Nuance of the English language, but, "If you were British, you would know where York is", suggests I'm not British, and implies I don't know where York is. Tha

Nuance of the English language, but, "If you were British, you would know where York is", suggests I'm not British, and implies I don't know where York is. That specific form of the sentence has negative connotations and might be considered divisive in (British) English. It's essentially a challenge to my honesty, and had you said "if you are" rather than "if you were" it'd be a more amiable challenge, implying I should respond with proof that I know where York is, and not suggest I'm being dishonest. As I said, it's divisive, but to some may be considered offensive too. Just one word makes all of the difference. If you want to suggest I would know where York is by virtue of being British, you might say; "You will know where York is, because you're British" or "You must know where York is, you're British".