Mummy in the foothills

I believe it's cause they don't understand the UK sense of humor and try so hard to be politically correct in front of people they have just met. Once they know you better they relax and can laugh with you, either that or they spend their time trying to one up you, and get snarky themselves.

MagStu

In reply to YoungSteve17, 28 years of people asking me about my accent has not been a burden. I have always wanted to retain my accent and having people who do not know me say that they like it and am I from England, makes me feel good. When I return to England and people think that I am American, it makes me feel bad. I am English, and although I am living here and doing everything that Americans do, my bloodline is who I am.
So, I never get tired of it. Also, Steve, I came from Colchester, pretty close to Ipswich where you come from so in 28 years time you should still have your accent!!!!!

idk4

well my boyfriend may be getting a chance to go over there. The thing is, everything i hear about americans is negaitve in my sense. from what i have read they seem to have a strong work ethic but in a getting to the top kind, they seem to not have a sense of humour, and not very relaxed.and probably will not get me one bit.

penguinsix

First, don't believe anything you read / see / watch in a) Hollywood movies and b) the European media regarding life in America.

Second, by the way, I guess we should have raised this earlier.

It will be nearly impossible for you to get a visa to work or live in the US if it is just 'your boyfriend' coming over. He needs to be your husband, or you need to have a path to a visa in your own right. I think there is one class of visas that allow 'partners' to enter but for almost all the others you have to be married, and even then, many of those don't allow you to work.

Do you happen to know which visa he is seeking / his company is seeking for him?

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulask...ork_in_the_USA

Englishtart

If you form opinoins of people, before you have even met them, that makes you closed minded (and stupid) You have to take what other people say about America and it's people, with a grain of salt!
If you ever do make it to the US, for vacation or to move here, your attitude will not help you make many friends here and you will be miserable!

Kaffy Mintcake

I don't agree with the comment "satire is regarded as the last refuge of a weak-minded" but do agree that it's good to have a rapport with someone before using a lot of sarcasm, or 'taking the piss'. It's pretty easy to read if someone's sense of humor is along those lines or not ... listen to see if you ever hear the person in question express a dry sense or humor or any sarcasm.

Example - one of my coworkers is a very friendly, polite man. He sent a sincere note to me that he was very sorry that he would be unable to make our work happy hour (which was a welcome to me and another new girl in the department) due to another engagement. I was about to make a smart remark, just in teasing, but thought better of it because I've never seen him interact with others that way. I think that was a wise move.

In contrast, another coworker of mine, who I've known for a while was telling me the other day that she learned to play a card game a different way than what we would be doing at an upcoming social tournament. Her boss overheard and said "Oh, you mean you're used to cheating?" and a series of ribbing comments came from me and her boss.

The difference? That girl is on the same wavelength, can give as good as she gets, and there's a rapport there already.

I can see how if you make remarks like that right off the bat, when noone knows you, that some might think "Is he being serious?" and may misunderstand your intentions.

Kaffy Mintcake

America is like every other country, you'll meet people you like, and people you don't like. Some may "get you", some may not. With a population of millions, I would think everyone would find some people they could get along well with.

PepsiChic

My accent got me loads of attention in St Louis, Missouri,

In fact I've ended up becoming great friends with Jeff Burton one of St Louis's top djs and spend a fair bit of time in the studio now for The Point. The listeners love my accent and I've ended up recording some phrases and lines for the show.

Its a little weird for me though to hear my own voice on the radio station!

dunroving

You seem to be going into this with the wrong mindset ... have you decided you are not going to like it before you even leave?

idk4

well i will probably marry my boyfriend before then. im not close-minded, i find it quite exciting, just abit worried about fitting in. i guess everyones different

Englishtart

Most people I have met here love the accent, it is a novelty, I spend much longer on the phone sometimes than necessary, because the person I am talking too, is just enjoying the accent, doesn't bother me at all. Thats cool that you have made some good friends here already, I will have to tune into the radio show, I usually listen to WIL, the country station.

Englishtart

Then I apologise for my previous post, it just sounded like you were forming an opinion by listening to other people's. It's normal to be anxious about fitting in, you just have to be open to the experience, give it time and you will be fine.

Folinskyinla

Hi:

My dual national brother-in-law lives in Cornwall. From what he tells me, it seems that the both people from Scotland and those from Cornwall understand 'joisy, but don't understand each others' spoken language.

BTW, a few months back, his employer used him a temporary web video to promote a program -- it seems that all Brits are able to understand 'joisy.

As an aside -- as you know, UK passports give the CITY of birth thereon -- his UK passport says "Newark" while his US passport says "New Jersey." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4e0WrBsXbE

jmh

I belong to another forum populated mostly by yanks and they are hilarious. Some of them are a bit rude (we have a special area for them!). I am often shocked at what I read. However I am guessing if you met them in person, certainly to start with they would probably be a bit reserved. But then so are most people till you get to know them.

When you travel go with an attitude of learning about people who may be different to you. People really are fascinating!

On the accent issue, I had a kiwi accent when I arrived in the UK many years ago and in some parts of the country I had to keep repeating myself. I had to deliberately change the way I pronounced my surname as people kept getting it wrong even when I spelled it out. They kept hearing e when I said a. I shared a flat with a geordie and had to have someone translate for me.

britvic

Why not let the boyfriend come over first and just settle for long'esh visit's, thats what I did and even after two years of visiting thinking I knew what I was letting myself in for Wrong.... big wake up call