American Living in London for 12 Years: AMA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do Brits think Americans are all meth heads and redneck Trumpers?

I am not the OP but I have a DC at university in the UK. No, there are so many Americans in the US that they're not deemed terribly exotic and a ton of Brits have traveled to the US so they've seen it for themselves. I've traveled widely across the country and most Brits don't even bat an eye when they hear an American accent. The are, however, frequently interested in engaging in political discussions. While they know Americans aren't all Trumpers and rednecks (their own Brexit issues have helped them understand how a country can be deeply divided), they are often quite judgmental about the gun violence and lack of universal healthcare. They are also absolutely gobsmacked when you tell them how much a private college education costs. When I explained to one very nice British girl that my DC's international expenses weren't even close to what I'd have to pay in the US, her jaw actually dropped.

This is just not true. In bigger cities, sure, but most villages are still surprised to hear an American accent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do Brits think Americans are all meth heads and redneck Trumpers?

I am not the OP but I have a DC at university in the UK. No, there are so many Americans in the US that they're not deemed terribly exotic and a ton of Brits have traveled to the US so they've seen it for themselves. I've traveled widely across the country and most Brits don't even bat an eye when they hear an American accent. The are, however, frequently interested in engaging in political discussions. While they know Americans aren't all Trumpers and rednecks (their own Brexit issues have helped them understand how a country can be deeply divided), they are often quite judgmental about the gun violence and lack of universal healthcare. They are also absolutely gobsmacked when you tell them how much a private college education costs. When I explained to one very nice British girl that my DC's international expenses weren't even close to what I'd have to pay in the US, her jaw actually dropped.

This is just not true. In bigger cities, sure, but most villages are still surprised to hear an American accent.

Uh, OK. I am the PP and have been to tons of cities and towns literally from Cornwall to Kent and all the way north to Newcastle. The ONLY place where people were curious about us was on the island of Portland, near Weymouth; and that wasn't even any real kid of curiosity about Americans, it was more like "Why are you here?" Clearly, your experiences have varied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who cares?

Then why are you on this thread?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do Brits think Americans are all meth heads and redneck Trumpers?

I am not the OP but I have a DC at university in the UK. No, there are so many Americans in the US that they're not deemed terribly exotic and a ton of Brits have traveled to the US so they've seen it for themselves. I've traveled widely across the country and most Brits don't even bat an eye when they hear an American accent. The are, however, frequently interested in engaging in political discussions. While they know Americans aren't all Trumpers and rednecks (their own Brexit issues have helped them understand how a country can be deeply divided), they are often quite judgmental about the gun violence and lack of universal healthcare. They are also absolutely gobsmacked when you tell them how much a private college education costs. When I explained to one very nice British girl that my DC's international expenses weren't even close to what I'd have to pay in the US, her jaw actually dropped.

This is just not true. In bigger cities, sure, but most villages are still surprised to hear an American accent.

Uh, OK. I am the PP and have been to tons of cities and towns literally from Cornwall to Kent and all the way north to Newcastle. The ONLY place where people were curious about us was on the island of Portland, near Weymouth; and that wasn't even any real kid of curiosity about Americans, it was more like "Why are you here?" Clearly, your experiences have varied.

Yeah, it’s the UK, not Mars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do people in the UK think of the American experience with Covid? I've read that they feel sorry for us and are embarrassed for us that we stumbled so badly on this.

Well, we are dealing with our own mess here what with our character of a PM and a bit of a "scandal" involving a top advisor traveling to see family even with the travel restrictions. But yes, Trump and his entire party and handling of COVID is generally looked down upon heavily here.

You refer to “our character of a PM.” Does the “our” mean that you are now a British citizen? If you aren’t a citizen, why not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do Brits think Americans are all meth heads and redneck Trumpers?

I am not the OP but I have a DC at university in the UK. No, there are so many Americans in the US that they're not deemed terribly exotic and a ton of Brits have traveled to the US so they've seen it for themselves. I've traveled widely across the country and most Brits don't even bat an eye when they hear an American accent. The are, however, frequently interested in engaging in political discussions. While they know Americans aren't all Trumpers and rednecks (their own Brexit issues have helped them understand how a country can be deeply divided), they are often quite judgmental about the gun violence and lack of universal healthcare. They are also absolutely gobsmacked when you tell them how much a private college education costs. When I explained to one very nice British girl that my DC's international expenses weren't even close to what I'd have to pay in the US, her jaw actually dropped.

This is just not true. In bigger cities, sure, but most villages are still surprised to hear an American accent.

Uh, OK. I am the PP and have been to tons of cities and towns literally from Cornwall to Kent and all the way north to Newcastle. The ONLY place where people were curious about us was on the island of Portland, near Weymouth; and that wasn't even any real kid of curiosity about Americans, it was more like "Why are you here?" Clearly, your experiences have varied.

Clearly. When my English DH comes to my hometown US, his accent is met with surprise. Likewise, when I visit his family in the UK, people there are surprised to hear mine. Not why it doesn’t make sense to you that people would be surprised to hear something they don’t typically get in their area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Today is a slow day and I also realised it's my 12 year anniversary of living in London! I moved here as a newlywed and we are now raising 4 children. Thought it might be fun to do an AMA if you are interested.

(I found DCUM while researching lunch boxes one day and you ladies dragged me in )

We're asking, where are the answers

[Anonymous]

Do you trust the healthcare you get with the NHS? I lived in the London area back in the 90s and was so surprised that a GP was “assigned” meaning I couldn’t even choose my own doctor. Is this still the case?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do Brits think Americans are all meth heads and redneck Trumpers?

I am not the OP but I have a DC at university in the UK. No, there are so many Americans in the US that they're not deemed terribly exotic and a ton of Brits have traveled to the US so they've seen it for themselves. I've traveled widely across the country and most Brits don't even bat an eye when they hear an American accent. The are, however, frequently interested in engaging in political discussions. While they know Americans aren't all Trumpers and rednecks (their own Brexit issues have helped them understand how a country can be deeply divided), they are often quite judgmental about the gun violence and lack of universal healthcare. They are also absolutely gobsmacked when you tell them how much a private college education costs. When I explained to one very nice British girl that my DC's international expenses weren't even close to what I'd have to pay in the US, her jaw actually dropped.

This is just not true. In bigger cities, sure, but most villages are still surprised to hear an American accent.

Uh, OK. I am the PP and have been to tons of cities and towns literally from Cornwall to Kent and all the way north to Newcastle. The ONLY place where people were curious about us was on the island of Portland, near Weymouth; and that wasn't even any real kid of curiosity about Americans, it was more like "Why are you here?" Clearly, your experiences have varied.

Yeah, it’s the UK, not Mars.

true, UK is Cadbury and York- McLean is Mars.

[Anonymous]

I lived in London from 2008-14. Loved it but moved to Asia for work in summer 2014.

Would have moved back there a few years ago (work transfer) but Brexit soured the mood for us. (My DH is from an EU country and we weren’t convinced we’d be able to stay there longer term due to immigration laws etc chsnging).

does Brexit give you any pause? We felt it was a decisive indication that London and indeed the UK’s best years were behind it. (That said we’re back in the USA now which doesn’t inspire confidence either😓)

[Anonymous]

Well, where can you run to now? Have you tried your husband's home country? Lots more people work from home now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, where can you run to now? Have you tried your husband's home country? Lots more people work from home now.

Bad internet connectivity in Greece

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, where can you run to now? Have you tried your husband's home country? Lots more people work from home now.

My husband’s job is the mobile one which can be done from anywhere. I have the “traditional” corporate job which for the moment can only be done from the USA.

Anyway, would be interested in OP’s take on Brexit.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a fun experience, OP. But admit it -- you do miss us Yanks a little bit. I mean, you're on this site.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who cares?

Everyone who has asked questions cares.