I would say that Northern Europeans as a group are more reserved than Southern Europeans. Within this group, no I do not think that the English are particularly reserved. I think the stereotype was derived from out neighbours and rivals, the French and Spanish. Very similar people pick on the few small differences and exaggerate them, The Spanish and, to a lesser extent, the French are more Latinic and less reserved than the English, and therefore historically mocked them as uptight. Like most stereotypes, it has a grain of truth which has been grossly exaggerated.

Not compared to other Europeans. Its a sterotype. Go to a restaurant in England then in France. The manners are far better than England.

I would imagine there is a little truth in the original stereotype like most others. I would not say in truth that the average English person is more polite or reserved, just not as voluable as some ethnicities.

the people i meet was polite when they talked ulike in other countries they use as it like their own..

Polite my ass! I live in St Andrews, Scotland, and my university attracts a lot of English people. Primarily priviledged English people. I also work in a bar/restaurant. Some English customers are polite, many are rude. Just my experience...

Absolute rubbish - if you don't believe me spend a Friday night in Manchester City Centre (although I will not be coming with you as I avoid it like the plague!) :) It comes from the belief that the English are all public school, "jolly hockey sticks", good eggs. Complete nonsense of course. I think also the "posh" accent comes into it but unless you attended Eton, then Oxford you are unlikely to speak this way. So I don't think the English are really any more polite or reserved. We have an image that is projected for the tourism industry (don't laugh it is big business for the UK) but they/we are just as obnoxious as the next country. The Welsh on the other hand of course are God's chosen people. ;)

I don't think they're more polite, but they certainly do have a different culture and their notions of social propriety and impropriety are a bit different from other English speakers. This may lead to some offense, which may give rise to the idea that they're more proper. As an American I must say that properness is often improperly suggested by the connection England has with our historical roots, so that even the modern become associated in our minds with the Elizabethan English. The accent of the UK, while not properly the same, is also associated with these romantic periods. I just watched Sense and Sensibility last night (I'm a fan). I think it's rather typical of how we portray or think of older English society, and modern English society also picks up a bit of that characteristic in the minds of those who have seen such material. A bit of the halo effect.

Yes. I think they are very reserved and proper. I don't know about the stereotype.

Well that has many facets to it. Americans can be far bigger prudes when it comes to "proper"! Reserved isn't really broad enough for the English as a whole. In general though I've mostly encountered politeness, but there again not ALWAYS!

That is a very interesting question and here is my very waffly answer! Please excuse me. I think it entirely depends on the person. However, methods of politeness vary from one country to the next and what is considered polite in one country may hold no weight in another. All cultures have their social codes. Because the British ruled such a large part of the world they have influenced social rules in a number of countries to a certain extent, however, little remains of it. We must not leave out the French, Dutch, Portuguese etc contributions either. And those countries which have not been colonized, of course, also have their own codes of social behaviour. The Japanese are known to be particularly polite. I think the French language reflects a long tradition of formality and politeness which may not be carried out on an individual basis and the British certainly have a tremendous number of social rules, which if followed strictly could be quite stifling. I do know that some nationalities are astonished at the number of times the British say thank you. They pay money for goods and thank the shop keeper at the same time! And they are generally very good at introducing people, although, this again is an individual thing.

Sorry, decided to delete my real answer out of fear of repercussions. Yes, they're all nice and peachy! :)