gabe

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Bob Brown

To the "Groovies" who seek not to "embarrass" anyone. May I suggest that you start by acknowledging the fact that many people in Scotland and England speak English very well, with highly correct grammar and spelling. Moreover, they recognize instantly improper use of their native language. So if you seek not to embarrass anyone, including yourselves, proper use of English might be a start. It is somewhat degrading for one to have incomplete control of his or her native language, particularly when the lack of control focuses on such rote knowledge as correct spelling. Perhaps a small English to English dictionary is indicated.

Kimerley Brown

<BR>Dear Groovy americans, you will need to stop being Groovy whilst in the UK. <BR>One needs to be understated, salubrious and appear wealthy when one is not! <BR>Seriously though, leave the bermuda shorts, hawaiian shirts, thongs and funny hats behind in the USA. <BR>You will get away with looking OK in blue jeans, oxford style shirt, jumper casually thrown around one's shoulders and penny loafers or as us Aussies wear our RM Williams (riding boots). <BR>Have a good trip, don't be too loud and enjoy. <BR>Kim.

Paul J

Dear gabe: Are you aware of posting a message in all caps is the equivalent of shouting!! Perhaps that might be a clue.....Paul J <BR>

Larry Hartke

My suggestion is be yourselves and stop worrying about how to act different from what you are. That doesn't mean you can be mean, or rude, or impatient. It does mean you can be American, outgoing, joyful, friendly and honest. If you give everyone respect and recognition for what they are they will do the same for you. I have travelled and worked in nearly 30 countries without one "anit-American" incident yet using that principle. Dress how you like with the exception of where it offends religious beliefs. In other words, chill out. Would you really want someone from Britain, or any other culture or country , to try and "act American" if they visited you? As a traveller, you do represent your fellow Americans and you should keep that in mind, but trying to "blend in" is useless so why not just be yourselves and have a good time. Enjoy!

Larry Hartke

My suggestion is be yourselves and stop worrying about how to act different from what you are. That doesn't mean you can be mean, or rude, or impatient. It does mean you can be American, outgoing, joyful, friendly and honest. If you give everyone respect and recognition for what they are they will do the same for you. I have travelled and worked in nearly 30 countries without one "anti-American" incident yet using that principle. Dress how you like with the exception of where it offends religious beliefs. In other words, chill out. Would you really want someone from Britain, or any other culture or country , to try and "act American" if they visited you? As a traveller, you do represent your fellow Americans and you should keep that in mind, but trying to "blend in" is useless so why not just be yourselves and have a good time. Enjoy!

Bob Carstarphen

I have two items for you. First don't compare what you have to what they have unless asked, for example how large your apartment or house is compared to theirs. Second, Americans can be very loud, try to lower your voice in inclosed areas <BR>such as restaurants (pubs don't come under this) I have been in restaurants when a loud group would come in and you would hear people say "Americans" before you could really tell where they were from. <BR> <BR>

Boris

Hey groovie Americans. I have been to Scotland and England several times. The people there are friendly and helpful. Unlike some of the rude comments made by at least one response you recieved (Bob comes to mind), I appreciate the facetiousness of your "groovie" moniker. Some of the comments imply that the Brits are stuffy, snobby, etc. and some probably are, but then again so are SOME Yanks. We had alot of fun in the pubs with the Brits and they could not have been more cordial. In fact, there is a pub in Edinburgh (Cannon's Gate), where we were entertained by a band called the Felsons. If you are there, look it up. It was great. In fact, we stay in touch with the lead singer, Dean Owens. We sat with his parents, and until that night, had never met any of them before. The best advice (given to you by other responses), is to be as dignified and tasteful as you would back home, and treat the people the way you want to be treated, and disregard the BS spewed out by BOB. He was either trying to be funny or is trying to show his own arrogance. On one of those, he succeeded. Have a great time!

gabe

<BR>Thank you Boris and others with positive responses. I apologize, but in my excitement to get my message on the bulletin board, I did not proofread (and I'm a teacher!) my writing. So sorry Bob. I do like the advice about Americans and their loud voices. Why is that such a common occurrence with us? I will be aware of voice decibels and of those with whom I will be travelling. And yes, I was being facetious about being "Groovy". I am concerned about taking the right kind of clothes and shoes for weather in the UK, and again don't want to "fit in" so much as don't want to stand out. Thanks again , everyone for your helpful advice - especially you Bob.

pkl

I would agree with many of the others who recommended that you just be yourself and treat your hosts as you would want to be treated. They don't expect anyone to kiss their "bum", nor do they expect to be treated rudely by guests in their country (nor would we). You sound like you care enough to make a good impression, and I am sure you will get along just fine. It's people who are arrogant and rude that make a bad impression, and whether they are Americans, French, British, or anything else, we should not waste valuable time on them. <BR> I can also tell you (from experience) that clothing should be understated. My first time flying in to London, I wore a great looking salmon- colored outfit. I didn't realize it until I got off the plane (filled with novices like me, that I stood out like a sore thumb (only until I got to my hotel, though). I would have been a prime target for an American-hating, gun-toting terrorist (yikes)! Anyway, I wish I had thought to read up on attire before going, but I was naive enough to think that what is commonly worn here, would be the same there. That was about 10 years ago, and I knew better the next several times I've traveled to Europe. As it turns out, understated is "in" just about anywhere you go there. Stick to natural colors like Khaki, tan, browns, black,etc. You get the picture. I am like you, in that I don't try to "fit in", as much as not wanting to stick out like a sore thumb (or target)(hahaha). <BR>Oh, and by the way, I was born and raised an American, and I do believe that "English" is my "native language", unlike Bob, who apparently thinks the English (British) have copyright on it! The British are very friendly people, and it is one of my favorite places to go, but get a grip, Bob! They are just people, no better or worse than us "tacky" Americans.

Julie

Do be polite, don't engage in conversations about politics, birth control, religion, socialized medicine, race relations, or any touchy subject. Don't flash money, American express, remember to say "thanks" remember, left is wrong, stay on the right, Brits don't like rowdys, arrogant talk, obvious displays of sex. Remember what they said about us during WWII. That Americans were"over paid, over sexed and over here" Seriously, my observatiion about Americans everywhere is our tendency to think we are "right" about everything. Don't be overbearing. <BR>

Steve Miller

<BR>Wear your bra OVER your blouse and your jockey shorts around your ankles. Sniff a lot. Stand up on mail boxes so you can get a better look at crossroads. Scream "potato famine" loudly in the Tube. Tell them their country is cleaner than Germany, then start gagging. Blame the Irish for everything that has a funny odor.

evvie

The first time I went to the USA, there were some things about the behavior of ordinary people that I really noticed. People would start conversations with you much more readily. I thought it was friendly and ofen helpful, but I know that in Britain, talking to strangers is much less common, so don't overwhelm people. <BR> <BR>Another thing was taboo subjects of conversation. Two of these are how much you earn and how old you are - might be OK to ask this in the USA, but not in the UK. <BR> <BR>It's not just loud voices that are a problem - it's calling out across public spaces. Go over to your travelling companions and ask in a normal voice, don't yell. <BR> <BR>Don't tell people their accents are cute - it's patronising. If you are having trouble understanding particularly thick Scots accents, say so politely. Learn the local words, instead of insisting on using your American vocabulary. <BR> <BR>Don't compare things with what you have and how you act at home. It's easy to imply that what's at home is better, even if you never intended it. This is one of the cultural problems created because we speak the same language, so we can communicate well. <BR> I don't want to imply that you can never have a meaningful personal conversation, but let the locals make the running until you pick up some of the culture.

Beth

I found the British to be most friendly and helpful people. Most of the ones I had contact with thought the US was great, and some had been here as tourists. Sometimes you have to listen carefully to understand the accent, but not really a problem. I loved England, and thought it was beautiful - hope you do too! We saw all kinds of dress - from the conservative to outrageous!!!

Beth

Also, be sure you are careful crossing the streets, especially in London. It is difficult to remember that the traffic drives to the left, and at street corners I almost forgot - don't step off the curb until you're ready to cross!

Siobhan

Another note of caution to visiting American tourists... when asking for directions please, please, give the full name of the place you want to get to. I have been stopped by many american tourists over the years and asked for directions but I have found americans usually drop the second part of the place they want directions to e.g. "can you tell me how to get to Oxford" I gladly oblige and give directions of how to get there by rail, road or bus but then find out they want directions to Oxford Street. The same applies to places like Stratford. If you ask for directions to Stratford you will be directed to an area in East London. If you want directions to Stratford Upon Avon please do not abbreviate it to Stratford. in London, you need to be aware that a lot of places have similar names e.g. Tottenham, Tottenham Court Road, Stamford Hill, Stamford Brook (all of which are at completely opposite ends of the city). <BR> <BR>So the moral of the story is 'unless you want to end up in the wrong place, be precise about the location you want to get to'. <BR>

anna

No offense to the English, but I must say London is a very difficult city to find your way around in, even with help, and even if you give the full name of the place you want to go, and not just because the streets are laid out so goofy. The thing we had the most trouble with was the lack of street signs at corners (a hint for future travelers to London: Look on the sides of buildings at the corner for street names--if they are there, that's where you'll find them) Also, the London residents we asked for directions were clueless as to street names. (I asked one woman where Hampstead Road was and she didn't know. Turns out we were standiong on it and she had been working for the past ten years in an office building that overlooked it. Her response was "Well, fancy that." Good luck. We did find everything we needed to eventually.

Jen Z

I've seen Gabe's post-trip tips, so it's safe to assume he's home now, but this is an interesting topic so I have to add my thoughts. Someone mentioned how non-Americans can pick out Americans by how loudly they speak in restaurants and tourist attractions...I have to say, it is true! My friend and I spent a week travelling in Greece with two girls from England, and they pointed it out to us, and we made a pointed effort to keep our voices down. I know it's easy to generalize and say ALL Americans are loud, but they're not; it's just the few that ARE that give Americans such a bad rap. No one notices the QUIET ones. I remember when I was on the tour of Shonbrunn Palace in Vienna -- this woman...oh my God...she just wouldn't shut up during the whole tour, not listening at all to what the guide had to say, but then asking questions that she wouldn't have needed to ask if she had listened in the first place. And then there was this tour group on a train from Rome to Venice one time; they were all headed to Venice to leave on a cruise. "Are these seats reserved for us? Can I sit here? Are you sure these are our seats?" and so it went for about twenty minutes. Then we stopped at the Florence station and about three of the women had a panic when we pulled back out of it: "Aren't we going the wrong way?" "This is the way back to Rome, isn't it?" "Somebody find the conductor!" They didn't seem to understand the fact that most larger stations don't have tracks running through the station, and that, in such stations, one's train will have to go back to go out the way it came and turn in the right direction. Well, when people ask about American tourists in Europe, these are who I think of. But there was also the nice accountant from Seattle who treated my friend and I to beer in Fussen, and our friend from Texas that we still keep in touch with, and the three people from San Diego that I hung out with on "The Sound of Music Tour" in Salzburg, and.... Americans do have to try harder, I think, to get over that expectation that they will be loud and obnoxious, but it doesn't take much. Just a normal volume in voice, politeness, and an awareness like Dorothy's..."We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto."

Siobhan

Hey Anna, <BR> <BR>I take great exception to your comment that the streets in London are laid out in a 'goofy' manner. <BR> <BR>London is a city which has been growing for well over a 1,000 years. The position of many of the streets and roads have been there since Roman times and if they do not mirror the american 'grid' system of roads, well that's just too bad. <BR> <BR>If we had to re-design our road system so that american tourists would find it easier to navigate their journey it would mean demolishing many thousands of historical buildings and afterall, tourists primarily visit London for its' historical buildings. <BR> <BR>As for putting street names on plates on the side of buildings, this practice is not just confined London but to most other European cities. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

deb

Oh please, she wasn't suggesting that London re-design its road system for American tourists. Chill out.