NationStates Jolt Archive

The average Brit in comparison to an average American. For those of you not big-headed enough to talk about stereotypes, and actually know the differences between the two (if there is one). What are they?

For example, do Brits pay as much attention to someone's purse getting stolen as someone from America would?


I'm just asking for average answers. I mean, I know all British individuals are unique. I'm just wondering so I wouldn't look so....AMERICAN....in the middle of Britain should I spend a few weeks there during the summer break.

w00t for me

Here's my tip:

Act like yourself. If people in either country don't like it, screw 'em.

A lot of it really depends on what region the person is from. Not to be stereotypical, there is a tendency, in America, towards politeness and attention to coutesy in the rural areas. In many cities, people are more apathetic. That's not always true; San Francisco is a pretty nice place (especially if you're liberal). It's just a tendency.

Well, from my experience with those from that gray overcast isle of interesting accents, you will find that many people there are quite different. I actually couldn't tell you one thing to make yourself seem less American aside from telling them you are Canadian, which works perfectly. My opinion is that you shouldn't hide the fact that you are American, just be yourself and they will either like you for who you are, or you will get a good laugh when they yell at you in odd accents and use words that don't exist in the States.

I can't really answer about Brits, but when I was in France last summer I was friendly towards the people I met..and surprise surprise, I must have spent almost an hour talking to some of my waiters! If you don't act like a stereotypical American, they will most likely reciprocate your behavior towards them 8) In my opinion, I found Europeans to be more friendlier and more polite than in the US.

this is what I got from a few weeks in the UK:

everyone there will want to know, right off the plane, why you voted for bush, you can either a)explain that you didn't vote for bush(Approximate time: 10 minutes) b) explain why you think bush is a good president (approximate time: 3 hours) or c) Say you're canadian (approximate time: 10 seconds)

go for c, if only for your sanity

brit=proper and cordial
americans=either always in a hurry to get somewhere or too lazy to care

Okay we're all human and humanity is evil and scum.

I was talking to my dad about British expeditions to the Antarctic in the 20's.

Those guys never give up, even when they have to dig through old expedition's trash for hard tack and bits of meat and fat, and they're bleeding from every hole in their body because of scurvey and they for some idiotic reason brought horses and had to kill them all with ice picks.

They may not be bright, but damn, they're persistent.

I actually couldn't tell you one thing to make yourself seem less American aside from telling them you are Canadian, which works perfectly.

Which, of course, annoys the crap out of Canadians.
Which, of course, we do not show publicly. :wink:

Yes, telling the british that you are canadian is wonderful, as long as you don't say it in a southern accent.

Otherwise, I mostly met Londoners in the five years I was there. They're alright, they're just people, but some things are different. The slang is hard to get the hang of. Some words are the same, but they mean something completely different, which can get an american in trouble.

Other things I noticed...the drinking. It's a lot more intense than it is in the US. The food is amazing, so long as you don't try jellied eels or roll mops...they drink instant coffee a lot. If you only use 2/3 of a teaspoon, it can almost taste like real coffee. Don't let them trick you into believing tea is complicated, it's just tea, hot water, sugar and a dash of milk.

Ummm...they'll look at you funny if you ask for iced tea or if you ask for onions on your burger. You might even get fried onions, because raw onions are just something they've never heard of on a burger.

They don't have big refrigerators, just the little dorm-type ones, so they don't usually have as much food in the house as you're used to, not being able to keep so much. They also don't always have a dryer. The washers aren't that great either, unfortunately. Usually clothes are dried on the radiators, and some people have the mysterious belief that you will fall ill if you don't keep them in the "airing cupboard", (a little shelf above the hot water heater) for at least three weeks.

Don't be afraid of the food. When I arrived there, I went to the grocery store and bought stuff that looked familiar. I ended up buying a gallon of "whole orange". This turned out to be their equivalent to frozen concentrated orange juice. Theirs is concentrated liquid, usually with a lot of aspartame. I didn't know that. I poured myself a glass full and ended up suspicious of anything you could drink there. Lemonade is really something more like 7-Up, and it also has a lot of aspartame.

Use your change and small bills, or you'll end up with 5 lbs of pound-coins and two-pound coins in your pockets. It's not the old money anymore. There aren't any shillings or farthings or guineas in use. It's not too mysterious.

It rains. A lot. Take an umbrella. Don't lose it.

Don't mention the war. Especially don't mention the american GIs that were stationed in england in the war. Or cigarettes. Or chewing gum. Or nylons. At least not when you mention the war. Which you shouldn't...

As a Canadian, I have a request. Please don't tell them you are Canadian unless you plan on not being horribly ignorant and obnoxious, because we Canadians have enough ignorance and hautiness without Americans cashing in our name too. That said, I would like to share a little story:

My family was in London a couple years ago, walking down the street and jabbering loudly enough for our foreign accents to carry down the street. A fellow up ahead turned around and said in a non-descript North American accent much like our own, "Where are you all from?" In response, we all chorused, "Canada" to which this fellow replied, "Oh, I used to tell people that all the time! It's all right, though, I'm American too, you can tell me." And for nearly ten minutes he insisted we must be American and didn't believe us that we actually were Canadian. Finally he just kind of wandered off, eyeing us suspiciously.

I tried not to be ignorant, certainly not to be obnoxious. Still, it's more of a cultural divide than people here might realise. If we tell them we're american, they hate us on the spot. At least if we use the canadian ruse, they'll give us half a chance before hating us.

I don't think British people hate Americans on the spot, and if they do, then they are being ignorant gits themselves. But in my experience, there never seemed to be anything British people had against Americans. I lived in Moscow for a couple years and went to an international theatre thing in Vienna. More than half the kids there were British, and then about a quarter were American, and everyone seemed to be getting on fine. But maybe that is just theatre people... they usually are a bit happy-go-lucky and lovey-dovey.

My parents commented that the Americans tended to be louder.
My parents also noticed the rather odd behaviour of Americans cutting up their food with a fork even when a knife was provided. Most perculiar.

My experience with British co-workers here in the land of Wa has given me the following insights:
The British tend to be more cynical and sarcastic than Americans.
The British tend to be politically more liberal than Americans.
Overall, most Brits, like people everywhere, are fairly decent folks.
Most Brits tend to slag off Americans, but it's usually in jest (see the first insight).

I was talking to my dad about British expeditions to the Antarctic in the 20's.

Those guys never give up, even when they have to dig through old expedition's trash for hard tack and bits of meat and fat, and they're bleeding from every hole in their body because of scurvey and they for some idiotic reason brought horses and had to kill them all with ice picks.

They may not be bright, but damn, they're persistent.
Haha, that last line made my day. The Brits are persistent bastards, and they damned well knew how to rule the Empire. Anyone that has the audacity to write (I'm paraphrasing, my English friends, so don't be angry) "And the angels sang from on high this glorious strain: "Rule Britannia rule! Britannia rules the waves!..."" ought to be admired. I think we Americans ought to steal that poem and convert it, kind of like the Star Spangled Banner. :)

As and Englishman I must say I am flattered by the comments on this thread and can't really point at one that is way out. But there is, like in the US alot of difference between people from the North and the South. I won't say which is better as the differences are what make this place great.
But I will say this, visit London by all means but try moving North and having a look up here! In my coounty we have more castles than you could shake a sh*tty stick at.
And if you come here you have to try a. Stotties (ham and peas pudding but any filling you like, oh Greggs ones are best) b. Newcastle Brown (but you can get that anywhere in the world, god of beers that it is) c. A tour of the big market and keyside in Newcastle.

...
Other things I noticed...the drinking. It's a lot more intense than it is in the US. The food is amazing, so long as you don't try jellied eels or roll mops...they drink instant coffee a lot. If you only use 2/3 of a teaspoon, it can almost taste like real coffee. Don't let them trick you into believing tea is complicated, it's just tea, hot water, sugar and a dash of milk.
...
Instant coffee is just fine. :wink:

Advice from a brit: If you visit London, don't expect the people to be any friendlier than if you had gone to New York!

I have to agree that brits tend to be more cynical and sarcastic - but don't take it too seriously.

Advice from a brit: If you visit London, don't expect the people to be any friendlier than if you had gone to New York!

I have to agree that brits tend to be more cynical and sarcastic - but don't take it too seriously.
Yes I went out with a group of friends (English and ones I had know for many years) and a new friend from California. We had a few jars and had a laugh (at each other expense) and the next day my American friend phoned to see if I was ok, what with falling out with my oldest friends. After a few moments of me being puzzled I realised that he thought all the p*ss taking from the night before was for real.
He still finds our humour and way we interact hard to comprehend, but I’m sure he will be converted. God help him when he visits the states again with his new found English humour!
:D

dumb and dumber

Ooh. "Taking the piss". That's something that took me a while to get used to. I didn't understand what someone meant when they asked someone if they were doing it to me. Probably better I didn't realise. Here was I, all sincere and serious....

Yeah, it's something americans don't know about. It's like this, you pretend to be all serious about something someone's talking about, especially if you know they're just bragging or lying or full of shit, and have a private laugh at their expense. Sometimes people do it just because. If someone tries to cheat you or lie to you, you can also use it by saying something like, "you takin' a piss or what?"

I reckon your biggest problem would be the slang, perhaps moreso if you go to London / South East. I would advise you to visit 'the provinces' - i.e. don't stick in London, mainly because its more expensive there. There are some nice cities in the North (York, Newcastle etc).

I'd advise you not to mention your political views, especially if you support Bush.

us Brits dont tend to shoot our allies... :wink:

we also drink tea...coffee is so passe 8)

A few points:

There are plenty of conservatives in the UK - many people support Dubya.

We love irony and wordplay, yet we laugh at innuendo and flatulence. We gripe, whinge and moan but hate to officially complain.

It's "taking THE piss", not "taking A piss", unless of course you're urinating.

We neck a skinful of falling-down water. Um, drink a lot of alcoholic beverages, that is.

We're pretty creative with language. If you're drunk, you can be described as:

Pissed, hammered, steaming, larroped, lashed, lagged, wankered, bollocksed (actually, you can use pretty much any swear word followed by 'ed'), monged, caned, mashed (the last three are more usually used with reference to other drugs), slayed, flying three sheets to the wind, off your face, off your tits, off your knackers (knackers = testicles, nads, balls, bollocks...), wasted, blitzed, etc ad infinitum.

If you have too much to drink, you might throw up, vom, chunder or spew. If you get lucky and pull, you might well end up shagging, getting your end away (if you're a bloke), porking, poking (most terms focus on the male participant, it seems), humping, boning (still male), knobbing (still male, 'k' is optional), screwing and, of course, f*cking.

It's probably best I don't go into how many different terms there are for masturbating...

I should say that 'we' doesn't cover all of us. Best to act naturally and take us as you find us.

I cant say i know about what Americans are like as i have only spent a couple of days in LA when we moved from England to Australia, but i find Aussies are much the same when it comes to taking the piss out of each other's country etc. and then heading down to the pub together for a few pints.

Brits dont hate the Americans at all, though as an Englishman i definately warn you not to say you won WWII as you will never make any friends!

by the way, making a good cuppa tea is an art, though i'd much rather head down to the local for a pint of Guinness! :D

rhyming slang always got me. So many variations, and some of it doesn't make sense. Cockneys drop their 'h' a lot, as well as "th", but they always make up for it by using perfect grammar for a word not beginning with 'h'.

An example would be something like them saying, "an 'ouse". I once had a cockney woman describe her yorkie as having "yuman 'air". It took me a day to puzzle out what she was trying to say.

Pissed, hammered, steaming, larroped, lashed, lagged, wankered, bollocksed (actually, you can use pretty much any swear word followed by 'ed'), monged, caned, mashed (the last three are more usually used with reference to other drugs), slayed, flying three sheets to the wind, off your face, off your tits, off your knackers (knackers = testicles, nads, balls, bollocks...), wasted, blitzed, etc ad infinitum.


The first one is the most important one to be aware of regarding the shift in meaning:

"I was pissed" used by an American means "I was angry".
"I was pissed" used by someone in the UK or Eire means "I was drunk".

Just to confuse things, "I was pissed off" used by one of us UK/Eire kids means "I was angry"...

rhyming slang always got me. So many variations, and some of it doesn't make sense. Cockneys drop their 'h' a lot, as well as "th", but they always make up for it by using perfect grammar for a word not beginning with 'h'.

An example would be something like them saying, "an 'ouse". I once had a cockney woman describe her yorkie as having "yuman 'air". It took me a day to puzzle out what she was trying to say.

Actually, the glottal stop is pretty standard for many across the UK. I'm no cockney, but I drop a good deal of my Ts and Hs. Adding an H is more of a cockney preserve, however.

More advice... Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are NOT in England! And the IRA are murderous bastards, no matter what you may have been told. That doesn't mean that people like me are anti the Northern Irish republican movement, just that we don't accept republicanism as a justification for murder.

Pissed, hammered, steaming, larroped, lashed, lagged, wankered, bollocksed (actually, you can use pretty much any swear word followed by 'ed'), monged, caned, mashed (the last three are more usually used with reference to other drugs), slayed, flying three sheets to the wind, off your face, off your tits, off your knackers (knackers = testicles, nads, balls, bollocks...), wasted, blitzed, etc ad infinitum.


The first one is the most important one to be aware of regarding the shift in meaning:

"I was pissed" from an American means "I was angry".
"I was pissed" from someone in the UK or Eire means "I was drunk".

Yeah. If we're angry, we say we're "pissed OFF".

More advice... Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are NOT in England! And the IRA are murderous bastards, no matter what you may have been told. That doesn't mean that people like me are anti the Northern Irish republican movement, just that we don't accept republicanism as a justification for murder.

I second this, but also add that the loyalist paramilitaries are no better than their republican compatriots.

I lived down in Bromley, really it's in Kent, but they like to think of themselves as being in the "saff-east".

I always thought that while the southeast of London is cockney territory, the people in Essex sound more like the old cockneys.

I don't have a problem with what the northern Irish want, but I don't like the fact that they'd bomb Hamley's, (a great big toy store, for americans) to get it.

More advice... Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are NOT in England! And the IRA are murderous bastards, no matter what you may have been told. That doesn't mean that people like me are anti the Northern Irish republican movement, just that we don't accept republicanism as a justification for murder.

I second this, but also add that the loyalist paramilitaries are no better than their republican compatriots.

Absolutely, though they don't have the support in the US that the IRA have.

Yeah. If we're angry, we say we're "pissed OFF".

You read my mind - I edited my post to add this same caveat whilst you were making the point yourself.

I think the main difference between us Brits and the Americans is the sence of Humour. Whilst the Americans SOH is very brash and in your face, the British sence of humour is more sarcastic and droll. Oh and if you walk past the House of Commons, just whistle and wave a stick about and Tony Blair will come running!

I never trusted Tony Blair anyway. Hell, even if John Major was boring as watching paint dry, at least he was a good prime minister. Don't start about Maggie, please. (A lot of americans think she's still in office, btw.)

Major was from circus folk. That goes in his favor. ;)

I lived down in Bromley, really it's in Kent, but they like to think of themselves as being in the "saff-east".

I always thought that while the southeast of London is cockney territory, the people in Essex sound more like the old cockneys.

I don't have a problem with what the northern Irish want, but I don't like the fact that they'd bomb Hamley's, (a great big toy store, for americans) to get it.

I'm from Kent. Bromley is technically in Greater London, not Kent (the boundaries changed decades ago). Cockneys are from the east of London, not the south-east.

Oh, BWO - don't worry, my mind-reading skills aren't finely tuned yet, so your deepest, darkest secrets are safe. For now...

*cue campy evil cackling*

I cant stand cockney wide boys and essex nova drivers...I think we should have a wall just above birmingham to keep you southerners out 8)

I cant stand cockney wide boys and essex nova drivers...I think we should have a wall just above birmingham to keep you southerners out 8)

Ha! It's actually obligatory for people from Kent to treat Essex types with nothing but contempt and condescension.

I'm from Kent. Bromley is technically in Greater London, not Kent (the boundaries changed decades ago). Cockneys are from the east of London, not the south-east.


Try to tell my ex-husband that. They think they're close enough to Croydon that it makes no difference. ;)

If you're inclined to be loud, it's a good habit to curb, just a bit. In the states we have lots of space and like to be big presences wherever we go. I just got back from living in Wales for a year, and I learned you can get much more accomplished there by not appearing overly abrasive/rude, which being loud will automatically imply.

I'm an Essex geezer (bloke).

It depends on where you go in Essex as to what accents you hear.

You could be in Southend (locals say - Saffend) for instance, which is a coastal town, and you'll hear strong cockney accents. But if you were to go a couple miles out of the town to a country area you'll hear a more proper accent.

I'm an Essex geezer (bloke).

It depends on where you go in Essex as to what accents you hear.

You could be in Southend (locals say - Saffend) for instances, which is a coastal town, and you'll hear strong cockney accents. But if you were to go a couple miles out of the town to a country area you'll hear a more proper accent.

Yeah, the stereotypical accents of places like Essex and Kent apply only to certain areas (urban in Essex's case, as far as I can tell). I'm from Whitstable, I could see Southend from my window.

Well the essex thing is mostly because of the cockneys being relocated after the war, isn't it?

I have to admit, I liked my ex's grandad and the way he thought and spoke better than I liked the way my ex's generation did. Wideboys is the right word for them.

I'm from Kent. Bromley is technically in Greater London, not Kent (the boundaries changed decades ago). Cockneys are from the east of London, not the south-east.


Try to tell my ex-husband that. They think they're close enough to Croydon that it makes no difference. ;)

Hmm, I might be wrong about the cockneys then. Although that would make my family cockney (from Eltham), which doesn't seem right.

I thought that technically a Cockney was anyone born within sound of Bow bells, no?

Eltham isn't far off either. I used to go to a blinding pie and mash shop there. I think you can get about as far south and east as Orpington before you stop hearing the accent.

I thought that technically a Cockney was anyone born within sound of Bow bells, no?

Ah, that sounds familiar. I think that rules out Bromley, Eltham and Orpington.

Where do you hail from?

Where do you hail from?

Belfast, Northern Ireland, currently enjoying one of the longest consistent spells of sunny whether in years.

bloody hell. That's where all of our rain has come from. The irish must have completed their weather-control device...

Well the essex thing is mostly because of the cockneys being relocated after the war, isn't it?

Yeah. Essex used to be a more well spoken place all over. Though i'm not complaining, I love the accent. I have it myself (still after 7 years in Western Australia).

I come from Rayleigh myself, not far from Chelmsford. It's right next to the A127.

Where do you hail from?

Belfast, Northern Ireland, currently enjoying one of the longest consistent spells of sunny whether in years.

Isn't it great? Unfortunately I'm in the Big Smoke so the heat's making the air pretty nasty. Still, it's good to be able to take a spot in the grounds of the Tate Modern and read a book in the blazing sun.

Having lived in Antrim (N. I), Scotland (both East and West Coast) and in the North and South of England I have to say that British only exists in theory for the majority of us Brits... (go figure!)

I'm actually mixed race, but consider myself a Brit (I'm in the minority, I consider myself English only in Ireland, Scotland or Wales... perhaps Cornwallshire too).

many thanks for the kind words that you guys have said on this forum. There is a lot wrong with our Country as with yours, but I have to say that everything you lot have said has been lovely...

<extends a nod of thanks to the Yanks, Canadians, Aussies and Kiwi's>

I can tell you from talking to several brits online, DON"T MENTION WWII! Especially stating that Patton was a much better commander than Monty (though IN MY VIEW he was)!

I have made friends online from people in britian and we beat eachother over the heads but we do it in fun. I know when they are joking around, Most of the time.

As for WWII, and this is all i'm saying so don't flame me please (Ducks and hides.) Churchill himself knew he couldn't win the war without America's help. He was overjoyed when Pearl was attacked because he knew that we would come into the war.

WIth our help, the ALLIES won the war. Enough said.

Have fun in Britian my friend. Don't piss off the locals :P

Having lived in Antrim (N. I), Scotland (both East and West Coast) and in the North and South of England I have to say that British only exists in theory for the majority of us Brits... (go figure!)

I'm actually mixed race, but consider myself a Brit (I'm in the minority, I consider myself English only in Ireland, Scotland or Wales... perhaps Cornwallshire too).

many thanks for the kind words that you guys have said on this forum. There is a lot wrong with our Country as with yours, but I have to say that everything you lot have said has been lovely...

<extends a nod of thanks to the Yanks, Canadians, Aussies and Kiwi's>

I don't honestly think they'd care what you were in Cornwall. Incredibly friendly people there.

Im a manc

you are all southerners as far as im concerned 8)

Being British i have to say that most of us view Americans as loud mouthed, overweight and rude. Now i know all the yanks are going to flame but sadly its true. Working where i work i meet alot of diffrent people from diffrent countries and i have to say Americans are the worst. Asians, Europeans, Australians are all better than most americans. I dont believe it to be such a bad flaw however i think its due the the sheer intense patraism (sp?) Americans have, i believe it make them believe that they are superior to most nations and people.

Braces for flame impact.

it make them believe that they are superior to most nations and people.

Braces for flame impact.

isn't that us brits? :lol:

Being British i have to say that most of us view Americans as loud mouthed, overweight and rude. Now i know all the yanks are going to flame but sadly its true. Working where i work i meet alot of diffrent people from diffrent countries and i have to say Americans are the worst. Asians, Europeans, Australians are all better than most americans. I dont believe it to be such a bad flaw however i think its due the the sheer intense patraism (sp?) Americans have, i believe it make them believe that they are superior to most nations and people.

Braces for flame impact.

Not all of us are loud mouthed, overweight (i'm actually at my proper weight), and rude. I'm very polite! The only time i'm rude is when people are rude to me. I know many people that are very polite, not loud mouthed or overweight. If you visit a city, yea you'll find those things as well as watching our damn TV shows which I don't because they are stupid and I have more important things to watch.

I attend a small university in a small town and everyone is friendly. Even the teachers if you can believe that. I have traveled widely in America, hell i am an american, my friends. Met many different people. Yes we do have a few loud mouthed and rude people. They're bullies to be ignored. But the majority of the ones I have met and talked with are very polite individuals. Be respectful to them and they will be respectful to you back.

The irish must have completed their weather-control device...

We just used the old trick of reversing the polarity of the neutron flow in the orbital mind control lasers.

The irish must have completed their weather-control device...

We just used the old trick of reversing the polarity of the neutron flow in the orbital mind control lasers.

Ah... that old chestnut. Sneaky.

http://coreb.sphosting.com/images/dir001_141.jpg

I was talking to my dad about British expeditions to the Antarctic in the 20's.

Those guys never give up, even when they have to dig through old expedition's trash for hard tack and bits of meat and fat, and they're bleeding from every hole in their body because of scurvey and they for some idiotic reason brought horses and had to kill them all with ice picks.

They may not be bright, but damn, they're persistent.

I read in another thread that in Scott's expedition to the Antarctic that
Scott brought, of all things, ponies. You'd think you'd want something hardier on the ice. And they got eaten by orcas.

I see. Well you're just going to have to stop, and that's final. We want our sunshine back. It's ours, and we want it. ;)

On the loud american topic, I guess I understand how people get the idea that you can hear us long before you see us....

It would help if american tourists would stop wearing bum-bags. (fanny-packs is just too funny in english for me to use it. Sounds like something you use when you've strained your groin.)

Speaking of weather control -

I have vague memories from when I was a kid on holiday of vineyard owners in France sending rockets up into the clouds to seed them with silver iodide and producing rain. Whether this actually happened or not, or was just my dad pulling my leg, I do not know, but if he was, he was at least describing the correct procedure...

I have heard a few big mouthed Americans, but i have also heard a few big mouthed English as well.

Every country will have their fare share of wank-ers.

The English aren't exactly well know for their politeness when it comes to their international football (soccer) fans. But again, those twats make up a very minute group of people.

Like stated above, if you are nice to people and not loud and arrogante, most people will be nice back to you.

Of course - fannies. Not a word for the fundament round our way. The ladies' front bottom, you might say.

Isn't the silver iodide technique quite a new concept?

I read in another thread that in Scott's expedition to the Antarctic that Scott brought, of all things, ponies.

Never mind ponies, Shackleton's expedition took a banjo. Even more bizarrely, it survived the trip and was the subject of a recent dispute over possession in court.

If I recall correctly, they've been using silver iodide since the 30's to seed clouds.

If I recall correctly, they've been using silver iodide since the 30's to seed clouds.
Shows how much I know...

Well, I gotta hit the hay. Nice chatting. I don't know why it is, but I miss the UK.

There's just something about it that grows on you. Must be the constant rain...

There's just something about it that grows on you. Must be the constant rain...

Probably some kind of mould.

Well, I gotta hit the hay. Nice chatting. I don't know why it is, but I miss the UK.

There's just something about it that grows on you. Must be the constant rain...

Who'da thought Bromley would have such a positive effect? Sweet dreams.

Well, speaking as a Brit myself I think you should just act like yourself! It's actually quite amasing how excited people tend to get when they meet someone from another country, especially American! Just be your usual self, act friendly and you'll be just fine, you don't need to worry about the stereotypes. Also, if you are unfortunate enough to come across the few that are perhaps abit apprehensive, don't worry about it too much and just carry on.

People here are also very concerned if your purse gets stolen too, and usually the biggest risk of that happening at all is in the big cities, like London, but I've been there many times and have been fine. You may like to consider where abouts you go too, if you think that the whole 'strange accents' thing will be a problem.

In my experience Americans are much more immediately friendly than people from the UK. It can be a bit bewildering being a Brit in the USA and having people you've just met inviting you over for meals, offering to drive you all over the place, changing their plans to suit you... very pleasant, just a bit unexpected. I think that in Britain people prefer to take a bit more time to see if they actually like you before welcoming you into the bosom of their family. Maybe it goes with the whole cynicism/sarcasm/irony thing. Most Americans I've met seem more willing to take things at face value and sort it all out later: people in the UK tend to be more alert to alternative interpretations, even when they don't exist.

Also: remember that we drive on the LEFT, so look to your RIGHT before crossing the street. We lose more American tourists that way... usually right outside the airport. And don't try to get into the driver's side of the car, something I invariably do when I'm in the USA.

My only advice would be to make sure that you get the right money. Bank of England is generally accepted in all of the UK, but there are lots of other different banks (30 something of them). If you are going to England make sure you have Bank of England notes because in my experience they all seem too stupid to realise that Bank of Scotland, Ireland, Wales etc are actually genuine banks and that their notes are not fake. There was a man from N.Ireland who got lifted when he was in England because they thought his plastic fiver from here was counterfeit :roll:
Anyway, so yeah thats just my advice.

advice from an Americana to a brit dont goto the south they maybe nice but are a little thickskulled and if you offened em you will be beat....and if you goto the northeast...dont we are all assholes.