I lived in Brooklyn for years and there was a nice English guy who came in who was very honest (and loud) about the $120,000 he was making every year in advertising and how he deserved so much more, so... whatever. I think when people from poor backgrounds start making some cash, they like to make it look like they aren't poor. They get comfortable with talking about money in a friendly and honest way. It's not that rude if you look at it that way, but I always avoid the subject.
@Mangina9000 He worked in advertising, though. That's how he thinks. He's advertising himself by shouting about how much he thinks he's worth. It's not an English or American thing, just an advertising thing... well, possibly.
Aren't people strange! I love David Mitchell, really wanna go down the pub, have a few pints and shoot the shit with him, but alas I'm a 19 year old, he would probably instantly assume I'd been in the riots and love 'N-dubz' but as it's David I'd let him off as ask him to sign my tit/collarbone
@MrShavey. Sure, I understand he is making a comedic point and a cultural (difference) point --- I just dislike the fact there is a perception of Americans as being overly materialistic. Granted, our media may present that particular focus because it is, after all, a money-driven entity, but there are millions of us who are unconcerned about such things.
In countries where they ask about how much money you make, they don't usually want to know how much money you make.
"How are you doing" doesn't mean we want to know a persons life story either. It's just really akward if you don't know the standard response to such questions by which you satisfy the question without giving the information.
@wttwmusic I think there is an element (exaggerated for comic effect) of truth in that the European class structure has been replaced in the US by a social structure based on wealth instead and so a measure of social standing...but yes...5 minutes reading youtube comments will tell you that no country has a monopoly on arseholes lol.
Damn, there are a lot of people raging about Americans in the comments. Why? Because we are stereotypically culturally insensitive? Because we are overweight? Because we have great pride in small things? Because we are stupid? Well, that's hardly true. To rage against a culture because they don't understand other cultures is A. wrong, and B. hypocritical. Not all of us are overweight. We humans all have irrational pride. And we are all stupid as a species. Now shut up, and grow a little.
lol, at the last few seconds. Is being ashamed of being filthy rich a British thing? I guess not, considering the first adjective that came to mind was filthy..
I think he's spot on that too often Americans and English think they have the same shared conventions. Chances are, David just had the misfortune of running into an asshole.
Thank Science he's too smart to sterotype - being a dick knows no nationality.
I'm guessing Biff/Bob/Bert was an older gentleman, or a very young one? The older Americans are from a time when financial reward was a direct consequence of hard work, and thus reflected your character. The younger ones tend to want to prove themselves.
The middle aged Americans like myself are just happy to if their credit cards are under control.
@HanStanwell After watching Have I got News for you a few months back, I described Victoria Coren as my perfect women. I was not suprised when my mate told me she was going out with David. So I think he's doing pretty good in that department.
Oh don't worry, that's not usually a normal sort of question you get asked in America... :I Maybe he was a businessman or something. Still a bit rude, even for us.
It's not an "American" thing. They way I was brought up, you don't ask people how much they make and you don't talk about how much you have. Last week, someone asked me, "How much do you get paid doing this job?" I was quite surprised, as no one has ever asked me that question before, unless they were interested in applying for it. Do not judge an entire country by one person. I once met a Brit who was a complete asshole; I chose to assume it was probably an anomoly.
@moonlily1 He's not saying all Americans ask that question but it is true that American people are more upfront about these sort of things, as well as girlfriends etc., british people or australian people. He's pointing out a cultural difference.
@LusoAustralian And I'm saying it's not a valid example of a cultural difference because it's also considered rude in this country, as well as the other questions he used as an example. That person't behavior was representative of himself, not his nationality.
@lolookphor lol, I've met several Brits since then and liked them all. Well, wait, that one lady was Welsh, that sorta doesn't count....but those other two were okay as well.
@moonlily1 i guess you've been lucky then. i moved to england when i was 7-8 and everyone seemed friendly too me too. but the longer you live here the more you realise that that is largely not the case :P. of course there are some nice people around though.
no one on earth gets us completely, especially our tendency to "fail till you don't" The Australians come pretty close to getting it, but then they have four wheel drives . and big f***ing beers. for some reason that helps. ask an american who does not drive a pickup or drink beer if lots of people have been asking them lately "are you even form this country??"
Speaking as an American I've never asked another person how much money they earn. Nor have I ever asked how much they weigh, a question I'd consider only slightly less appropriate. Am I not typical in thinking that if another person wants me to know how wealthy they are they can tell me, or that if for some reason I need to know I'd have to be better acquainted with the person, and that there would be more polite way of asking?
Sometimes among close friends people ask each other how much they earn which is perfectly fine. I dislike it when someone replies with something along the lines of "not so much" or "enough to get by" and then immediately start trying to drop what they think are subtle hints at how much wealthier they are than you.
Ooh, so true - but I'm sorry on behalf of my fellow countryman who asked that. I think most of us would consider it a rude question - and I'm from the "brash" northeast (not really brash, actually - we're blunt but not rude - just not as nicey-nice as some parts).
People who are that straight forward when it comes to money are really just trying to throw you into a class which whether we Americans are aware or not is very important here.I've decided that the proper response is not a refusal but rather a diffusion of the question.For example people ask me how much i make as a nurse to which I reply,"I make sick people better, so i guess i make allot...how bout you?" I guess I just like to hear grown men stutter.David Micthell, you make me laugh and smile.
@uiruu. It depends on how you are raised, I suppose. I have never known of anyone who would ask such a question of *any*one. It is considered crass behavior and the worst of manners to ever ask such inappropriate questions. Because of my admiration for Mitchell, who I believe to be the most brilliant observational wit in my experience, it saddens me he had this experience with an American. All of that to say ... this is not quite a normal question in America. This is aberrant.
@wttwmusic True. People where I live, New England, tend to say it out of geniune curiosity... or small talk. It's usually preceded by "What do you do for a living", which is pretty normal of a question. I don't think it's the best manners, but I don't think it's a surprise.
@uiruu. It's akin to asking how much someone paid for a home or a car --- it simply isn't done in so-called polite society. The same goes for the flip side of the coin --- it is impolite to volunteer how much something (like a home or a car) costs. Financial matters are usually considered private.
"Never felt so British" it's not unique to British m'dear David. In fact it's applicable to nearly every nation out there except Americans. That's your problem Brits, you compare yourself to Americans alone (because of course, you speak the same language), through which you conclude that you are smart, elegant gentlemen with profound sense of humor. Which you might or might not be, but you should quit setting the bar as low as stereotypic USA. It makes one arrogant.
@LukeGeoDude He said English. That's the problem with you americans, you know nothing of the world. The English do not speak the same languae as the americans, the ENGLISH speak ENGLISH i do hope you see a correlation there. I'm sure you are very clever though becuase you sure do speak alot of dem big wordz.
@RaizoAir That made very little sense. First off, I'm not American, nor do I live anywhere near America. And it's Ironic that you accuse me being an American Ignorant of the world I live in, while by very same statement you prove that you've misunderstood my point completely and don't even know that country "Georgia" is not the same as the state with the same name. Even if you did not know that, me not being American must have been clear from my previous comment.
@LukeGeoDude English, other nations of GB, and Americans all speak English, I don't get what your point is with saying that English speak English. Also, I prefer "British" because I am free to use it any time without danger of offending Welsh and Scottish, I do feel that's quite enough caution for my part.
Depends on which part of America you're from... I'm from the Northwest, where people tend to be polite to the point where it's actually kind of ridiculous. One of my relatives went to live on the East coast, where he says people are a little more brash.
I thought it was funny. I live in England as an American though and I feel like brits are more likely to ask things like "how much do you make" or other things I would consider rude.
Whatever though, could just be the younger generation.
Empty provocations aside, It's like this see: You know how some of you guys get upset when we Americans say England instead of Great Britain (or at least Britain), because you are acutely aware of the differences between say, the lowland of Scotland vs. Wales. Well, America is a vast territory that could fit all of the private property of all of your aristocracy. Someone from the Bronx is going to interface differently than someone from Montana.
I love the straight forwardness of my country. It makes everything interesting and one has to be quite clever in order to keep up and react in time. Though, a question on income never really comes up (even if it did, I believe that it would be in jest). I respect you, David.
In the US you come across obnoxious money questions a lot, there are those of us who have grown up here and find it incredibly fucking irritating. How much did I pay for this dress? What do you care? What can you honestly deduce about my personality or life experience from that? And by the way, it was a gift even if it really wasn't, so fuck off hypothetical irritating fellow American!
@soggybomb That is true. It is a rude and an inappropriate question to ask, no matter where you go. It's as if you're fishing for personal information about that particular person. You never - and I mean never - ask that question at all. Unless if you're planning to work abroad and asking how much a certain company will pay you, then that's a different story.
In my experience, asking what someone makes is pretty common when you work together or in the same field, as everyone wants to make sure they're not being shafted in terms of pay (traces of the unionization culture). Asking someone just out of the blue for no reason other than to "class" them is still considered very rude here.
@yuc321 This kind of British comedy comes from a particular niche; The well educated, well informed graduates of top universities. David was a of president of 'Footlights'... The Fry and Laurie and Emma Thompson and Jennifer Saunders type of background. On the other had there have been some stand-up comedians with supreme wit going around the place in the last few decades (some in the UK are American). But remember this: America is the home of the 'great sitcom' and the father of 'stand-up' :)
@McPrfctday Yea- you're also 'land of the free and home of the brave' psssh! I've got nothing against Americans, but you're always so quick to give yourself these titles with no real evidence to back it up. Why not google your info before spouting self-praise.
@weetabixish On the other hand, you could check my location in my profile. I was talking in comments to someone from America because he / she felt envious of British comedy. I was reassuring that person by reminding them that the 'comically enlightened' amongst us are fully aware that 'The Great Sitcom' is very much an American success. And that America is 'the father of stand-up'. Our greatest export (prior to The Office) was Monty Python. Who, incidentally, were also Footlights members.
@McPrfctday I see, you're from the uk. Well, the first sitcom ever was a british one, and stand up dates back to shakespearean times- and who knows, maybe even before that in other countries. America is a very young country. I think the reason American sitcoms are so popular is because they're very transferable- anybody can get the jokes. And that isnt a bad thing.
@weetabixish That's a good point actually - the humour in them is very innocent and family friendly. I don't this they have surreal humour, which I think would need an 'older people' than a few hundred years. Not that I know that. Just a gut feeling. 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' has got some of the best humour I've ever seen (imo)... But it's a completely different animal to something like 'The Young Ones'. I guess we'll agree eventually that there's a lot of water between the two comedy cultures.
all americans do this and all brits do that, ive never quite got this concept. Im british, I sure as hell dont agree with the moral values of every British person, some are too extreme and some are just downright oblivious. Pretty sure I've been asked by a British person how much I earn. My point being, I dont think any particular nationality has a greater or lesser level of openness
@MrEMinor I agree with you. I think that things like inappropriate questions/rudeness do not depend on culture, but how the person was raised. For every American that asks a rude question or represents our nation poorly, there is a Brit that will be just as rude by telling Americans that our accents are annoying, we don't "actually speak English," and our spelling/pronunciation is horrendous. Our cultures are not the same, but they're similar enough to know that some things are simply impolite.
@nehmanator333 In general most people are diffrent than other people, and in general things are gernally more general than some would gerenaly think, well generally.
isn't it fun just blanketing things with the term general?
@nehmanator333 There are a good number of intelligent American comedians, they just get outshone by flash and stupidity by guys like Dane Cook. Carlin was a good example before he passed away. Bill Hicks was good too. But, on average, I think your point still stands.
Funny. I hate being asked what I do for a living because I have a crap job and make less than a dollar an hour for every year of college I have under my belt.
Ten years of college-- 9.50 an hour to be exact. I'm pretty sure that even unfunny comedians do that well and David deserves much more. The truth be known--most Americans are just buttheads. I am one so I can say it. On the other hand the more people make the less they want to discuss it. We call it crying poverty,
Simple reason why Americans ask rude questions like what your wages are like: Americans tend to place a lot of importance on their careers and worklife, and depending on the region tend to compare wages and work conditions. I think it stems from how heavily unionized the U.S. used to be shortly after the industrial revolution. After all, how else are you going to know that your union brothers are getting fare wages without asking?
@booley So you're clearly joking, Americans can't think or type.
So you clearly being British shall we play some polo? and have tea and crupets with the Queen? obviously we all know the Queen but those bloody Americans think it's a funny steriotype.
Ugh! While we Americans are often more forward than most British (though it varies regionally), asking someone's salary/wages is OFF LIMITS. This "Brad" guy would be considered a jerk in the States as well.
Being Dutch, and having lived in both the US and Belgium, I kind of agree. Adapting to the US way of live was easy, it felt very different, people recognized I was different and both parties always tried to adapt. However, living in Belgium, it feels similar, and it that respect it is treacherous, because it is very different. I guess the same goes for Brits and Americans... just because on the surface it feels similar, doesn't mean it is...
i was once told that most Japanese business talk is done in bars so that any appropriateness can be blamed on the alcohol. As for the American thing cut him some slack it's not like anybody here can claim that they are well versed in every cultural standards of politeness from around the globe. For all you know asking somebody how much they earn may not be considered a rude a question where he was from.
Hmm... I too dislike the pointed out fact that David is reading off a cue... however it still is consolation to know he most likely wrote this himself :D great comedian!
The difference is the Intent under which you ask a question. Whether it is rude or not depends on the Intent. American Business Men represent America. Not you hard working slaves that live there. American Business Men are only interested in Money and Power. You aren't being represented very well out here in the World. When was the last time any of you good people in America made the trip to England to meet your Cousins and see how we live? The Idea of America began right here. Learn how and why.
David, sir...I've judged you by your awesomeness and I love you. But I'm a crazy american anglophile so maybe I'm not the best example? Hmmm...But YES, most people in the US that I know would never dream of asking someone that question up front. Indeed, I was raised to NEVER judge a person's worth by their income. No question. (Sadly, there are many Americans who do.)
Actually I asked someone once if his children liked him. My partner thought this was extremely rude (and the person asked was taken aback), but in context I don't think it was. The gentleman had been going on and on about the problems with his children and their relationships and so on and he never said one positive word about them. (they are young adults) My question was meant to point out how negative he was about them. Rude perhaps, but I still don't think so.
@Platinummm01 It's not rude, in America, to ask a hard probing question to prove a point. But there are those that just jab out of the blue and expect you to squeak. That IS rude.
-I'm often reminding those I meet online about the art of conversation when, without so much as a hello, they open with questions but are not giving any information on their end. "This isn't an interrogation. Introduce yourself and I might answer. ... Maybe."
Well... there are rude idiots from every country, David. Most Americans that I know would find it rude to ask that question, too. (And I can assure you that none of us elected Brad to be our ambassador.)
@hellboyslittlebro You've got to imagine that it might just end up feeling like a ridiculously harsh version of speed dating though; a version where you're stuck with the same person for hours on end and asking blunt and probably harsh questions like "And did your mother love you, or were you a disappointment of a child", and so on.
I've found that the people -Not us Yanks or Britts or whatever- the people that ask that question are testing for the reaction. Is it a fast, cagey reply, or a guarded fluster? That sort of thing. Just answering isn't very fun. On that note of actually rude questions from foreign guys in America I could connect one query to two Australians and three Londoners. "Are you gettin' any?" (Wish could have an Irish WOMAN ask instead.)
@riftalope I hate that too, it's so rude. I am getting some now, so I hated it even more when I wasn't. If a woman asked me about personal sex things I used to ask her if she'd ever been fisted. There's nowhere to go from there, so it's time to change the topic.
@Riverwulfe While living in America my entire life and travelling to every corner of the country, I've neither asked someone how much money they make, nor have I been asked, nor have I heard of anyone being asked. It's not something my parents had to explicitly teach me. One simply picks up on the unwritten social codes and abides by them.
WİNDOWS =)
Geckuno 1 day ago
I lived in Brooklyn for years and there was a nice English guy who came in who was very honest (and loud) about the $120,000 he was making every year in advertising and how he deserved so much more, so... whatever. I think when people from poor backgrounds start making some cash, they like to make it look like they aren't poor. They get comfortable with talking about money in a friendly and honest way. It's not that rude if you look at it that way, but I always avoid the subject.
Mangina9000 2 days ago
@Mangina9000 He probably wouldn't have done it in England as everyone would have thought he was a dick.
purplevolcano 20 hours ago
@Mangina9000 He worked in advertising, though. That's how he thinks. He's advertising himself by shouting about how much he thinks he's worth. It's not an English or American thing, just an advertising thing... well, possibly.
Caradoc93 13 hours ago
Maybe he asked because he wanted to be a comedian?
halesmatthew49 2 days ago
Aren't people strange! I love David Mitchell, really wanna go down the pub, have a few pints and shoot the shit with him, but alas I'm a 19 year old, he would probably instantly assume I'd been in the riots and love 'N-dubz' but as it's David I'd let him off as ask him to sign my tit/collarbone
Mattelliott1234 3 days ago
Before he asked the question, Buck would naturally have said, 'lemmy ask you a question'
seasoned with several 'you know what I'm sayin...gap fillers in lieu of content.
Transit67F2 5 days ago
@MrShavey. For the record, Mitchell is sheer genius. He's one of my favorites.
wttwmusic 5 days ago
@MrShavey. Sure, I understand he is making a comedic point and a cultural (difference) point --- I just dislike the fact there is a perception of Americans as being overly materialistic. Granted, our media may present that particular focus because it is, after all, a money-driven entity, but there are millions of us who are unconcerned about such things.
wttwmusic 5 days ago
THIS IS BIG TALK!
Parrster123 1 week ago
In countries where they ask about how much money you make, they don't usually want to know how much money you make.
"How are you doing" doesn't mean we want to know a persons life story either. It's just really akward if you don't know the standard response to such questions by which you satisfy the question without giving the information.
Yora21 1 week ago
Not all Americans are this crass. That is just human behavior.
wttwmusic 1 week ago
@wttwmusic I think there is an element (exaggerated for comic effect) of truth in that the European class structure has been replaced in the US by a social structure based on wealth instead and so a measure of social standing...but yes...5 minutes reading youtube comments will tell you that no country has a monopoly on arseholes lol.
MrShavey 5 days ago
I'm pretty sure that's a castle in France that I've been too...
meddeyc 1 week ago
Asking how much someone makes is a taboo in America too. I'm thinking the guy is just an asshole.
BaronCemetery 1 week ago 7
@BaronCemetery You are right. This is not acceptable even in America.
cerisewings 1 week ago
@BaronCemetery Absolutely. There is one question you shouldn't as someone of either gender. "How much do you make."
For women the others are, "How old are you?" and "How much do you weigh?"
For men it's "How big is your penis," and... well, I guess "How much do you weigh," is pretty much universal as well.
Jonstern1983 1 week ago
Why is there a picture of my house at the end of this video?
lubzbie 1 week ago
Actually, most Americans aren't like that. Bob was just being nosy.
marathonlaundry 2 weeks ago
why don't just send back a subtext saying "I will not tell you that" ?
flaviuludusan 2 weeks ago
I've been to the palace in the background
froll1999 2 weeks ago
I'm an American, and I wouldn't ask David Mitchell how much he makes, but now I'm curious.
ODaemienE 2 weeks ago in playlist Series 1
Brad, Buddy, Buck, Biff, Bub... will never ask David Mitchell another question again....
MissDopey1 2 weeks ago
I've always found that it's also the convention in the U.S. to never ask about a person's salary. Maybe I just don't hang around the right people.
xenalaskan 2 weeks ago
Damn, there are a lot of people raging about Americans in the comments. Why? Because we are stereotypically culturally insensitive? Because we are overweight? Because we have great pride in small things? Because we are stupid? Well, that's hardly true. To rage against a culture because they don't understand other cultures is A. wrong, and B. hypocritical. Not all of us are overweight. We humans all have irrational pride. And we are all stupid as a species. Now shut up, and grow a little.
uiruu 3 weeks ago 2
@uiruu I know you didn't intend it, but I found 'shut up, and grow a little' hilarious.
TheDefiantBadger 2 weeks ago
@TheDefiantBadger I'm confused... did I make an accidental reference or innuendo? I'm genuinely curious lol
uiruu 2 weeks ago
@uiruu Haha, sorry. To me it seemed like you were literally instructing them to grow taller because they're arguing pointlessly.
TheDefiantBadger 2 weeks ago
lol, at the last few seconds. Is being ashamed of being filthy rich a British thing? I guess not, considering the first adjective that came to mind was filthy..
drc0086 3 weeks ago
este david mitchell se pasa!!
Strokton 3 weeks ago
David you fool! "not enough" is the answer you must give!
leakeg 3 weeks ago 8
I'm looking at the background but all i see is the Default XP background.
GazzyHUD 3 weeks ago
I think he's spot on that too often Americans and English think they have the same shared conventions. Chances are, David just had the misfortune of running into an asshole.
Thank Science he's too smart to sterotype - being a dick knows no nationality.
amcint01 3 weeks ago 3
That would be considered a very rude question here i the United States too.
allendaniel89 3 weeks ago 4
I love David Mitchell. I am a heterosexual male, or at least I thought I was.
oneluckyhedonist 4 weeks ago 4
I'm an American, and I would consider it very gauche for someone to just come right out and ask "How much do you make?"
kulcid254 1 month ago 9
@kulcid254 Same here, on both counts.
GoblinXXX 3 weeks ago 3
This has been flagged as spam show
British comedy is awesome. This coming from a Dane.
jammadamma 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
It's sort of considered rude in the USA as well. Rudeness isn't as stigmatized however.
handsomebrick 1 month ago
It's sort of considered rude in the USA as well. Rudeness isn't as stigmatized however.
handsomebrick 1 month ago 4
Thank you David Mitchell!
TheKnopChronicles 1 month ago
American here!
I couldn't care less how much money people make.
I'm guessing Biff/Bob/Bert was an older gentleman, or a very young one? The older Americans are from a time when financial reward was a direct consequence of hard work, and thus reflected your character. The younger ones tend to want to prove themselves.
The middle aged Americans like myself are just happy to if their credit cards are under control.
psmylie 1 month ago
if I ever meet david mitchell, I'm gonna ask him how much sex he's getting.
HanStanwell 1 month ago 97
@HanStanwell After watching Have I got News for you a few months back, I described Victoria Coren as my perfect women. I was not suprised when my mate told me she was going out with David. So I think he's doing pretty good in that department.
Kombaiyashii 1 month ago
@Kombaiyashii but it would still be funny to ask
HanStanwell 1 month ago
Oh don't worry, that's not usually a normal sort of question you get asked in America... :I Maybe he was a businessman or something. Still a bit rude, even for us.
ClubSealing 1 month ago 2
British comedy is awesome. This coming from a Swede.
GamerFredrik 1 month ago in playlist Series 1
Comment removed
GamerFredrik 1 month ago in playlist Series 1
I found this humerus.
I also found a spine and a 3 collarbones.
CodedRhythmTalk 1 month ago 77
@CodedRhythmTalk Is there a cranium among them? I could use some more cups.
athox 2 weeks ago
@CodedRhythmTalk This comment needs to stay at number 2. I had to scroll down to read the punchline, perfect.
ArchiveEverywhere 2 weeks ago
Comment removed
TheTheoldgit 6 days ago
British comedy is awesome. This coming from a Briton.
Gibdo88 1 month ago
British comedy is awesome. This coming from a Canadian.
ringforrohan 1 month ago
It's not an "American" thing. They way I was brought up, you don't ask people how much they make and you don't talk about how much you have. Last week, someone asked me, "How much do you get paid doing this job?" I was quite surprised, as no one has ever asked me that question before, unless they were interested in applying for it. Do not judge an entire country by one person. I once met a Brit who was a complete asshole; I chose to assume it was probably an anomoly.
moonlily1 1 month ago
@moonlily1 He's not saying all Americans ask that question but it is true that American people are more upfront about these sort of things, as well as girlfriends etc., british people or australian people. He's pointing out a cultural difference.
LusoAustralian 1 month ago
@LusoAustralian And I'm saying it's not a valid example of a cultural difference because it's also considered rude in this country, as well as the other questions he used as an example. That person't behavior was representative of himself, not his nationality.
moonlily1 1 month ago
@moonlily1 it was not an anomoly.
lolookphor 1 month ago
@lolookphor lol, I've met several Brits since then and liked them all. Well, wait, that one lady was Welsh, that sorta doesn't count....but those other two were okay as well.
moonlily1 1 month ago
@moonlily1 i guess you've been lucky then. i moved to england when i was 7-8 and everyone seemed friendly too me too. but the longer you live here the more you realise that that is largely not the case :P. of course there are some nice people around though.
lolookphor 1 month ago
@moonlily1 People being assholes is nothing to do with where they're from, it's just who they are
DannyEastes 1 month ago
@DannyEastes I know, that's what I'm saying; so is being rude. Analogies, dontcha know.
moonlily1 1 month ago
This made my day-thanks!
upallhours9 1 month ago
Good grief, a chap doesn't talk about a chap who asks a chap what a chap earns.
Smaruku 1 month ago
Love this, it is so true too.
ProtestantsRUs 1 month ago
British comedy is superior to American comedy, and this is coming from a daft imbecile under the impression he's being discerning and worldly.
theEarlofChip 1 month ago 3
Ha! I would have told Buck to get stuffed.
WaitDer 1 month ago
Stabbing the queen
cornishpixies69 1 month ago
I am now going to insert "Who will miss you when you die?" into all future polite conversations I have to endure.
Torquemadia 1 month ago
I love the fact that people respond to these comedy rants with serious counter arguments.
wespac 1 month ago 4
i'm a real american and i'd like to meet david mitchell
kemp10 1 month ago 3
no one on earth gets us completely, especially our tendency to "fail till you don't" The Australians come pretty close to getting it, but then they have four wheel drives . and big f***ing beers. for some reason that helps. ask an american who does not drive a pickup or drink beer if lots of people have been asking them lately "are you even form this country??"
halloranedward 1 month ago
@halloranedward
"big f***beers beers"
If, by this, you mean large containers of extremely weak knats piss with all the taste and flavour of a diabetic chocolate bar, I completely agree.
Torquemadia 1 month ago
Speaking as an American I've never asked another person how much money they earn. Nor have I ever asked how much they weigh, a question I'd consider only slightly less appropriate. Am I not typical in thinking that if another person wants me to know how wealthy they are they can tell me, or that if for some reason I need to know I'd have to be better acquainted with the person, and that there would be more polite way of asking?
Freethinkersanon 1 month ago
Well.. you are famous. Maybe he felt it was more appropriate to ask a famous person how much they earn rather than just Joe Blow co-worker.
310BPM 1 month ago
Sometimes among close friends people ask each other how much they earn which is perfectly fine. I dislike it when someone replies with something along the lines of "not so much" or "enough to get by" and then immediately start trying to drop what they think are subtle hints at how much wealthier they are than you.
nikanj 1 month ago
Ooh, so true - but I'm sorry on behalf of my fellow countryman who asked that. I think most of us would consider it a rude question - and I'm from the "brash" northeast (not really brash, actually - we're blunt but not rude - just not as nicey-nice as some parts).
Nzie 1 month ago
I think it said someone David makes 700 000 a year (:
IrritationCharles 1 month ago
I thought this guy was just acting like a twat in Peep Show; I was wrong.
mang0mang0mang0 1 month ago
People who are that straight forward when it comes to money are really just trying to throw you into a class which whether we Americans are aware or not is very important here.I've decided that the proper response is not a refusal but rather a diffusion of the question.For example people ask me how much i make as a nurse to which I reply,"I make sick people better, so i guess i make allot...how bout you?" I guess I just like to hear grown men stutter.David Micthell, you make me laugh and smile.
jordypoe 1 month ago
Well, it's quite a normal question in America. Which, I know, doesn't mean jack squat. I'm only saying.
uiruu 1 month ago
@uiruu. It depends on how you are raised, I suppose. I have never known of anyone who would ask such a question of *any*one. It is considered crass behavior and the worst of manners to ever ask such inappropriate questions. Because of my admiration for Mitchell, who I believe to be the most brilliant observational wit in my experience, it saddens me he had this experience with an American. All of that to say ... this is not quite a normal question in America. This is aberrant.
wttwmusic 5 days ago
@wttwmusic True. People where I live, New England, tend to say it out of geniune curiosity... or small talk. It's usually preceded by "What do you do for a living", which is pretty normal of a question. I don't think it's the best manners, but I don't think it's a surprise.
uiruu 5 days ago
@uiruu. It's akin to asking how much someone paid for a home or a car --- it simply isn't done in so-called polite society. The same goes for the flip side of the coin --- it is impolite to volunteer how much something (like a home or a car) costs. Financial matters are usually considered private.
wttwmusic 5 days ago
@wttwmusic Well, I mean, Boston isn't known for politeness....
uiruu 5 days ago
"Never felt so British" it's not unique to British m'dear David. In fact it's applicable to nearly every nation out there except Americans. That's your problem Brits, you compare yourself to Americans alone (because of course, you speak the same language), through which you conclude that you are smart, elegant gentlemen with profound sense of humor. Which you might or might not be, but you should quit setting the bar as low as stereotypic USA. It makes one arrogant.
LukeGeoDude 1 month ago
@LukeGeoDude He said English. That's the problem with you americans, you know nothing of the world. The English do not speak the same languae as the americans, the ENGLISH speak ENGLISH i do hope you see a correlation there. I'm sure you are very clever though becuase you sure do speak alot of dem big wordz.
RaizoAir 1 month ago
@RaizoAir That made very little sense. First off, I'm not American, nor do I live anywhere near America. And it's Ironic that you accuse me being an American Ignorant of the world I live in, while by very same statement you prove that you've misunderstood my point completely and don't even know that country "Georgia" is not the same as the state with the same name. Even if you did not know that, me not being American must have been clear from my previous comment.
LukeGeoDude 1 month ago
@LukeGeoDude English, other nations of GB, and Americans all speak English, I don't get what your point is with saying that English speak English. Also, I prefer "British" because I am free to use it any time without danger of offending Welsh and Scottish, I do feel that's quite enough caution for my part.
LukeGeoDude 1 month ago
Depends on which part of America you're from... I'm from the Northwest, where people tend to be polite to the point where it's actually kind of ridiculous. One of my relatives went to live on the East coast, where he says people are a little more brash.
mspayneh17 1 month ago
I didn't have a castle on my windows xp background >:O
the1nonlyevilelmo 2 months ago
On behalf of America, I apologize for Bucky's inexcusable behavior.
serialclone 2 months ago 2
What entertained me the most was that the advertisement on the side for this was "Only In America with Larry the Cable Guy"
ITLRandomness 2 months ago
Australian comedy is best because it retains the wit of British comedy with the broad and far reaching insensitivity of American comedy
assortedcorpses 2 months ago
I thought it was funny. I live in England as an American though and I feel like brits are more likely to ask things like "how much do you make" or other things I would consider rude.
Whatever though, could just be the younger generation.
gatsby5555 2 months ago
I think the younger British population is more similar to the Americans in terms of culture.
We grew up with the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, High School musical and Chick Flicks.
We now call lifts elevators and maths math. What you gonna do about it, Mitchell?
Madnessinmusicx 2 months ago
Haha, I love how the name of the American man kept changing. Brilliant
MRdrummerkid12541 2 months ago
The flag being in focus while the castle was out of focus was really distracting me... Dislike.
ChicaChewNewNew 2 months ago
@ChicaChewNewNew its the windows XP background :D
alexhamster1134 2 months ago
Looks like Big Talk was on to something...
Jameson3632 2 months ago
severe use of thesaurus up in these comments haha get the fuck off youtube
rousey217 2 months ago
Empty provocations aside, It's like this see: You know how some of you guys get upset when we Americans say England instead of Great Britain (or at least Britain), because you are acutely aware of the differences between say, the lowland of Scotland vs. Wales. Well, America is a vast territory that could fit all of the private property of all of your aristocracy. Someone from the Bronx is going to interface differently than someone from Montana.
Though I realize generalization are necessary.
Gabagabe1 2 months ago 4
I love the straight forwardness of my country. It makes everything interesting and one has to be quite clever in order to keep up and react in time. Though, a question on income never really comes up (even if it did, I believe that it would be in jest). I respect you, David.
dontchakno1 2 months ago
In the US you come across obnoxious money questions a lot, there are those of us who have grown up here and find it incredibly fucking irritating. How much did I pay for this dress? What do you care? What can you honestly deduce about my personality or life experience from that? And by the way, it was a gift even if it really wasn't, so fuck off hypothetical irritating fellow American!
Craxblorg 2 months ago
replace it with MASIVE talk.
NeilSonOfNorbert 2 months ago
@NeilSonOfNorbert this talk is MASSIVE!
TeamParad0x 2 months ago
We can't even stab the queen now? This world...really
whosaidpie 2 months ago 14
@whosaidpie I can still stab MPs though, right? Please? That can't be banned. In fact it should be actively encouraged.
KungfuCow5 1 month ago
We Americans tend to find that to be rather rude as well.
soggybomb 2 months ago 72
@soggybomb Shut up yankee doodle scum.
MajBlood 1 month ago
@soggybomb That is true. It is a rude and an inappropriate question to ask, no matter where you go. It's as if you're fishing for personal information about that particular person. You never - and I mean never - ask that question at all. Unless if you're planning to work abroad and asking how much a certain company will pay you, then that's a different story.
wahinesurfergirl 1 month ago
In Russia this question is not considered rude at all.
sgtpepper99999 3 months ago
Gotta love stupid Americans. And yes, I am an American.
ayumuwolf 3 months ago
In my experience, asking what someone makes is pretty common when you work together or in the same field, as everyone wants to make sure they're not being shafted in terms of pay (traces of the unionization culture). Asking someone just out of the blue for no reason other than to "class" them is still considered very rude here.
molegoddess 3 months ago 4
I want massive talk.
UltimaMan 3 months ago 6
British comedy is awesome. This coming from an American.
yuc321 3 months ago 76
@yuc321 Thank you...! Not that I have ever contributed to any comedy at any point in my life...
JDLupus 1 month ago
@yuc321 British comedy kicks American comedy's ass. And this is coming from an ex-American.
KittiMitties 1 month ago
@yuc321 This kind of British comedy comes from a particular niche; The well educated, well informed graduates of top universities. David was a of president of 'Footlights'... The Fry and Laurie and Emma Thompson and Jennifer Saunders type of background. On the other had there have been some stand-up comedians with supreme wit going around the place in the last few decades (some in the UK are American). But remember this: America is the home of the 'great sitcom' and the father of 'stand-up' :)
McPrfctday 1 month ago
@McPrfctday Yea- you're also 'land of the free and home of the brave' psssh! I've got nothing against Americans, but you're always so quick to give yourself these titles with no real evidence to back it up. Why not google your info before spouting self-praise.
weetabixish 1 month ago
@weetabixish On the other hand, you could check my location in my profile. I was talking in comments to someone from America because he / she felt envious of British comedy. I was reassuring that person by reminding them that the 'comically enlightened' amongst us are fully aware that 'The Great Sitcom' is very much an American success. And that America is 'the father of stand-up'. Our greatest export (prior to The Office) was Monty Python. Who, incidentally, were also Footlights members.
McPrfctday 1 month ago
@McPrfctday I see, you're from the uk. Well, the first sitcom ever was a british one, and stand up dates back to shakespearean times- and who knows, maybe even before that in other countries. America is a very young country. I think the reason American sitcoms are so popular is because they're very transferable- anybody can get the jokes. And that isnt a bad thing.
weetabixish 1 month ago
@weetabixish That's a good point actually - the humour in them is very innocent and family friendly. I don't this they have surreal humour, which I think would need an 'older people' than a few hundred years. Not that I know that. Just a gut feeling. 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' has got some of the best humour I've ever seen (imo)... But it's a completely different animal to something like 'The Young Ones'. I guess we'll agree eventually that there's a lot of water between the two comedy cultures.
McPrfctday 1 month ago
in Norway the tax lists is open for people to see
and every english or british comedian i like has been educated at Oxford or Cambridge
lazypizzaguy 3 months ago
Um, this is rude in America, and I would never answer that question - unless it was directly related to the conversation, and possibly not then.
knotofnine 3 months ago
I would be interested in more of these cultural differences between Brits and yanks.
CallMeNiel 3 months ago
@CallMeNiel I live in the States and it is considered rude here as well
MsWentworth1 3 months ago
Stabbing the queen! LOL
slashfilledmind 3 months ago in playlist Series 1
Only a Englishman would make an entire video on meaningless rules of conduct just to get out of a straight forward question.
YNot1989 3 months ago
all americans do this and all brits do that, ive never quite got this concept. Im british, I sure as hell dont agree with the moral values of every British person, some are too extreme and some are just downright oblivious. Pretty sure I've been asked by a British person how much I earn. My point being, I dont think any particular nationality has a greater or lesser level of openness
MrEMinor 3 months ago
@MrEMinor I agree with you. I think that things like inappropriate questions/rudeness do not depend on culture, but how the person was raised. For every American that asks a rude question or represents our nation poorly, there is a Brit that will be just as rude by telling Americans that our accents are annoying, we don't "actually speak English," and our spelling/pronunciation is horrendous. Our cultures are not the same, but they're similar enough to know that some things are simply impolite.
Necronometer 3 months ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
British comedians are much smarter in general than American comdians. >_>
nehmanator333 4 months ago 78
@nehmanator333 In general most people are diffrent than other people, and in general things are gernally more general than some would gerenaly think, well generally.
isn't it fun just blanketing things with the term general?
I think it generally is.
xplay3r 3 months ago
@nehmanator333 And funnier
TheGodOfTheDucks 3 months ago
@nehmanator333 There are a good number of intelligent American comedians, they just get outshone by flash and stupidity by guys like Dane Cook. Carlin was a good example before he passed away. Bill Hicks was good too. But, on average, I think your point still stands.
Swidhelm 2 months ago
@nehmanator333 In general, yes. There are some really clever american comedians, though. Demitri Martin is probably one of my favourites.
ronnysoeberg 2 months ago
lol massive talk
shunysham 4 months ago 3
Funny. I hate being asked what I do for a living because I have a crap job and make less than a dollar an hour for every year of college I have under my belt.
Ten years of college-- 9.50 an hour to be exact. I'm pretty sure that even unfunny comedians do that well and David deserves much more. The truth be known--most Americans are just buttheads. I am one so I can say it. On the other hand the more people make the less they want to discuss it. We call it crying poverty,
peterhepburn34 4 months ago
Isn't David basically describing "Big Talk" from That Mitchell and Webb Look :P
NickStedmon 4 months ago
Simple reason why Americans ask rude questions like what your wages are like: Americans tend to place a lot of importance on their careers and worklife, and depending on the region tend to compare wages and work conditions. I think it stems from how heavily unionized the U.S. used to be shortly after the industrial revolution. After all, how else are you going to know that your union brothers are getting fare wages without asking?
fuckshoestheclown 5 months ago
Here in America the first thing we do when we approach someone is ask how much they make! Then, we break into a lively conversation about penis size!
TheSultan03 5 months ago 8
@TheSultan03 lmao! Best comment by far.
cerisewings 1 week ago
@TheSultan03. False.
wttwmusic 5 days ago
as an American I kind of find it rude too. Why do you need to know how much I make?
But I do get asked that and other rather inane questions. I also get asked what high school I went too.
booley 5 months ago
@booley So you're clearly joking, Americans can't think or type.
So you clearly being British shall we play some polo? and have tea and crupets with the Queen? obviously we all know the Queen but those bloody Americans think it's a funny steriotype.
adamfuckinknowsit 5 months ago
Ugh! While we Americans are often more forward than most British (though it varies regionally), asking someone's salary/wages is OFF LIMITS. This "Brad" guy would be considered a jerk in the States as well.
Tracymmo 5 months ago 4
Being Dutch, and having lived in both the US and Belgium, I kind of agree. Adapting to the US way of live was easy, it felt very different, people recognized I was different and both parties always tried to adapt. However, living in Belgium, it feels similar, and it that respect it is treacherous, because it is very different. I guess the same goes for Brits and Americans... just because on the surface it feels similar, doesn't mean it is...
Hatman39 5 months ago 2
i was once told that most Japanese business talk is done in bars so that any appropriateness can be blamed on the alcohol. As for the American thing cut him some slack it's not like anybody here can claim that they are well versed in every cultural standards of politeness from around the globe. For all you know asking somebody how much they earn may not be considered a rude a question where he was from.
nuckingfutsguy 6 months ago
Hmm... I too dislike the pointed out fact that David is reading off a cue... however it still is consolation to know he most likely wrote this himself :D great comedian!
Treq10Cule 6 months ago
Stabbing the Queen - oh man, I laughed at that.
einootspork 6 months ago
Rely an American! how interesting, were you at the zoo or did you catch it in your bins?
rathfullshadow 6 months ago
The difference is the Intent under which you ask a question. Whether it is rude or not depends on the Intent. American Business Men represent America. Not you hard working slaves that live there. American Business Men are only interested in Money and Power. You aren't being represented very well out here in the World. When was the last time any of you good people in America made the trip to England to meet your Cousins and see how we live? The Idea of America began right here. Learn how and why.
futbolangel02 6 months ago
Massive talk, hilarious!
Harperlarp 6 months ago
David, sir...I've judged you by your awesomeness and I love you. But I'm a crazy american anglophile so maybe I'm not the best example? Hmmm...But YES, most people in the US that I know would never dream of asking someone that question up front. Indeed, I was raised to NEVER judge a person's worth by their income. No question. (Sadly, there are many Americans who do.)
LaviniaVeiled 6 months ago 3
Actually I asked someone once if his children liked him. My partner thought this was extremely rude (and the person asked was taken aback), but in context I don't think it was. The gentleman had been going on and on about the problems with his children and their relationships and so on and he never said one positive word about them. (they are young adults) My question was meant to point out how negative he was about them. Rude perhaps, but I still don't think so.
Platinummm01 6 months ago 5
@Platinummm01 It's not rude, in America, to ask a hard probing question to prove a point. But there are those that just jab out of the blue and expect you to squeak. That IS rude.
-I'm often reminding those I meet online about the art of conversation when, without so much as a hello, they open with questions but are not giving any information on their end. "This isn't an interrogation. Introduce yourself and I might answer. ... Maybe."
riftalope 6 months ago
I'm sad that I've just noticed that David is reading an autocue...some part of me thought that they were just off the cuff rants... *sigh*
ScoobyDooVet 6 months ago
I'll just add to the pile. This question is considered rude in America too.
bricewgilbert 6 months ago 2
Well... there are rude idiots from every country, David. Most Americans that I know would find it rude to ask that question, too. (And I can assure you that none of us elected Brad to be our ambassador.)
kriswright 7 months ago 4
I quite like the idea of "massive talk"
Being able to ask people things like "would society miss you if you died?" and "do you matter?" would be rather useful
hellboyslittlebro 7 months ago 6
@hellboyslittlebro You've got to imagine that it might just end up feeling like a ridiculously harsh version of speed dating though; a version where you're stuck with the same person for hours on end and asking blunt and probably harsh questions like "And did your mother love you, or were you a disappointment of a child", and so on.
HaniiPuppy 6 months ago
I've found that the people -Not us Yanks or Britts or whatever- the people that ask that question are testing for the reaction. Is it a fast, cagey reply, or a guarded fluster? That sort of thing. Just answering isn't very fun. On that note of actually rude questions from foreign guys in America I could connect one query to two Australians and three Londoners. "Are you gettin' any?" (Wish could have an Irish WOMAN ask instead.)
riftalope 7 months ago
@riftalope I hate that too, it's so rude. I am getting some now, so I hated it even more when I wasn't. If a woman asked me about personal sex things I used to ask her if she'd ever been fisted. There's nowhere to go from there, so it's time to change the topic.
StickItUpYrBumGugle 6 months ago
The appropriate response is "Not enough"
IExpectedBetterOfYou 7 months ago 4
it's common in America for people to ask other how much they make.... it's light conversation.... :/
Riverwulfe 7 months ago
@Riverwulfe While living in America my entire life and travelling to every corner of the country, I've neither asked someone how much money they make, nor have I been asked, nor have I heard of anyone being asked. It's not something my parents had to explicitly teach me. One simply picks up on the unwritten social codes and abides by them.
pucksdad 7 months ago 3
@pucksdad i've lived in america my entire life, too. it wasn't taught to me, either. it's just something people in my area do, i guess O.o;;
no need to me mean about it....
Riverwulfe 7 months ago