she not wrong

I moved to the states, moved back to England, then moved back to the States again. So yeah, I would do it again

There was no one great shock. Its lots of little things that gradually creep up on you, but then, after a period where you swear the US is utter crap and you hate all of it, you get over most of it and start liking things, whilst still hating other things.

My big thing was that I don't really care all that much about tangible things, but more about travel and doing quality things. That doesn't fit many American's view as consumerists, so I was just careful about who I picked for friends. It took me a while to realise that though. Also took me a while to realise that just because some one else was British, it didn't mean I could be close friends with them.

If you're comfortable with being who you are as a Brit, and don't try and turn yourself into a full-on American stereotype all at once, you'll do just fine. CT is a good state to settle into your Britishness. Depending on where you are going, the supermarkets carry a lot of British brands, including beans and bacon in case you need a good dose of home.

Just my 2p and you're welcome to PM me if you want any further cereal box psychology or help with CT.

Andrea

Not so bad sir.
Still trying to get a handle on the new job after 3 months though - all in good time I suppose.

I found that out the hard way

Glad to hear. Sounds a bit like my move from NYC to Fl. Still trying to find my way. In NYC, I annoyed people by saying, in England we did this & that. Now I am in FL, I annoy people by saying, in NYC we did this & that.
Reg. Frank R.

Couldn't agree more - I've been in the USA for 10 months, Hawaii for the last 9, and still feel like I'm unsettled. Not just missing friends and family, but because of the different culture. I stick out with the English accent, not to mention the humour is lost on some people

During the World Cup, no-one knew much about the footie, so I even went out of my way to befriend a French chap who works at the same company as me, just because of football. Not really a true friend, but I was a bit homesick and a bit desperate to get the World Cup atmosphere going, haha.

The bit about meeting someone else being British was interesting too. You most likely wouldn't even bother in the UK! But once you hear the accent, it's like you're compelled to try and be friends because you have something in common. Talk about the old days, going to the pub etc.

Still, I keep telling myself that it's a better opportunity over here, although it's more for the wife because she's from Hawaii. In actuality, different environment, in the end tends to be the same old same old like back in England. But without the pubs, haha.

I agree with this. When I arrived, I was part of large group of British. I was amazed to find a few who had been here a long time and who had become more British than they were when they arrived. They had become more British than the people we had just left. It was as though they had dug a cultural moat around themselves.

Even amongst the group, over a hundred engineers and designers, there were some I disliked intensely.

My friendships tend to be based upon mutual interests and respect rather than nationality or race or any other physical attribute.

I only know a few Brits around here...and thats only in the last few weeks...
Even in FL most of my close friends are Americans ....I like meeting up with the British villa rental owners...but I only get to see them every few years...
I now know a few ex-pats in FL that I meet up with each trip down...it is nice to sometimes talk about England and English things...

What about lonely single women with big tits???????

You're up early.

FL do NOT take to Noooo Yawhhhkers because they bring their Noooooo Yawhhhk ways with them. Better keep that to yourself

Me too, but you would expect that the common elements of background, would ease things along, even say, between someone from north of Watford and a Londoner

Mix with sarveners? Not on you life mate.

Well obviously thats certainly a consideration....but only because they are lonely and need some friendship obviously.

Thats good to know then, felt like I was being used there for a minuet