[Christianlady]

Another poster asked about me studying in England. I would like to study in the UK someday, but not exactly in England. As a descendant of British immigrants, the UK does intrigue me. I would love to learn Gaelic someday, but the study of the English language also fascinates me, since it is the official language of the USA (although the dialects in the USA are different than the dialects in the UK).

So I am curious. How are Americans treated in the UK? I personally have never been. My Mom and sister went, and they fell in love with Ireland. They did not get to go to Scotland. My Mom found people with her maiden name, which she loved, and felt right at home. She said the people were very friendly and nice. She said she did not experience the same friendliness while touring London, England. Is it possible that she did not because she is American?

How are Americans who study at universities around the UK treated? If they mind their own business, are they accepted? If they are patriotic to the USA, are they condemned/made fun of/despised?

It is fascinating to me how I personally have felt a lot of hostility against me on this forum because of my beliefs, as well as because of the country where I was born. It would be cool to know if those who are hostile are mainly residents/citizens of the UK. That would be a good thing to study.

Since I love to study and write, I am going to write about my findings to the responses both on this thread, and the one about what the people in the UK nowadays think about the US's Independence Day, because they are topics that personally interest me.

People are naturally diverse, and it is interesting to see who is friendly, and who is hostile, and why.

Thanks.

[Snagprophet]

If you pretend you're Canadian I'm sure your life would be spared.

[Christianlady]

(Original post by Snagprophet)
If you pretend you're Canadian I'm sure your life would be spared.

Lol Nothing doing.

Nothing against Canadians, but I do have to admit I am a patriotic U.S. Citizen, although I hate the evil done to the Native Americans and African people. I wish there was a way to go back in time and encourage the European immigrants a long time ago to treat the Native Americans with mutual respect, as well as make slavery nonexistent in the "New World"

The Native Americans who helped the Pilgrims were so kind, and look how they were treated later on? I was mortified and saddened when I learned that most Native Americans nowadays do not celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, and through studying, I understand why.

Back to American, I actually changed it to U.S. Citizen because my Canadian brother-in-law, as well as my husband from Ecuador, keep reminding me that U.S. citizens are not the only Americans!!!

[SilverArch]

Did your mum and sister go to Northern Ireland? Or the Republic, which isn't the UK

I would expect London to be less friendly than smaller places. That's pretty much how it goes in most places. I went to the US for a week a few years ago - can barely remember it now, but the people in New York were the least friendly of all the people I met, and I'm pretty sure it was because they have so many tourists it's not a novelty of any kind. On the other hand, in a more rural area, people find you fascinating and role out the welcome wagon for you

Depends what you mean by patriotic. If it takes the form of fondness for your home country, support in sporting matches etc, no one should care. If it takes the form of 'my country is so much better than your country' or any superiority thing, then yes you will be made fun of or disliked.

Ditto your faith. I am an atheist, and I think it's fine if you want to go to Church every Sunday and pray before meals. Why would that bother me? On the other hand, if you were to try converting people or preaching to people, you will definitely not be well liked

Okay, there are a few generally xenophobic people everywhere, but don't worry about them. They won't like you, so you stay well out of their way. Most people are nice. By the way, we generally like poking fun at ourselves. If you can laugh at yourself, you'll probably fit in well

[Christianlady]

(Original post by SilverArch)
Did your mum and sister go to Northern Ireland? Or the Republic, which isn't the UK

I would expect London to be less friendly than smaller places. That's pretty much how it goes in most places. I went to the US for a week a few years ago - can barely remember it now, but the people in New York were the least friendly of all the people I met, and I'm pretty sure it was because they have so many tourists it's not a novelty of any kind. On the other hand, in a more rural area, people find you fascinating and role out the welcome wagon for you

Depends what you mean by patriotic. If it takes the form of fondness for your home country, support in sporting matches etc, no one should care. If it takes the form of 'my country is so much better than your country' or any superiority thing, then yes you will be made fun of or disliked.

Ditto your faith. I am an atheist, and I think it's fine if you want to go to Church every Sunday and pray before meals. Why would that bother me? On the other hand, if you were to try converting people or preaching to people, you will definitely not be well liked

Okay, there are a few generally xenophobic people everywhere, but don't worry about them. They won't like you, so you stay well out of their way. Most people are nice. By the way, we generally like poking fun at ourselves. If you can laugh at yourself, you'll probably fit in well

Thanks

I don't remember where they went, but I'll ask them today.

About Christians, long time ago, Christians were persecuted by the Romans, so it is accepted and even prophesied about by Jesus that his followers will be persecuted. However, Christians should not at all try to force other people to believe what they do. Also, following Jesus is not the standard for a government, because Jesus was not a politician nor military leader. I agree that it is wrong to try to convert people. However, telling people about Jesus is a part of following Jesus, which is what his apostles and disciples did. Most died for that.

Thanks for your comments. Again, I would like to go and see, at least for a short amount of time. Yeah you are right about NY being an unfriendly place in general. I was born in Arizona. I recommend next time you visit the USA, to go to the Southwest!!! One of my favorite places in the USA is the Grand Canyon!!! Please go see it. It's wonderful!

[TRS-T]

(Original post by Christianlady)
My Mom and sister went, and they fell in love with Ireland.
Thanks.

Ireland is not in the UK.

[Christianlady]

(Original post by TRS-T)
Ireland is not in the UK.

I just asked them and they went to Belfast, which is Ireland (though called Northern Ireland) and is a part of the UK.

It is fascinating how some people think Northern Ireland is not actually Ireland.

It's like saying North Korea isn't actually Korea, though North and South Korea were originally Korea. Some South Koreans hope soon Korea will be reunited again, with democracy for those trapped in Northern Korea...

Hmm. I wonder if that's similar to the situation between "Ireland" and "Northern Ireland"? However, my friends in South Korea insist both South and North Korea are "Korea", even though the North is trapped by a dictator. I wonder if the Irish people in Ireland consider Northern Ireland to be "Ireland", even though it is part of the UK?

[No Man]

(Original post by Christianlady)
I just asked them and they went to Belfast, which is Ireland (though called Northern Ireland) and is a part of the UK.

It is fascinating how some people think Northern Ireland is not actually Ireland.

It's like saying North Korea isn't actually Korea, though North and South Korea were originally Korea. Some South Koreans hope soon Korea will be reunited again, with democracy for those trapped in Northern Korea...

Hmm. I wonder if that's similar to the situation between "Ireland" and "Northern Ireland"? However, my friends in South Korea insist both South and North Korea are "Korea", even though the North is trapped by a dictator. I wonder if the Irish people in Ireland consider Northern Ireland to be "Ireland", even though it is part of the UK?

Northern Ireland is part of the island of Ireland but it is not 'Ireland'.
Just like if North Korea kept its name but South Korea was called 'Korea' North Korea wouldn't be 'Korea'.

[Christianlady]

(Original post by No Man)
Northern Ireland is part of the island of Ireland but it is not 'Ireland'.
Just like if North Korea kept its name but South Korea was called 'Korea' North Korea wouldn't be 'Korea'.

Ok,

That's sad.

I for one hope that eventually, Ireland will be reunited peacefully, if the Irish people (both in Ireland and Northern Ireland) desire.

There was a time in the USA you know, where the United States almost split. I am glad they didn't, but sadly it took war to reunite the North with the South. It saddens me the grave injustices and cruelty and murder/rape on both sides, however. War is so ugly. I wish there had been a way for the USA to stay United that didn't take a Civil War to keep the States together.

[Patriot Rich]

(Original post by Christianlady)
Ok,

That's sad.

I for one hope that eventually, Ireland will be reunited peacefully, if the Irish people (both in Ireland and Northern Ireland) desire.

It's an extremely complicated situation. Might be wise to read up on some of the basics if you ever find yourself in Ireland. Actually having a general knowledge of British history and society wouldn't be a bad thing either way, people often unfairly view Americans as ignorant of other cultures so it'd be good to prove them wrong.

Either way most people don't particularly dislike Americans if your names not Bob Diamond. Most of those who you've met on the forum who seem to dislike America tend to be coming from a very left wing viewpoint which doesn't reflect how most people think.

[No Man]

(Original post by Christianlady)
Ok,

That's sad.

I for one hope that eventually, Ireland will be reunited peacefully, if the Irish people (both in Ireland and Northern Ireland) desire.

There was a time in the USA you know, where the United States almost split. I am glad they didn't, but sadly it took war to reunite the North with the South. It saddens me the grave injustices and cruelty and murder/rape on both sides, however. War is so ugly. I wish there had been a way for the USA to stay United that didn't take a Civil War to keep the States together.

I think you might be interested in reading about the IRA, (which sums up the past conflict of the Northern Irish/Southern Irish pretty well) although Ireland might reunite with Britain eventually (after several decades), due to its current economic meltdown.

[Borderline]

(Original post by Christianlady)
Another poster asked about me studying in England. I would like to study in the UK someday, but not exactly in England. As a descendant of British immigrants, the UK does intrigue me. I would love to learn Gaelic someday, but the study of the English language also fascinates me, since it is the official language of the USA (although the dialects in the USA are different than the dialects in the UK).

So I am curious. How are Americans treated in the UK? I personally have never been. My Mom and sister went, and they fell in love with Ireland. They did not get to go to Scotland. My Mom found people with her maiden name, which she loved, and felt right at home. She said the people were very friendly and nice. She said she did not experience the same friendliness while touring London, England. Is it possible that she did not because she is American?

How are Americans who study at universities around the UK treated? If they mind their own business, are they accepted? If they are patriotic to the USA, are they condemned/made fun of/despised?

It is fascinating to me how I personally have felt a lot of hostility against me on this forum because of my beliefs, as well as because of the country where I was born. It would be cool to know if those who are hostile are mainly residents/citizens of the UK. That would be a good thing to study.

Since I love to study and write, I am going to write about my findings to the responses both on this thread, and the one about what the people in the UK nowadays think about the US's Independence Day, because they are topics that personally interest me.

People are naturally diverse, and it is interesting to see who is friendly, and who is hostile, and why.

Thanks.

How strange. It was me that asked that question. Despite seeing and considering two of my responses, you ignored me. Perhaps this was because one of them showed you up for behaving like an idiot?

You should have replied, as what I wanted to tell you was a response to the very question you are asking. I was going to tell you, that if you come to the UK and behave in the same idiotic, overly-nationalistic, and insulting attitude you did in your other thread, then you will truly not make many friends over here.

The reason you faced hostility was because of your deliberately-inflammatory statements, about how English people should be ashamed of their history, and the things they did to aborigines. When it was pointed out that the English people who did these terrible things actually became Americana, you said something like "but they were English before America declared independence, therefore it is shameful to England".

Good luck Enjoy the rest of your trolling. So obvious after your comments about England being responsible for the slave trade, and now you are here saying that Ireland should be reunited.

[Christianlady]

(Original post by No Man)
I think you might be interested in reading about the IRA, (which sums up the past conflict of the Northern Irish/Southern Irish pretty well) although Ireland might reunite with Britain eventually, due to its current economic meltdown.

Thanks No Man. I have heard about the IRA, but never studied about the people or history.

About all of Ireland reuniting with Britain, is that what the Irish people in Ireland want (as well as the Irish in Northern Ireland)?

[Christianlady]

(Original post by Borderline)
How strange. It was me that asked that question. Despite seeing and considering two of my responses, you ignored me. Perhaps this was because one of them showed you up for behaving like an idiot?

You should have replied, as what I wanted to tell you was a response to the very question you are asking. I was going to tell you, that if you come to the UK and behave in the same idiotic, overly-nationalistic, and insulting attitude you did in your other thread, then you will truly not make many friends over here.

The reason you faced hostility was because of your deliberately-inflammatory statements, about how English people should be ashamed of their history, and the things they did to aborigines. When it was pointed out that the English people who did these terrible things actually became Americana, you said something like "but they were English before America declared independence, therefore it is shameful to England".

Good luck

I am sorry. I didn't know I had to answer each and every post? Please point to me where your post is, and I will answer it. Call me insulting names all you like. I won't do that to you.

Where in the world did I say it is shameful to England? I said I was ashamed about what my ancestors did, though I have no idea when they immigrated to the USA. Could you please quote me? Thanks.

[Emaemmaemily]

London is generally just not such a "friendly" place; it won't be necessarily because you're an American.
One thing you MUST know is that London does not, in any way, represent the rest of England. Don't rule England out just because of that place. There are some amazingly beautiful and friendly places in England, just as there is in Wales, Scottland, N. Ireland and Ireland.

[Helloworld_95]

Depends on how much you fit into the American stereotype.

If you have a strong accent then people will be more wary than if you have a more dilute accent.

We don't really talk about religion and religious issues, other than the occasional ridiculing of things that hold back society (e.g. Gay marriage, embryonic stem cell research). This applies to patriotism too, talking about culture is fine, good even, but the kind of stereotypical American patriotism is not.

As for universities, there are some which have bigger American communities, like Oxford and LSE.

[Studentus-anonymous]

You'll be alrite but don;t bother trying to 'spread the word' in the UK especially on a Uni campus.

Most Brits are pretty much polite and don't have a problem with religion but we have a pretty strongly held system of live and let live, even Christians wont be talking Jesus up so much, especially to their non-Christian friends.

[Origami Bullets]

(Original post by Christianlady)
I for one hope that eventually, Ireland will be reunited peacefully, if the Irish people (both in Ireland and Northern Ireland) desire.

That's the sort of comment that can get you into a lot of trouble on either side of the Irish border. I'll try to explain this in as succinct a way as possible.

The Republic is predominantly Catholic, and NI is predominantly Protestant.

The predominantly Catholic IRA have been shooting people, blowing up places (both in Ireland and in GB) and committing atrocities for decades, in the hope that NI could become part of the republic. With the Good Friday Agreement, there has been a reduction in (but not elimination of) violence, and the terrorist IRA has morphed into the political party Sinn Fein. There are, however, some people who wish to continue the fight, and they have formed organisations such as Real IRA, Continuity IRA and RAAD (the latter more to do with drugs than politics, but it has many of the same people, who consider kneecapping to be all part of a good afternoon's fun). People who want NI & RoI to become one are often called Unionists.

On the other hand, most Protestants want NI to remain part of the UK, because they don't want to be joined with a predominantly Catholic country. If there was significant support in the North for becoming a part of RoI, then a referendum would be held, and if it was passed then the UK government would respect the outcome of that referendum, and allow NI and RoI to become one. Just to prove that the UK government would respect that decision - Scotland is holding a referendum on independence in 2014, which could see Scotland splitting away from the UK and becoming a separate country. If it is passed by a majority of voters, then the UK government will allow that to happen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles

Anyway, you wouldn't do too well to announce the above opinion loudly in a Belfast pub.

[Christianlady]

(Original post by Borderline)
How strange. It was me that asked that question. Despite seeing and considering two of my responses, you ignored me. Perhaps this was because one of them showed you up for behaving like an idiot?

You should have replied, as what I wanted to tell you was a response to the very question you are asking. I was going to tell you, that if you come to the UK and behave in the same idiotic, overly-nationalistic, and insulting attitude you did in your other thread, then you will truly not make many friends over here.

The reason you faced hostility was because of your deliberately-inflammatory statements, about how English people should be ashamed of their history, and the things they did to aborigines. When it was pointed out that the English people who did these terrible things actually became Americana, you said something like "but they were English before America declared independence, therefore it is shameful to England".

Good luck Enjoy the rest of your trolling. So obvious after your comments about England being responsible for the slave trade, and now you are here saying that Ireland should be reunited.

Again, call me all the insulting names you want, but I answered your question to me in post #70 of the Independence Day thread.

[Christianlady]

(Original post by Origami Bullets)
That's the sort of comment that can get you into a lot of trouble on either side of the Irish border. I'll try to explain this in as succinct a way as possible.

The Republic is predominantly Catholic, and NI is predominantly Protestant.

The predominantly Catholic IRA have been shooting people, blowing up places (both in Ireland and in GB) and committing atrocities for decades, in the hope that NI could become part of the republic. With the Good Friday Agreement, there has been a reduction in (but not elimination of) violence, and the terrorist IRA has morphed into the political party Sinn Fein. There are, however, some people who wish to continue the fight, and they have formed organisations such as Real IRA, Continuity IRA and RAAD (the latter more to do with drugs than politics, but it has many of the same people, who consider kneecapping to be all part of a good afternoon's fun). People who want NI & RoI to become one are often called Unionists.

On the other hand, most Protestants want NI to remain part of the UK, because they don't want to be joined with a predominantly Catholic country. If there was significant support in the North for becoming a part of RoI, then a referendum would be held, and if it was passed then the UK government would respect the outcome of that referendum, and allow NI and RoI to become one. Just to prove that the UK government would respect that decision - Scotland is holding a referendum on independence in 2014, which could see Scotland splitting away from the UK and becoming a separate country. If it is passed by a majority of voters, then the UK government will allow that to happen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles

Anyway, you wouldn't do too well to announce the above opinion loudly in a Belfast pub.

So then the issue is not really the UK at all, but rather the division between Irish people, depending on religion and politics?