Few days ago I watched again the amazing movie called "This is England", after a while living in here I think I have enough info to compare England from inside and outside view.
Long gone are those days when the public image of England was Ben Sherman shirts and Dr Marten boots, however still nowadays you can find in every single football stadium people drinking and fighting, even The Royal Academy define the word hooligan as "British supporter with violent and aggressive behaviour".Leaving in second place the fact about "English drinking culture" and anti-social behaviour as a "normal" part of life, it has nothing to do with the feelings that you will perceive once you have been here.
Every English represents the nation, from a distant point of view England is still a small town. I don't mean the way English are, but the original way they interpret the human life. English would never allow to nobody invade their private life or freedom. English still have the pride of small town built in a great society a great nation. It’s incredible how a cold country can become so warm, It’s the best example about how an individualist people can work together to be stronger.
It's a shame that sometimes the behaviour of people abroad or public image (including all countries) doesn't seem the same that you can find when you are here.