Okay, I get the message. Btw, I have no intention of reporting anyone, and never at any point said that I was going to, so sorry if I gave that impression. And I shall now engage in polite conversation with every weirdo, delivery man, whatever, so as I don't appear ignorant or rude, which I'm not I guess people over here are more friendly and approachable than back home, which was what I was trying to get at, but obviously came over totally different. So I shall now STFU and head off to Walmart

Make sure you wear something revealing. Like a sheer shirt. There are some fabulous weirdo's there at 8am.

Yeah yeah yeah... now what are you wearing.... right now, as you type, what are you wearing?

I'll Skype you and put you out of your misery.......

Good GIRL! And be sure to smile a lot - makes people wonder what you're up to!

I guess men (and some women - OMG) are pretty forward here. I've never lived in the UK so I can't compare but, yes, in general, people in the US will just talk to total strangers at random times. Specifically, American men will just start jabbering to women that they find attractive but that doesn't mean they are creepy, or weird, or going to do anything bad. 99% of the time, they're just fools who can be ignored, enjoyed, humored, tolerated, eviscerated (insert appropriate verb), because they are controlled by their penis' (penises? pensi? multiple peni? ) but they are harmless. I think you're seeing things that aren't there. It is a compliment so just take it for what it is and respond however YOU want to. You are free to talk to or blow-off anybody you want. I had a guy start jabbering at me over the beef counter in Tom Thumb the other day about Obama lying about creating new jobs. I didn't even respond to him. I just ignored him, got my stuff, and walked off. Under different circumstances I might have stood there and talked to him for a few minutes. There's no protocol.

My remark about your tattoo was sincere. In the US specifically, there are certain cultural signals given by your appearance. There is a "tattoo culture" and people who have tattoos get a certain kind of attention which, in my opinion, they certainly seek. If you don't like or want that kind of attention, if your tattoo truly is personal to you, if you are not comfortable with people looking at it or commenting about it ... then it's pretty obvious what you need to do.

I don't find it that different here in that respect myself. Plenty of jabberers in the UK.

I spend hours talking to random people in shops in the UK...especially if they start grumbling about the UK.

You're probably right and they are just passing the time of day, which people where I come from in Scotland, don't often do. Maybe it's because it's usually raining and people are so miserable, they can't be arsed talking I will look at things differently, that's why I like posting on here, you get all different advice, opinions and I take points from every post.

As for the tattoo thing, I never got them for the purpose of getting attention, I got them because I personally like that form of art (even though my parents were horrified with the last one I got as it's eh, rather large). People only see them when i wear a specific style of top so most of the time they're covered up and no-ones every commented on them before. I suppose I should take it as it is and it was just a genuine compliment, especially as I designed it myself I take your point, thank you.

And some people are just pests and they will take advantage of your kindness. Don't let them.

Brat, maybe they're a curiosity where you live too.. people might not be used to seeing a 'normal' person with tattoos.

One other thing - I've found that showing appreciation for something someone's wearing, i.e., necklace, dress, top, handbag, etc., by complimenting them usually makes that person feel good about themselves. I particularly like to indulge in the mornings in the elevator on the way to work - we're all there wishing we were going somewhere else - but a bit of "Oh, what a lovely color on you", or "That's a really cool umbrella" (bottle cap style), or "That's a classy looking tie" makes the wearer smile. I know, I know, I'm a woman, so unasked-for comments aren't as threatening, but men are known to say nice things in passing also.

I sincerely hope you come to enjoy the impromptu, off-the-cuff behaviour of we Americans - we thoroughly enjoy you folks with the funny accents, particularly your sense of humour! Keep it with you and it'll serve you well. Good luck.

normal ...she is bleedin Scotch ...they all are completely incomprehensible
wanktard ...