Initial impressions of Florida
Oct 24th 2008, 5:29 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Dallas (Plano) TX
Posts: 10
Initial impressions of Florida
Hi,
Just a few comments from a brit who has just landed in Florida (a month)
That's right, I live up the road from Disney and laugh at holiday-ing brits as they succumb to the delights of International Drive.
But the honeymoon period is over and 2nd stage culture shock is creeping up, i'm craving certain English things like crazy. The job hunt is frustrating and driving is a pain. But I know things will be better in the long run
In short my wife is from here and gave it a good crack of the whip in England but missed the US a lot and could not settle. 3 years and a lot of money later we are here and i'm positive about things.
So how do you stay conected to English-ness?
As a creative i miss Englsih/European style. I know New York is up the road (ish) but Florida is a laid back holiday state, with bad taste. Any tips on getting UK clothes shipped cheap?
Also I really don't want to loose my accent, anyone got weird anglo-american ones going down?
TV and Football. i just give up on these. TV here is so bad I just have to leave the room.
Driving. Is anyone else shocked at how easy it is for young americans to get a license and then drive a huge dodge ram?
Food. I love it here, but my body took weeks to adjust with stomach aches, anyone else get that?
Just a few comments from a brit who has just landed in Florida (a month)
That's right, I live up the road from Disney and laugh at holiday-ing brits as they succumb to the delights of International Drive.
But the honeymoon period is over and 2nd stage culture shock is creeping up, i'm craving certain English things like crazy. The job hunt is frustrating and driving is a pain. But I know things will be better in the long run
In short my wife is from here and gave it a good crack of the whip in England but missed the US a lot and could not settle. 3 years and a lot of money later we are here and i'm positive about things.
So how do you stay conected to English-ness?
As a creative i miss Englsih/European style. I know New York is up the road (ish) but Florida is a laid back holiday state, with bad taste. Any tips on getting UK clothes shipped cheap?
Also I really don't want to loose my accent, anyone got weird anglo-american ones going down?
TV and Football. i just give up on these. TV here is so bad I just have to leave the room.
Driving. Is anyone else shocked at how easy it is for young americans to get a license and then drive a huge dodge ram?
Food. I love it here, but my body took weeks to adjust with stomach aches, anyone else get that?
Oct 24th 2008, 5:43 pm
#2
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: Initial impressions of Florida
HiAlso I really don't want to loose my accent, anyone got weird anglo-american ones going down?
TV and Football. i just give up on these. TV here is so bad I just have to leave the room.
Driving. Is anyone else shocked at how easy it is for young americans to get a license and then drive a huge dodge ram?
Food. I love it here, but my body took weeks to adjust with stomach aches, anyone else get that?
TV and Football. i just give up on these. TV here is so bad I just have to leave the room.
Driving. Is anyone else shocked at how easy it is for young americans to get a license and then drive a huge dodge ram?
Food. I love it here, but my body took weeks to adjust with stomach aches, anyone else get that?
Oct 24th 2008, 6:05 pm
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Charles Town West Virginia
Posts: 1,220
Re: Initial impressions of Florida
Ray's right......however, to soften the blow a bit. You can get football, most of the good games and some bad ones on a combo of Setanta and Fox Sports....Direct TV.
Clothes....suck it up and buy the US rubbish and save your money till you go home on a visit.
Tea? The larger finer grocery stores sell PG Tipps and the most obvious sweets and snacks.
But the deal is you really have to sink your teeth in here if you are to stay here for any length of time. Join a gym, club anything to immerse yourself for a while.
I have been here 16 years and sometimes its good, sometimes I struggle and eventually I will go back to the UK.
Good luck with a job. Once you get that secured everything else will come.
Clothes....suck it up and buy the US rubbish and save your money till you go home on a visit.
Tea? The larger finer grocery stores sell PG Tipps and the most obvious sweets and snacks.
But the deal is you really have to sink your teeth in here if you are to stay here for any length of time. Join a gym, club anything to immerse yourself for a while.
I have been here 16 years and sometimes its good, sometimes I struggle and eventually I will go back to the UK.
Good luck with a job. Once you get that secured everything else will come.
Oct 24th 2008, 6:26 pm
#4
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Dallas (Plano) TX
Posts: 10
Re: Initial impressions of Florida
Ray's right......however, to soften the blow a bit. You can get football, most of the good games and some bad ones on a combo of Setanta and Fox Sports....Direct TV.
Clothes....suck it up and buy the US rubbish and save your money till you go home on a visit.
Tea? The larger finer grocery stores sell PG Tipps and the most obvious sweets and snacks.
But the deal is you really have to sink your teeth in here if you are to stay here for any length of time. Join a gym, club anything to immerse yourself for a while.
I have been here 16 years and sometimes its good, sometimes I struggle and eventually I will go back to the UK.
Good luck with a job. Once you get that secured everything else will come.
Clothes....suck it up and buy the US rubbish and save your money till you go home on a visit.
Tea? The larger finer grocery stores sell PG Tipps and the most obvious sweets and snacks.
But the deal is you really have to sink your teeth in here if you are to stay here for any length of time. Join a gym, club anything to immerse yourself for a while.
I have been here 16 years and sometimes its good, sometimes I struggle and eventually I will go back to the UK.
Good luck with a job. Once you get that secured everything else will come.
and your both right. I guess I saw my wife go through the same things first so I knew what was coming. But being in the middle of it is different to knowing!I'm doing ok, just a few minor niggles. Job hunting is never fun and tends to bring out the frustrations even more.I had a decent job high up and now have to prove myself again. My wife is incredibly understanding and has been through it!
The hard part is that friends back home are starting to forget me a lil, which is to be expected. But I plan on throwing myself into the culture and usually make friends easily, i'm laid back so should be ok.
Clothes, yeah...I think i'll foot the shipping bill
Oct 24th 2008, 7:10 pm
#6
Peace onion
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Denver
Posts: 5,686
Re: Initial impressions of Florida
Ha ha. Been there. Done that. With me, I was going to educate the masses over here on Britpop etc. Now I think back on my clothes and arrogance, I shudder.
British fashion is naff, mate. You'll get over it.
As a creative, try to seek out urban hipsters.
Just get some retro glasses, a bike messenger bag, sit and spin pants, grow a goatee, purchase and learn to ride a fixie, and wear old canvas sneakers.
British fashion is naff, mate. You'll get over it.
As a creative, try to seek out urban hipsters.
Just get some retro glasses, a bike messenger bag, sit and spin pants, grow a goatee, purchase and learn to ride a fixie, and wear old canvas sneakers.
Oct 24th 2008, 7:24 pm
#8
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Reno Nevada
Posts: 15,917
Re: Initial impressions of Florida
Hi,
Just a few comments from a brit who has just landed in Florida (a month)
That's right, I live up the road from Disney and laugh at holiday-ing brits as they succumb to the delights of International Drive.
But the honeymoon period is over and 2nd stage culture shock is creeping up, i'm craving certain English things like crazy. The job hunt is frustrating and driving is a pain. But I know things will be better in the long run
In short my wife is from here and gave it a good crack of the whip in England but missed the US a lot and could not settle. 3 years and a lot of money later we are here and i'm positive about things.
So how do you stay conected to English-ness? Your in Florida there's enough Brits thereAs a creative i miss Englsih/European style. I know New York is up the road (ish) but Florida is a laid back holiday state, with bad taste. Any tips on getting UK clothes shipped cheap? LOL Why would you want to look like a typical Brit on vacation, when you live here
Also I really don't want to loose my accent, anyone got weird anglo-american ones going down? You won't lose it you will be reminded of that every dayTV and Football. i just give up on these. TV here is so bad I just have to leave the room. Learn NFL
Driving. Is anyone else shocked at how easy it is for young americans to get a license and then drive a huge dodge ram?
Food. I love it here, but my body took weeks to adjust with stomach aches, anyone else get that?
Just a few comments from a brit who has just landed in Florida (a month)
That's right, I live up the road from Disney and laugh at holiday-ing brits as they succumb to the delights of International Drive.
But the honeymoon period is over and 2nd stage culture shock is creeping up, i'm craving certain English things like crazy. The job hunt is frustrating and driving is a pain. But I know things will be better in the long run
In short my wife is from here and gave it a good crack of the whip in England but missed the US a lot and could not settle. 3 years and a lot of money later we are here and i'm positive about things.
So how do you stay conected to English-ness? Your in Florida there's enough Brits thereAs a creative i miss Englsih/European style. I know New York is up the road (ish) but Florida is a laid back holiday state, with bad taste. Any tips on getting UK clothes shipped cheap? LOL Why would you want to look like a typical Brit on vacation, when you live here
Also I really don't want to loose my accent, anyone got weird anglo-american ones going down? You won't lose it you will be reminded of that every dayTV and Football. i just give up on these. TV here is so bad I just have to leave the room. Learn NFL
Driving. Is anyone else shocked at how easy it is for young americans to get a license and then drive a huge dodge ram?
Food. I love it here, but my body took weeks to adjust with stomach aches, anyone else get that?
Seriously it takes time, you will adjust give it a chance
Last edited by Poppy girl; Oct 24th 2008 at 7:27 pm.
Oct 24th 2008, 7:43 pm
#9
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Dallas (Plano) TX
Posts: 10
Re: Initial impressions of Florida
Ha ha. Been there. Done that. With me, I was going to educate the masses over here on Britpop etc. Now I think back on my clothes and arrogance, I shudder.
British fashion is naff, mate. You'll get over it.
As a creative, try to seek out urban hipsters.
Just get some retro glasses, a bike messenger bag, sit and spin pants, grow a goatee, purchase and learn to ride a fixie, and wear old canvas sneakers.
British fashion is naff, mate. You'll get over it.
As a creative, try to seek out urban hipsters.
Just get some retro glasses, a bike messenger bag, sit and spin pants, grow a goatee, purchase and learn to ride a fixie, and wear old canvas sneakers.
as for learning NFL? Not yet, I plan on educating them on the importance of the 4-4-2 in football. It's funny that only a few people here actually remember the world cup in 94!
I've also found a few TV chanels that run faulty towers, although my US mother-in-law is still to get it I think.
Oct 24th 2008, 7:48 pm
#10
Peace onion
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Denver
Posts: 5,686
Re: Initial impressions of Florida
Seriously... get a fixie.
Oct 24th 2008, 7:52 pm
#12
Unmitigated Gall
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: it's still too dark to tell
Posts: 16,162
Re: Initial impressions of Florida
ha ha..sage like advice, which i'm working on
as for learning NFL? Not yet, I plan on educating them on the importance of the 4-4-2 in football. It's funny that only a few people here actually remember the world cup in 94!
I've also found a few TV chanels that run faulty towers, although my US mother-in-law is still to get it I think.
as for learning NFL? Not yet, I plan on educating them on the importance of the 4-4-2 in football. It's funny that only a few people here actually remember the world cup in 94!
I've also found a few TV chanels that run faulty towers, although my US mother-in-law is still to get it I think.
Oct 24th 2008, 8:09 pm
#13
Not dead yet
Joined: Apr 2004
Location: In a world of my own where I know everyone
Posts: 15,042
Oct 24th 2008, 8:25 pm
#14
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: Initial impressions of Florida
(I didn't realize you are already in Portland, you should've said so)