty much of the square root of Monterey Jack.”
“And if it's true of pie, it must be true of cars. We are constantly amazed at how cheap American cars seem to be, but only until we try one. The Grand Caravan is a miserable conveyance with a clumsy, antiquated gearchange, meanly upholstered seats and an interior that would make Alcatraz look inviting. The Ram is probably the worst car I've ever driven. It looks absurd, the ride is truly atrocious and the relationship between the steering wheel and its road behaviour borders on the hazardous. I dearly want to love the Mustang because it at least seems to stand for what the American car was once all about, but with the best will in the world it's a bit of a phoney pony with sloppy deportment and a cabin that came out of a Kinder egg.”
May’s unconsummated Mustang love says it all. On one hand, he admires America’s automotive exuberance. On the other hand, he can’t. And that’s because validating– or even tolerating– this country’s “can do” spirit would mean rejecting the po-faced, post-Empire, acid-tongued cynicism that informs everything he does, says, writes and is.
Speaking to May’s main point, do American cars deserve such blanket dismissal? This collection of writers– scribes who regularly and fully criticize American automobiles as and when they deserve it– thinks not. As our forthcoming review of the new Honda Accord will testify, there are plenty of superb mainstream American cars. And yes, we’ve reviewed some solid “domestic” efforts as well.
In short, May’s prose is tainted by [the same old] British anti-American prejudice. In fact, the next time Captain Slow wants to visit the states; I suggest he needn't bother. As May’s clearly incapable of the intellectual rigor required to keep an open mind and a balanced perspective, he might as well just phone it in. Again.
[Read Mr. May's full Telegraph article here.]
133 Comments on “Between The Lines: James May on American Cars and Food...”
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American food sucks. Riiiiiiight…
Anyone who has had the nessecity (read: misfortune) to have to eat two or more consecutive meals of standard british fare will tell you; Britain’s crap is just as crappy as american crap, unless you’re out at fine dining. Compare the best Fish n’ Chips place in England to the most mediocre Chipotle state side. I know which I’d rather eat.
But the cars he does review do suck, especially the Mustang which is an overpriced piece of crap selling off to fat middle aged men with nostalgia and kids who would have bought IROC-Zs not too long ago.
Too much crap food leads to the worlds biggest asses, leads to the worlds worst cars, go May!!
Hey, leave Europe out of it! UK is not part of Europe.
I have to say, though, that I don’t quite understand the objections to his article. The tone of it is no worse than the bile TTAC pours on most models it tests (the only extra ingredient is a few snipes at the US, some of which ring true).
Perhaps James May is expressing his anger that Ford is unloading its two ‘British’ assets, Jaguar and Land Rover in this roundabout way?
It can’t be easy, being an automotive writer in a country with no makes of its own, other than those owned by former colonies (US and India), or former enemies (Germany) :-)
Ya, but at least our teeth are better here.
kkop,
Hey, leave Europe out of it! UK is not part of Europe.
I hate to break it to you, but the UK is very much a part of Europe, both geographically and politically.
The UK is part of the European “plate” which extends as far as Iceland all the way to the Causcus region (where Turkey has part of their land mass (Thrace)).
Politically, The UK is an active member of the EU and EFTA.
As for not owning any car companies , we’ve got Aston Martin back. The financiers are Arabian, but the papers says “Prodrive”. It was a UK led consortium.
The fact is, this article just stinks of not being able to take criticsm. If that’s James May’s opinion? Fine, leave it be.
But let’s face it, Americans aren’t even buying American cars (Which is why we have deathwatches!) so why jump on James May for saying what we’ve been saying on TTAC….?
The difference between TTAC’s editorials critiquing US designed/built vehicles, and May’s analysis, is that TTAC’s credit is built on being un-biased, which I think they hold very well. I don’t care what badge is on the front grill (or lower front quarter panel a la GM.) I look at each car with an open mind. James clearly hasn’t. We could have handed him the keys to the finest American vehicles and he still would have hated them. He didn’t exactly drive the best examples of American Engineering, but it didn’t matter, his mind was made up.
TTAC, go review a British car on British soil. That should level the playing field I think!
BTW, I enjoy May’s commentary on Top Gear, but he, just like Clarkson, is very biased.
What would the key fob to the finest American vehicles say on it anyways?
Cadillac? Chrysler?
I am having trouble thinking of an example for May to review.
I read the orginal article. I think his criticism of “American” cars refers to the products of the Big 2.8, as opposed to cars “assembled” in America ( by whoever ) and/or those purchased, in general, by Americans.
And reading the review of those very products on these pages, you would be hard pressed not to agree with him.
Why would May consider US-built Hondas and Toyotas “mainstream American” cars? We don’t consider Canadian-built Chevy pickups “mainstream Canadian” vehicles, just as we don’t look at a large percentage of VWs sold in this country as “mainstream Mexican” cars.
To be sure May is biased against America in a lot of ways just like Clarkson…but I take all their reviews with a grain of salt. They’re entertainers first, car reviewers further down. And a Brit ragging on American food is a laugher.
KatiePuckrik :
The UK is part of the European “plate” which extends as far as Iceland all the way to the Causcus region (where Turkey has part of their land mass (Thrace)).
Technically the European plate only makes it halfway across Iceland, but who’s counting?
Katie: sure the UK is in Europe. But you wouldn’t know it from speaking with Brits. Whenever I am in the UK, with almost no exception people refer to continental Europe as “Europe”. And when they say “Europe”, you know exactly what they mean: those countries across the Channel. Even border officials express themselves that way.
And about May and Clarkson: Nowadays, anti-Americanism is common all over the world. Does this really surprise you guys? This ain’t 1999. Intelligent, educated people are not anti-American, but such people do tend to be a minority, wherever you go.
TopGear obviously has made it’s name through unabashed bastardry and overall review brutality. It is really more of an entertainment show than an informative automotive review show, and it is tailored to appeal to British audiences. While my red, white and blue blood naturally boils at such nonsense as May’s review, I think we can all agree that TTAC is above this subject matter altogether. I’m not one for the “USA rulez, Europe sux eggs and can’t fight wars” type of debates.
This review was far from objective and ill-informed, since comparing the driving dynamics and build quality of the new Mustang to the old wouldn’t yield such despair as was evident in his dismissal of the car. American cars get a blanket dismissal for the same reason the new Jaguar XF was roundly panned the moment a few photos leaked onto the ‘net – America, like Jaguar, is a big soft punching bag and everybody wants to take their swing. People heap derision upon us Yanks because they don’t like our foreign policy. This has very little to do with cars and will doubtless inspire rather pointless debate and mouth-foaming over which country is #1.
bfg9K,
I know that, but it wasn’t relevant to my point.
At least I can still have my man crush on Hammond…
who cares what May thinks. The Brits let their government run all over them, pretty soon UK subjects won’t be allowed to own cars or drive so they can gaze across the pond and remember the glory days of personal transportation.
When you consider for a minute the British auto industry state of affairs I find it amazing that May has any room to criticize the US auto industry.
Let’s put this on an ultimate scale.
3 Largest US Automakers that are American owned:
GM
Ford
Chrysler (soon to be after the transaction)
3 Largest British Automakers that are British owned:
Land Rover / Jaguar (nope – Ford an American car brand owns that one)
Aston Martin (nope – a conglomertate of foreign companies own that one)
Rover (they make nothing anymore but headlines of bankruptcy)
Lotus – (nice botique car company – makes great…small cars and that’s completely it). Nice vehicle to pack the bags or take more than 2 people with.
Atom / Morgan – (even smaller botique of sports cars)
I’m a fan of Top Gear but Clarkson / May are your typical British with an unfounded superiority complex. Seems the cars they rave and love – can’t keep the factory running an they wind up as someone else’ parts bin. Remember Lucas wiring? – What a smart Brit invention…polish the wood in the interior and have a monkey do the wiring. B/c what looks better…a UK car that looks nice but doesn’t work (meaning it’ll always look nice)…or an American brutish car that was designed by an Accountant but still somehow works – even though the interior if fisher price.
I own a 2005 Ford Mustang. It has been a great car—unlike the BMW 3 Series that stranded me in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania. Also, I can assure you—I am neither fat, middle aged, or redneck. But I digress.
KatiePukrik. Hate to let facts get in the way here. Americans are buying American cars…but I guess they are only bought by “those type of Americans” that Mr Mays and snobby Brits & Euros of his ilk disdain and generally discount. “Those type” include many hard working middle class families who lost love ones “across the pond” defending this British Bas—ds right to free speech.
The hypocrisy here is amazing!
When someone on TTAC criticises the “big 2.801″ is “constructive” and “Helpful”. When a foreigner does it, how many people leap up to defend it?! Infact, I’ve seen many people draw parallels between the US auto industry and British Leyland days! Yet how many people have said things to the tune of “What auto industry do the Brits have?”. I don’t have a child, but even I can see that wishy washy “time out” style discipline doesn’t work!
When I saw this article I wondered how long it would be before people got defensive!
Jeff in Canada wrote “TTAC, go review a British car on British soil. That should level the playing field I think!”
Well, what kind of mainstream mass produced automobiles are British?
True answer: NOT ONE SINGLE VEHICLE (since MGRover went bust a couple years ago).
At least in Canada, you have a truly Canadian automobile maker (for now).
GM of Canada is one of the very few companies on earth descended from a horse buggy operation (literally). McLaughlin built Buick automobiles in Canada, then added Chevrolet cars (about 90 years ago). Later, it became GM of Canada, and is now wholly owned by GM, so I suppose one could claim it is no longer a Canadian company.
The only other car company to survive long-term from a horse buggy operation was Studebaker (1852-1966). Ironically, Studebaker closed up shop in the US over Christmas 1963, and continued in Canada to the end, using GM Canada engines for 1965-1966 cars. Engines for which they were vastly overcharged, I might add, which hastened their demise.
Wonder if this is how GM will end? In Canada, buying parts from other suppliers? Guess it depends upon how the UAW talks go…..
After reading UMterp85’s comments on “British Bas–ds” I am disgusted with this site and I now refuse to read or comment on this site.
TTAC is boycotted by myself.
I think that May’s vitriol-filled comments border on jealosy (Aston is all they “have”), although I agree with him about the RAM (whose time is past). I predict that the next model of the RAM may actually have a grille 6″ lower (as opposed to the pre-gas price plan of 6″ higher) than the existing model.
As to TTAC’s “anti-Detroit” bias, I think that TTAC is on the side of the domestics, in the sense that criticism may wake them up to make the cars that they’re capable of making.
I’d really love to see them make a car (in the next six months, please) that I’d consider buying.
I watched a PBS show on the love/hate directed by Europe towards the US. By the end, my foremost thought was – Who cares what they think, they’re committing demographic suicide with their fallen-off-a-cliff birth rates. Another few decades and there won’t be any left to watch/read/hear. Except for the immigrants who’ll be minding the natives as they descend into their dotage. Perhaps Katie can then review the fashionable woman’s conveyance – the hijab. I read an account by a Brit ethnographer searching for the origins of a particular decorative South Asian/Middle Eastern symbol. Her journeys took her to Afghanistan and Iran and she did wear a hijab as necessary. Said it was like driving a Volvo.
jaje – Lotus isn’t Brit owned or run anymore either…it’s owned by Proton in Malaysia
After reading UMterp85’s comments on “British Bas–ds” I am disgusted with this site and I now refuse to read or comment on this site.
TTAC is boycotted by myself.
You’re disgusted with the whole of TTAC because of what one reader said?
Gotta complain about something, since foreigners own damn near all British automotive marques these days. I’d probably do the same in his shoes.
But the food analogy is hilarious. Sure we have way too many fast food joints, but who do we thank for the Mad Cow scare?
And for every Big Mac we sell, they consume a plate of Chicken Tikka Masala cooked in cream and butter: loaded with fat. Indian food is everywhere, and most of the restaurants I visited in London served it up nice and greasy.
Not trying to shoot down May’s arguement, I’m just questioning it with what I’ve seen.
Well, the comments took a turn for the worse as I was composing my comment. I hope Katie comes back as I enjoy what she has to say. That said, it is frustrating getting bashed for the sin of being American and believing in American exceptionalism. As it happens, I also believe in the exceptionalism of the Anglosphere and that won’t change because of silly twits like May. And I do worry about the demographic black hole Europe and the UK are approaching.
An Englishman criticizing American cuisine? He has got to be kidding.
Now, if it were an Italian or a Frenchman criticizing American cuisine…
I’ve been disappointed in Great Britain since the greatest British car company of them all – Matchbox (Lesney) – went bankrupt in the early 1980s.
Let May and Clarkson blabber on about how awful the US is all they want. They’re just serving up propaganda for a population that is slowly having their cars taken away by environmental jihadists, has their fuel taxed to absurd levels, and are taxed based on how much carbon their cars fart out. They have to be told how awful US food is now because soon the EJ’s will start jacking with theirs with the aim of reducing human flatulence emissions.
So Britain’s lack of a car industry makes them unable to criticize crap cars when they see them? America’s best? Maybe the Corvette, which Top Gear gave a very favorable review of, hell, Clarkson even owned a Ford GT at one point (he may still, I don’t know).
I am trying to think of another car that the US produces that is world-class in any way. Sure the Fusion/Milan are about equal to a Camry, but they will depreciate quicker, and it is not like the Camry is a great car in any way.
While I regret Katie Puckrick’s decision to boycott this site, I am allowing mterp85’s comment to stand.
Despite May’s “cap in hand,” qualifier-laden rhetorical style, his article was a shot across the bow of America. As long as commentators don’t flame each other, I’m prepared to let these comments through.
Katie: sure the UK is in Europe. But you wouldn’t know it from speaking with Brits. Whenever I am in the UK, with almost no exception people refer to continental Europe as “Europe”. And when they say “Europe”, you know exactly what they mean: those countries across the Channel.
That’s absolutely right. Any Brit who defines himself as “European” is making an implicit political statement, as many don’t view themselves as European. Blair’s failed dream of seeing Britain adopt the euro is one example of the Brits tendng to hold out against too close of an affiliation with the Continent. They are an island nation, and to that extent, maintain an island mentality, a remnant of an era when it was the world’s greatest empire, not left to compete for crumbs of leadership against the French and Germans in a European bloc.
In any case, I think that these Americans-raising-their-hackles-against-Brit-snobbery articles that you see occasionally in the US media somewhat miss the point. Namely, that it is ingrained in the British character to mock everything and anything as a form of sport. If you think that they are anti-American, you should see what bons mots they direct toward the French, or the Germans, or for that matter, to each other.
Sarcasm in the UK is considered to be witty and clever, a form of jousting, and is often used just for the sake of humor and to amuse one’s friends. It’s quite different from how Americans use sarcasm, as they generally limit it to those whom they wish to offend.
The car press in the UK is similar to the US press, in that reviewers tend to love BMW’s and do a bit too much cheerleading than they should for the home team products, looking for glimmers of hope when they should just review the car, warts and all.
Their comments about American cars are a bit gratuitous, but anyone who has seen one on a European road, particularly one of our land yachts, can’t help but think that some of them are just excessive and absurd. I remember laughing when I saw an Escalade driving through Amsterdam, because it was so utterly enormous compared to everything else around it that it looked like a Panzer in search of a village to destroy.
KatiePukrik: I apolgize for the wording of my comment toward May (but not the intent). As such, I will vent my frustration in a more politically correct way the next time—and take my cue from ChuckR—-I will now refer to May and others of his ilk as “silly twits”
The Dodge Ram has a rough ride and doesn’t handle well??? What a shock!!
This man has such insight. He is a genius> /sarcasm
You know, this buy would probably be surprised to learn that a Hummer gets low mileage.
We’re being chided by an englishman about food and automobiles? What next, dentistry?
TTAC better watch their step here. I’m not defending James May’s blanket statments, but considering his European audience, he’s passing some fair judgements.
Europeans like their cars space-efficient, fuel-efficient, taut and nimble. Carmakers acheive this through cutting-edge engineering, and express their advancements through distinctive styling and a certain level of interior refinement. Can anyone name one American car that seems to fit the bill? And don’t use the Accord as a crutch -it’s still considered Japanese amongst the general buying public, and their perception is all that matters.
Back to the big 2.8 -it seems to me that they’re primarily focused on a certain definition of quality (as in reliability and durability) and price (that’s the bean counters listening to the focus groups). I think GM, Chrysler and Ford are producing some fine examples of class-leaders on these points, and TTAC is passing some fair judgements on them.
If TTAC wants to defend good American industrial design & engineering, I’ll support that. But using a Honda to exemplify American cars? puh-lease.
All three of the vehicles May reported on really are cheap nasty make-do designs built on the cheap. Their skewering is completely deserved.
Bringing up the Honda Accord as a counterexample is irrelevant, and you know why.
This dude got confused since the steering wheel of North American cars is on the correct side, but the wrong side for him. It thre him in tizzie and he got slightly frustrated.
Oh man, I think you guys take editorials too seriously!
Agreed. I think there’s also some inflamitory muckraking going on too. He really doesn’t mean he would rather be in Alcatraz than a Grand Caravan.
However, I do think there’s a connection between the high obesity levels in the US and the types of cars that we drive. I would love to see some data and solid analysis on that. I wonder if there’s a statistician somewhere that has calculated the point at which a 30 year old 300 pound man will buy a compact versus a mid-size when gas hits x dollars/gallon :)
I do apologise about my outburst earlier, but my decision to boycott still stands. I wish to make one last comment about the comments you are talking:
1. Mr Farago is allowing comments like ” British bast–ds” to stand. Pardon me, but that is a racist comment. It doesn’t matter that James May started first (which is juvenile in itself) we don’t need to go to that level. And anyway, TTAC decided to broadcast James May’s comments! If they felt that opposed to it, why give it any air time? So according to Mr Farago, we can’t flame each other but we can insult other nationalities! Makes sense(!)
2: I’m particularly amused at the “shining” examples of American engineering that has been held up. The Honda Accord and the Ford GT. The example of the Honda Accord is so laughable, I can’t even believe anyone suggested it and the Ford GT is a curious one because it was 3/4 engineered by Lola, Lotus and Cooper. All of which, were British at the time!
3: Mr Swanson alluded that Mr May is validating– or even tolerating– this country’s “can do” spirit would mean rejecting the po-faced, post-Empire, acid-tongued cynicism that informs everything he does, says, writes and is.
“‘Can do’ spirit”?! Is this the same “can do” spirit which is causing TTAC readers to whine when Detroit can’t closed their perceived “perception gap”?! How many people have bleated “Why can’t they offer a 5 year warranty?” or “Why don’t they put their money where their mouth is?” or my favourite “Let Detroit die, they burned me enough times with their cars”.
People on TTAC have been the biggest critics of Detroit, yet when someone foreign says it, they are “ill informed” and immediately attack the other side with arguments like “Where’s your auto industry?!”. Like I said earlier “I don’t have a child, but even I know that wishy washy “time out” style discipline doesn’t work!
So I’ve said my piece.
Speaking to May’s main point, do American cars deserve such blanket dismissal? This collection of writers– scribes who regularly and fully criticize American automobiles as and when they deserve it– thinks not.
The writers may not, but if I had a nickel for every time I read a comment about how somebody would never ever ever ever ever buy a domestic vehicle again (especially in response to the favorable reviews), then I’d be buying Chrysler from Cerberus right now.
I have to agree with some of the above – May is lambasting terrible vehicles, and we would say as much, were his comments not tinged with the particularly British penchant for sarcastic dismissal.
It’s interesting to see how readers are reacting to criticism that only differs from the TTAC norm in that it comes from London, England, rather than London, Connecticut.
One point that, despite being badly expressed, holds true, is that this has absolutely nothing to do with the politics of Middle East conflict. This is about cars, bad cars, and xenophobia has no place here.
KatiePuckrik :
1. The epithet “British bastards” is, at worst, ethnocentric. And that’s not a minor point. The commentator was labeling Mr. May an ingrate for unfairly dissing America when Americans fought and died for their right to free speech. Feel free to argue the point, but I do not believe it was out of bounds. My call.
As for giving Mr. May’s vitriol the “oxygen of publicity,” it’s because this website is dedicated to the pursuit of the truth, no matter in what tiny little corner it may hide.
2. If you feel the built-in-America Honda Accord is a laughable example of a mainstream American car, that’s fine. An explanation would be appreciated. Meanwhile, please note that TTAC is not a monolithic enterprise. Our reviewers and analysts are free to state their opinion regardless of mine or anyone else’s.
For example, I thought the GT500 was horrendous. Mr. Lieberman loved it. Both perspectives were presented. As you know full well, our comments section is open to dissenting views on any and all subjects.
3. I agree that GM lacks this “can do” spirit. Which is one reason I stalk them hereabouts. But generally speaking, as an American who spent 16 years in the UK, in the main, I agree wholeheartedly with the point.
4. If you find TTAC commentators hypocritical or misinformed or just plain wrong, fair enough. You are entitled to do so according to the rules for posting.
Its a shame katie has boycotted, it was always nice to read another brits understanding of america and to realise it wasnt just me who felt certain ways.
having been here 2 years i have to say i whole heartedly agree with james and for that matter clarksons points on american cars, they are utter cr@p (which is pointed out on this web site many, many times REPEATEDLY,) in comparison to the quality you get in europe, the usual make it cheap get it out the door as quick as possible not only affects autos but the whole american culture. look at housing, you build houses here like we build our garden sheds in the UK. Terrible, too quickly put together not enough care and attention to detail and
as for bashing the food fair enough, but we ain’t the ones with the national obese health problem…
It is far too hypocritical to have one rule for you and one for them when when it comes to detroit bashing.
Seriously you guys should get around the world more and experience life outside of this small country.
as for umterp85, i thought we were fighting for europe back then against an evil tyranny. the same has supposedly happened lately where we followed (many say misguidedly) in the gulf where we have lost many fine people due to reasons i dare mention for fear of being banned on here. RF umterp85 has to be close to the point of flaming, apparently you have put up with far less in the past, sort it out. At times i really question where TTAC is going, it used to be full of appropriate features, but since going more public and expanding. some editorials are plainy there to make up time or fill a space you’re getting desperate about, maybe more editorial control needs exerting. You’re a global site, well done on alienating a big part of it out there.
Maybe you should make him apologise and send a bunch of flowers will help sort katie out and get her bright intelligent opinions back on here?
RF: “May’s article was a shot against the bow of America”.
You gotta be kidding. Are we talking about the same article?
I read the Telegraph piece, and I found it quite gentle, tongue-in-cheek, and ostensibly absurd.
To see people at TTAC — the place where snark rules and exaggeration is a legitimate rhetorical approach — being so thin-skinned is, frankly, quite worrysome.
People on this site like to complain about Political Correctness, i.e. the pressure to conform to strict ideas of what may hurt the feelings of select touchy cohorts. I think the very idea that a British commentator must respect American pride in cars and restaurant food is the epitome of PC.
Chrysler minivans and Jeep Cherokees are quite popular in the remaining civilized parts of the UK, so not all of Mays’ countrymen share his disdain for all things American. I suspect Mays is too young to remember driving an actual British car such as a Rover or Triumph. As to feeding preferences, my British family greatly prefers eating at any Chilis or Red Robin here in the USA to hazarding a culinary visit to most parts of Londinistan. Cross Putney bridge and you might as well be in Karachi.
Wow, so much vitriol and “My dad is bigger than your dad” schoolyard banter over an article about an article.
Let’s face it, it’s the British national past-time to take the piss out of everything, including themselves, but especially the Americans (and French). Likewise, every bad guy and doofus in US TV and film is a British (or more likely an English) guy, and I’ve lost count of the number of times people have mentioned the dentistry.
Returning to the car industries, there’s a lot more similarities than differences, just the UK is 20 years further down the road to oblivion than the US. Both are/were caused by the same two main problems :
1/ Employees who believe they are being stiffed by management over benefits and are being made scapegoats for the quality of poorly designed and bean-counted vehicles.
2/ Management whose job #1 is to mind their own backs and believe the market should support them solely because they’re the home team.
Same problems, same eventual outcome.
well american cars do suck. and so does most american food. been to olive garden recently? or any other of he big box restaurants? i would rather starve. I prefer small, chef owned places – good luck finding one – fortualtely philadelphia has alot of these.
As for cars, i also really wanna buy a mustang, but the inside sucks so bad, and its so thirsty… oh dammit now im depressed.
I prefer small, chef owned places – good luck finding one – fortualtely philadelphia has alot of these.
Nice self contradiction.