Hilarious Expat View of life in USA
Sep 17th 2010, 8:42 pm
#16
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,540
Re: Hilarious Expat View of life in USA
Neil, you'll probably find that most people are aware of and shared your observations at some point. They probably have even mocked these things on this very site.
It can also come across as smug and condescending, and you look like a European tool. When I came here in 1996, I hung around with other Brits and we mocked and ridiculed pretty much the same things you did.
After about six months, I realized that I was being impolite and disrespectful. I thought, if I didn't like it, I should go home. I'm not chastising you - it's understandable that you're going through this period, and the US is a foreign culture, despite the fact that we grow up watching American TV shows.
I remember thinking how ugly US cars were, compared to European ones. Now I think the reverse is true. Depending on how long you spend here, perhaps you'll undergo cultural osmosis too.
By the way, I find Top Gear and all the BBC stuff childish now. Doctor Who is okay, but the smug, undeserved superiority exhibited on British TV shows and personalities sticks in the craw. Has the BBC made shows like Mad Men? Breaking Bad, etc?
It can also come across as smug and condescending, and you look like a European tool. When I came here in 1996, I hung around with other Brits and we mocked and ridiculed pretty much the same things you did.
After about six months, I realized that I was being impolite and disrespectful. I thought, if I didn't like it, I should go home. I'm not chastising you - it's understandable that you're going through this period, and the US is a foreign culture, despite the fact that we grow up watching American TV shows.
I remember thinking how ugly US cars were, compared to European ones. Now I think the reverse is true. Depending on how long you spend here, perhaps you'll undergo cultural osmosis too.
By the way, I find Top Gear and all the BBC stuff childish now. Doctor Who is okay, but the smug, undeserved superiority exhibited on British TV shows and personalities sticks in the craw. Has the BBC made shows like Mad Men? Breaking Bad, etc?
Not sure what you mean about cars. You never see a Renault Megane here and that is a beautiful car.
Sep 17th 2010, 8:44 pm
#17
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14
Re: Hilarious Expat View of life in USA
Neil, you'll probably find that most people are aware of and shared your observations at some point. They probably have even mocked these things on this very site.
It can also come across as smug and condescending, and you look like a European tool. When I came here in 1996, I hung around with other Brits and we mocked and ridiculed pretty much the same things you did.
After about six months, I realized that I was being impolite and disrespectful. I thought, if I didn't like it, I should go home. I'm not chastising you - it's understandable that you're going through this period, and the US is a foreign culture, despite the fact that we grow up watching American TV shows.
I remember thinking how ugly US cars were, compared to European ones. Now I think the reverse is true. Depending on how long you spend here, perhaps you'll undergo cultural osmosis too.
By the way, I find Top Gear and all the BBC stuff childish now. Doctor Who is okay, but the smug, undeserved superiority exhibited on British TV shows and personalities sticks in the craw. Has the BBC made shows like Mad Men? Breaking Bad, etc?
It can also come across as smug and condescending, and you look like a European tool. When I came here in 1996, I hung around with other Brits and we mocked and ridiculed pretty much the same things you did.
After about six months, I realized that I was being impolite and disrespectful. I thought, if I didn't like it, I should go home. I'm not chastising you - it's understandable that you're going through this period, and the US is a foreign culture, despite the fact that we grow up watching American TV shows.
I remember thinking how ugly US cars were, compared to European ones. Now I think the reverse is true. Depending on how long you spend here, perhaps you'll undergo cultural osmosis too.
By the way, I find Top Gear and all the BBC stuff childish now. Doctor Who is okay, but the smug, undeserved superiority exhibited on British TV shows and personalities sticks in the craw. Has the BBC made shows like Mad Men? Breaking Bad, etc?
BTW - couldn't agree more re. Top Gear - now cartoons of themselves.
Sep 17th 2010, 8:45 pm
#18
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,540
Re: Hilarious Expat View of life in USA
Anywhere where's the damn blog? Some people have seen it and others haven't? As a whining European, I feel cheated.
Oh OK now I see it.
Oh OK now I see it.
Last edited by robin1234; Sep 17th 2010 at 8:46 pm. Reason: I'll go off and read it.
Sep 17th 2010, 8:48 pm
#19
He/him
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: WA
Posts: 18,836
Re: Hilarious Expat View of life in USA
I found this interesting blog by a Brit talking about living in America, I thought others might like to share it. I am in no way related to the site in any way.
[edit] : I got cold feet, link deleted - Its in his profile (I feel such a moral coward) [/edit]
apologise in advance if this offends the mods and is considerd verbotten, but I think it is relevant to this site and its users. I hope as an independnet third party its OK
Last edited by kimilseung; Sep 17th 2010 at 9:06 pm.
Sep 17th 2010, 8:58 pm
#20
Peace onion
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Denver
Posts: 5,686
Re: Hilarious Expat View of life in USA
Sweet mother of God, Kimilseung just went full retard.
You'll be banninated for sure. Disassembled and sent to the spice mines of Kessel.
You'll be banninated for sure. Disassembled and sent to the spice mines of Kessel.
Sep 17th 2010, 9:06 pm
#21
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Hilarious Expat View of life in USA
I think this one is patronising.
When my mate, Tony asked for a bottle of water in a small, middle-of-nowhere café near Casper in Wyoming (and yes ‘tumbleweed’ does exist and does do just that), he was told by a confused waitress, after a long pause, in a slow drawl, “We god waarda……we pud id in a glass”. He was then handed a pint-sized plastic mug full of tap water
You'd get a similar and less intelligible reply in Gateshead.
Why not just be glad the waitress didn't rip you off?
When my mate, Tony asked for a bottle of water in a small, middle-of-nowhere café near Casper in Wyoming (and yes ‘tumbleweed’ does exist and does do just that), he was told by a confused waitress, after a long pause, in a slow drawl, “We god waarda……we pud id in a glass”. He was then handed a pint-sized plastic mug full of tap water
You'd get a similar and less intelligible reply in Gateshead.
Why not just be glad the waitress didn't rip you off?
Sep 17th 2010, 9:10 pm
#22
A lion in your lap
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Sparta NJ
Posts: 7,605
Re: Hilarious Expat View of life in USA
he's right about the bacon tho
Sep 17th 2010, 9:16 pm
#24
He/him
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: WA
Posts: 18,836
Re: Hilarious Expat View of life in USA
I think this one is patronising.
When my mate, Tony asked for a bottle of water in a small, middle-of-nowhere café near Casper in Wyoming (and yes ‘tumbleweed’ does exist and does do just that), he was told by a confused waitress, after a long pause, in a slow drawl, “We god waarda……we pud id in a glass”. He was then handed a pint-sized plastic mug full of tap water
You'd get a similar and less intelligible reply in Gateshead.
Why not just be glad the waitress didn't rip you off?
When my mate, Tony asked for a bottle of water in a small, middle-of-nowhere café near Casper in Wyoming (and yes ‘tumbleweed’ does exist and does do just that), he was told by a confused waitress, after a long pause, in a slow drawl, “We god waarda……we pud id in a glass”. He was then handed a pint-sized plastic mug full of tap water
You'd get a similar and less intelligible reply in Gateshead.
Why not just be glad the waitress didn't rip you off?
Sep 17th 2010, 9:43 pm
#26
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Mendocino, California
Posts: 954
Re: Hilarious Expat View of life in USA
This just seems silly.
I found this interesting blog by a Brit talking about living in America, I thought others might like to share it. I am in no way related to the site in any way.
[edit] : I got cold feet, link deleted - Its in his profile (I feel such a moral coward) [/edit]
apologise in advance if this offends the mods and is considerd verbotten, but I think it is relevant to this site and its users. I hope as an independnet third party its OK
I found this interesting blog by a Brit talking about living in America, I thought others might like to share it. I am in no way related to the site in any way.
[edit] : I got cold feet, link deleted - Its in his profile (I feel such a moral coward) [/edit]
apologise in advance if this offends the mods and is considerd verbotten, but I think it is relevant to this site and its users. I hope as an independnet third party its OK
Welcome Neil
Sep 17th 2010, 9:53 pm
#27
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,387
Re: Hilarious Expat View of life in USA
Sep 17th 2010, 9:59 pm
#28
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14
Re: Hilarious Expat View of life in USA
Having now gotten (sic) settled into the USA way of life, I thought I would share my list of first impressions, random observations, anecdotes, etc. – some ‘kinda’ interesting, some ‘kinda’ amusing, some ‘kinda’ irritating - but all - 'only in America' ! Some of you may recognize, sympathize, empathize.... and note already the concession to American incorrect spelling
<snip>
Lets me know what you think
<snip>
Lets me know what you think
Sep 17th 2010, 10:00 pm
#29
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Hilarious Expat View of life in USA
A barrage of comments have followed this posting so I really need to say that the blog is intended to be light hearted and good humored and not intended to offend or be insulting, patronizing or disparaging in any way. I have been likened to 'an unsavory blend of Bill Bryson, Jeremy Clarkson and Gordon Ramsay' so please read only if you have that sort of ridiculous sense of humour (or sense of the ridiculous). I love living in America as I'm sure we all do. Please enjoy with a smile.
Welcome btw.
Sep 17th 2010, 10:18 pm
#30
He/him
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: WA
Posts: 18,836
Re: Hilarious Expat View of life in USA
I remember having an argument with my wife (in those before she was my wife) about how she was burning the bacon, she couldnt work out waht I was talking about, and I could not work out why she wouldnt let me take the bacon off the grill. I have grown to love it now.