Before I start this page of further views of the USA, I should apologize to any that I might offend. These are my own personal views of the USA, or that part of the USA that I have known in the time that I have been living in America.
APRIL 2002
It's now been 20 months since I moved to the Western Colonies, and still there are things that I don't understand about this country, and talking to others even the locals do not understand. I am now almost taken as a the "Token Brit" in the the local bar. And some folk actually agree with me on many things. It is fun to suddenly use a saying which for a British person is part of the every day speech, and see the puzzlement on an American's face. Things like "didn't say a dicky bird" has them totally confused and if you start on rhyming slang, remember they are a young country, and "Apples and Pears", "Trouble and Strife", "Ruby Murry" mean absolutely nothing.
There are still a lot of things I miss from England, and though many of the shops now do a "UK SECTION" where you can get Heinz Beans, Lucazade, and even Hobb Nobs, they are not quite the same being via an Irish company.
One item I am missing more and more is bread... The main bread in the US, is more like sponge though you can get the imitation French Loaf. These are not too bad, but oh! the cost!!! they cost over a pound a loaf...But sometimes one has to pay to eat real food. But hell, what would I give for a decent bacon roll.
Since September 11th, the attitude of a lot of Americans has changed, it is still a huge shock to many of them that something like this could actually have happened in their own country. These days fire fighters, and to some extent police officers, are almost treated as saints. It is great to see the respect that people have for them, since most of the local fire fighters are only staffed by volunteers.
The singing of the Anthem, and any song about this country, happens at the drop of a hat, which again is something, being that proud of your country. The flags that draped every car, window, aerial etc, are still there, though perhaps might look better if some of the more tattered and torn ones were replaced.
Christmas this last year seemed to be a sign for everybody to make even more of a show of the lights and decorations, using everything that they had available to them. Many gardens looked more like Blackpool illuminations, and one can only guess at the electric bills of these homes. So saying, driving home at night passing nodding electronic deer, sparkling stars, flashing Santa signs etc, really helped build the Christmas spirit.
One thing I did miss at Christmas, was Boxing Day. The amount of times I had to explain what that was, the history of the day, how it stems from the one day off a year the Lord of the Manor gave his staff. And how, on that day he presented each of them with a box of food, and sweet meats etc. Hence, Boxing Day as they were given a box. Also, it would explain the sporting element, as being the day the staff could do things they would not normally have time to do.
So I'm still settling in, and trying hard not to lose my accent. Still managing to confuse people and learning to talk slower so people can understand me better. Not getting upset, when I'm accused of being Australian, learning to live with the watery beer. Knowing to go straight for a supervisor when complaining about something (happens often). I understand the basic rules of baseball, even to the point of joining a Fantasy League this summer, and shocking a few at my knowledge of who I picked. I supported the basketball,college though, not NBA,and really enjoy my ice hockey (I am a New York Rangers' fan).
Our daughter has been brought up on "Ground Force", and "Changing Rooms", prefers "Bob the Builder" to "Barney", even watches English soccer, Rugby and Top of the Pops.
It is amazing how many copies of UK programs are made over here, "Changing rooms", "Whose Line is it Anyway", "Ground Force", "Robot Wars", "Junk Yard Wars" have their US copies even "Never Mind the Buzzcocks" has an American version. Comedies like "Are You Being Served", "Keeping Up Appearances", "May to December" and several other old series have a large following over here. Some cable stations have finally realized that there is more to the world news than just what goes on in the USA and show the BBC World News on their own stations.
I have not given in to cakes and pancakes for breakfast. Still drink tea instead of coffee. Have my Sunday roast and watch BBC USA on the television.
I am, and will always be, an Englishman, living in the USA.
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