The United States of America - my thoughts so far

[Laura+Tom 2]

sounds like your stereo typing - I have travelled for variety of reasons and have a very healthy functioning liver ( as do many of my friends and colleagues). There are a group of people who travel abroad - usually young people who think a holiday is about getting drunk all night and then sleep off the hangover by the pool for most of the day.... however I dont think that is limited entirely to the British as much as people like to think of it as the "British disease"

http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/edinburgh-fringe...s%20Sent%20Home

I do understand though that the lack of Holiday entitlement for the average american employee and costs can be prohibitive for americans travelling abroad - especially with the dollar's performance against other currencies.

Yup, I'm 24, never been to Benidorm, never been on a club 18-30 holiday, never ever wanted to. I usually go on cultural holidays, Bruges, Prague, Dublin, Barcelona etc.

[*julez* 124]

I have to say, proportionally speaking, my British friends are not necessarily "better travelled" than my American ones, unless abusing your liver on Benidorm counts as a cultural experience.

Robin, you sh!t stirrer, you. Stop stereotyping!

Folks...please note....she was referring specifically to her own British and American friends.

This thread needs to chill out considerably.

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

Setting the travel issue aside for the mo...

Coming from a country that has much more recently aquired it's nationhood, you would think that we would be much more in to flag waving, but I don't know when I last saw a flag waving on something that wasn't connected with the government or maybe a hotel, where they have flags of several countries flying. I don't know of any houses that fly the flag except for on St. Paddy's day. The flag is related to our nationhood, and doesn't seep in to everything from car dealerships to the side of the road. I find the level that the stars and stripes is used here to be very intimidating and off putting. I really don't know why it's the preferred decoration for everything. Especially since that is technically frowned upon.

[ginger1981 0]

Setting the travel issue aside for the mo...

Coming from a country that has much more recently aquired it's nationhood, you would think that we would be much more in to flag waving, but I don't know when I last saw a flag waving on something that wasn't connected with the government or maybe a hotel, where they have flags of several countries flying. I don't know of any houses that fly the flag except for on St. Paddy's day. The flag is related to our nationhood, and doesn't seep in to everything from car dealerships to the side of the road. I find the level that the stars and stripes is used here to be very intimidating and off putting. I really don't know why it's the preferred decoration for everything. Especially since that is technically frowned upon.

It's interesting to note that I've seen far more Irish flags waving about in the US than I ever have in Ireland.

However, when it comes time for elections I cannot believe how every square inch of Dublin is covered in political ads for so and so of so and so party for some random government position.

Another thing that comes to mind for me is the murals in Belfast...even the more "benign" ones I still find completely intimidating. There is real historical context for the uneasiness of course, but even random posters for the "Gerry Adams Breakfast" still comes across to me as being subtlely sinister.

[truffles 2]

I have to say, proportionally speaking, my British friends are not necessarily "better travelled" than my American ones, unless abusing your liver on Benidorm counts as a cultural experience.

Robin, you sh!t stirrer, you. Stop stereotyping!

Folks...please note....she was referring specifically to her own British and American friends.

This thread needs to chill out considerably.

LOL...I was wondering if Benidorm is to the English what Aruba is to the Americans?

[ExSaffer 0]

I'm going to try to save a few days in the next few years too as we are talking about going to South Africa in 2010 or 2011.

Are you guys planning on going to the soccer world cup? If so see you there.

An ex South African here

[NickyMcMillan 0]

I'm going to try to save a few days in the next few years too as we are talking about going to South Africa in 2010 or 2011.

Are you guys planning on going to the soccer world cup? If so see you there.

An ex South African here

We would like to go to the world cup...we'll have to see the financial situation. I imagine prices will go through the roof. We were thinking maybe later on in the year...we think that prices will be lower if we go.

Would love to have some travel tips! We just got a brochure the other day about the Baz Bus...we're thinking of going with that as it seems it would be the best way to see the main places we want to go to (Johannesburg, Kruger, and Cape Town). I'd be curious to know about safety, ease of travel and anything an unexpecting American and Brit might encounter :-)

[ExSaffer 0]

Would love to have some travel tips!

Sure ask away, I will be happy to help.

[alienlovechild 75]

I thought I'd chime in with a few of my own experiences.

Another thing that comes to mind for me is the murals in Belfast...even the more "benign" ones I still find completely intimidating. There is real historical context for the uneasiness of course, but even random posters for the "Gerry Adams Breakfast" still comes across to me as being subtlely sinister.

When I was an expat in Taiwan, I brought up visiting Belfast to a Canadian. I mentioned talking to some Catholics who said "Brits out". An English guy overheard the conversation and became enraged. I told the guy 1) It's a private conversation not meant to piss him off 2) I'm not Catholic nor do i support the IRA 3) I explain I was quoting someone else. I thought the guy from Belfast but instead it was a loudmouth Welshman who'd never been to Northern Ireland. After that incident I was known as THE IRA supporter to most of the Brits who didn't know me first-hand and nothing I could say would convince them otherwise.

I noticed most the English were given to lecturing Americans even when they had no idea what they themselves were talking about.

I was in Amsterdam and a British guy said he had a "distinct talent" at recognizing accents. He said I was from western Hungary judging by my accent. I told him I was born and raise in the U.S.. He insisted my parents were Hungarian or German. I told him my ancestors had been in the U.S. for 150 years but they guy said "Every Americans has story like that."

In Vietnam, a young British guy was trying to tell me Bush was rounding thousands of American citizens and placing them in Gitmo and how there were constantly armed warplanes flying over all major American cities so 9/11 was an inside job. He went on and on about how America "really was" and when Ii asked him about when he been to the U.S. he went silent. He'd never been there but he knew more about America than any American could know. That was a very common theme.

When I was in Germany I met a guy from Shrewsbury. I asked him about the battle there and whether it was Richard the II or III who was defeated. He said I'd never heard of it!

Then there was the widespread belief that CNN is the only news channel in America.

Then there some mixed experiences of my own in the UK.

Swinging London closes pubs at 11:00 pm, what?

Hearing the N-word to describe black people used freely.

Trains

Crappy trains where you stand up half the time.

Drunks on the trains. Some beating drums and shouting anti-Irish and anti-Catholic slogans while the passengers stared blankly. The charming lads gave a Nazi salute to the conductor.

Despite hearing how safe the UK was compared to the US, I had my bag stolen on another train and the English bobbies had me fill out a from and gave me a pamplet on crime- thanks.

Most of the country looked run down (hey it's older) and millions of ugly look-a-like brick row houses.

Hundreds of cameras watching the streets of London and they think Bush is Big Brother.

Vile food despite formerly having a worldwide empire and hundreds of years to work on the cuisine.

Here's the kicker . . . all this stuff happened during my 10 days in the UK so first impressions are memorable.

[truffles 2]

Then there some mixed experiences of my own in the UK.

Swinging London closes pubs at 11:00 pm, what?

Hearing the N-word to describe black people used freely.

Trains

Crappy trains where you stand up half the time.

Drunks on the trains. Some beating drums and shouting anti-Irish and anti-Catholic slogans while the passengers stared blankly. The charming lads gave a Nazi salute to the conductor.

Despite hearing how safe the UK was compared to the US, I had my bag stolen on another train and the English bobbies had me fill out a from and gave me a pamplet on crime- thanks.

Most of the country looked run down (hey it's older) and millions of ugly look-a-like brick row houses.

Hundreds of cameras watching the streets of London and they think Bush is Big Brother.

Vile food despite formerly having a worldwide empire and hundreds of years to work on the cuisine.

Here's the kicker . . . all this stuff happened during my 10 days in the UK so first impressions are memorable.

LOL....

We could all relate bad experiences - and quote stereo types...

I personally was asked if I was French during a lengthy conversation in english with a Harley rider biker.

Whilst trying to get a Costco membership card - I presented my Passport to the mature lady on the counter who looked it over and then asked if i was from British Colombia.

I rode a bus and had to listen to young men shout vulgarities and swear at each other ( this was mid morning) noone batted an eyelid.

Tried to help an american using a bus map... tried to show her the roads she needed to use to get to her destination but she was relctant to take my help because she was in a car !

As for the food - I understand some americans find the food difficult to stomach, however i have noticed americans like to smother their food in sauces - maybe it is simply a case tastebuds getting exposed to something they are not use to.

Had to call the cops at 2am because of the underage drinking party which turned into violent brawl across from where I live - turns out the householder was away leaving his son in charge - he was on some training deal - HE WAS A COP!

And i could go on.....

I think a lot of what your describing is not exclusive to UK, and I really am sorry you think that the old brick row houses are offensive - The UK doesnt have the benefit of wide open spaces in some cities and yes - it is older buildings - but clearly some people find that is all they can afford or they like it!

[Laura+Tom 2]

Yes and if there are any wide open spaces, there'll soon be some houses built on it!

[*julez* 124]

Well said, Truffles! You're right. There are idiots in both the US and the UK. And in every other country in this world, for that matter.

Alienlovechild....don't be hatin' on the British food and architecture.....I like both very much. Guess you picked the wrong places to eat as there is lots of good food to be had! Adn the brick buildings are lovely, not all, but most. We have plenty of ugly/uniform buidings her too. And some prett yucky food!

There is good and bad, no matter where you reside. You just need to figure out what works for you where you live ansd shrug off those things that don't work for you.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

All I know is Allan's blood pressure is going to go through the roof when he reads alienlovechild's psot. Quick, someone put on some soothing music!

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Where is Alan anyways? Not like him to drop a bomb like this one and then not come back to see the fallout...

[Krikit 1,164]

I thought I'd chime in with a few of my own experiences.

Another thing that comes to mind for me is the murals in Belfast...even the more "benign" ones I still find completely intimidating. There is real historical context for the uneasiness of course, but even random posters for the "Gerry Adams Breakfast" still comes across to me as being subtlely sinister.

When I was an expat in Taiwan, I brought up visiting Belfast to a Canadian. I mentioned talking to some Catholics who said "Brits out". An English guy overheard the conversation and became enraged. I told the guy 1) It's a private conversation not meant to piss him off 2) I'm not Catholic nor do i support the IRA 3) I explain I was quoting someone else. I thought the guy from Belfast but instead it was a loudmouth Welshman who'd never been to Northern Ireland. After that incident I was known as THE IRA supporter to most of the Brits who didn't know me first-hand and nothing I could say would convince them otherwise.

I noticed most the English were given to lecturing Americans even when they had no idea what they themselves were talking about.

I was in Amsterdam and a British guy said he had a "distinct talent" at recognizing accents. He said I was from western Hungary judging by my accent. I told him I was born and raise in the U.S.. He insisted my parents were Hungarian or German. I told him my ancestors had been in the U.S. for 150 years but they guy said "Every Americans has story like that."

In Vietnam, a young British guy was trying to tell me Bush was rounding thousands of American citizens and placing them in Gitmo and how there were constantly armed warplanes flying over all major American cities so 9/11 was an inside job. He went on and on about how America "really was" and when Ii asked him about when he been to the U.S. he went silent. He'd never been there but he knew more about America than any American could know. That was a very common theme.

When I was in Germany I met a guy from Shrewsbury. I asked him about the battle there and whether it was Richard the II or III who was defeated. He said I'd never heard of it!

Then there was the widespread belief that CNN is the only news channel in America.

Then there some mixed experiences of my own in the UK.

Swinging London closes pubs at 11:00 pm, what?

Hearing the N-word to describe black people used freely.

Trains

Crappy trains where you stand up half the time.

Drunks on the trains. Some beating drums and shouting anti-Irish and anti-Catholic slogans while the passengers stared blankly. The charming lads gave a Nazi salute to the conductor.

Despite hearing how safe the UK was compared to the US, I had my bag stolen on another train and the English bobbies had me fill out a from and gave me a pamplet on crime- thanks.

Most of the country looked run down (hey it's older) and millions of ugly look-a-like brick row houses.

Hundreds of cameras watching the streets of London and they think Bush is Big Brother.

Vile food despite formerly having a worldwide empire and hundreds of years to work on the cuisine.

Here's the kicker . . . all this stuff happened during my 10 days in the UK so first impressions are memorable.

Way to make new friends, ALC!