EHV_Emmetts

The other year I was on a train journey from London to Edinburgh. I sat next to a group (or as they would say 'bunch') of American tourists. I lost count of the number of times they used the word "like". I became more than a little annoyed and eventually after about an hour could take no more of this and moved to another carriage.

TimR

You moved to another carriage for that?

Sensitivity on that scale must make like difficult for you.

I hope your recovery was swift and you are now once again riding public transport without fear.

The number of US tourists to Britain has dropped sharply in recent years. You should rejoice!

john audley

All TV talk now consists of A M A Z I N G Were the hell did that come from)

'You should be kind to us normals, there are not many of us left you know'!

EHV_Emmetts

After I had listened to them use this particular word over 300 times (yes, I counted them) in just over one hour, I'd had my fill and could take no more.

ShirlGirl

It seems to have replaced AWESOME!

It often crops up in Aussie soapies.... "I think you're a really - (pause) - amaaazing person."

oh chuck.

ShirlGirl

I don't blame you! I often think nature should have provided us with a means of closing our ears. As it is, you either have to put up with irritations like that or get away from them.

When I was a youngster it was "sort of" (sort'v) all the time. Used to drive the oldies up the wall!

john audley

In my day it was 'solid' as in solid man! and 'hip' and 'swinging' but the latter became suspect. They also called every other fellow 'dad'

'You should be kind to us normals, there are not many of us left you know'!

TimR

That sounds quite traumatic. All that counting....

But take comfort and solace: the number of Americans who are visiting Britain, both for vacation and for business, will likely continue to drop as the gap between our nations continues to widen. That will certainly make life far easier and more pleasant for you. I would not share your rejoicing, but it is an ill wind that blows no good

And of course, there is always the option of simply bannng Americans from visting.

EHV_Emmetts

Actually I think that's sad (despite my problems with their speech). Many American (and Canadian) tourists come to the UK to find out about their antecedence and long since departed relatives. Probably the expensive travel costs and the general high accommodation costs might preclude some from visiting.

MB

I think the people here are probably just having a light hearted leg pull regarding US speech..I hope so!lol! US TV and film is extremely popular here - as is going to 'Florida' and every passing fashion in the US is taken on board after a few years...

Of course, you can't generalise about 300 million people! And Micheal Stipe has less in common with George Bush than I do with Hilary Clinton..if that makes any sense..

Personally, I have never been bothered about speech usage..as long as you can get the gist.....Ok maybe teenspeak...but I think that is deliberately meant to drive everyone crackers!

Steve Crook

Most of them are probably still trying to find their way here
You know how good a sense of geography most Americans have.
And it's not helped by there being somewhere called London in almost every state in the union.

I once bought something off eBay from an American (as I do quite often) and this lady parcelled it up and took it to the post office to find out how much the postage costs would be. She had my address on two different pieces of paper, one said England, the other said UK. The person behind the counter didn't know where either of them were so they took it to their supervisor. The supervisor came back and asked if it was going to England or the UK because the postage rates would be different to the different countries!
Except that it's a true story

Steve

EHV_Emmetts

Some Americans do have an annoying propensity to describe the entire UK as 'England'.

Whilst visiting Loch Ness I over heard an American say with all sincerity "Gee, whada lovely place England is".

TimR

It's interesting to read these endless anecdotes. I have met so few of these grotesque living cartoons myself. Yet apparently they run amok, rampaging all over Britain.

Surely it is infinitely preferable to have such dreadful characters remain at home? A few strokes of the pen and legislation will take care of it!

EHV_Emmetts

I shall let you into my secret. I used to work in the tourist industry here in the UK and one job I had was couriering American and Canadian tourists around Britain. I could enlighten everyone about my dealings with our North American cousins, but it would require me to write an entire book.

TimR

I have no doubt that it was a living hell - a nightmare beyond imagining.

That is why the current sharp decline in tourism and visits of all kinds should send you into convulsions of joy.

Of course - why someone with your views and attitude would actually choose to work with tourists is an interesting question in itself. I'm sure you will devote an entire chapter to that in your upcoming expose.