By: Pete Riches
I came across an unexpected source on intercultural differences today. Piers Morgan was talking about the Susan Boyle phenomena and the differences between the audiences in the ‘America/Britian’s got talent’ TV shows. Here’s what he said:
‘I think the only difference between the American show and the British one is that the audiences in Britain are far more brutal. It’s like having 4,000 Simon Cowells in one room. So, when you saw poor Susan Boyle, they’re all baying for blood – off, off, off, – and of course she has the last laugh. Erm, you don’t really get that quality quite so bad in America. They tend to be a little more supportive until they realize the act is terrible. Then they can be just as brutal.’
If you’d like to watch the video, click here.
Supportiveness is a facet of positive politeness, so it’s interesting that it manifests in talent show audiences. But I’ve often thought the same about political news reporting in the US. From my British perspective, US journalists seem to be more respectful towards the political figures they interview. I’ve learnt that that doesn’t mean to say that they won’t be taking the gloves off a week, month or whatever later. But it’s not immediate, and that delay’s curious. If Americans are supposed to be more direct, why would it take US journalists longer to come clean and say ‘I disagree’?
I think the example of “Britain’s got talent” is biased as the whole show was staged. It was clear for many UK and French journalists and if you look at the jury’s overshocked faces it would be obvious for you too. The “fairy tale” aspect of it all would not be so buzzy otherwise, and the story line would not be so happy endy with the”and of course she had the last laugh”. Also, I don’t think American people are “more direct”. There is a will not to “hurt people’s feelings” with american people, too. But on a staged TV show, either in the US or UK, everyone is “baying for blood”, that’s in the nature of it, that’s the law of the genre, as in ancient times with gladiators : no blood, no show.
Ha! Alice – you skeptic, you. 🙂
I don’t know how much was staged or not but I must say I agree about the reputation American’s have for directness. They may be more plain speaking in some contexts, but I reckon there are lots of others where they are very indirect.
Lovely response Alice. Thank you!
I love Susan Boyle because she is a very talented person. Susan Boyles voice is phenomenal and breath taking. *’“` Till next time foodsupplementdigest
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