How have you been treated here as a Brit?
May 27th 2014, 10:30 pm
#271
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Location: S. California
Posts: 254
Re: How have you been treated here as a Brit?
Where we live now my accent is rarely commented on which surprised me as comments have always been made in other places. Now I am a bit taken aback when someone does pass comment as I am not used to it.
The other day a shop clerk commented that he just wanted to hear me talk so I said he might find it easier if he talked first but I think he was a bit shy.
My husband was offended when being seated at a restaurant and the waiter asked him where he was from because he didn't sound American!
The other day a shop clerk commented that he just wanted to hear me talk so I said he might find it easier if he talked first but I think he was a bit shy.
My husband was offended when being seated at a restaurant and the waiter asked him where he was from because he didn't sound American!
May 28th 2014, 2:08 am
#272
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,451
Re: How have you been treated here as a Brit?
May 30th 2014, 4:31 pm
#273
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Location: Raunds, Northants.
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Re: How have you been treated here as a Brit?
I'm guessing that most people on here, after seeing some of your salaries in other threads, have the Hugh Grant type accent though? I can imagine that's the 1 most Americans love and are fixated with?
May 30th 2014, 4:37 pm
#274
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
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Re: How have you been treated here as a Brit?
My salary is reasonable, too
May 30th 2014, 5:51 pm
#275
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: How have you been treated here as a Brit?
May 30th 2014, 9:58 pm
#276
He/him
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: WA
Posts: 18,856
Re: How have you been treated here as a Brit?
Even a Scouse accent is seen as a bit exotic. Completely different bunch of social cues are associated with it on this side of the pond. (One of the good things about living here).
May 30th 2014, 10:16 pm
#277
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Re: How have you been treated here as a Brit?
The English accent is very useful for dealing with the in store Sears home improvement salesperson. "Sorry mate I'm a tourist", works like a charm.
May 30th 2014, 10:46 pm
#278
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,451
Re: How have you been treated here as a Brit?
..... It still makes American women swoon though! 
FWIW my income isn't quite in the same bracket as Joe Elliott's, but I can't complain.
Last edited by Pulaski; May 30th 2014 at 10:49 pm.
May 30th 2014, 11:03 pm
#279
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Location: Irvine CA
Posts: 30
Re: How have you been treated here as a Brit?
I hadn`t even made it as far as the arrivals hall at LAX when someone turned round and screeched "OH MY GAAAD!!! I JUST LOOOOVE YOUR AXE-ENT!!!" Been like that ever since.
Southern California....!
Southern California....!
May 30th 2014, 11:35 pm
#280
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Re: How have you been treated here as a Brit?
May 31st 2014, 8:23 pm
#281
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Joined: Mar 2014
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 43
Re: How have you been treated here as a Brit?
When I first moved here, the Iraq war started not long after, and I found myself in unsolicited, hostile conversations about what my thoughts were on the situation. It was pretty unpleasant.
In general, though, Americans are quite nice to me. Aside from some super conservatives who view me with suspicion as a member of a communist/socialist country (!), the worst it gets is the irritating Anglophiles whom I believe want to scoop me up and freeze dry me for their mantlepiece.
In general, though, Americans are quite nice to me. Aside from some super conservatives who view me with suspicion as a member of a communist/socialist country (!), the worst it gets is the irritating Anglophiles whom I believe want to scoop me up and freeze dry me for their mantlepiece.
May 31st 2014, 8:47 pm
#282
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,451
Re: How have you been treated here as a Brit?
Last edited by Pulaski; May 31st 2014 at 8:59 pm.
May 31st 2014, 8:49 pm
#283
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Joined: May 2014
Location: Irvine CA
Posts: 30
Re: How have you been treated here as a Brit?
I`ve only been here a year, so the whole accent-so-cute thing I am still enjoying. But after 10 years, yeah, it`s probably going to get a bit old...
My kids came from Japan where they were treated like rock stars for being half UK/J and therefore so "cool" - it went straight to their heads, being asked to model all the time and fussed over, and 15 girlfriends at the age of 6, etc etc.
So when we got here I was looking forward to them blending into the melting pot and being "normal" - but no - my sons 2nd grade teacher tells me all the girls are going nuts for his accent, and half the boys in the class are walking around trying to sound British!
My kids came from Japan where they were treated like rock stars for being half UK/J and therefore so "cool" - it went straight to their heads, being asked to model all the time and fussed over, and 15 girlfriends at the age of 6, etc etc.
So when we got here I was looking forward to them blending into the melting pot and being "normal" - but no - my sons 2nd grade teacher tells me all the girls are going nuts for his accent, and half the boys in the class are walking around trying to sound British!
Jun 1st 2014, 11:05 pm
#284
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Joined: Sep 2011
Location: Baltimore
Posts: 7
Re: How have you been treated here as a Brit?
I have been over here three years now and I am in southern MD. I sell Jaguar Land/Range Rovers so the accent has a benefit. I am use to women say how they like accent but when the husband is the first one to say it then I am a wee bit taken a back.
I think most of the people I come n to contact with are intrugide with an English guy selling British cars.
Of course you get asked all the time the usual questions that we have all heard before but when they ask how often do I go home, I smile and say, "every night!"
I think most of the people I come n to contact with are intrugide with an English guy selling British cars.
Of course you get asked all the time the usual questions that we have all heard before but when they ask how often do I go home, I smile and say, "every night!"
Jun 2nd 2014, 5:35 am
#285
Are we there yet?
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: 31 miles from Cool (California)
Posts: 2,467
Re: How have you been treated here as a Brit?
I have been over here three years now and I am in southern MD. I sell Jaguar Land/Range Rovers so the accent has a benefit. I am use to women say how they like accent but when the husband is the first one to say it then I am a wee bit taken a back.
I think most of the people I come n to contact with are intrugide with an English guy selling British cars.
Of course you get asked all the time the usual questions that we have all heard before but when they ask how often do I go home, I smile and say, "every night!"
I think most of the people I come n to contact with are intrugide with an English guy selling British cars.
Of course you get asked all the time the usual questions that we have all heard before but when they ask how often do I go home, I smile and say, "every night!"