Being seroius for a moment.......
NMG....from what you said to Ninja, do I take it that "piss off" is not in regular current usage in the US?
Just curious.
You're right that British humour is quite different to American style fun, we like irony, but it doesn't seem to go down so easily in the US of A,
There's only on thing Brits love better than having a laugh at the Yanks which is poking fun at the Frogs (French).... no offence intended!
I am sure the feeling is mutual,
Do some Americans really believe in the charicature of the eccentric stiff upper lipped englishman in his tweed jacket speaking in a clipped accent and using phrases such as "Jolly good show!" (This gent obviously lives in an oak-beamed mansion or a black and white tudor cottage).
Some people* over here genuinely do think all Americans are loud, brash, impatient and ignorant, carry guns, drive ridiculously large cars, don't understand queuing and eat too much!
*(not me I hasten to add before you send the heavy mob round!)