Comments on: Book chapter: What not to say or do when visiting the U.K.

By: Alissa

Alissa — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:03:17 +0000

Abso-bloody-lutely amusing. Roaringly insane and I must say, quite correct. I find the British-stereotype scenario funny and sadly, true. Poor Americans- such a bad rep.

… and the first question I asked my Uncle in America was if they sold guns in Wal-Mart.

By: Brenda

Brenda — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 03:00:46 +0000

Thank you for sharing this chapter; I quite enjoyed it and may even have laughed aloud in a few places.
Since my superpower is editing, and I have decided not to wait for the world to be endangered before using it for good, please forgive me for pointing out that the last sentence of the second paragraph – “…he will fall and love and unexpectedly die.” – ought to read “fall in love”, yes? (although, it’s usually the contrived love interest that does the dying, seems like.)
Also, the last sentence under Heritage: “Their eyes will light up as they as ask…” – need to remove that second ‘as’.
And I probably shouldn’t mention the extra space under Comparisons with American Things: “…being the best/ oldest/deepest/tallest of something”.
Thanks again for the tips, and the giggles.

By: alan

alan — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 03:52:20 +0000

I am married to an American and have lived in the US for 4 years. We lived in the UK before that. Yes she is loud and often coarse and is geographically blind and a few more of the behavioural stereotypes – and dresses like a vagrant – - apparently I am a snotty condescending Brit and Amanda Knox is innocent. She asked me yesterday if we had groundhog day. I told her we didn’t have groundhogs and she replied ” Yes, but do you have groundhog day”. An American woman in York asked me if Norway was in the north of England too, as she was going there tomorrow. ALL the stereotypes are true and those about the Brits are too. I try to hate Americans but I am one myself now so its difficult. They cant help it and once you relax on all this stuff, they can be very generous – tit for tat. Oh and they don’t say tit bits coz its rude – they say tid-bits. They are nipple-o-phobes and disapprove of drinking and breasts (janet jackson’s freak em). God save America and God bless the Queen.

By: Emily

Emily — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:28:14 +0000

This is the biggest load if drivel I have ever read. If you truly want information I’d look somewhere else.

By: Carol Katrawitz

Carol Katrawitz — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 10:19:08 +0000

Do NOT use the expression ‘pissed’ for being fed up. To be ‘pissed’ in English is to be drunk!
The other thing we find strange, is the amount you guys eat for breakfast! Earlier this year I was in Costa Rica and almost without exception you guys would have: a fry up, pancakes/waffles a ‘Tico’ breakfast and sometimes fruit as well! Most of us would not have eaten that amount by the middle of the afternoon!

By: Rach

Rach — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:27:24 +0000

Well this was interesting, maybe no one in London speaks to you when you talk because they are all foreign and dont speak English? Im from the south and quite enjoy speaking to strangers, apart from pikies! I found this article to be an interesting perspective but not very accurate. I think most of the world does not like Americans as a whole but they have no idea why!

By: Mr A

Mr A — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 21:42:04 +0000

LOL, most of this is complete bull! XD

By: Daniel

Daniel — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:07:33 +0000

Don’t mention the word “Fanny” this means something COMPLETELY different in the UK. “Hey guys, I just fell on my fanny” will get you some very strange looks – some may ask how you managed it!

BTW I live in the North West of England and strangers do talk to you all the time here. IMO that’s more of a South East thing.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:20:06 +0000

LOL, Thanks for writing this mate, its wrong 99% of the time but as a Brit that does actually demand good service i agree that our service is just shocking.

By: Cooper

Cooper — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:14:37 +0000

Sorry mate, what a load of rubbish this is.
Some of the points were correct bsut a lot of them are just stupid.

“Do not leave a tip. The English do not tip. Tipping someone here is like spitting in their face” — Its actually common courtesy in England to tip at least 10%

Any Americans who read this, if you want to get by in the UK without being noticed as tourists. Just wear jeans or tracksuit bottoms. Thats pretty much all you need to do. What this guys on about with the white socks ordeal i don’t know.
Oh, and don’t wear crocs or sandles.