This is war.

Earlier this week American writer Tad Safran described British women as unkempt, overweight and in need of serious moisturising, compared with their American sisters, and readers responded with a landslide of comments. More than 500 Times Online users weighed in on the Brits versus Yanks beauty debate.

The majority of Brits defended their countrywomen, agreeing with Safran that while some may not concentrate as much on appearance, they make up for it with easygoing, engaged personalities. Others pointed out that America has a higher obesity rate than the UK and that you can’t judge American beauty by looking only at the superior specimens in New York and L.A. Still others agreed with Safran, going so far as theorise on the roots of slovenly British (could it be related to school uniforms?).

But the debate expanded to a host of other countries. American beauty? Try Venezuelans, Spaniards or Malaysians, several users insisted.

Or it could be summed up by Peter from Stockholm: Vanitas vanitatum et omnia vanitas.

Here, 50 of the best, funniest and most inflammatory comments from users. Read all of them at the end of the original article and weigh in on the conversation: who’s prettier?

Tad’s wrong

This article reminded me of that old fairground trick where an "artiste" dives from a great height into a pool below. You just can't believe it's that shallow. - Kidd Garrett, Bristol

I sincerely doubt that this guy has actually spent much personal time with British or American women. Come to think of it, I wonder whether he's ever spoken to a woman of any kind. - Jennie, Cincinnati, OH, USA

Dude! Get out of Beverly Hills! Yes, I know it's like Disneyland but if you spend too much time there it will warp your brain...What sane man rejects a "gorgeous" Englishwoman based on the "roughness" of her hands? - Brian W., Los Angeles, USA

As a kiwi living in London and travelled extensively, if you want to see ungroomed and unkept woman head to NZ. - Lance Uppercut, London, UK

Most English women I have met (the good looking ones anyway) are pretentious, high maintenance and uptight. - Duncan Smith, London, England

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