What do Americans think of Britain?

[chicgeek]

Originally Posted by StrongInTheArm

While most places are fine, I would suggest a little caution until you are more familiar. There are areas that are quite dangerous. For instance, everyday this week in London there has been a stabbing of a teenager, most resulting in deaths. There seems to be a developing problem with kids and gang culture and guns and knives.

I don't want to put the dampeners on your excitement, just take sensible precautions.

I live in Toronto, half a block from one of the most notorius streets in Ontario. I'm not saying I'm invicible, but I'm definitely familiar to it and smart about it. No worries there. Besides, it's Yorkshire, not London.

Originally Posted by Rankenstein

Been before?

Never.

[temyong]

Originally Posted by StrongInTheArm

This thread is just not going to stay on course.

Just relax dude I know what are you saying. Peace.

[StrongInTheArm]

Originally Posted by chicgeek

I live in Toronto, half a block from one of the most notorious streets in Ontario. I'm not saying I'm invincible, but I'm definitely familiar to it and smart about it. No worries there. Besides, it's Yorkshire, not London.

I'm sure you'll be fine. Just remember we may speak English but, it is a foreign land. There is always a bit of culture shock.

[MattK]

[ajs42548]

I love Britain and I love Brits. Plain and simple.

[StrongInTheArm]

Might I say you have good tastes.

[Thanol]

My friend moved back to England. She complains about how expensive everything is there.

[kristeejo]

I'd like to visit....someone there is anxiously awaiting my arrival.

[Zap]

Originally Posted by kristeejo

I'd like to visit....someone there is anxiously awaiting my arrival.

The Queen?

[South]

I've never been to Britain. I only know a few Brits. I like them. I wouldn't want to live under that social system, but it seems to work fine for them. It's true that Brits take themselves way to seriously, but not in an annoying way. It's sort of an endearing condescension. I'd like to visit just to soak up the history. The Brits I know are extremely polite and accommodating.

My family and I actually seriously considered applying for residency there. I could swallow most everything but the gun regulations.

Powdered wigs are cool.

Billy Idol, Beatles, Jagger. How bad could you really be?

British comedy = FUNNY! Oven mits to keep the feet warm. Funnier every time I see it.

I've always been fascinated by how Eliza Doolittle seemed to gain 80 IQ points by changing her accent. "Look. I talk different, now I don't walk bowlegged anymore!"

Allowing Pierce Brosnan to play Bond was an almost unforgivable travesty, but since the Russians fell there are really no tough enemies anyway, so P. boy did OK in the absence of a real Bond.

So all in all, the Brits are OK by me.

About the powdered wigs, can you just buy them in department stores over there? How does one come about getting one?

[G10]

LOL @ South

That was pretty good dude.

Yes, you can buy the powdered wigs from shops if you like but they don't all go around wearing them, sadly (sorry to burst your bubble dude)

I suppose a big difference in our cultures is the way we struggle to understand how the US allows civilians to walk around with guns as we would not allow such a thing.

The UK is steeped in history, I mean, the Romans came over here and built lots of amazing buildings. I live in a city called Chester, originally called Deva and the center of Chester is surrounded by a Roman wall which they originally built to keep out the Welsh.

btw - The new Bond (Daniel Craig) is actually a local boy and only lived about 6 miles up the road

[StrongInTheArm]

Originally Posted by South

Powdered wigs are cool.

About the powdered wigs, can you just buy them in department stores over there? How does one come about getting one?

Dude, they are history man, they went out with the Eighties.

I only wear mine indoors during weekends.

[South]

Originally Posted by G10

Yes, you can buy the powdered wigs from shops if you like but they don't all go around wearing them, sadly (sorry to burst your bubble dude)

Well that's just wrong. Bring back the wigs!

Originally Posted by G10

I suppose a big difference in our cultures is the way we struggle to understand how the US allows civilians to walk around with guns as we would not allow such a thing.

We've got to have our guns handy. The 4th of July is coming up and you never know when those British are coming back around. (Cornwallis wore a wig)

Originally Posted by G10

The UK is steeped in history, I mean, the Romans came over here and built lots of amazing buildings. I live in a city called Chester, originally called Deva and the center of Chester is surrounded by a Roman wall which they originally built to keep out the Welsh.

As soon as my children are old enough to understand it well I want to take the family on about a month long England / Ireland / Scotland / Wales trip. We live in Georgia which still has lots of the colonial remnants and sites of the war where we spanked y'all all the way back to England. I take the kids on "History" trips often around here and would love for them to see where we came from across the pond (many generations ago).

btw - The new Bond (Daniel Craig) is actually a local boy and only lived about 6 miles up the road

Sadly I haven't seen that one yet which is odd for me. I usually see the Bond films as soon as they come out. Looking forward to it though.

[KeithCash]

Are we talking about England by itself or are including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. If we are talking government.

But England in the dungeon where that belong(Scotland, Always remember)
Scotland Good
Wales Good
Norther Ireland Good

This relates to government only, people are Great

Cheers
From 13th Generation American

[G10]

Originally Posted by StrongInTheArm

Dude, they are history man, they went out with the Eighties.

You do know the 80's have made a revival

Oh yes, get those powdered wigs out guys

[StrongInTheArm]

Oh dear, like they weren't bad enough without an extra 17 years, at least.

Still, good way to keep my bald patch warm.

[jumpenjuhosaphat]

Is there really a difference? Besides the accent and locale? In reality, I imagine Brits much like Americans, sort of selfish and into our comfort....So is there really any comparison? We all live in plush homes with plush beds and pretty wives. We all drive fuel efficient economy sports utility recreational gas guzzling money wasting vehicles. We all live in a box, regardless of the shape. We all eat the same food. We all like to drink and play around on the internet....We all hate, and we all love. We all have religion and freedom(so it's called) So really, what's the difference? To me, the biggest difference is in the way we talk and where we live....

[StrongInTheArm]

Originally Posted by jumpenjuhosaphat

Is there really a difference?

You have also just described the French and Germans. Are there any differences? The differences are subtle; they are contained in the mind and in the heart. But yes we are all human beings, whatever our beliefs and our nationality.