h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I happen to be a resident of the good old usa, but i really want to go to the uk for a year of college, and i need to know if there are any particular stereotypes i should try to overcome.(whoa that was an extremely long sentence)

I love Americans - I've never been there as I'm saving that for my old age when I need decent hotels with working plumbing - but all the Americans I've met overseas have been interesting and often fun. I'm sure you're the same (if somewhat fishy)
Two very small gripes - turn down the volume a bit and don't refer to anything as "quaint"

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I meant your own volume

Don't tell the British you like our accent, we don't talk like this to entertain you.
Burn your Jansport rucksack, -I know you have one, you all do.
Talk more quietly.
Why must American college kids wander in aimless tribes around Britain's major cities? Don't.
Like, say like, like less. You can't communicate by just saying 'like' followed by some squeal or facial expression, -try proper sentences.
Don't earnestly pretend you've 'love Salinger'.

I'm in a really bad mood at the moment.

Oh, yes, and the nation is called Britain. We aren't all English, there are Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish folks here too.

Sorry. Not in quite such a bad mood now.

Maybe she's sticking to England?

Don't come over with the attitude that America is bigger and better. I have met quite a few American's in my Job (work for a large American company), who all believe that the USA is the best thing in the world, and that if they did not exist the rest of the world would be in poverty.

Apart from that, enjoy the people, the relaxed atmosphere, the lower crime rate and the English sense of humor, which will take you a while to fully understand but its part of the learning process. Try not to do the tourist thing too much, the best way to see the country and meet the people is to go where the locals go. So if you already know where you will be going try to ask people about the area, you could do it by this forum.

Have fun and enjoy old blighty!
R :o)

A word of warning - our beer is slightly stronger than the Budwater you may be used to - both in taste and alcohol content....

Also - if you want the "true" Britain experience visit Newcastle and Edinburgh before (and in preference to) London.

When in an English 'pub', do NOT complain that the 'real ale' is warm.......It is meant to be served at room temperature, or just below!!!

'G'

Don't make the mistake some Americans made in my local pub, by sending the mulled wine back, complaining it was hot and asking for ice in it!!

Get a boyfriend as soon as possible. As I have discovered in several European countries, it is the best way to learn the language.

If you do come to Scotland, I would recommend not wearing tartan trousers, be prepared for difficulty with accents (Americans have had difficulty with mine, and it is not broad whatsoever). But just to echo others - quiet, listen, learn. They are the most important things to do Until later....
BCNU - Crescent

Do watch that English/Scottish/etc thing and also watch the word 'Brit' - we don't tend to use it.
Refer to the money as 'x pounds' not 'x pounds sterling' - that's a big give away, and learn the difference between 'two pennies' and 'two pence'
Don't ask for the bathroom or the 'rest room'. We don't use the latter phrase at all, and are likely to send you to the nearest restaurant
Learn the British equivalent of: faucet, sidewalk, flashlight, soda, eggplant, yard
Don't ask for air-conditioning or ice machines - chances are we don't have them
Your average British town will contain more 200 year old buildings than your entire COUNTRY - learn to live with this
Be careful what you say about the Royal Family
And finally DON't say things like "Is that the same moon that we see in the States?"

- Cloviscat, ex Tourist Information Officer

Hoipe that didn't sound too negative: I'd rather deal with an American visitor than any other overseas vistior - and that's the TRUTH

Do use public transport of all forms and get used to walking around.

If you haven't run screaming from this forum yet may I suggest that you buy Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island. As he was an American who spent twenty years in Britain, he is a pretty good source of differences. The main thing is to be prepared for differences, to accept them, and to have fun. I have known a number of Americans who came over for a years study and they all thoroughly enjoyed themselves, after the initial suspicion that Glasgow had been invaded by Germans (it's the accent) had faded. Indeed, of the ones I knew, two came back for my friends wedding at the weekend and another one married someone over here, so we can get on fine with you, just expect to get slagged off something rotten.

Be warned: Much potential confusion surrounds the wildly divergent meanings of the word 'fag'. On no account laugh if it is used in a seemingly bizarre context; chances are, someone means a cigarette.

Also be warned - words like 'kooky' are a definite no-no. And take care not to find the chips / crisps thing too hilarious; it's a dead giveaway. As are caps and white socks worn with everything.

Are you a girl tuna sandwich or a boy tuna sandwich? More significant advice may divide at this point...

If you're coming for a Junior Year Abroad or equivalent, remember: you're not the only one and you're not the first. Your class mates etc in the UK will probably be very familiar with the system: we had some very tedious mealtimes at the beginning of each term at uni when a pefect-toothed individual would sit down and drawl "Hi! I'm a JYA! what are you guys doing for Thanksgiving?..."