I am taking a trip to Edinburgh and London in March. I am a pretty easy going person, and I'd like to remain under the radar. Meaning, I don't want y'all looking at me as another stupid American tourist. So tell me this, what gets on your nerves? What should I avoid doing? There's obvious stuff (don't insult the culture/people etc.) but there may be some other things that I'm not aware of.
I'm not loud, obnoxious, fat, sloppy, uneducated etc. so I have those bases covered. :o) Thanks in advance for any advice!
2006-12-19 03:25:14 · 11 answers · asked by Stacey K 2 in Travel ➔ United Kingdom ➔ Other - United Kingdom
To respond to Yorkie, I'd love to say I'm Canadian but my Texas accent is going to prevent that. I'll try to watch my "y'alls" but that's going to be difficult!
2006-12-19 03:48:05 · update #1
Here are a few things I've heard from Americans...try not to repeat them and you should be ok:
"Do you have cheddar cheese over here?"
"My grandaddy was here in '44!"
"You Brits are so stiff!" (it's not the 'stiff' part, it's the fact that we all like our individual nationalities and "Brit" is offensive to a lot of people...you wouldn't like to be called a yankee now, would you?)
Also, avoid putting the name of a country after the name of a city (eg: Paris, France; London, England). It's so patronising. We have all the originals over here and don't really care about the US copies (Paris, TX and Berlin, MA spring to mind). For us London is London and Paris is Paris. Take the perspective that the US is a very young country that didn't invent very much until 75 years ago and you won't insult people by saying things like the cheddar cheese comment above.
2006-12-19 10:47:05 · answer #1 · answered by rosbif 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stay away from tourist areas, as a Scot that grew up in central London I'm used to spotting the obvious cliches an they are funny. If you must be a tourist avoid meeting dodgy locals, they will take the piss if not worse no matter what you say. Don't ask silly questions(hard to explain or define, all about the situation). Seeing as your not loud, obnoxious,fat or stupid try saying your Canadian
2006-12-19 03:38:45 · answer #2 · answered by yorkie71 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Don't tip barmen in pubs unless they serve your drink to a side table. Don't tip waiters if there is a cover charge. Don't wear obvious jewellery in public, especially in the evenings. Don't carry personal protection - knife, mace etc., (personal alarm is a good and legal idea). Find out about places where you should NOT go from your hotel or a friendly policeman. Otherwise have a wonderful time. If you are here for the 17 March, St. Patricks Day, why not have a night or two in Dublin - cheap flights.......
2006-12-19 03:32:43 · answer #3 · answered by thomasrobinsonantonio 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Be yourself. Don't pretend to be something you're not. Don't compare everything unfavorably to the USA.
Smile, and take a genuine interest in the people you meet. They may (or may not) be interested to hear about USA.
Just imagine that the English/Scottish person were visiting you, in your home town. How would you want them to behave?
Hope you have a great trip.
PS Watch out when crossing streets/parking lots. Pedestrians don't enjoy the same right of way that they do here.
2006-12-19 08:32:51 · answer #4 · answered by Silver Penguin 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm an American and I've been on vacation to England and to Ireland (different years)...the people treated us wonderfully and we had a fabulous time both visits.
I don't think you have anything to worry about...I didn't get the impression the people we crossed paths with were anti-american at all or had a negative view of American tourists...all were friendly, asked questions about what part of the US we were from, etc.
Don't let yourself get sucked into believing the stereotype too.
2006-12-19 03:34:06 · answer #5 · answered by . 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
it relatively is HOW the right comedian tale is going, people... An englishman, a scotsman and an irishman, have been all in a plane. all of them questioned what might take place in the event that they dropped one element each and each out of the plane. So, the englishman dropped an apple, the scotsman dropped his bag-pipes and the irishman dropped a bomb. whilst they got here back to land, they have been walking and located a splash woman crying. "Why are you crying, little woman?" they asked. "I instructed my mum to pass away and an apple fell on her head and now shes ineffective!" After the little woman, they got here upon an previous guy, crying. "Why are you crying, sir?" they asked. "nicely, I instructed my spouse I enjoyed her...and a few bagpipes fell from the sky and took her soul!" They carried on walking in the process the village and located a splash boy guffawing his head off. "what's so humorous?" the adult adult males asked. "AHAHAHA! i needed for superpowers, farted and my residing house blew up!!!" it quite is style of humorous, lol. yet, yeh, it relatively is the right comedian tale WITH a punchline!
2016-10-15 05:58:05 · answer #6 · answered by corbo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's funny. There's lots of things I dislike about America but American tourism isn't one of those things. Frankly, the English don't make brilliantly considerate tourists, so we can't really moan about you.
2006-12-19 03:37:52 · answer #7 · answered by Katya-Zelen 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just don't be afraid to try new things like different foods, drinks etc.
Don't complain about the weather, food or people.
Don't get uppity or self righteous and you'll be fine.
2006-12-19 03:34:33 · answer #8 · answered by dopeadevil23 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't say "y'all" because that definitely marks you as American, a southern American!
2006-12-19 03:32:47 · answer #9 · answered by Christabelle 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
be yourself. but its not usa or canada or wherever its england/scotland don't compare with other places. what makes a place unique is its people. you will encounter friendly, obnoxious, gruff, polite, but no different than anywhere else.
2006-12-19 19:36:10 · answer #10 · answered by jan b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋