Those wacky Americans
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 11:20 am
Don't worry Jason - in the UK, the general level of ignorance of most Americans when it comes to British and European geography is well known and a source of regular amusement. On holidays in the US, I have frequently been met with looks of baffled non-comprehension when I correct people who refer to me as English. "I was born in Wales, so I'm British, but I'm not English," I say. A well-travelled and well-educated art teacher once stared at me in bewilderment for about 10 seconds before saying, "You mean - Wales, England?"Jason Larsen wrote:I'll just call it Old Jersey as a joke!
I do have a sense of humor, you know.
But, if Simon came to the US a native of the East Coast would say, "I don't detect your accent!"
Another example: in 1998, I was flying to New York and phoned a B&B in Manhattan to make a reservation. Part of the conversation with Frank, the owner, went something like this:
Frank: What time does your flight arrive?
Me: 12.25.
Frank: And where are you flying from?
Me: Birmingham.
Frank: No, where in England are you flying from?
Me: Birmingham.
(Fractional pause)
Frank: You're flying from England, via Birmingham?
Me: No. I'm flying from Birmingham, England.
(Slightly longer pause)
Frank: Excuse me sir?
Me: I'm flying to New York from Birmingham, which is in England. It's the second biggest English city after London.
(Momentary pause, then a relieved chuckle from Frank)
Frank: Oh, of course sir. That's fine. I'll mail you confirmation of your reservation right now.
When the confirmation arrived a few days later, printed on it was:
TIME OF ARRIVAL IN NY: 1225
DEPARTURE AIRPORT: BURLINGHAM