Survived first year.

[Lansbury 19]

A couple of weeks ago I completed my first year in the USA, so I thought I might pen a few notes of my experiences which might help others acclimatise.

When speaking to Americans who don't know you watch their faces. A short distance into the conversation a blank and vacant look comes over their faces. This indicates that prior to any thoughts you might have they really don't speak English. You're going to have to learn the American pronunciation of quite a lot of words or indeed completely different words for things.

We have been surprised by the amount of stuff we have got for our home which we have had to return because it was faulty. From a coffee percolator which was made so the water missed the pot right through to quite expensive items and computer equipment. The latest was tire chains from Les Schwab. Firstly given the wrong ones, the bill was correct but the sales person gave me the wrong ones which would have badly damaged my vehicle if used. When I went to fit the right ones these didn't fit so I took them back. They fitted them in about a minute until I pointed out they were not fitted as per the instructions. They pointed out the instructions were wrong and I should fit them as they did. They never could answer why the instructions were printed wrong, if indeed they were.

The urban legends about Americans having little knowledge of the world outside of America are partly true. We had some good laughs being asked if London was east of Chicago and if the UK on my driving licence stood for Ukraine. But getting gas at our local Fred Meyers always entails a good discussion with one of the attendants who has an almost unlimited knowledge of British politics.

No-one looks down on you here because of the sort of job you do. Working to support yourself is what counts.

The TV isn't as bad as it's reputation although the local newscasters on the CBS affiliate in Portland are unintentionally one of the best comedy shows. The weather forecaster the other day thought the Strait of Gibraltar was off Dover. But heck there are loads of places in Oregon I could find if I had to.

I have found Americans to be kind, helpful and very caring. They step up to help people in trouble as there is no government safety net here and you survive on your own efforts.

It's been an interesting year and I'm glad we moved over here. Our standard of living on our pensions is better than it would be in the UK. Our money enables us to do more and there is more to do. The down side is the unknown and the worry of not having a welfare state as a back up if we need it.

There is just one problem that I and I know many others have spent ages trying to solve and failed. Where in the USA can you buy decent sausages.

Come here with an open mind it isn't Britain but it is a different great place.

Finally to anyone in Eugene or Duck supporters everywhere. GO BEAVS

Edited December 2, 2007 by Lansbury

[Lou Lou 1]

Great post. I've been here nearly 4 years and I still get that blank look. I don't change my pronunciation tho. I refuse to!

I find I have less to do here, but I guess that depends on where you live in the country.

I can get good bangers. You just have to keep searching.

Here's to the next year.

[Jasman0717 9]

[MargotDarko 0]

What does this face mean? And why do you post so (seemingly often) in the UK forum?

[*julez* 124]

What does this face mean? And why do you post so (seemingly often) in the UK forum?

I wondered the exact same thing? Why is there a perplexed blink? I thought Lansbury posted a very thoughtful and entertaining account of his first year in the US! Personally, I thought he was very clear!

Thanks Lansbury for sharing with us! I do hope you will one day be successful in your quest for proper sausages!

[Lansbury 19]

I wondered the exact same thing? Why is there a perplexed blink?

Thanks Lansbury for sharing with us! I do hope you will one day be successful in your quest for proper sausages!

I assume that the perplexed blink is the forum equivalent of the American blank face when they don't understand English

As to the sausages we are close and have found a butcher who makes his own English sausages which are almost the real thing but not quite. Still they are very good.

[*julez* 124]

I wondered the exact same thing? Why is there a perplexed blink?

Thanks Lansbury for sharing with us! I do hope you will one day be successful in your quest for proper sausages!

I assume that the perplexed blink is the forum equivalent of the American blank face when they don't understand English

As to the sausages we are close and have found a butcher who makes his own English sausages which are almost the real thing but not quite. Still they are very good.

Thankfully I both speak and read in English fluently!

The thing that my fiance wants to find here in Buffalo is some proper bacon. I think we need to stay away from the major supermarkets and check with the local butchers to see if they can accommodate.

[no name 1]

What does this face mean? And why do you post so (seemingly often) in the UK forum?

I wondered the exact same thing? Why is there a perplexed blink? I thought Lansbury posted a very thoughtful and entertaining account of his first year in the US! Personally, I thought he was very clear!

Thanks Lansbury for sharing with us! I do hope you will one day be successful in your quest for proper sausages!

Yeah, ####### jasman? He offered his experience of America & you drive by post?

Thanks Lansbury, it's interesting to hear how other Brits see the USA.

[MargotDarko 0]

Interesting post, Lansbury!

I find that even after three years of speaking daily with my British-half, I have a terrible time once in a while with his "a" sounds, as in "ball" (sounds like bowl to me). Sometimes it renders entire sentences of his incomprehensible and hilarious for about two minutes.

The London east of Chicago thing is really silly and must be quite rare. I imagine that sadly it is less rare that people don't realise there is much more to England than London though. An inverse story on that note is that a cab driver in Manchester (a local native) asked me where I was from in America and when I answered Michigan, he seemed to think it was a city and then he asked if it was close to San Francisco! At least he stayed in the same country though.

I've only been in the UK two and a half years and I already know what you mean about the feeling of no safety net. It's something I've thought about having to facing when we make the move to Michigan in January. At least we'll have my parents for emergency cushion - that staves off a bit of fear even though we'd hate to ask them for anymore help than they've already given by paying for the wedding last year.

It's a shame and really coincidence more than anything that you've had so many duds when it's come to buying things so far and sounds like less than stellar customer service. On the whole, I find customer service much better in the states and return/exchange policies just as if not more flexible. In the states, businesses generally act as if the customer has the money so they should be catered to. And in the UK, as a general thing, I feel more like I am seen as needing their services so I should be nice to them.

I'm glad I've not gotten used to proper British sausage. There are quite of few things I will miss but just as many and more things I'm looking forward to after being away for over two years!

EDIT : Oops! It's been more like three and a half years of speaking daily with the now hubby!

Edited December 3, 2007 by MargotDarko

[Lansbury 19]

Thanks Lansbury, it's interesting to hear how other Brits see the USA.

Well the small part I live in anyway. One thing you come to appreciate is that there is no such thing as a universal American. The US is so vast that there are many different Americans depending on where they live.

One thing I have learnt from this forum you cannot assume just because something is done one way where you live it is done that way in the whole USA.

[pucklechurch 0]

I remember being in a bar and asking for Nachos and was promptly thrown a box of matches.

Edited December 3, 2007 by pucklechurch

[ddkm 0]

Well when i met my Fiancee she (and all the other locals that i introduced myself to!) originally thought my name was Don, even though i said it was Dan! Ever since then i always say my name is Daniel and not Dan, for that one reason!

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I remember being in a bar and asking for Nachos and was promptly thrown a box of matches.

My mother is on a personal crusade to teach my husband to say "nachos", "taco" and "pasta" like a proper American!

One time, a good friend of mine who is Sarf Lonnon born and bred was visiting Connecticut while we were also there. We fancied a Chinese, so he placed the order. Or tried to. Every time he asked for 3 orders of something, the guy on the other end kept thinking Oliver was saying "free" orders. "We don't do 'free' -- we charge for fried rice!"

I had to comandeer the telephone.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I friend of mine - as Brummie as can be - was in NYC:

Him: "can you tell me how to get to Avenue A"

Other guy "Avenue I - there ain't no Avenue I buddy"

Him: " No - Avenue A. Avenue AAAAAAA"

Other guy: "I'm telling you buddy, it only goes up to Avenue D"

[annelizabeth 1]

I have to confess to asking for warda these days, having got the dreaded blank look a million times. How can they not understand WATER????

My name (Anne) causes a lot of problems too, especially on the phone. I eventually have to pronounce it Ayen around here (y'all!). Bless them, some people I work with even resort to calling me Arn in an attempt to get it right.