How do the Engish feel about an American..........?

Question

.........person living in England.
(From most if not all the questions posed on "answers" I've seen, I can tell what is thought about America, sadly it's not all true. As we all have stereotypical ideas of one another.) But how does an English person feel about one American girl living in England and possibly having a job too? Would you be resentful? rude? friendly?

Really curious

I am an American living in England now. I have been working and am making some friends.....But every answer I see on this about America or Americans is hateful. So it does make me curious.

"star"...I get that alot...."Why do you want live here?" In a nice way. Everyone wants to come home to the US with me.....and it would be so cool to have them come with me.

Answer 1

I think everyone should be treated as an individual. It does not matter where you come from as everyone gets on.

Answer 2

I worked for a company that has an American 'parent' for a long time, so consequently, I worked (and partied) with a few Americans who were sent over here for a couple of years at a time.

I have to say I had no problem with them, and enjoyed the small cultural differences, and enjoyed hearing stories about their home. I found them very different to my English colleagues - but that wasn't a bad thing! They were always polite, very generous and very caring.

The only thing that was slightly grating was the constant disbelief at how 'backward' they found England, compared to America, and the fact that no matter how much they had to drink they still insisted on driving home - very drunk!

But I guess if I went to live in America, or any country, then I would have things that I preferred about my home country.

In terms of guys, you would probably be fighting them off with a very large stick - what could be more attractive than a foreign accent - for guys in this country - very little!!

The pros that I gathered from the Americans that spent time over here was that - their children went back home very much better educated than they came over - but our school system is structed very differently to yours. They also enjoyed the way you are never more than 3 hours from the sea. They also enjoyed seeing their first snow!!

The cons that I picked up from them is that they could not believe how expensive it is to live in England (and having been to the states it really is, compared to you guys!) Some didn't like the weather, and the quiet!

Why not come for a holiday and see for yourself! I love my country - most days - but then it is 25 degrees at the moment!

Answer 3

We're resentful of America in general as an abstract concept, that's why there's all the negativity. At the same time, we're more friendly to Americans in person. Just show a bit of intelligence, you should be okay- meaning, I suppose, be yourself.

One major difference seems to be in directness however. I could be wrong, but it seems that in the US people get to the point more immediately and speak their minds. For the British, this can seem obnoxious. It may be fair to say that we like to vague so that we don't, as you might say, cross any form of bridge too, ah, precisely. This may not apply to everyone, of course, it's just a, ah, an... observation. Probably you could find other cultural glitches of this kind too, at the moment none spring readily to my mind.

Of course, it does depend on where you are a bit as to how you'll be received, in that some places are more cosmopolitan than others. Generally however, people will judge you on your character first- your nationality is just of secondary consequence. You seem to know about the stereotypes we have of you already, so you should be able to avoid them or challenge them where necessary.

Answer 4

You will always get your idiots (anywhere you live) but for the most part English people are fine towards others... We have what you would call a mixed bag of different nationalities here anyway!!!

My husband came over from the States 11 years ago and having a mixed Canadian/American accent it was apparent where he was from!!! He never had any difficulties getting work and making friends, and as he is fiercely protective over the US he had many a discussion about recent events involving Britain and the US (no more explanation needed I am sure!!!), but mostly this is down to peoples misunderstanding of the fact that it is, in fact, the Government that people are unhappy with as opposed to the American people...

I personally think you are crazy to come to Britain.... (We are emigrating back to the States in a short time!!!) but hey.... Its not all bad!!!

Good luck hun, and don't be worried, the peeps are ok over here!!! You will be fine!!!

Answer 5

I am living in England, and have done all my life, but have visited America and have friends there.
I love my friends from America, as they would not be friends if i did not.
I do not think you can generalise as the "American girl" may be nice, horrible or rude, and in which case our reactions may be different. Say all that was different was that they were from America of course I would be lovely and would not resent them at all, as they are the same as me-human. I do not judge people on race or origin, but for who they are.
If I liked the person, cool. if not fair enough, nothing to do with origin for me though.
I'd personally love to live in America for a while, but I think I would miss England too much after a bit, be different if my family was there.
xxx

Answer 6

England country of many cultures you want to see the world come to England .... but remember England is only one part of UK most annoying thing about US citizens is think England is Britain but then again so do the English ... so just look on it as learning curve and hope you have nice memories as to going to US sorry homes best me friendly never rude and don't resent USA citizens no reason ...the Gov .. another story

Answer 7

Depends where you live. Indigenous English people are practically the exception in London, so you'd probably not even register as being any different to anyone else there amongst the Scots, Irish, Austalians, Spanish, West Indians, etc etc Britain is a small country with a diverse culture and generally any national stereotypes people have crumble if the individuals themselves do not live up to them ( or down to them ) and if they like you personally.

Britain has a prosperous econony, low unemployment, reasonable welfare system...they are more likely to be flattered that you chose to live there than be resentful.

Answer 8

Friendly unless you gave me reason not to be, where you come from to me is irrelevant.

The fact that you are working in another country pretty much pulls you out of the typical american stereotype anyway.

I think they would be friendly and even more interested because you come from another country.

Don't read to much into the american bashing you see on the web, in truth once you come here no-one really thinks like that. (and if they do, they aren't worth speaking to anyway)

Answer 9

I wouldn't be rude at all! i'm a very open and friendly person, so i'd approach you in that manner, what happens after that depends on your response. I dont like to generalise,but, most (i'd say 90%) of americans i've met, especially those living here, are very rude and arrogant. If thats how you'd respond to me then that's what you're gonna get back.
I give everyone a chance, but if you throw it in my face, you'd betta believe you gotta watch your back from here on in.

Us english are very welcoming and friendly people!!

Answer 10

As long as you don't worship George Bush (or Tony Blair for that matter) you shouldn't have too many problems! ;o)

Oh, and it would make sense to get clued up on a few rude words and slang before you come to avoid potential embarrassment - and also getting confused in conversation.

Just a couple of them here - fanny does not mean butt in Britain...(I'm not going into detail about what it means!) and a f** (rhymes with bag and starts with f) is just a slang word for a cigarette, nothing else!

Here's a link to a website which explains most British slang, some of it ruder than others!!

Answer 11

Well, depends how old you are, if I think of a forty year old American I think they'lll have a pretty big bottom and wear shorts and a t-shirt with a camera round their neck screaming "Oh my God, Harry, come look at this!" But if you're younger I think of someone who's really attactive and drawing all the men to you. I don't know, it's weird though huh?