Well some threads get each others goats up dont they, such is life

no a lot are due to exvj inserting a large wooden spoon every now and then and giving it a good stir.

We don't guarantee a fair hearing either!

Been out with my daughter in Wharfedale this evening
The wood pigeons strutting on the lawns and the huge daffodils and lambs and rabbits I can see from my hotel window - and everything so green and lovely

Went to the junction pub in Otley and had some Timothy Taylor best bitter and a bag of plain crisps - nectar jeaves

Spoke with a few people who didnt ask me where I learned English and who didnt think I was Australian

No big hats or big pickup trucks - nobody walked like John Wayne

People said 'not too keen on' rather than 'I hate' and people said 'Not for me' rather than 'I despise'

Came in at midnight and read the posts and saw the true output from the hearts of the americans and those who have turned coats too

Yes I think there is a difference between Americans and the British - and it's easier to feel than to detail

For what it's worth, those Americans who want me out of their country and to have any 'criticism' about vests or anything else to be wiped out at all times, I think you have it right and i was wrong to expect that I could detail my impressions as a newcomer without stirring up (with a wooden spoon) some pretty strong resentments (plus accusations of mental illness etc). I was hoping to address an audience of Brits on British Expatriates, especially people who are experiencing differences for the first time and want to compare notes, but there were few to be reached


Shame eh and get over it and what did you expect etc etc

yes.

Wheear 'ast ta bin sin' ah saw thee, ah saw thee?

I hate to disappoint you, but it sounds like you've accidentally wandered into the United Kingdom pavilion at Epcot Centre. All those nice Brits are actually paid actors. The 200 Chinese tourists picking at their mushy peas in the pub should have given it away, really.

But don't be embarrassed, as you're not the first to make this mistake. As long as you're there, do try the bangers and mash at the Rose and Crown. Their not at all bad, just overpriced, but it's Disney World, right? Beer selection could be improved though.

Edit: Forgot to mention that I'm going to eat one of those KFC dinner bowls tonight and watch McClintock!, just to spite you. Then I'm going to go "mudding" with my cousins-in-law in their ancient F150 with comically oversized tires.

Did you watch American Idol over there tonight? Simon Cowell's vest was sticking out from underneath his jumper! The horrah!

Exvj - I'm glad you had a nice day in the UK today - I know you're not there for a nice reason. For what it's worth, I'm one American who as far as I'm aware has never told you to go home, or really given you crap in any way. You seem to be unhappy with those who seem to like the US. That doesn't make them turncoats or necessarily Americans. It's also a bit of a generalization don't you think?

Whatever your life brings you, I hope it's fulfilling and is what makes you happy. I hope that for everyone. Life is too short to be miserable.

That being said, can we drop the constant "who tell me to go home", "who criticize me", "who bully me" blah blah? You're really beating a dead horse here! You've made your point many, many times. If you were a woman, I'd call you a drama queen! I know no equivalent term for men (hmmm ...) so I'll leave it at that.

Hope tomorrow is pleasant for you as well.

I'm not sure I would say I was forced to come to the US, but to be honest, I don't feel like I had any choice, good or bad. I met my active duty AF hubby in Europe, maybe stupidly, on my part, I didn't even think about having to move to the US, I was very happy in the UK, had no intention of ever leaving (for good anyway) But, when hubby got orders after 8 years in Europe to go back to the US, I had to face the fact that I would have to leave my home. I could have divorced My husband and Father of our children and stayed at 'home', but I love him, wherever he goes, I will follow. Can't say I haven't missed the Uk, but I would have missed our life togeather much more.

Now, I am pretty much resigned to the fact that I will live here for the remainder of my life, our kids are settled here, oldest is married and in the US Navy, so, I now think of the US as home, I am very lucky to be here with my best friend and happy to stay, I even got my USC last year. it was almost like closure for me, I needed to allow myself to feel 'at home' and just accept that I am now where I belong.

I'm convinced this problem with the meaning of "forced" is a question of semantics. Some on here are thinking of being forced at gunpoint to make a particular decision, although others would say that that is still a choice. When we commit to making a decision, we weigh the factors and announce a choice. Some would say we chose our path based on the factors; others would say we balanced the factors and that forced the decision in the same way that an algebraic problem is forced to a particular solution.

The initial inspiration I had a couple of years or so to consider emigrating to the USA (or Canada mosty at first) was borne out of the dawning belief that everything in America is "bigger 'n' better" than it is anywhere else. Americans themselves seemed, to me, to be confirming this fact, and as they live there they are surely best qualified to tells us this. Their very first President is well known for his inability to speak any untruths and inculcated all succeeding Americans with this admirable quality.

According to a letter in today's (15/04/09) UK Daily Telegraph things may well be bigger in America but not necessarily better.....in this case - tomatoes It was actually an American (apparently grudgingly) who made this declaration about British love apples.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/l...t-and-veg.html

To may toes.

Surely, Toe may toes?

Toe main from toe may toes, but not from tum mah toes.

Are they still following you?