OP
Gahr
Ambassador of Blues & Brews
Would the Union Jack be pushing it?
"Un-potting" pickups
- Thread starter Gahr
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DonP
Guest
Equally unacceptable, I would think. The blue and white saltyr is about all you could fly that had any connection with the union.
Maybe the Scottish Standard? Would they be offended if a Yank flew that?
DonP
Guest
You'd have to adopt a kilt too. The main problem with that, though, is that the only people in Scotland who actually wear kilts are Englishmen at weddings. And that is the problem with Scotland. It actually has no culture or heritage - it is all a confection invented by Sir Walter Scott. Tartan and shortbread are all they have.
My Uncle is rumored to have traced us back to Clan Agnew, but I need to find out more
DonP
Guest
I think there are web sites that you can type in your family name, and they will show you your tartan. All a scam, sadly.
I think I would like to be a very low key neighbor I would hope. Are Americans universally hated there????
DonP
Guest
That's the strange thing. Most people, when asked cold, will say they don't like Americans. But when that American is an actual person, living amongst them, all of a sudden they are great - good neighbours. So sorry, but as a nation you have a bit of an image problem; as an individual, you're fine.
I've found that Americans often misbehave when traveling abroad. That's not helpful.
DonP
Guest
If you want misbehaviour, you need to see Brit teenagers in Spanish resorts in summer. Yours are amateurs at being obnoxious, I'm afraid. But Americans in London can give themselves problems with overly-loud talking, bad clothes (nobody in London would go out in sweat pants), backward baseball caps and mis-pronunciation of place names. That last one is pretty unforgivable
Mr Grumpy
Ambassador of Comings and Goings
To chime in, sorry... I agree that Americans don't get a good press internationally, but I've always enjoyed my time in America (people have always been really friendly), and meeting Americans in person is always fine/nice even...; the foreign policy doesn't maketh the individuals. Imagine if all brits were Tony Blair clones... 
As for wearing a cap backwards, sweat pants and a wife beater T-shirt - sometimes, during summer here in Korea, I do just that. I was inspired by a couple of American friends, and I just tried it one day... I look in the mirror before I go out, laugh at meself, then go out into the Korean streets and nobody bats an eye-lid; I suppose it's my version of 'coming out'. Go on, Don, give it a try; it's invigorating, empowering...
Robert, that castle would be a nightmare to own. Lots of folks in the UK have a million to spare, so why do you think that castle is for sale, and likely will be for a long time: upkeep, heating bills, taxes, living practicalities, much more. I've hired out similar places for a family weekend around Loch Lomond, and while it was very nice you couldn't live there without a staff of 10...
Now, Roberta, keep those transgender pics to yourself...
As for wearing a cap backwards, sweat pants and a wife beater T-shirt - sometimes, during summer here in Korea, I do just that. I was inspired by a couple of American friends, and I just tried it one day... I look in the mirror before I go out, laugh at meself, then go out into the Korean streets and nobody bats an eye-lid; I suppose it's my version of 'coming out'. Go on, Don, give it a try; it's invigorating, empowering...
Robert, that castle would be a nightmare to own. Lots of folks in the UK have a million to spare, so why do you think that castle is for sale, and likely will be for a long time: upkeep, heating bills, taxes, living practicalities, much more. I've hired out similar places for a family weekend around Loch Lomond, and while it was very nice you couldn't live there without a staff of 10...
Now, Roberta, keep those transgender pics to yourself...
To chime in, sorry... I agree that Americans don't get a good press internationally, but I've always enjoyed my time in America (people have always been really friendly), and meeting Americans in person is always fine/nice even...; the foreign policy doesn't maketh the individuals. Imagine if all brits were Tony Blair clones...
As for wearing a cap backwards, sweat pants and a wife beater T-shirt - sometimes, during summer here in Korea, I do just that. I was inspired by a couple of American friends, and I just tried it one day... I look in the mirror before I go out, laugh at meself, then go out into the Korean streets and nobody bats an eye-lid; I suppose it's my version of 'coming out'. Go on, Don, give it a try; it's invigorating, empowering...
Robert, that castle would be a nightmare to own. Lots of folks in the UK have a million to spare, so why do you think that castle is for sale, and likely will be for a long time: upkeep, heating bills, taxes, living practicalities, much more. I've hired out similar places for a family weekend around Loch Lomond, and while it was very nice you couldn't live there without a staff of 10...
Now, Roberta, keep those transgender pics to yourself...
Oh, its a silly dream of mine...
I wish it weren’t true, but I have to agree. On the few occasions my work has required me to travel, I’ve often cringed at the behavior of my colleagues.
I don’t have to travel anymore, but I’d often hang back from the group to try to avoid being perceived as being one of them. It’s even more bewildering that they seemed to be completely blind to the disapproving stares they’d get.
I’d notice when I’d first meet people in another country there would be a very slight recoil at first learning I was American - almost like they were bracing themselves because they didn’t know what to expect. As conversation ensued, things would lighten up, but I’d notice that initial reaction. I can’t say that I blame them, though.
My most enjoyable overseas trip was to Northern Ireland. It was a smaller group of us and everyone was more mature. Interacting with the local people was very rewarding, the local eating establishments were enjoyable, and the Irish countryside was incredible.
BTW, I like cheese. You HAVE NOT had cheese until you eat some from some European country. That alone is worth the trip!
My only experience in England, proper, was a layover. Too bad, really.
I’d love to go back to Ireland for a more relaxed visit where work isn’t the priority.
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DonP
Guest
Northern Ireland really is great - or it has been. Depending on the way the border is handled during brexit, we may find ourselves in the grip of terrorism again. But I have hopes. I worked in Belfast for three years total, designing and installing a wireless data network for the emergency services, and I made a bunch of friends there who are still friends today. And the pub music scene there is as lively as in London.
Just remembered something. When I negotiated the license for that network I made it a condition that it had to be a joint license north and south of the border. And that is the way it turned out. As far as I know it is still the only whole-island license that exists.
Just remembered something. When I negotiated the license for that network I made it a condition that it had to be a joint license north and south of the border. And that is the way it turned out. As far as I know it is still the only whole-island license that exists.
I hope it all works out well, too. It would be a shame to see travesty return.
I just remembered, I said my most enjoyable trip was Northern Ireland. That is true. However, one of my most memorable experiences was in Geneva, Switzerland. When we first got there, our group (both male and female) selected a local restaurant for dinner. Honestly, I think the waitress who waited on us just got stuck with the job because she may have spoken English the best. I don't know.
Well, being that tipping at around 20% in restaurants is normal for America, unlike much of Europe, we left a 20% - 25% tip. The next night we went to the same restaurant and the same waitress was there. NOW, she jumped at the opportunity to wait on us! As the week went on, we kept going back (and leaving big tips!), she kept waiting on us, and she started teaching us how to order in French. Toward the end of our visit, she would tease with us and refuse to take our order unless we did it in French! We'd try to order, but she'd smile and say, "No, no. In French!" If I remember correctly, I think she started giving us free refills on soft drinks, like we do in the US.
I don't remember anything else about that trip, but that made it worth it.
I don't remember my crash French lesson, either!
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DonP
Guest
I think you may be the first person in history who had that amount of fun n Geneva! Could you really afford a 25% tip on top of the Swiss prices?
I couldn’t make a regular practice of it, but for a few days it was fine. I only ate out one meal a day.
To be honest with you, Don, we are generally informed that tipping is not necessarily a requirement in Europe, but it seems so...well...wrong not to leave, at least, a 20% tip. It’s so ingrained in us in America. Our waiting personnel in the US don’t receive the full minimum wage, so they depend on gratuities to make up the difference. Not leaving a good tip would make me feel...well...dirty.
It, frankly, doesn’t bother me that we, perhaps, tipped more than was expected. Our waitress was a very friendly sort who tolerated our “Americanism” and made us feel welcome, and made us look forward to her little French lessons.
Money well-spent, I say.
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DonP
Guest
Common practice here in England is for restaurants to put a 12.5% service charge as a suggestion at the bottom of the bill. Service would have to be pretty bad for anyone to delete it.
Mr Grumpy
Ambassador of Comings and Goings
I've only ever done that once, because of terrible service in a pretty expensive restaurant, and they were not happy - tried to argue with me that I had to pay the service charge...
There is a feeling among many around the world, and I'm not offering a position on this, that US tourists that heavily tip in cultures where there is no tipping (because it's built into the salary in a different way, for example) is a real problem and it'd be better if it wasn't done. Cultures are different and the local culture should be respected. I've heard this point of view very often, though I am not offering a point of view myself.