Where is everyone from... and where did you end up?

[strudel]

Born Bournemouth, raised Little Chalfont, university St Andrews, 18 months Slough and since 1998 resident in Bogotá, Colombia.

[mike]

Oh I love Wokingham! I miss Waitrose, I love it here but I do miss the shops. I lived in Earley.

I know it well. I used to get the train through Earley on my way to work every morning! The only good thing about Waitrose was the car parking, which meant that I didn't have to spend 50p an hour (or whatever it was) to park in a council-owned car park! They sold the same products as Asda, Tesco, Sainsburys etc, but always for a good few pence more!

[1dirtybrit]

I am from a lovely armpit of a town called Redditch in Worcestershire, England; which of course instantly calls for Americans to go, 'Oh yeah...WORRRCESTERRRRRSHIRRRRRRRRRRRRRE, like the sauce.' Yes ahem.
I met a Mormon missionary back in the fatal year of our Lord 1992 and found myself relocated to Mormon Headquarters, otherwise known as Utah. I left when I was 22 and stupid, I am now close to 40 and less stupid, but a lot more American. I am also the part-owner of 5 Mormon kids and am divorced, being 7,000 miles away from home and hearth. Still, it could be worse...but it would be a lot better if I lived down the road from a chippie. Yes, what I would give for a bridie and chips smothered in curry sauce.
I actually love America with its free speech and white socks with sandals. Not that I am a fan of the latter; and on picking up my 3 year-old from the 'ex' yesterday, immediately freed him of the pair of Hanes that were on proud display under his velcroed size 8's. One must maintain one's standards even when surrounded.
I don't know any other Brits here, although nigh on every Utahn I meet likes to share that their ancestors are from 'across the pond.' Makes me almost feel at home; almost.
I am a fan of the Septic's Companion and Chris' clever wafflings. Now Chris, strip that bleedin' wallpaper will you mate?
Sara

[chris]

Actually (erm, terribly off-topic) I am back in the good books after spray-painting some cabinet doors yesterday. I made a rotten mess of the spray painting but, as I said several times, it's the thought that counts...

I rather like Utah - I spent a week with some Mormon (goddamnit - I wrote "Moron" and then realised my typo) friends there several years ago, and had a great time. Although going out drinking was a bit tricky.

Chris

[Kate]

Well, thought I would put in my two cents (or pence?), not that it matters...

I am from Missouri, and I live in...Missouri. I am a bred and born US citizen. Something, somewhere, went horribly wrong. I have always had a fascination for Britain and realized about a year and a half ago that I was a full-blown Anglophile. Last name's Hughes, and according to mum we're descended from the Stuarts (...yeah, well, I haven't got much to be proud of, have I?!), and that combined with my German blood (grandmother's German) has made me feel like my place has always been in Europe. Made it on a college trip to England and Ireland about a year and a half ago (planned the trip actually in my job as agriculture office assistant) and had a BLAST. I might post about it, it was pretty funny at parts.

Anyway...aside from that trip, that's the only time I've left the US. But I can't figure out how all my friends can eat with just a fork, I've GOT to use a fork and a knife, I drink tea like...well, like someone who really likes tea, and I'm already looking forward to my next trip, where I plan on scouting out pubs and finding the best fish and chips in Britain. Do I qualify to be on here with all of you who are actually British in origin?

[Rob8]

I have been a British citizen from birth. (English dad)

However, I grew up in South-Africa. I would say my upbringing was more english than south-african.

Now I am in Reading, Berkshire. Married a girl from the lakes.

Neone else in berkshire?

[geofftech]

From London .. well, Surrey. Living in Sutton, Epsom, Guildford and surrounding areas.

Ended up in Charleston in South Carolina in May 2006, because she said she loved me .. turned out she didn't and two years later decided she wanted to divorce me! Duh! And i'm still here .. just.

[davec]

Sara:

I'm from a smallish town in Indiana, and we always called Worcestershire sauce 'wers-ter-sher' (all e's pretty nearly silent) around there. So do most people in Illinois (silent 's' ), as far as I can tell. That's pretty close to native pronunciation, isn't it? I think we're generally aware that many 'shire names are pronounced that way.

Many Americans have a pragmatic view of the value of education, with a strong anti-intellectual streak that calls for not knowing, or pretending not to know, anything you don't really need to. Boffinism is right out!! Some of the ignorance you've seen is faked, and some people push away conversations touching on 'nonessential' topics with smarmy wisecracks too.

We boffinish Septics have to keep a lid on our passions, and forums like this are a welcome outlet.

[Kate]

DaveC; got that right. I've met too many people who have the opinion of "if I don't need to know it, I don't care." I've been blessed with a lovely group of friends who have the opposite viewpoint; when I mention random things like armadillos always have four babies and they're always four boys or four girls, I get "Cool!" and other random facts, not weird stares and "Okay...." before the conversation moves to something else. I'm going to miss college...

[SepticTone]

we always called Worcestershire sauce 'wers-ter-sher' (all e's pretty nearly silent) around there.

That's actually nearly the correct pronunciation of Worcestershire , davey boy. We do it like " wus-te-sher " round here, but what would we know? I couldn't even place Worcestershire on a map, even if I wanted to. Easier to say Lea & Perrins, isn't it?

& Kate, I shall add that fascinating nugget of info re. armadillos to my capacious memory bank, along with the fact that the earth has two moons. Thank you very much.

It's a shame this thread didn't turn out to be a sleazy sexfest, though, isn't it?

Apart from for armadillos, that is.