Easier for Brits to adjust?

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

well, I suppose real ale is meant to be drunk warm, like red wine. I suppose most americans have never really had real ale. Lager is never drunk warm, though.

Edited February 2, 2008 by rkl57

[gwen75 0]

i think in some ways because on the outside, our cultures seem so similar, that it's in fact harder for a Brit to adjust as they maybe arent so prepared for all the big differences and unfamiliar situations they find themselves in

maybe someone from a completely different country that speaks a different language etc. will find it easier as they will be anticipating the big differences and come more prepared and ready for the culture shock

[StillThePrettiest 3]

I agree with you 100% on the principle, but I don't know that I, personally, would apply it to this situation... other than the common language (sic), maybe

I have never seen the British and US cultures as being very similar; in my opinion Australia stands as a sort of bridge between them, ie the Australian culture is more like both the British and American cultures than they are to one another

but that said, I had exactly the experience you describe, moving to the UK from Aus - it was far more of a culture shock than I was expecting - so maybe I'll be wise to it this time around (plus I think my expectations are different)

I've been enjoying this discussion; thank you to all who have been participating in it

[Krikit 1,164]

My sister, who was just here visiting from England -- and who also lived for some years in Canada before moving back -- commented to me that she found the US just a little off centre. Which is exactly how I feel. It's familiar, but with just enough difference to throw you off balance and confuse you. I think I've had as many of these looks as I've given myself.

[j4k 0]

just as long as you don't get the look of that cat!

[Krikit 1,164]

I think I have once or twice. My husband got to see a whole new side of me.

[Jeraly 4]

well, I suppose real ale is meant to be drunk warm, like red wine. I suppose most americans have never really had real ale. Lager is never drunk warm, though.

Yeah - it's not warm per se - it's room temperature same as red wine I can't stand ale but Jeremy loves it!! He was really happy when he found Newcastle Brown in the States (refrigerated ) even though his favourite it butcombe or old speckled hen

[no name 1]

What about West Country cider?

[Jeraly 4]

Ewww - nah - I'm not a great fan of cider My brother is though although he drinks it the girly way with blackcurrant

[sam and nic 0]

i think in some ways because on the outside, our cultures seem so similar, that it's in fact harder for a Brit to adjust as they maybe arent so prepared for all the big differences and unfamiliar situations they find themselves in

maybe someone from a completely different country that speaks a different language etc. will find it easier as they will be anticipating the big differences and come more prepared and ready for the culture shock

I think I agree with this. My UK man and I lived in Thailand for about two years and the culture shock was never really a big deal at all, because we just knew that everything would be so different. After living in Ireland, Cambridge, and even Spain to some degree, it's been much harder to get over the little things that wouldn't ever have been an issue if the cultures were drastically different.

For instance, I have become completely enamored with Lurpak, which was absolutely unavailable where we lived in Ireland, and it drove me half-insane despite the fact that Ireland has really good butter anyway. (I know Lurpak isn't English, but that's where I was introduced to it.) Also, the hardest thing about living in Ireland and England for me was that everything closes too early and isn't open on Sunday - Sam has tried to explain the reasoning behind this to me, but I just can't seem to accept it. These little blips on the radar just simply wouldn't have been anything worth thinking about in a place so strangely different like Thailand.

We're lucky though as Sam lived in the states as a kid/teenager, so he's already prepared. Unfortunately, he long ago developed the pseudo-American voice that he would use to communicate with people who couldn't understand, and I absolutely HATE the voice. It makes me cringe! On the other hand, he hasn't been back to the states in a decade, so he's got all these ideas about what to expect and I think a lot of it has changed since then - I think he's still in for a big surprise!

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

What about West Country cider?

Mmmmmm...zoider!

[no name 1]

What about West Country cider?

Mmmmmm...zoider!

That stuff is scary, yet tasty!

I like the cider pub in Bristol, I forget the name of it. Very small glasses are served - and you can only have 3!

[Jeraly 4]

The Corrie Tap?

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

The Corrie Tap?

That was the one! I remember getting verrrrrrrry squiffy there on, um, quite a few nights when I was living in Clifton. It was always overrun with the boys from Clifton College who couldn't have been more than 15. My ex (whom I was living with then in Clifton) was an Old Cliftonian and said that when he went there (back in the early to mid '80s) the Corrie Tap was infamous for serving any boy who could at least get his chin on the bar.

[Jeraly 4]

Sounds like most of Bristol