An American's observations about his visit to England go viral

[rutabowa]

Why? He seems to have had an enjoyable holiday and made an effort to go beyond the obviously touristy things.

I don't care what the guy does (if he even exists), it is this viral list that I find hideous.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Yeah, and he's made an effort to work stuff out. He twigged 'rounds' in pubs, for instance, which many Americans don't.

He bought Budweiser for everyone and then asked for a double.

 

[Belushi]

It is just horribly sycophantic and patronising and "nice" and furthermore bears no resemblance to any reality of the country that I experience.... what's good about it?

There's a lot I recognise, and even the things I think are wrong I can see how a tourist might think that.

And since when did being nice become a crime

 

[rutabowa]

It will come out soon that the guy never existed and the list was all click bait for some lifestyle magazine, you will see.

 

[DotCommunist]

It will come out soon that the guy never existed and the list was all click bait for some lifestyle magazine, you will see.

'the brits didn't quite do slavery' is a clanger mind.

I don't think a cynical UK clickbait listmaker would drop that one in there. I say its genuine

 

[krtek a houby]

It is just horribly sycophantic and patronising and "nice" and furthermore bears no resemblance to any reality of the country that I experience.... what's good about it?

I recognise it but I also recognise he's left a lot out. The really bad stuff. But then, who wants to seek out the really bad stuff on holiday?

 

[rutabowa]

Anyway I guess it's not worth getting worked up about, I've just filed it away in the same place as those inspirational picture message that people repost on facebook etc etc etc.

 

[rutabowa]

But then, who wants to seek out the really bad stuff on holiday?

I'm not talking about an individual's holiday habits. I'm talking about this viral list.

 

[krtek a houby]

Yeah, and he's made an effort to work stuff out. He twigged 'rounds' in pubs, for instance, which many Americans don't.

Argh! You see, I don't recognise this at all. My local, any American who's stuck around long enough joins in.

 

[redcogs]

Pity he didn't factor in Scotland..

 

[Kumalala]

Can anyone explain the fork one to me?

I have had quite a few American friends and I've never noticed them doing anything 'wrong' with their forks

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

This sounds awfully romantic: "You can get on a bus and end up in Paris"

I guess he is talking about the ferry or something.

 

[Teaboy]

It is just horribly sycophantic and patronising and "nice" and furthermore bears no resemblance to any reality of the country that I experience.... what's good about it?

You miserable shit.

Travelling and holidaying is mostly about seeing the best in a place because it's different exciting and you're in a positive mood. I remember telling a Polish mate I was going on holiday to Warsaw, after he finished laughing he asked why and could not understand it at all. We see the world differently when we are on holiday.

Fair enough about the viral stuff and he may not exist but to be angry at it in itself is a bit odd to say the least.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Yeah, he's spent a couple of weeks in Cornwall, not working, eating out all the time and drinking in pubs. Why wouldn't he like it?

*I want to go on holiday to Cornwall now.

 

[Supine]

I think its a good summary of differences between uk and us but its not written by one person on holiday. Its a typical viral kind of list that goes around.

 

[rutabowa]

ITS JUST POINTLESS BULL SHIT

 

[killer b]

And since when did being nice become a crime

I believe the bill is being prepared now, and is expected to be voted into law in the new parliamentary session.

 

[krtek a houby]

I think its a good summary of differences between uk and us but its not written by one person on holiday. Its a typical viral kind of list that goes around.

Can you give us some examples? A list of viral lists?

 

[killer b]

(oh, and rutabowa is right. what's wrong with you people?)

 

[Louis MacNeice]

Can anyone explain the fork one to me?

I have had quite a few American friends and I've never noticed them doing anything 'wrong' with their forks

Americans cut up their food and use the fork to scoop it up; whereas Brits use the back of the fork to push food onto with their knives...or something else.

Cheers - Louis MacNeice

 

[8ball]

ITS JUST POINTLESS BULL SHIT

 

[DotCommunist]

Yeah, he's spent a couple of weeks in Cornwall, not working, eating out all the time and drinking in pubs. Why wouldn't he like it?

*I want to go on holiday to Cornwall now.

I get pissed off with a four hour journey with only cornwall at the end of it, factor in a 24 hour flight and fuck that

 

[littlebabyjesus]

I think its a good summary of differences between uk and us but its not written by one person on holiday. Its a typical viral kind of list that goes around.

There's lots that is only half-true tbf. I think mostly it's a summary of the (pleasant) culture shock Americans can get when they visit to anywhere in Europe. If it's their first time, they may well be experiencing a kind of freedom - ie the freedom not to be on edge all the time about stuff.

 

[rutabowa]

(oh, and rutabowa is right. what's wrong with you people?)

THANK YOU i thought i was in a parallel universe.

this is the guy who "wrote" the list, just as I suspected:

From 1983, he worked for Apple Computer as a Marketing Manager and consultant in public relations and marketing, participated in a variety of projects on the mainland, in Hawaii and Australia.

 

[Kumalala]

Americans cut up their food and use the fork to scoop it up; whereas Brits use the back of the fork to push food onto with their knives...or something else.

Cheers - Louis MacNeice

They want sporks is what they want

 

[Orang Utan]

I don't think he visited Aston, Newtown, Handsworth, Nechells, Frankley, Yardley, Small Heath, Kitts Green or Druids Heath!

I wonder where he did go?

Probably just went through it by train or coach. It looks crap that way.

 

[Belushi]

ITS JUST POINTLESS BULL SHIT

THIS IS THE INTERNET!!!

 

[Supine]

Can you give us some examples? A list of viral lists?

Im not going to teach you what viral lists, chain letters etc are. If you haven't seen them you are a lucky person

 

[littlebabyjesus]

THIS IS THE INTERNET!!!

And so what if it's made up. It's made up by an American, still.

Mind you, if he didn't think there was racism in Cornwall...

 

[littlebabyjesus]

I get pissed off with a four hour journey with only cornwall at the end of it, factor in a 24 hour flight and fuck that

The two places in the world with the most beautiful beaches I've been to: Cornwall and the Gower.

I think we tend to underrate our own country wrt tourism and natural beauty.