ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomWhere are you from?
Bill also sounds different than people in his hometown.

He's an hour away from Boston so the infamous accent surrounds us all the time, though we have no idea why he has never picked it up! He sounds pretty "generic".

God, I love his voice...

Edited by Gemmie, 02 August 2008 - 05:28 AM.

GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-08-02 05:28:00
United KingdomWhere are you from?
Just to point out, this isn't a thread to slag off the Americans at all. no0pb.gif

Of course there are ignorant Brits as well! For example...

- the other day a woman at work (when finding out that I was getting married) asked if they had churches and chapels in America!

- Most people, including my friends, have only ever heard of a few states such as NY and FL... so whenever a place comes up that they've never heard of, the question is always "is it near New York?"

- The other day my friend told me that her family were currently visiting Boston in NEW HAMPSHIRE!

- Some people have even branded Americans as wealthy arrogant snobs right in front of me when they know the situation with Bill being American. I even had someone say that they didn't like Americans when I said how he's coming over in a few days so that he'll probably get to meet him.

- My grandfather always brings up how obesity is so high in America and procedes to ask me how overweight the local people are, and what they're eating.

I try to shrug comments off because it's become expected. Though I DO remember the ignorant comments from people and it really irks me.
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-08-01 04:35:00
United KingdomWhere are you from?
QUOTE (Jeraly @ Jul 31 2008, 10:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Jeremy sounds gay when he tries to do a British accent - but then he only does it to mess around... laughing.gif


Yeah, Bill is good at doing the "posh" English accents but not the "cockney" as he refers to it. I've never heard a convincing English accent that isn't posh from an American!

Sometimes when I'm in the kitchen making tea, he and his dad put on posh accents and talk to each other.

headbonk.gif
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-07-31 16:33:00
United KingdomWhere are you from?
True story.

I was in Subway in MA last year and ordered my sandwich.. the woman behind the counter then asked Bill (my fiancee) "is it from London?" He replied "excuse me?" and she repeated it and added "my friend is from London and speaks like that." I asked Bill under my breath if I looked like a potted plant and if she knew that I spoke English. She then asked if "it was staying or just visiting"!!

We just looked at each other and burst out laughing!!
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-07-31 14:55:00
United KingdomWhere are you from?
QUOTE (JandC @ Jul 30 2008, 07:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
No one i've met has ever heard of name before either.....most get it wrong...calling me Jenna.....how hard can Jemma be? lol


laughing.gif

Same problem!

"GEM-MA?"
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-07-30 18:32:00
United KingdomWhere are you from?
QUOTE (Nicoxcx @ Jul 29 2008, 11:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My lovely Fiances mother is always saying to everyone "she is from Scotland" before I even get a chance to speak! haha


That happens to me too. laughing.gif

"This is Gemma, she's from England."
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-07-30 05:35:00
United KingdomWhere are you from?
Just for fun. smile.gif

How do the residents of the US usually react when they hear your accent or hear you're from the UK?

Whenever I speak, the person nearby usually stops and looks at me for a moment, and then listens in. Occasionally I've had them ask where I'm from (or they assume I'm from London because everyone with a Southern English accent must be!)... the best is when they wait until I've stopped speaking and then comment on what a cool accent I have.

laughing.gif
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-07-29 06:00:00
United KingdomMedical next week......
Last time I was there, it was around £6 for a day card, unlimited smile.gif
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-08-18 07:33:00
United KingdomMoving back to UK!!!
I always wondered how we would move back to the UK if we wanted to after obtaining a green card... I have no idea how we would make sure a place and income were available from over there! But that's all for the future to decide.

Congrats on your move back to the UK! smile.gif
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-08-20 06:01:00
United KingdomFAO All Brits Flying Out
QUOTE (Damian P @ Aug 28 2008, 11:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (LauraUK @ Aug 28 2008, 04:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Damian P @ Aug 28 2008, 10:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Lansbury @ Aug 28 2008, 03:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Like I said if people have got some cheap deals good luck, but I fail to see why you seem to have a problem with people being advised to just be aware of possible pit falls before they made a decision.


I don't have any problem at all with you advising people of possible pitfalls, Lansbury. Where have I said that? I'm just a "glass half full" kinda guy, as opposed to your apparent "glass half empty" type.

QUOTE (Lansbury @ Aug 28 2008, 03:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
By the way you don't think just because a reservation shows confirmed that guarantees you get the seat do you? devil.gif


Actually, I rather thought it did, hence the term "confirmed" but then I'm not a ticketing expert. Not so then?


Well they always over book flights don't they? I suppose that doesn't guarantee you a seat. My flight to the States last month was over booked, they asked me if I wanted to go on the next flight. No thanks, I want to see my OH who I haven't seen in months today!


Sometimes you can get a right result with that overbooking lark. Once when I was at my departure gate in Newark, the Continental person dealing with the boarding asked for volunteers to give up their seats due to overbooking. If you volunteered, you got put on the later flight that night (only 3 hours later) and given a $500 voucher, redeemable against future tickets. Suffice to say I volunteered!


Ditto.

My flight was overbooked and as I volenteered to give up my seat, they put me and my fiancee in the Hilton hotel for the night (with free meals all day), put me on a flight the following night.. AND gave me FREE round-trip tickets for the future!

I'm using them to see Bill next week. smile.gif
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-08-29 06:06:00
United KingdomFAO All Brits Flying Out
QUOTE (ginger1981 @ Aug 27 2008, 04:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Gemmie @ Aug 27 2008, 10:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Boston doesn't seem to be one of the cheaper destinations. It's still at around £312-450 which is what I usually pay.

Thanks for this information though, I'll definitely keep checking it and comparing it. smile.gif


Have you tried Aer Lingus? Flying out of Dublin typically is cheaper than direct UK flights. Plus most US flights can go through US passport control in Dublin...so once you get off the plane in Boston you just get your luggage and you are out. To get to Dub just book a Ryan Air flight.


I would much prefer to go direct rather than stop off at Dublin... not only is it quicker but sometimes I've found really cheap flights from London. £270 last time, with Virgin Atlantic too! smile.gif

The flights don't seem so cheap through Aer Ligus either as it seems to be done as two expensive singles instead. Thanks though, it's something else to keep an eye on.
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-08-27 14:54:00
United KingdomFAO All Brits Flying Out
Boston doesn't seem to be one of the cheaper destinations. It's still at around £312-450 which is what I usually pay.

Thanks for this information though, I'll definitely keep checking it and comparing it. smile.gif
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-08-27 10:07:00
United KingdomFolder For Interview
QUOTE (NickyMcMillan @ Aug 30 2008, 08:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yeah do not take keys or a phone. They wont let you in, you will need to pay a tenner to have them left at a local chemist.

Goodluck!


How am I supposed to get back in when I go back? unsure.gif
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-08-31 04:49:00
United KingdomFirst anniversary :D
It's also our anniversary of being engaged coming up so I bought a little box and filled it with little things that we would laugh at together... and then 2 nights at a hotel near a nice beach. biggrin.gif

But I like the photo idea!
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-02 10:05:00
United KingdomPhew! Finally got here ....
QUOTE (stevi1123 @ Aug 15 2008, 08:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Welcome to VJ. As you can see, it is definitely an invaluable tool for educating yourself on this process. I honestly can't imagine how we would have navigated successfully (so far) through this "ordeal" without visa journey.


I agree... we were going to hire a lawyer before I stumbled across this website and confidently told my fiancee that we don't need one anymore... we can do it on our own through these detailed guides and with the help of these lovely people! biggrin.gif
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-08-15 05:25:00
United KingdomPhew! Finally got here ....
Hiya! biggrin.gif
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-08-14 16:35:00
United KingdomBritish Fish and Chips
My fiancee says there is no difference between English chips and American ones (not the ones you find at places like McDonalds etc). He's had them in England and says they're pretty much the same.

I saw this thread.

I'M SO GLAD SOMEONE UNDERSTANDS!

Edited by Gemmie, 18 July 2008 - 06:11 PM.

GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-07-18 18:10:00
United KingdomUS Entry on Saturday
Christmas in the UK would be easier to deal with, it's just that Bill's grandfather suffers with Alzheimer's and we don't know how long he has "left"... also, my family aren't really as close (all three members of them) so Christmas is pretty much like any other day here. With Bill's family, it's a big holiday where everyone likes to get together.

But I understand it's something we'll have to talk about as I don't think Boston is going to let me go next time... if they do, it will be a miracle.

smile.gif

Also have to consider the Ireland route.

Edited by Gemmie, 10 September 2008 - 08:29 AM.

GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-10 08:29:00
United KingdomUS Entry on Saturday
Thank you!

It was because of the amount of stamps in my passport that was the issue... I have around 6 stamps from the last year and a half entering me into Boston. One look at that and his eyes popped out of his head and he stopped what he was doing. laughing.gif
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-09 18:23:00
United KingdomUS Entry on Saturday
Aww thanks guys. smile.gif Yeah, the POE was so scary to me... I'm coming back at Christmas and then that will be it until the visa is in hand... so hopefully I can sneak through one more time. I still can't believe I'm here. I woke up during the night all confused about where I was. I just didn't think I would make it through.

My ears are still really really blocked and this is after using the "real" wax removal kit (hydrogen peroxide) several times a day. The most it's done is unblock them for a few hours and then it goes back to deafness. Bill is thinking of taking me to a doctor to get it professionally sorted.

The flight wasn't as painful as I expected though. They hurt on descent a little more than usual but I got through it in one piece.
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-09 08:46:00
United KingdomUS Entry on Saturday
Update from the US... obviously I made it through POE, but barely.

The officer asked me a LOT of questions when he saw how many stamps to Boston were in my passport. He even put down the stamper, sighed and began looking through the stamps... didnt even ask for my other hand for fingerprints! He asked me a lot more questions, such as when and where we're getting married, why I'm cutting a week of school to be here, how long I was here for in June, if I have the right to work here... he wanted to see my evidence of return ticket and student status. Then he drew a massive "A" on my waiver form and stamped me in... another officer questioned me on the way through baggage collection, maybe due to the "A", I'm not sure. Then a suitcase scan, though from what I understand that's random.

When I got through the exit, I fell into Bill's arms and cried. We never even spoke to each other for minutes!

Anyway just letting you know. smile.gif

Edited by Gemmie, 07 September 2008 - 01:49 PM.

GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-07 13:48:00
United KingdomUS Entry on Saturday
Thanks! I'll go through the pain if it means having my Billy afterwards. smile.gif

Figners crossed!!
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-06 00:33:00
United KingdomUS Entry on Saturday
It's too late as I leave at 8am, (it's 6:30pm now) I don't see how I can get anything now. Bill says there's a health centre at Heathrow but I don't see how they can flush my ears out there.

I got some decongestant for sinuses and some olive oil spray for my ears, though the oil will take several days to take effect. I'm going to fly, taking precautions (might buy some ear-plugs as well) and Bill has said there's a doctor he knows that will see me if there are any problems without worrying about health insurance.

Nerves are sky-high!
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-05 12:40:00
United KingdomUS Entry on Saturday
She just gave me oil and said to come back i na couple weeks if I still had problems. sad.gif

Now I'm debating whether or not to fly.
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-05 09:10:00
United KingdomUS Entry on Saturday
She said you need to apply the oil for a week or so before allowing them to be syringed. She knew about my flight tomorrow and when I asked if it will make it worse, she said perhaps and advised me to suck on boiled sweets. I just don't want to become deaf!! cray5ol.gif
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-05 08:41:00
United KingdomUS Entry on Saturday
Alright then, I'll say boyfriend and not give any other information unless asked.

On another sad note, I have literally lost 87% of my hearing in the past 24 hours. I went to the doctor's this morning and she said she can't even see my eardrum due to wax build-up and that the solution given to me would take 1-2 weeks to fix. sad.gif This has added to my POE stresses as I can barely hear a thing right now, let alone adding the air pressure on to it and facing something as intimidating as this straight after.

Thanks guys, I'll let you know how I got on.
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-05 07:15:00
United KingdomUS Entry on Saturday
So is claiming to visit a boyfriend not lying?

I've always said fiancee in the past and a few times I've been asked when we're getting married but I've just said "in 2 years, I have school."

Perhaps saying that I'm visiting my fiancee before school starts up again? I don't want to draw any attention but of course I don't want to say anything that can be taken as a lie.
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-04 10:04:00
United KingdomUS Entry on Saturday
I'm going to the US on Saturday after only 7 weeks. I'm worried that I'll be denied entry, even though I have a copy of registration from uni (until June 09), apartment contract (July 09)... emails with my professor talking about an upcoming project.

My question is, when the officer asks why I'm visiting, is it safer to say "visiting fiancee" or "visiting family"? Obviously I don't intend to stay... I don't want him to get suspicious if I say fiancee but I don't want him to think I'm lying if he asks more about the family members and *then* I say fiancee.

unsure.gif
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-04 09:23:00
United KingdomThe United States of America - my thoughts so far
No way! And I'm exchanging money this week too for my trip.
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-02 10:12:00
United KingdomThe United States of America - my thoughts so far
That was a nice post.

QUOTE
I have a hard time with driving on the wrong side of the road, steering wheel in the wrong place... having to park a car in a car park and walking to where ever you want to go or getting on a bus to get there. I am use to going to big stores like walmart and just parking my car in front of the store and going shopping lol. I do have a hard time with the little shops over here so you all got to admit that the stores are alot better in america...


Nah, I don't agree with that part, the shopping part I mean. I don't see what's wrong with having to walk from a car park to a store. wink.gif Many times over there, I would see people parking as close as they could to the door, even when the weather was gorgeous, as if that few extra feet of walking would kill them.

Me not being able to drive, I love being able to jump on a bus that takes me to wherever, or being able to walk there. The little shops are quite nice, I find. Of course we still have big supermarkets and warehouse kind of stores like Asda, Woolworths, Tesco... but going into town to look around the shops with a friend is something I really like to do, and can't do that in America, where I have to wait before I can go out (there are no sidewalks, just roads)... then drive to one place, park outside and get what's needed. Unless you go to a mall where it's pretty much the same, little stores.

Personal preference, of course. But my shopping experience over there (minus the prices) hasn't been that great.
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-02 10:03:00
United KingdomThe United States of America - my thoughts so far
You're right about the fare increase... I lost my passport the DAY before my flight (yes, I know... but I have reason to believe it was stolen now) and had to travel to London to replace it. It cost me £45/$90 from Bath (about 100 miles) and then a further £6-7 to use the tubes.

And that was over 2 years ago!

Edited by Gemmie, 01 September 2008 - 06:06 AM.

GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-01 06:05:00
United KingdomThe United States of America - my thoughts so far
QUOTE (rkl57 @ Aug 28 2008, 10:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (alienlovechild @ Aug 28 2008, 01:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I love posters who are so defensive they claimed all of my experiences must be lies or grossly inflated. Look it happened so get over it. I don't presume to say you've never had bad day in America. The nazi jokes not seems not offensive enough but I'll bet I'd get some stinging rebukes or fistfights if I made remarks like that about the UK in the UK as an American.

QUOTE
But far more than simply hearing the words, I observed the behaviour of the people in the small cafe's and diners all over the south and further (Louisana, Texas, Alabama, Wyoming, Montana, parts of Florida), when my OH and I (a mixed race African-American) would come in to their business. Let me tell you it was not friendly, and said a lot more than using any derogatory term towards us.


I never seen that type of behavior openly in the South so you're probably lying or exaggerating. See how dumb it sounds ME characterizing YOUR experience. Care to explain what made you feel uneasy? Somebody looked at you and your OH and it pissed you off? My fiancee isn't white and my kids will be mixed and I don't intend walk around with chip on my shoulder like you. Also, the number of mixed race couples in America has soared and we may have mixed race president soon so your experiences don't square with the majority of Americans.



The contradictions in bold here are rather interesting


In his/her defense, he/she did that to prove a point, not because it was meant.

"I never seen that type of behavior openly in the South so you're probably lying or exaggerating. See how dumb it sounds ME characterizing YOUR experience. Care to explain what made you feel uneasy?"
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-08-28 16:24:00
United KingdomThe United States of America - my thoughts so far
I think people might be being a bit too harsh on ALC, claiming that she must be exaggerating or lying. That's not very fair considering that we expect others to believe our points.

ALC, I've taken your points bit by bit and given you my take on it and haven't been overly defensive. If people are willing to dish out personal criticisms about the US, then they should be abel to take them about the UK. I'm just trying to give a more accurate view seeing as I've lived here forever in contrast to 10 days, as you said.

Your points appear to be based on negative incidents that rarely happen, for example, of all the time I've lived here, I've never had a bag stolen or heard the N word. (Yes, I have heard the P word quite a few times but definitely not openly) I have had friends that have had things stolen of course but most of the time, it was their own fault for leaving it and walking off at a busy club. Not to mention that the things you mentioned have been improved in the past 10 years, like camera installation and luggage compartments. Your experience of the police officer was acceptable being that there was nothing else that could be done about it.

I can't accept that British rail passengers are all painted with the same brush due to a handful of drinken idiots that you would find anywhere in the world, including China, and including the US. I take the train every month and have only experienced said idiots once or twice in the past few years. smile.gif

On a sidenote, I'm kinda shocked that it's 8% non-white in the UK, I really am. Everywhere I go, there are foreigners and it seemed to be increasing by the day. Who knew.
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-08-28 14:55:00
United KingdomThe United States of America - my thoughts so far
Hotels are also a lot cheaper.

I managed to grab 2 nights in MA or RI for just under £50. smile.gif

Edited by Gemmie, 28 August 2008 - 10:34 AM.

GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-08-28 10:33:00
United KingdomThe United States of America - my thoughts so far
Whoever compared America to Nazi Germany is being silly... I must have missed that post in this topic but I don't see why it was brought up or how they even compare.

I admit, I am guilty of gaining my perception of the Southern US through the media and people that are in the North. These are created through stereotypes and sole experiences that are generalised. However, by pointing out all of these individual experiences that you've gotten from the British in different places, you're also guilty of generalising. "One English guy" and "Some Brits" aren't representative of the population just as much as the people we might see in the media aren't. "British rail passengers" is not a drunk group of rude people. Hence why my opinion of Americans doesn't come from customers that might be rude to me at work, or ones that I hear talking in passing.

I do find it extremely odd that you've heard the N word used freely or easily and so would any of my family and friends. It's just not said that way, at least I've never heard of it. Just like I've never personally heard anyone making anti-Catholic remarks towards others. Of course that's wrong, but it isn't easily swallowed.

However, I have to point out that

QUOTE
The reason is simple. Only 5% of the UK is non-white so it's safe to slam minorities


That is not true at all. no0pb.gif

I'm not sure about the statistic, though I find it hard to believe. Where did you read that, if you remember?

What I do know is that it is certaintly not "safe" to slam minorities at all! It's exactly the opposite, in fact. Everyone nowadays seems to find themselves walking on eggshells trying not to offend other people. Those stories that you hear in the US about ethnic minorities being offended isn't exclusive over there; the use of the word "Christmas" has been attacked, as has the waving of the Union Jack during football season. We've had Islamic schools using a rule that says ALL children must wear the appropriate religious headwear or they will be suspended, regardless of belief, though causing an uproar about having to remove their headwear at airports for security. Groups of ethnic minorities often go around together and openly criticise the English culture and then claim racism when someone tries to defend it. That part is from personal experience and also others'. People at the schools and colleges that I attended often made comments about white people, before deeming it racist when anyone made any kind of acknowledgement of their own race.

Obviously these are just a few examples and no doubt you experience similar things over there... but saying that it's safe to clam minorities here simply is incorrect. The UK is a mixing pot of races and cultures. Just walking through my city ALONE, I find countless foreigners.

And as your bag being stolen, obviously you're not supposed to act overjoyed that it was stolen, no one expects you to. But your complaint was how it was handled by the police. What else did you want them to do, other than gain the information from you, especially (if) there wasn't an eyewitness or description of the person that stole it? The announcements at the station about unattended luggage is mostly for passenger safety. I'm pretty sure there are overhead compartments for luggage and also areas where you can stand next to it, this area is for larger pieces of luggage too. Most people I know just keep their bags on the seats with them.



It's funny you should mention about Massachusetts having an old-world look because I've been looking for a place to take my fiancee for his birthday. I found somewhere in MA that has world cuisine, so quite happy about that. They even have a British Beer place, even though I don't like beer. Looks like a nice area though. smile.gif

Edited by Gemmie, 28 August 2008 - 10:17 AM.

GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-08-28 10:15:00
United KingdomThe United States of America - my thoughts so far
Just dropping in to add my two pennies onto this. I'm not going to get into childish "ours is better" and my post isn't intended to be that way. I just wanted to address some things that you said, ALC.

QUOTE
Swinging London closes pubs at 11:00 pm, what?


Echoing what Damian said about that being a thing of the past (every place I know closes at 2-3am) and also, you'll find pubs and clubs pretty much everywhere that is either a city, a town, or a surrounding area. I've yet to see anything like this in Massachusetts alone where they claim to have taken British culture. They have a handful of Irish pubs in Boston, though when I asked about others in outside areas, I was told that there was a bar in places such as Applebee's or upstairs in a pizza restaurant, and that there wasn't any difference between that and a traditional pub.

QUOTE
Hearing the N-word to describe black people used freely


I have to say, I have NEVER heard the N word used freely, and I've lived in the UK for 21 years.

Granted, you said yourself that you're going from your 10 days stay over here so all I can think of is that you must have been in a very "rough" place and heard a rare occurence. Hell, a girl was thrown off Big Brother this year for using the word in jest. It just doesn't happen. I have however heard this word to describe black people many times in the states, admittedly not in person because Massachusetts is actually 96% caucasian; though the majority of the time it's heard in the media, it's from the states, usually in the south.

QUOTE
Trains
Crappy trains where you stand up half the time.
Drunks on the trains. Some beating drums and shouting anti-Irish and anti-Catholic slogans while the passengers stared blankly. The charming lads gave a Nazi salute to the conductor.


Our trains may not be the best, though I give you three points:

1) Trains and tubes in large cities such as London will always have limited space... it's London. I think you'll find New York shares many simularities there, for example, crowds and drunk people.
2) First Great Western have recently attempted to cut down on people having to stand up by adding extra carriages and reducing delays.
3) You'd have an extremely hard time trying to get anywhere over there (at least in MA, outside Boston) if you don't drive... public transport is just difficult to get, if not unavailable, apart from schoolbuses. Luckily, I can get around by foot, taxi, train, bus very very easily here.

QUOTE
Despite hearing how safe the UK was compared to the US, I had my bag stolen on another train and the English bobbies had me fill out a from and gave me a pamplet on crime- thanks.


That has actually been a complaint here in the UK, that the police aren't able to directly DO anything when a minor crime occurs. For example, if there's a party nearby and you call the police due to the disturbance, they will pretty much tell you that they're unable to do anything unless something "happens".

However, in this case, what do you expect them to do? All they can do is get a description of the person and it sounds like you didn't get a chance to get that. Another thing to add, I've heard many times not to leave your posessions while in big cities such as New York. There's nothing that can be done about that except to be extra cautious of theifs that exist everywhere.

QUOTE
Most of the country looked run down (hey it's older)


You're right, it's older, though I disagree about the country looking run down. There are areas that do look run down, for example parts of London or some council estates in large towns. And of course, you also get that in the US. There are also many parts that look amazing in both countries.

QUOTE
and millions of ugly look-a-like brick row houses.


Considering you can fit the UK inside the entirety of some states, I think this is to be expected. The population in the UK is high and we don't have the room to space our houses hundreds of feet apart with huge yards in between, especially when these kind of houses are owned by the council, hence why they all look alike. I've also heard some foreigners like this aspect though, due to the history of them. Some of them have been around for years and years, dating back to during the wars.

QUOTE
Hundreds of cameras watching the streets of London and they think Bush is Big Brother.


I think this is a positive thing and don't see how you can complain that the police didn't do anything about your bag being stolen, whilst complaining that they're attempting to tighten the security in the capital city where crime is higher. If we didn't have these, I dread to think of what would happen. Most of the scenes seen on the news come from cameras like this.

QUOTE
Vile food despite formerly having a worldwide empire and hundreds of years to work on the cuisine.


You can good food and bad food, this too isn't a British exception. There are some things that I simply cannot bring myself to eat in the US (squash, Hershey's, cheddar, etc) though I know that good food does exist there. You just have to find it through the differences. One thing I do like in comparison is how I can walk through the centre of my city and know that I have Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Turkish, French etc.. any type of cuisine to choose from. smile.gif I haven't seen that stateside, though this is probably because we're in a rural area.

QUOTE
Here's the kicker . . . all this stuff happened during my 10 days in the UK so first impressions are memorable


I'm sorry you recieved a horrible impression of the UK during your stay.

The first time my fiancee visited, he noticed a fight occuring as we were driving through a town, with police cars zooming in. He did make a comment about "what a great first impression" . There were many things he didn't like, for example, narrow roads, everything being so expensive, an "open" culture with a lot more swearing and honesty. On his first full day here, an old man pushed him aside and told him to get the #### out of his way... he went on to tell his family about the incident, again as a first impression... though I told him not to take that as a true impression of the country as I'd never seen that happen before and was just as shocked as he was!

After staying here for a while, he realised that the UK does have a lot to offer. He saw the positive sides such as attempting to maintain historical aspects like these narrow roads and cobbled grounds, and the knowledge that we simply don't have as much space as over there. He adored the countryside and even said that he never realised that all those pictures he saw of England when he was a child actually existed. smile.gif He relished in the fact that everything was in walking distance so he got to maintain a healthy weight and not depend on his car.
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-08-28 06:01:00
United KingdomThe United States of America - my thoughts so far
Damian, it's not that there's something wrong with being proud of your nationality. I just find it way over the top... I consider NINE flags outside a simple gas station to be unnecessary if nothing else, like a constant reminder that "America is the BEST"... there is a difference between being proud of where you come from and being blindly patriotic, especially seeing the statistic that under 40% of Americans have passports. I know that not all Americans are that way, it's just the perception that people often get when they visit there; that patriotism is running wild, and the reason my fiancee and I find ourselves debating about it is because he doesn't even see it.
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-08-26 10:34:00
United KingdomThe United States of America - my thoughts so far
Me and my fiancee have had this discussion many many times.

I go through periods of complaining about the US and it's shortcomings and periods of excitement about the good points of the country. Whenever I'm in the mood for the former, it usually starts a little arguement as he defends it. He claims he's not patriotic though and that fuels the fire because that's the number one gripe. tongue.gif

I complain about how much of an outsider *I* personally feel just going down the street when there are a million American flags waving in yards, outside stores, on bumper stickers... you'd never see that in the UK. Hell, Boston ALONE has a sense of patriotism about it, and I lose count of the number of Red Sox shirts I see, even when outside of the city. He argues that when it comes to football games, they don't start international brawls over simply being American, like the British do. I complain that I find the religious aspects quite tiring. I used to consider myself a Christian, though recently I've been distancing myself while I try to figure out exactly what I believe; there's not really any escaping it over there. I call it brainwashing; how hard must it be NOT to be religious in a country where God is involved in everything you do... there are countless churches and private Christian schools... he calls it no different than any British family that have strict religious beliefs. I agree to some extent, though it's never as obvious over here. I complain about the weather and how I sometimes find it difficult just to leave the house because it's so damn hot in the summer, and so freezing in the winter... though the first thing Americans often mention about the UK are the clouds/rain. I complain about the acceptance for obesity whilst poking fun at dental practice in the UK.

Having said that though, I read that going through periods of finding fault is a result of identity crisis; for example, Brits that go on holiday to the US often say that it was nice but they wouldn't like to live there. For people like us that are leaving everything behind to move to the US where everything is different, you worry that you'll lose your identity. Perhaps not your personality, but rather everything that is familiar. It's a natural way to try to hold on to everything that you know... to point out the flaws in everything you don't know. I try to find comfort in that... and the times where I'm in the US and start liking the country a little, it gives me some good faith that things aren't so bad.

Edited by Gemmie, 26 August 2008 - 06:45 AM.

GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-08-26 06:44:00
United KingdomThe United States of America - my thoughts so far
That was a really interesting read.

Me and my fiancee have talked a lot about these stereotypes and often ended up disagreeing, as he claims it's based on misconceptions or generalisation. Of course that is true... but it doesn't change the fact that they do exist.

Luckily, I will be moving to New England where it's closer to my native country than any other area of the US. However, even then I've encountered things that I don't think I'll readily accept with no adjustment; hundreds of kids running around in "Boston Red Sox" T-shirts, men with baseball caps that like to go hunting for fun, Catholics that have such "severe" religious beliefs, commercialisation (is that a word?), American flags waving at me from every house and store... it all makes me feel like an outsider, which is what I am.

There are also a lot of things that I love about New England though, and people seem very nice... which is good enough for me. smile.gif

Edited by Gemmie, 29 July 2008 - 05:56 AM.

GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-07-29 05:55:00
United KingdomUgh. Passport lost.
Apparently if the passport has been lost, they claim they can't replace them on the same day.

But this happened to me a couple years ago (the day before my flight to the US!!) I went to London and paid about 114 and had a new passport in 4 hours.

I would give it a shot
GemmieFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-14 11:08:00