As an American who generally gets along better with Brits partly because of this, I think what you lot tend to call “banter” would often be called “being a jerk” or I guess, yeah, being smug. Taking the piss just isnt at the same level in the US. IMO, its not so much a thin skin as it just different social norms. Taking the piss is viewed as an almost hostile behavior in the US, especially if you’re not part of that person’s inner social circle.
The US also has an interesting set of attitudes around being offended by things. I’m sure whole books have been written on the subject.
I think there are assumptions that come with that sort of thing. Giving a somebody a “ribbing, hard time, etc.” requires careful execution. Americans tend to take themselves way too seriously sometimes. I think we generally assume we are being insulted intentionally, which can be true, unless A.) It’s expected by the recipient, B.) It’s glaringly obvious that the comments are intended in good humor, or C.) The person speaking to you happens to be Don Rickles.The King is Dead. Long Live the King! On the other hand, ridicule is often delivered with insult as the intent. So the assumptions are probably not completely misplaced.
As an American who generally gets along better with Brits partly because of this, I think what you lot tend to call “banter” would often be called “being a jerk” or I guess, yeah, being smug. Taking the piss just isnt at the same level in the US. IMO, its not so much a thin skin as it just different social norms. Taking the piss is viewed as an almost hostile behavior in the US, especially if you’re not part of that person’s inner social circle.
The US also has an interesting set of attitudes around being offended by things. I’m sure whole books have been written on the subject.
I think there are assumptions that come with that sort of thing. Giving a somebody a “ribbing, hard time, etc.” requires careful execution. Americans tend to take themselves way too seriously sometimes. I think we generally assume we are being insulted intentionally, which can be true, unless A.) It’s expected by the recipient, B.) It’s glaringly obvious that the comments are intended in good humor, or C.)
The person speaking to you happens to be Don Rickles.The King is Dead. Long Live the King! On the other hand, ridicule is often delivered with insult as the intent. So the assumptions are probably not completely misplaced.