I hasten to add that close variations of this meta-narrative are held by people in other countries, especially the Chinese, many Canadians, the French and others — for it is what used to be called chauvinism. (The French get a partial pass, because their highly irritating assumption of superiority happens to be correct in certain matters, like cheese, wine, and bread). Meanwhile, the British, in my experience, have the opposite tendency. Even when something they have is actually quite good, they insist it is terrible anyhow.
