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-   USA (https://britishexpats.com/forum/usa-57/)
-   -   US or Them (https://britishexpats.com/forum/usa-57/us-them-313955/)

LeedsGirl Jul 15th 2005 9:53 am

Re: US or Them
 

Originally Posted by sibsie
You could well be right. I didn't really feel anything either way when I left after my trip back at Easter. But... it's something I do need to get out of my system.


I feel the same way Sibsie, get it out of my system. I'm going home at Christmas for three weeks and in the past I've been happy to get back here. I think part of my problem is that this is the longest, three years, that I have been away from England without a trip home. I also still have my best friends from school and college back home and miss them more the older I get, however, I did just meet great girls from this site finally and am very happy about the fact that we can all bitch and moan together and we have the same undertanding. :)

callé Jul 15th 2005 10:13 am

Re: US or Them
 

Originally Posted by sibsie
I've just come back from the laundrette, or whatever they call it over here.

Anyway there was this old guy in there. He was in his 80's and originally from Kent. We got chatting and he said he'd been here 45 years. He said he hates it. He said every single day he hates it a little more but has left it so long he can't go home now. He told me to go back while I still had the chance so that life didn't slip away and to make sure I didn't end up like him, full of regrets. :(

sorry, but I agree with him. Thats not to say for everybody, but if you have doubts, dont put it off to long. me... I have 3and 1/2 months to go. I'm going home. :)

Neathborn Jul 15th 2005 10:34 am

Re: US or Them
 

Originally Posted by RoB1833
One of the biggest thoughts that keeps crossing my mind is my son growing up as an American, at three months old I can't imagine him with an American accent, not knowing about the joys of proper football and far off into the future not being able to go to the local for a pint with him. I don't want him to go through the stressful working environment you're describing and that I'm going through at the moment. Most of all I want him to have a European perspective and understand there is more to life than material possessions when he 's older, though hopefully that won't be too much of a problem as neither my wife or myself are like that.

That thought crossed my mind too -- and I now have a 5 year old who speaks perfect American :) and a 2 year old. However, I also realise that my children won't be like the "typical" American because my husband and I are both committed to making sure they do have another perspective. Not everyone in the U.S. is materialistic, though I admit the culture in general is. I think it's a question of finding people who have similar values to you, and making sure your kids are exposed to other cultures and points of view.

clydegirl Jul 15th 2005 12:32 pm

Re: US or Them
 

Originally Posted by sibsie
I've just come back from the laundrette, or whatever they call it over here.

Anyway there was this old guy in there. He was in his 80's and originally from Kent. We got chatting and he said he'd been here 45 years. He said he hates it. He said every single day he hates it a little more but has left it so long he can't go home now. He told me to go back while I still had the chance so that life didn't slip away and to make sure I didn't end up like him, full of regrets. :(

That's so sad .you know live works in funny ways,what with you starting this thread and being in 2 minds about staying or going.Then you meet this old man telling you to go back.At least go for a visit this year ,who knows you might feel better when you come back.

AmerLisa Jul 15th 2005 12:35 pm

Re: US or Them
 

Originally Posted by Neathborn
That thought crossed my mind too -- and I now have a 5 year old who speaks perfect American :) and a 2 year old. However, I also realise that my children won't be like the "typical" American because my husband and I are both committed to making sure they do have another perspective. Not everyone in the U.S. is materialistic, though I admit the culture in general is. I think it's a question of finding people who have similar values to you, and making sure your kids are exposed to other cultures and points of view.

You know....I'm kinda wondering....what is perfect American? I didn't know there was a language like that. :confused:

cindyabs Jul 15th 2005 12:40 pm

Re: US or Them
 

Originally Posted by AmerLisa
You know....I'm kinda wondering....what is perfect American? I didn't know there was a language like that. :confused:


Accentwise it's supposed to be someone from the Cornbelt-Midwest or such, or at least that's what they look for in national newsbroadcasters. No discernable regional accent.

AmerLisa Jul 15th 2005 12:43 pm

Re: US or Them
 

Originally Posted by cindyabs
Accentwise it's supposed to be someone from the Cornbelt-Midwest or such, or at least that's what they look for in national newsbroadcasters. No discernable regional accent.

Ah I see. Well when I lived in the UK, supposedly we all spoke with a southern accent. AS IF! :rolleyes:

But, just wondering what this American language is.....

TouristTrap Jul 15th 2005 12:44 pm

Re: US or Them
 

Originally Posted by Winterwords
My dad has lived in the UK since the early 70s, although he sometimes has had the urge to move back, now he makes one good point why he would never move back in three letters: NHS

Let me be nosy here and ask where he's from? :)

edit: nevermind....got the answer on another thread :)

cindyabs Jul 15th 2005 12:48 pm

Re: US or Them
 

Originally Posted by AmerLisa
Ah I see. Well when I lived in the UK, supposedly we all spoke with a southern accent. AS IF! :rolleyes:

But, just wondering what this American language is.....


I guess it would be using American vs UK expressions?

TouristTrap Jul 15th 2005 12:48 pm

Re: US or Them
 

Originally Posted by AmerLisa
Ah I see. Well when I lived in the UK, supposedly we all spoke with a southern accent. AS IF! :rolleyes:

But, just wondering what this American language is.....

Well thar 'oney chile.....wan' sum of these here bis-keets 'n gravee?...no? bless your sweet heart y'hear??


btw.......you're younger and prettier than I imagined....*snort*.

AmerLisa Jul 15th 2005 12:52 pm

Re: US or Them
 

Originally Posted by izibear
Well thar 'oney chile.....wan' sum of these here bis-keets 'n gravee?...no? bless your sweet heart y'hear??


btw.......you're younger and prettier than I imagined....*snort*.

Well *snort* right back at ya! :rolleyes:

AmerLisa Jul 15th 2005 12:54 pm

Re: US or Them
 

Originally Posted by cindyabs
I guess it would be using American vs UK expressions?

Is that it? I was thinking we spoke something else besides English. Bastardized of course, but spelling and grammar isn't as bad. Unless you're from the south. ;) :D

Pimpbot Jul 15th 2005 1:07 pm

Re: US or Them
 
What a depressing thread this become. It's almost like reading the Brits in OZ complaints in the moving back to the UK forum.

ImHere Jul 15th 2005 1:26 pm

Re: US or Them
 

Originally Posted by AmerLisa
Is that it? I was thinking we spoke something else besides English. Bastardized of course, but spelling and grammar isn't as bad. Unless you're from the south. ;) :D

Bastards.

cindyabs Jul 15th 2005 1:46 pm

Re: US or Them
 
Ok, this is my main beef on grammar-

Apostrophes are NOT used for possessive pronouns or for noun plurals, including acronyms.

I never noticed that 'til I moved to the South. To be fair have seen Brits use it also.


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