Travelling to England- tips for an American what to do and what not to do?

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Katey

As an English girl, having stayed in America for 6months I can tell you this:

1. Don't tip like there's no tomorrow. You tip in good restaurants (not MaccyD's) and your taxi (cab) driver. In cafes you can, but only if you think the service is TRUELY outstanding.
2. The English are sarcastic; if a Brit says something absurd to you, which can't seem to be true laugh it off - nothing gives us a better kick than using sarcasm against Americans.
3. Bumbags and baggy tees are never a good look.
4. Don't act like you own the place.
5. Don't fall for the sucker tourist traps and buy a 'London Tower' tee in the gift shop you could get for Â£5 down the road at a market stall.
6. If you're going to London, go to Camden Market. It's worth it.
7. Be polite, please and thank you always go down well.
8. We hate George Bush. We like Obama (I speak for most Brits).
9. No basketball, no football, no baseball. SOCCER. (but please call it football). Research your Rugby if you're going to a pub.
10. We get lots of TV shows later than you, please don't divulge the secrets of Lost, Heroes, Beauty and the Geek or any other American show you may have watched in the past year.

I hope you enjoy England, it has truely beautiful countryside; a rich, diverse history and many charming people who should help you find your way if you get lost.

taximomuv3

Save LOTS AND LOTS of money beforehand, as our dollar is so stinkin' low that everything will cost you DOUBLE over there. Of course this is assuming there'll be any airlines left in business by then to take you there.

Daniel B

I've traveled to London about five times, and I'm an American. My best advice is to wear dark clothes, try not to stand out, the brits don't wear hats, but tight dark clothing. However, if you travel to the main sites, chances are most people will be tourists, and the only brits you encounter will be working at the sites. There won't be any animosity as long as you don't preach about how great George Bush is (They hate him), and you'll be fine. Have fun!!

peter b

If you want to see the real England then avoid London and all the major cities. Visit the small market towns. You'll find the people in the north of England are much friendlier then the southerners and generally speaking country folk are much nicer than the ones in the cities. York,Lincoln, Chester allong with some others are well worth a visit. Don't brag about how great the U.S is. England is much smaller than U.S and it may pay you to hire a car and you can get anywhere in a day. I live here so I know. Have a good time

Pedestal42

Shouldn't be a problem: welcome to England!
How are you travelling around once you get here?
What do you hope to see?
(e-mail me if you wish)

Basic suggestions: talk no politics, no religion.
(not unless you really want to go there).
Our weather is *everything except snow* in an English summer, and often all in one day. Pack a good range of clothing.
Nothing much shouts "American " these days in clothing: we're much less stuffy and reserved in that area than we used to be.
(And "chavs" have taken clothing downmarket, undercutting gangsta chic by some way... Fortunately it's not yet compulsory to imitate them.)

This is a much smaller and much older country than the USA, and it may take some adjusting to, but nothing drastic. And that's part if its charm.
My tiny cottage is 325 years old, but I don't have to show people round it. Some not dissimilar but much younger ones I saw in Wisconsin were historic sites!

The language is manageable for US visitors in most parts of the UK, as I find it manageable in most parts of the US.
(the occasional Deep South accent, however...)

To borrow two Australianisms:
"No worries."
"She'll be right."

ukm42

Get out of London after a couple of days or else you be flat broke

Talk quietly,much of the anti American animosity is because a small percentage of Americans(often New Yorkers) talk very loudly over everyone.this is especially important while viewing touristy attractions.

Visit the lovely countryside and seaside.

Never ever praise George Bush,hes thoroughly hated here.

above all enjoy yourselves

Why When How

1) avoid London - there is far more to England than London.

2) Get yourself a map. Look for the rivers TEES and EXE and draw a line between the two where each meets the sea. England north of that line is hilly and south of that line is generally flat. So if countryside is your thing you many want to go to a particuar area.

3) Don't try to "do England" is a week, you will miss too much. Choose an area as a base and explore from there.

4) try to take in an English game - rugby, football (don't call it soccer), cricket, try English beer, English food.

5) English pubs - the world's finest. Look for a "FREE HOUSE" they are the best ones as independant.

6) Have fun !!!

HelenvM

Don't be really loud, in fact be really quiet! Even when you're just talking normally. I work in a university library and the american students can always be heard above everyone else, even when they whisper!
Don't follow the american holiday stereoytype by wearing beige shorts with a polo shirt tucked in, a baseball cap, tall socks and white trainers. Well it's usually the older folks you see doing that, but nevermind.
Hope you like it here! I'll re-emphasise what others said about the sarcasm, British will seem right bastards if you don't expect sarcasm all of the time!

Oh! Also, don't just visit the south of england. head north east to newcastle or west towards wales. london isn't a fair representation of england.

Jihadaddy

take what everyone says with a pinch of salt, and don't talk about US politics unless you feel like you really need to. we're fairly chilled out though unlike how the world pictures us but see the funny side in it and generally we are prepared to laugh at ourselves, there's a strangely fine line though when it becomes offensive which even we find tough to see..

save up before you come, its pricey even for people who live here! lol and as with everywhere in the world, if you go to a city at night be smart as to where you are going and who you are with.

just buy a rough guide from any bookshop, i've got one too and its full of cool places i wouldnt normally come across without it.
its a great little island though, so i hope you have a great time! dont forget an umberella just incase

if you want like old england go towards gloustershire, nearish to oxford about 50 miles from london. . or come to the coast in Brighton =]
lol, if you want anything else just email me =]

xx

thexfilez

If you have never driven before in England then of course you will have to get used to sitting in the right side of the car and driving on the left side of the road. It's not as easy as it seems. Also i would advise when you rent a car get one with a GPS navigation system, this will save you a lot of time with maps and stuff.

As for the person that said northerners are more friendly, i disagree.
Also i would not avoid London. No one goes to England and does not visit London. There is some great history in London which you really do not want to miss. Just jump on one of the open top tour buses, you can get off at different stops, check the site out, then jump back on the bus to the next stop.

Just do plenty of research on places you want to visit before hand.

Also if you bring your own electrical goods, like a laptop, remember the voltage for the UK is 240 volts, not 110volts, so you will have to buy a converter.

You will find things expensive compared to the US, especially if you buy clothing in department stores. Just stick to small cheap gift shops.

Oh and take an umbrella...lol Even in the summer, they get rain.

Jess

people like americans so just be yourself

save a lot of money and get it changed at somewhere with a free exchange rate so your not charged for changing from dollars to pounds

portion sizes are much smaller here so if your hungry dont order a small

thats all i can think of lol

tophy85

dont say u r american.
learn from the brithish

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