The American Difference, Explained by a Brit.

Sometimes it takes an outsider to understand you better than you know yourself.

That has been one of the unexpected joys of watching British visitors experience America during the World Cup. They notice things we’ve stopped noticing. They see the country with fresh eyes—and sometimes describe it better than we ever could.

One British commenter on YouTube put it in a way that was funny, affectionate and just a little painful:

“It’s like finding out my dad had a kid with another woman that I never met, and we meet for the first time and I am like, ‘You’re kinda me, but you’re not me. It’s like he spent a bit more money on you; he made you believe in yourself, and your mom was clearly much nicer or kinder.’”

Many came carrying a picture of America built by a British media that overwhelmingly shows them our worst moments, our deepest divisions and our most embarrassing people.

Then they saw the truth. They experienced the truth. And, thanks to American barbecue, they ate the truth.

They discovered a country that was friendlier, more welcoming and far more likable than they had been led to expect.

Britain and America may irritate each other, laugh at each other and occasionally pretend not to care much about each other. But underneath it all is a deep, often unacknowledged fondness. We share a language, a history and an unmistakable family resemblance.

Somewhere along the way, though, the younger child grew up with more room, more confidence and the stubborn belief that he could become something extraordinary.

Americans sometimes forget that about themselves.

Sometimes it takes a distant relative to remind us.