I'm a Brit who got my PPL in the UK and have been flying in California, Florida and (currently) New York. I can't believe the difference in attitude towards VFR traffic from ATC around large airports between the UK and USA. To be told (as above) to b****r off by ATC at somewhere like Southampton (especially on a QXC) is pathetic. Over here I have had nothing but help and assistance from ATC, even around places like LAX and JFK that make Southampton look like a very small quiet civilian airport. ATC here around regional airports the size of Southampton positively bend over backwards to be helpful and mix the SEP traffic with the big jets.
Maybe it's just another example of the service ethic that makes doing most things in the US a pleasure and doing them in the UK a pain.
Rant over.
PS - I make an exception for the underfunded LARS services in the UK, especially Farnborough, who are a pleasure to talk to and do a fantastic job.