They felt the same in the 90’s. I went over there, Boston to be precise and was guaranteed work if I married an American lass I met in London. Her mates brother was a truck driver and I was introduced to him. Nice guy but he was keen to let me know what the general public thought of truck drivers. Even the girl I was thinking about marrying did not have a good word for them in general.
I declined and stayed working in the UK where I think at that time we were liked better than our colleagues over the pond. Unfortunately the bad ones tarnish us all with the same reputation.
Had to cringe at one response to this thread…Typical Brit answer an I’m havin a laugh. 