Nearly a third of Americans think they could pass as British, based on their knowledge of UK culture.
While 27 percent felt somewhat confident they can nail the British accent, 26 percent admitted they regularly struggle to understand it.
This week, they were put to the test when former tennis player and Wimbledon veteran John Isner brought the flavor of The Championships to New York, in a food truck serving strawberries and cream mini cheesecakes.
The hilarious clip shows the former-professional attempting his own version of an English accent, with mixed results.
He said: “When it comes to the Brits, Americans across the country feel like they know a thing or two about UK culture, and today I’m ‘full of beans’ and asking New York City, if they fancy trying a British twist on a New York classic.”
The study of 2,000 Americans showed 68 percent have never travelled across the Atlantic, with the main reason people gave to not being able to cross the pond in the future was expense (45 percent).
The research was commissioned by The All England Lawn Tennis Club, which stages The Championships, Wimbledon, and is screening the matches from finals weekend at The Hill in New York, in Brooklyn Bridge Park this weekend (July 11 – 13) and has also collaborated with Junior’s Cheesecake in the lead-up to the event.
Former US tennis player John Isner, who hit the streets of New York in the build up to the event to find out if the locals can walk the walk and talk the talk when it comes to being British, said: “It’s been fantastic to bring a slice of British summer to Manhattan ahead of the finals this weekend.”
Of those polled, given the chance to catch a flight to watch a sporting event live in the UK, almost a quarter (24 percent) would want to watch The Championships at Wimbledon.
As 60 percent believe the tennis tournament is a unique Grand Slam, according to the OnePoll.com data.
Putting the atmosphere (50 percent), the fact it’s played on grass (46 percent) and its charm (36 percent) all among the top reasons why they feel it’s special.
Not to mention the 30 percent who thought the food on offer, with its iconic strawberries and cream was a draw.
John continued, “As someone who has many fond memories of playing at Wimbledon, I can attest to just how special the atmosphere of The Championships is.
“It’s brilliant that New Yorkers will have the chance to experience this magic right here in their own city, at Brooklyn Bridge Park this weekend.”
A spokesperson for The All-England Lawn Tennis Club added: “We are looking forward to once again bringing the action, charm and the strawberries and cream from SW19 to the Hill in New York this summer.
“With so many Americans wanting to watch the Championships, but have never been, we are pleased to bring the atmosphere and quintessential Britishness of the event to tennis fans in New York.”
