I may be going to London- is it true that the British ?

Show all answers

Helmut D

Lol no that isn't true.

Red,Green and Blue

I'm sure you're not obnoxious which is great to know . Sounds like your Dad knows zilch about us Londoners, i've been to America 4 times each time to a different part and each time the ppl were great.
Just get a nicholsons a-z , do some research on where to go where it it, go to visitlondon.com for help and advice and don't worry about the underground its fast and safe, get a tune map possibly before you get here, buying a 1 day travelcard or longer might be an idea too, oh have a good time, if i see you around and you are lost i will help you .

BigSis

I don't think people in the UK are that bothered about where anyone's from at the moment, we're all too busy counting our pennies and seeing if we've lost all our shares from the banks going belly up!

Many people you meet in London are likely to also be from somewhere else not too long ago, so I doubt they'll even consider giving you grief about where you're from. I'm UK born and bred and take people on face value first. If you're a nice person then nobody's got any reason to give you a hard time.

Aprilaydee

We don't HATE Americans... we just think they're stupid :-D

Providing you're not completely ignorant about our culture and history etc then you should be fine. Every country has a stereotype and unfortunately, America's is of a fat tourist who knows nothing about anywhere else in the world and that America is the be all and end all. The British stereotype is that we all walk around in bowler hats talking ever so posh.

Be prepared for everything to be outrageously expensive compared to what you're used to. Even though I live in the UK, I still think London is very expensive. Don't carry too much money on you though in case anything bad happens. I really hope it doesn't though.

Have a read of this site to brush up on our country so you don't make an idiot of yourself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom

It was also revealed in a recent survey that those in the south are less friendly than those in the north so why not make a trip up north to visit the friendlier end of the country? ;-) Plus it's cheaper up north...

Hope you have a great time visiting our country.

J-J Adams

No. London is one of the most international cities in the world. Make sure you listen to some British English maybe on the radio before you come so you can understand everyone though. I got annoyed once by an american lass who I studied with who kept on saying "I'm sorry but I can't understand your accent" to everyone all the time.

emmies.eyes

My experience in London was that I was quite welcomed and people were very helpful to me on the buses when I was trying to get around. When they hear the American accent, they usually ask a lot of questions about where you're from and want to tell you where they have visited in America.
As you do at home, use common sense when you go out. Keep your purse closed, don't carry too much extra cash or things you can't afford to lose. Don't be out late at night alone--all the same advice you follow anywhere, right?

Remind your dad that this is an experience of a lifetime and it's good to develop an adventerous spirit--to not allow fear of the unknown keep you from living life to the fullest. Once you have a family of your own, you may not be able to do these things for a long time. Pack up, go, do it!!

NOLA guy

You won't have any problems. The very fact you are asking this question means you will get along just fine.

As other answers point out, no one likes an oaf. The small percentage of American tourists who are loud, ill-mannered, dress inappropriately (ex. in a Hawaiian shirt & Bermuda shorts), and say things like "How much is that in real money?" give all the rest of us a bad name. However, they ARE very much the exception and I don't see them very often (anymore).

Hope you have a great trip!

drumss999

Cant think where he got that idea from, you will have a great time.

hilverchas

I find Americans nice folks, I have some wonderful american friends, from Arizona and New York, Miami....

The Brits. though I will admit do not like what I call the silver/blue rinse brigade, the golden oldies who think the USA rule the world, little old ladies who still like to think they are living in the world of Al Capone and Humphrey Bogart, you know what I mean, the older they are sometimes the louder they are!
The type who spend 1/2 the year cruising and the other 1/2 moaning about it!

Spiny Norman

Just don't be too LOUD and we will accept you as one of us.

babbalabbadingdong

London is possibly one of the most multi cultured cities in the world. It is hard to find a native in Central London. You'll be fine, tell your Dad to shut it!!!

Kaz

You'll be ok as long as you abide by british law (that goes for all nationalities tho) and don't boast about being better that UK. No probs.

Enjoy your stay and spend plenty of money.

Carrie S

No one in London is from London. It's the most ethnically diverse city you are every likely to go to. Londoners don't care where you're from as long as you are polite, don't stab anyone and pay for your drinks.

Most British (in and outside London) absolutely love the Americans. We love the accent and although we do like to tease them occasionally (why do you say "like" before every word...), it's in an affectionate way.

We do sort of roll our eyes when you say Edin borrow instead of Edinburgh (ed in burr uh) but it does amuse us..

sparky

where did that idea come from ? you will be made most welcome as i was in the states !

Pheasant Plucker

Yes you've got to sit at the back of buses and we don't serve you in shops.

I'm sorry but your dad needs to get a grip. Nobody cares where you're from in London. If I went to america would I be treated badly because I'm English? Read that to yourself and think how ridiculous it sounds. People are the same all over the world. If someone says something to you about being American, it's probably because you were making a big song and dance about it.

spikeyoz

not really they don't hate americans ,it is just accepted in this country that sometimes american people can be too loud in public situations (sporting occasions are acceptable obviously) and sometimes they have been known to say when observing things i this country that "we have things like that in the states only bigger and better"

we have an attitude in this country of if you don't like it here and its not as good as where you live then why don't you just go back to where you came from and stop picking fault with our country

it may not be perfect but we love it (sometimes)

guaranteed there are people here as there are everywhere who will not be nice and be offensive usually where alcohol is involved

if you follow these rules

be polite at all times

british people don't like loud arrogant visitors

if an offer seems too go to be true don't take it

always use official things

but most of all 95% of brits are great and will welcome you with open arms ,London is too busy and people dont have time for you ,try to get around the country and you will see a much calmer side to life ,

it can be a fun place join in and have fun

luddite

London is the most multi-cultural city in the world. It sounds like your Dad is the one with issues.

May I suggest to ALL visitors to London that:
You don't talk in a loud voice in public places, especially pubs, tubes, buses etc. It's really annoying.
When using the tube, don't stand on the left

monica

You really don't have a problem as London has so many people from all different countries and they are well excepted!

Gromit

Don't do silly tourist things like staring at people on the London Underground!
Now that you've been fairly warned you should have a great time :)

Politically Correct

There is a fair amount of anti American feeling in UK at the moment.

But no, you won't be treated badly and if you behave yourself (no popping gum or talking loudly), you may even make some friends. :-)

Dfg S

imasuperstar_x

london is such a multicultural place! there are people of all different cultures and nationalities and races and religions there, but everyone lives in harmony and it's great.

SweetPea

i think it's more anti american in regards to politics, not individual people.....

i think you'll be fine as long as you remember you are a guest here and act accordingly....nothing worse than seeing a visitor dump on britain because it's not like home....

sxcbabexx

we dont care about what nationality ur from but dont be loud like those other loud americans

King Dedede

You'll be ok in London. It's an absolutely huge multicultural city full of tourists and foreigners and it's so busy people are pretty ignorant and don't have time for you so you'll be ok.

The further you go north though you might possibly start to feel some people are pretty anti-American and possibly a bit racist. Up north they really don't like foreigners.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: