I love Americans

[Dymetrie]

Originally Posted by Burble

I did point that out to someone once and he got quite irate with it. After he'd cooled down a bit I asked him what the Americans were doing, for example, around the time that Henry VIII was beheading wifes left, right and centre. Silence.

They were Europeans then

[Lana]

We aren't all so ignorant! I swear! (okay I am ignorant about a lot of things, but I never assumed that anyone but Americans celebrated Thanksgiving and 4th of July....thats a step up from some, right?)

I read Garps statement about Americans not having a long history of their own and trying to claim whatever they can, and I agree. One of the downers about being a Caucasian in Hawaii (besides the racism) is that many friends are much more closely linked with their family history. My best friend is half Chinese and they celebrate all the Chinese holidays and cultural things, and it makes me kind of jealous!

If I trace my lineage far enough I'm ethnically mostly English and Welsh and Swedish, but it's not like looking back a few generations gives me a sense of my heritage, you know? I do envy that about you folks who have castles and 900 year old churches and the like.

Anyway....Happy 4th of July. It was probably a great day for your country when you got rid of us ;-)

[Justsomebloke]

I get called a Cock-A-Knee by Yanky Doodle Dandys.

[Mark]

And a happy 4th of July to you too.

I know plenty of Americans who know enough about the world to know that only they celebrate their independence. Most, if not all of those that I personally know have travelled outside the US (including the contingent from here), so obviously they're going to know about things like that.

It's rare that I find anyone that isn't helpful though. Whether that's because most of those I've come across on my numerous visits have been in the service industry (hotels, restaurants, taxis etc.) where their livelihood really does depend upon it (much more so than in the UK), I just don't know.

[Garp]

Originally Posted by Mark

It's rare that I find anyone that isn't helpful though. Whether that's because most of those I've come across on my numerous visits have been in the service industry (hotels, restaurants, taxis etc.) where their livelihood really does depend upon it (much more so than in the UK), I just don't know.

People in stores and stuff do seem to put a lot more effort into being cheerful than those in the UK.

[Knipples]

One of the memories of going to Florida as a kid was people asking my parents

"Oh you're from Eeeeenngland, do you know the queen?" Like everyone was her personal friend or something.

[NokkonWud]

I just reply with "I've heard of her, why?" It seems their most common question to the Englandish.

[Del Lardo]

Brilliant! I'd hire him

[Jingo]

Despite growing up in the true bumpkin land of North Somerset, I speak 'well' and when in America had people commenting on my "hugh grant voice"...

Although speaking in the manner I do attracted lots of jokes / attention at times, in America it was almost entirely positive and I enjoyed meeting most people. I've heard that comparing NYC to America is a bit like London -> England, so I can only imagine the courtesy of those in the 'Deep South' etc

[Knipples]

Dont you mean Narf zummmmmerzet!