[FelineCostumier]

I grew up in one of the most touristy of tourist cities in the world, Edinburgh. I was unfortunate enough to have a school uniform which involved a kilt. This led me to have many an interaction with certain varieties of tourists who found it fascinating that 1. I was a girl wearing a kilt and 2. that it was my school uniform.

Japanese and American tourists used me as if I were an actual tourist attraction, very tedious.

I can also concur with the overuse of "quaint" and poor education of Americans to culture outwith their own (when on holiday on Florida a few moons ago, most people we spoke to had never heard of Scotland). I actually heard a family comment on how good it was that the castle had been built so close to the train station, so convenient (I wish I was joking).

That said, for the most part you will receive a very warm welcome in Scotland, I always took posing for photos with good humour and in adulthood have always been open to questions from tourists and visitors from all over the world who show genuine interest in our history and culture without being patronising. If you start talking about Jesus and more over continue to talk about Jesus when I am clearly not interested, my patience evaporates.

I now live in London and can tell you, it's just a generally unfriendly place. Stand at a bar on your own in Edinburgh and someone will always talk to you, do it in London and you have to be 21 and reasonably good looking, then it will be the dirty old man chatting you up!

So in conclusion, don't be a stereotype or caricature of an American and you'll do just fine.

Oh and I do care about Thanksgiving, Canadian Thanksgiving, one of my best friends is Canadian and I get a slap up dinner every year in celebration, for that, I'm thankful!

[Christianlady]

(Original post by silverbolt)


It goes far beyond that - Ireland has had problems with Britain for centuries considering its forced occupation and such lovely charachters such as Oliver Cromwell and his actions there. Then theres the 1798 rebellion and more recently the 1916 rising and then the civil war (which arose partly out of the 1916 rising), thankfully nearly all of its issues are gone -though NI and ROI will be separate for a long time to come. Ireland has its own problems and the UK is sick of listening to the North

Hello Silverbolt,

Thanks for clarifying... I do remember studying about Oliver Cromwell in World History.

[Marlena002]

(Original post by Emaemmaemily)
Where in the UK are you?

Right now I'm in Manchester, but I did spend a lot of time in Scotland (bouncing between Glasgow and Kirkcaldy) and the worst of the abuse was definitely in Scotland, which was sad because I have such fond memories of visiting when I was younger!

[Marlena002]

Christianlady you might have a different experience but I do think you need to cool the religion a bit. I'm a Catholic but I make a point of not bringing that up unless someone else does first. Whether you're in the UK or US nobody likes being preached to And it does seem like the UK is much more secular, so I'm sure keeping your faith to yourself will be appreciated among most groups.

I was thinking of throwing my friends a Thanksgiving dinner because A) I'm a bit homesick and B) I thought they'd like a free meal and a bit of fun like I've enjoyed celebrating some of their local holidays, but I'm not so sure.

[Gales]

(Original post by Marlena002)
Right now I'm in Manchester, but I did spend a lot of time in Scotland (bouncing between Glasgow and Kirkcaldy) and the worst of the abuse was definitely in Scotland, which was sad because I have such fond memories of visiting when I was younger!

What sort of abuse?

[Christianlady]

(Original post by llessur123)
Take it from someone who lives here, there isn't much to offer in Northern Ireland. It's ok for a short break but studying here isn't great because even in QUB everyone knows each other from school before since most people at the uni are from Northern Ireland. Everyone goes home at the weekends and it's dead. It also has terrible weather and although they have made efforts to do up the place I find it quite grim. Another problem is there can be a lot of very bitter, angry people regarding political issues and from reading this thread your opinions will not go down well with some people. If you can help it just avoid talking about the issue completely. Ireland and Northern Ireland aren't what they are cracked up to be, especially what some Americans view them as. I have to admit the rural areas are beautiful but it's no fun living there either.

Go somewhere else. People will disagree with me but if I was from outside of here and looking to move I'd like people to be honest with me.

Hello Lessur,

It seems like many people agree with you for different reasons. I looked up Gaelic classes in the USA, and there are some here, so it would indeed probably be best for me to just study Gaelic here. Thanks for your blunt advice.

I admit the pictures of rural areas are lovely!

Peace and God bless you

[ConnorB]

God I love America.

going to California this Christmas, cannot wait!

[No Man]

(Original post by Marlena002)
I was thinking of throwing my friends a Thanksgiving dinner because A) I'm a bit homesick and B) I thought they'd like a free meal and a bit of fun like I've enjoyed celebrating some of their local holidays, but I'm not so sure.

I'm sure most of them would be interested if you mention booze being a part of it.

[Emaemmaemily]

(Original post by Marlena002)
Right now I'm in Manchester, but I did spend a lot of time in Scotland (bouncing between Glasgow and Kirkcaldy) and the worst of the abuse was definitely in Scotland, which was sad because I have such fond memories of visiting when I was younger!

That's a shame. I wouldn't say things are the same all over the UK, it seems that you've had a really bad experience. It really makes me angry when this happens, because people make assumptions about the rest of the population, and I never want people to feel **** from being in my country.

[Ra Ra Ra]

(Original post by Christianlady)
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 were the people of London not friendly? Many people will keep themselves to themselves in England (especially in the big cities, like London) and I've seen many tourists - actually, really it's only the tourists of the American variety - equate this to rudeness. London doesn't have much of a reputation for being the friendliest part of England anyway, so I doubt it's because she was American.

Chances are, whatever part of the UK you go to, you'll get a bit of banter about your accent. Most of the time this isn't rudeness; it's just a bit of that sarky British humour Of course, you'll always get rude, ignorant ***** wherever in the world you are, but as long as you leave any arrogance at the door, most people will treat you just the same.

(Original post by Marlena002)
Right now I'm in Manchester, but I did spend a lot of time in Scotland (bouncing between Glasgow and Kirkcaldy) and the worst of the abuse was definitely in Scotland, which was sad because I have such fond memories of visiting when I was younger!

The other day I was reading a story on the Cracked comments site about someone who sent a bunch of American tourists on a sixty mile road trip through Scotland to look for wild haggis What do you mean by 'abuse'?

[Marlena002]

(Original post by Gales)
What sort of abuse?

Well being a woman I think I escaped the worst of it, although one of my good guy friends who was visiting got a bit of a beatdown. There was one night in particular where a very drunk Glaswegian heard our accents, picked a fight and ended up bashing my friend's head into a wall.

Aside from that it's just been the usual verbal crap really. I was at a friend's dinner party enjoying the conversation when someone piped up "You're American eh?" and then the next 2 hours were them telling me why they hate me, why Americans are stupid/fat/ignorant/religious nutjobs/war obsessed, that I should be ashamed of where I'm from, that I should go back, etc. I was literally just sat there like , I don't think I even uttered 2 words back.\

That's sort of been my usual experience though, I don't get why so much hatred just based on where I'm from.

[JordanS94]

I'm cool with Americans ... as long as they're not sneaking a bit of religion in

[Marlena002]

(Original post by No Man)
I'm sure most of them would be interested if you mention booze being a part of it.

Haha, I was thinking that. Might do if I'm still around then.

[Christianlady]

(Original post by Marlena002)
Christianlady you might have a different experience but I do think you need to cool the religion a bit. I'm a Catholic but I make a point of not bringing that up unless someone else does first. Whether you're in the UK or US nobody likes being preached to And it does seem like the UK is much more secular, so I'm sure keeping your faith to yourself will be appreciated among most groups.

I was thinking of throwing my friends a Thanksgiving dinner because A) I'm a bit homesick and B) I thought they'd like a free meal and a bit of fun like I've enjoyed celebrating some of their local holidays, but I'm not so sure.

Hello Marlene,

Oh that's ok. I would rather be hated for what I am than hide what I believe (not saying you are doing that... I just an outspoken person about everything I believe and where I am from.)

Anyways, I have since reading the responses to this thread come to the conclusion that I have no more desire to go to the UK, either to study or to be a tourist, and I will encourage others to not go to the UK as well, with the exception of the friend who is moving because of family ties (and yeah I need to ask her if she's moving to "Northern Ireland" or "Ireland."

Where in the USA are you from? I was born in Arizona and am currently living in Florida. I'm sorry you are homesick. I'm also sorry you're not having a fabulous time in the UK.

Do you think you will eventually move back to the USA? I personally have no desire to live for the long term away from the USA, but that is because my family and friends are here.

Anyways, I wish you were here in FL for July 4th too! My hubby and I are planning on going to the beach for fireworks! One thing I love about the Fourth of July is that many Americans, even if they don't know each other before (and I don't know you, as far as I know) feel a connection and joy, as well as unity, every 4th of July!

[Marlena002]

(Original post by Emaemmaemily)
That's a shame. I wouldn't say things are the same all over the UK, it seems that you've had a really bad experience. It really makes me angry when this happens, because people make assumptions about the rest of the population, and I never want people to feel **** from being in my country.

I know, I was surprised - I assumed I'd encounter some hostility but not quite so much. Bit sad but oh well, you can't change where you're from eh? For what it's worth I've also met some lovely friendly people and I think many cities in the UK are beautiful, but I've started to feel a little like I can't even open my mouth without trying to change my accent!

[Gales]

(Original post by Christianlady)
Hello Marlene,

Oh that's ok. I would rather be hated for what I am than hide what I believe (not saying you are doing that... I just an outspoken person about everything I believe and where I am from.)

Anyways, I have since reading the responses to this thread come to the conclusion that I have no more desire to go to the UK, either to study or to be a tourist, and I will encourage others to not go to the UK as well, with the exception of the friend who is moving because of family ties (and yeah I need to ask her if she's moving to "Northern Ireland" or "Ireland."

Where in the USA are you from? I was born in Arizona and am currently living in Florida. I'm sorry you are homesick. I'm also sorry you're not having a fabulous time in the UK.

Do you think you will eventually move back to the USA? I personally have no desire to live for the long term away from the USA, but that is because my family and friends are here.

Anyways, I wish you were here in FL for July 4th too! My hubby and I are planning on going to the beach for fireworks! One thing I love about the Fourth of July is that many Americans, even if they don't know each other before (and I don't know you, as far as I know) feel a connection and joy, as well as unity, every 4th of July!

Good good. Perhaps you can leave TSR too?

[Marlena002]

(Original post by Ra Ra Ra)
The other day I was reading a story on the Cracked comments site about someone who sent a bunch of American tourists on a sixty mile road trip through Scotland to look for wild haggis What do you mean by 'abuse'?

Lol, someone once tried telling me haggis were wild animals. Most of my immediate family's from Scotland so I didn't fall for it that time By 'abuse' I mean mostly just verbal insults, unprovoked anger/hostility, etc. A friend of mine received a beating but thankfully the physical "abuse" is few and far between.

[Ra Ra Ra]

(Original post by Marlena002)
Lol, someone once tried telling me haggis were wild animals. Most of my immediate family's from Scotland so I didn't fall for it that time By 'abuse' I mean mostly just verbal insults, unprovoked anger/hostility, etc. A friend of mine received a beating but thankfully the physical "abuse" is few and far between.

Oh - just read the above. That sounds awful. Please don't think we're all that mental

[Marlena002]

(Original post by Christianlady)
Hello Marlene,

Oh that's ok. I would rather be hated for what I am than hide what I believe (not saying you are doing that... I just an outspoken person about everything I believe and where I am from.)

Anyways, I have since reading the responses to this thread come to the conclusion that I have no more desire to go to the UK, either to study or to be a tourist, and I will encourage others to not go to the UK as well, with the exception of the friend who is moving because of family ties (and yeah I need to ask her if she's moving to "Northern Ireland" or "Ireland."

Where in the USA are you from? I was born in Arizona and am currently living in Florida. I'm sorry you are homesick. I'm also sorry you're not having a fabulous time in the UK.

Do you think you will eventually move back to the USA? I personally have no desire to live for the long term away from the USA, but that is because my family and friends are here.

Anyways, I wish you were here in FL for July 4th too! My hubby and I are planning on going to the beach for fireworks! One thing I love about the Fourth of July is that many Americans, even if they don't know each other before (and I don't know you, as far as I know) feel a connection and joy, as well as unity, every 4th of July!

Aw I wouldn't give up on the UK, my experience this time around has been a complete shock because all my other trips (been traveling to UK for about 6 years) have been lovely. There are some good people, I've just managed to find all the **** ones!

I can appreciate not wanting to hide who you are - I have no desire to pretend to be Canadian or an atheist or whatever. All I'm saying is, being an outspoken member of any religion can be off putting, because religion or lack thereof is a very personal choice and nobody likes to feel preached to. Same with patriotism - I love the US, flaws and all, but I don't walk down the street with a flag because it's obnoxious.

I'm from Massachusetts and yeah, definitely missing it, but I'm going to stick it out here a bit longer. I'll probably move back to the US long term, but for now I'm traveling Good luck with whatever you decide!

[lightburns]

(Original post by Christianlady)
Oh that's ok. I would rather be hated for what I am than hide what I believe (not saying you are doing that... I just an outspoken person about everything I believe and where I am from.)

If I understand you correctly, I do not think you would not fit into UK very well.

UK is quite atheist, and those who are religious are very toned down compared to Americans (for example, there are few creationists here).

Social expectations amongst those of different faiths or lack of is to keep it quiet. If it's relevant you say that you are a Christian, if it's not, you don't. Only be loud about specific beliefs it if there is a large, deep, discussion of it, and even then it needs to be civil (no telling people that they are destined for Hell!).

British culture is, compared to American culture, very polite and reserved. Americans make small things big, and Brits make big things small.

General problems that Brits have with Americans is that you can appear rude, just due to culture differences. Americans tend to be assertive and loud, which in our culture is just rude. Some like to think our cultures are similar, but there is a huge culture clash that makes Brits very frustrated.