would i be welcome in london, england? im american.?

Question

i would just like to know if i would be welcomed by the general people because im kind of nervous. Ive heard alot of british people dont like americans and i was wondering if any of that is true before i plan my trip there. any information would help really. thank you.

Answer 1

Of course you would, it is a very cosmopolitan city....

Answer 2

Of course you'll be made welcome. Just don't do what so many of your countrymen do and get all arrogant and assume that the world is like the USA. It isn't.
There are a few things that all visitors to a foreign country should do which will help to endear them to the natives. Please take the following in the spirit of helpfullness:

Most Americans assume that we speak the same language. We don't. English is different from American and "the natives" will understand from context what you're saying but will appreciate it if you make an effort (just as you would if you were visiting France, Germany, Spain etc.).
For example:-
call a Lift a lift, not an elevator;
the underground railway is always the Underground (or Tube unless you're referring to the District, Circle or Metroplolitan lines), never the "subway" (that refers to a way of crossing the road);
we don't eat tomAYtoes;
chips are eaten with fish, "french fries" are ghastly thin things served at MacDonald's and Crisps come in small bags - don't get these terms mixed up;
there is no such a thing as an "English Muffin" ouside of poncy hotels;
beer is never "warm" it's at room temperature unless it's been chilled (warm beer is horrible);
American beer is classed as a lager in England, Real Ale is a heavier, non-fizzy, darker drink that is always served at room temperature. You probably won't get a decent pint of that in London unless you go into a Fuller's pub and buy some "Pedigree" bitter.

Most English people do not live in, or anywhere near, London. It's population is the most cosmopolitan in the country. Therefore it must not be taken as typical of anywhere English.

Most English busses are NOT red, nor are all taxis black.
Most policemen do not carry guns, but they do carry truncheons and will use them if they have to.

The fish in fish and chips must always be battered, never breadcrumbed. Never pay more than £4.50 (even in London) for a take-away portion of fish and chips, if you do then you've been robbed.

World War 2 started in 1939 not 1941;
George Bush is not popular except with certain posturing types and journalists.

Stratford On Avon is a long way from London (for God's sake don't call it London, England - that's an insult. It was the first London and so needs no other epithet).

It may seem trivial but you'd be amazed at how much easier you'll find things if you make the effort rather than assume that the other person will.

Remember the currency exchange rate at all times or you may get ripped-off by unscrupulous traders and hotel staff. They all seem to think "yanks" are always rich. On that note, don't flaunt your wealth (with jewelry etc).

When crossing the road remember that traffic drives on the Left.

Answer 3

Only if you say you're Canadian! Like in most countries, the general consensus is that the British hate the US and hate the Yanks for what they stand for. As a typical example, a Chinese American started talking to me, on a train, about 18 months ago. It got heated when he started boasting about all the good the US does in the world. He actually believed that the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan have been successful, even though 10s of thousands of innocent civilians have been killed. He could not grasp that the US economy is based on war, weapons, famine and death. The US receives $Billions every year from the UK and the EU, for food and development Aid. The US does not pay it's share. The US uses the Aid money to buy US rice, thus boosting the US economy and keeping US farmers happy through overpricing and profiteering. All development Aid is given to US contractors. As a typical (coincidence or not) example, How did the US manage to sign contracts to rebuild Kuwait, three weeks before Iraq invaded it? What if Iraq didn't go ahead with it's planned invasion? How were the US so sure that the invasion was definitely taking place? How did they know that the oil fields would be destroyed etc? Logically, any contracts would have been signed after the invasion and only after peace had been restored as only then could anybody evaluate the extent of the damage. Contractors from other nations would therefore have an opportunity to tender for any contracts. However, only US contractors got the work as they had signed the contracts three weeks before the invasion that nobody knew was going to happen. The US rice is taken to poor countries and sold, by UN workers, on the black market. In the meantime, the dying continue dying, from hunger. The Chinese American guy got quite angry and stated that he has had a terrible time in the UK and then claimed that I had got it all wrong. Then came the question! He then stated that I am possibly the 11th person that he has had this discussion with and only one person has so far agreed. I therefore asked him if the one person was an American? As I said, come to London but if you don't want a hostile welcome, never boast that you are a Yank, say you're a Canadian.

Answer 4

You're not a typical American huh? Yet you still think we all wander around old streets thinking about Jack the Ripper. hmmm. London is a modern vibrant city more like New York than some haunted ancient place. If you want scary stuff then do as the other American tourists do and go to the London Dungeons. If you want to experience real London then go for cocktails, see a show, take a jog through Hyde Park.

Answer 5

I'm English and I love Americans, actually most of my oldest friends are American and Canadian. What you'll find with London is that it welcomes with open arms people of all different races, religions, sexual orientations etc. It's the place to be when in England; Another place to be is Manchester - that place is like a mini London! Hope you have fun on our little island!

Answer 6

i'm american too, and i just spent 5 weeks in london for a school thing. i absoloutley loved it and i never felt like people didn't like me. just make sure you don't fall into the "well in america we do xyz..." habit. some of my friends would have those conversations without even realising it, and talk about it at full volume on the tube. NO! some other advice: only pack polo shirts if you want to stand out (NOBODY wears them there), and NEVER stand on the left (you'll know what i mean when you get there!). Good luck and have fun! i miss it so much! ;)
ps- don't listen to Ken D. don't say you're canadian. that is just stupid. you are who you are!

Answer 7

If it bothers you, then pretend to be a Canadian!

Seriously though, the UK is a very cosmopolitan country and although the population at large may not be fond of the man in charge at the White House or his policies in Iraq, that hositility does not extend to the American population at large. You'd be advised to avoid getting involved in discussions about politics at all, particularly defending a pro-war stance, but the dangers are non-existant. People of all nationalities are usually welcome here.

Answer 8

You would be made very welcome. Londoners generally have a reputation for being off-hand, rude and abasive (even with the natives from other parts of the UK!) - but there is no reason why anyone would be rude to you, just for being an American.

As long as you don't speak with an Arab accent!!

Enjoy your trip to London and, I hope you will find the time to take a trip outside our Capital City and take in the wonders of the UK. There are many.

I hope you're not hiring a car over here. You might well be shocked at the price of our petrol!! Don't mention how cheap petrol (sorry, gas!) is over in America!! Bit of a sore point!

Answer 9

Santana your more than welcome we are all the same people and also I'm in your country east to west mainly Vegas and Ive always been made welcome and don't believe all this nonsense we all love you only pres Bush they get at So come on over and if i knew you personally i would be there to welcome you ! Enjoy yourself and just a tip London is very expensive so bring plenty dollars

Answer 10

yes its true that americans arent the most popular of people but its not like we will spit at you in the street or linch you or anything. as long as you arent too outspoken and rub people the wrong way you will be fine we are all very friendly. besides their arent any londoners in london anymore so everyones in the same boat. good luck hope it works out for you and if you really get stuck email me.

Answer 11

Yeah come and stay. As long as you're polite you will be fine. The reason you may have heard that we don't like americans is possibly because us brits are mainly very polite, quiet and reserved. Most americans can be very loud and brash, this can be mistaken as bad mannered arrogance. As long as you respect our ways (as you would anywhere) you'll be most welcome.

Savannah aged 11