The Great British Public

We had the same experience in London last fall. We were even invited to see the inside of the small canteen that taxi drivers have a meal and a rest in. These were built in Victorian times and there aren't many left in London. The story is, we were told, that taxi drivers used to take breaks in pubs, and were often found drunk. So to get around that, they built these small sheds that had a kitchen and seating inside, and they could go there to get a good affordable meal. Here is the photo I took inside the canteen in South Kensington next to Hyde Park:

http://hull534.smugmug.com/photos/379585275_4TXAF-L-1.jpg

Thank you, that is good to hear. Come back soon.

Yes, one people separated by a common language!

In English speaking countries, as opposed to being in France or Italy, there's no language barrier--well, okay, only a small barrier.

Although in the UK they sure do speak our language with odd accents! But when I'm in the UK, even if a local speaks with a dreadful accent, I always go out of my way to compliment the locals on how well they speak English, to encourage them, you know (I wonder why they look at me funny when I do that?).

Some of them have even had the nerve to refer to my accent.

:)

Ha Kent, better watch it lest people not realise you're talking tongue-in-cheek :)

I did find a 'language barrier' in Scotland though. I was in a restaurant in Glasgow with a friend of mine whose first language is French so I was doing the talking. I had to ask the waiter to repeat himself 3 times and then we resorted to pointing since, try as I might, I could not understand a word out of this guy's mouth. Personally, I think he was doing it on purpose because he was the only one on the trip that we encountered.

In Bath I once had a conversation with a Scottish man. I could understand very little of what he said, and he had a puzzled expression when I spoke with my American accent. So the mis-apprehension was mutual. It was almost funny. We gave up fairly soon. Another time I was talking to a woman in Moreton-in-Marsh and she told me she loved my accent. I wondered if maybe I sound like Aunt Bee from the Andy Griffith show.

Yeah, I just can't emphasize enough how much fun we had visiting London, and being able to speak the language was such a plus for me. I had a nice chat with one of the volunteers in the Soanes Museum when we were visiting there, never could have happened in Italy! I felt so at home in London. Normally in a foreign city it's hard to relax, but immediately after getting off the train at Paddington, I felt like I'd come home. Strange really as I'd never been there. But there is something about the place. Can't wait to go back and see more of England!! My sister and her husband and son are going next month, they'll be traveling around England for three weeks!!

While I love the history, scenery, music and whisky in Scotland, it's the friendly people that keep pulling me back. I'm in the middle of severe longing to travel back to the UK and Scotland in particular right now and am having a hard time carving out the trip. I'm so glad you found friendship as well.

Pam

Re: accents. I love Americans because they often compliment me on my posh English accent. This amuses me no end as I have a working class London accent. It definitely doesn't sound posh to the ears of fellow Brits!

I deal with American visitors a lot and many seem to be pleasantly surprised how positive the English are towards them. I'm not sure what the US media portrays, but its as if they anticipate some form of anti americanism when over here.

Generally the English find Americans great people to talk with and love their get up and go attitude and natural friendliness.
I think you have to separate the American people from US culture and politics which some in Europe take exception to, but that shouldn't affect your visit to London.

We too have greatly enjoyed the British people. My family hails from Scotland, and we really did enjoy our time there. A wonderful lady in Inverness helped us find our Scottish tartan. We were able to purchase some of the cloth. My wife made our son a waistcoat of it, which he proudly wore to his senior prom. We enjoyed seeing the lovely sites, but it is truly nice to be able to have easy conversation. By the way, I open my mouth and people ask me what part of Texas I'm from. :)

Thomas' comment recalls a great Jerry Jeff Walker song, "London Homesick Blues"

Well, I decided that I'd get my cowboy hat
and go down to Marble Arch Station.
'Cause when a Texan fancies, he'll take his chances.
Chances will be taken, that's for sure.
And them Limey eyes, they were eyein' the prize
that some people call manly footwear.
And they said you're from down South,
and when you open your mouth,
you always seem to put your foot there.

Isn't it interesting how different nationalities are treated. When we went to Isle of Skye, we missed the tour. However, a local public transport bus driver gave us a wonderful 2 hour tour of the Island.
Did his usual run then went off his usual route to show us various sites. We were told he did this because we were Aussies. Wouldn't have done the same if we were English.
Personally, I find the Scots and the Irish are much friendlier than the English. There's a bit of feeling between the Aussies and the Poms, especially when it comes to sporting rivalry. Perhaps also, they still think of us as convicts.

Hey, Kent and others making fun of British accents - I have a question for you. Who was speaking English first?

Everyone one we have met on our trips to London were great. But a lady we met in Bath stands out as the nicest lady we have met on any of our trips. We were looking like your average tourist, map out trying to find where we were. She came up to us and asked us what we were looking for, gave us great directions and a wonderful feeling on a rainy day.

I'm glad to see someone else mention being "homesick" for the UK. We haven't been in over a year because my mother-in-law had a stroke and now I am her primary care-giver. We used to go twice a year. The Brits and the Welsh are wonderful people, I agree! But the Scots are "homefolk"- easy to get along with- plesant, helpful - I think I'd need a thesaurs to get all the adjectives. Don't worry about not understanding the guy in Glasgow- even other Scots talk about THAT accent.

I am incredibly homesick for the UK. Maybe, I've been lucky but after nearly 14 visits I still haven't met anyone overtly rude. Touch Wood. I'm going back in September. In Dun Laoghaire we had a lady get back onto a bus with us to show us our correct stop. And in Bangor a man walked blocks out oh his way to help us find what we were looking for. In Kingham the landlady at our local made dinner for us even though the kitchen was closed that night. I love these people. I love thier cats. I cannot wait to get back.

We, too, loved the warmth and friendliness of the people we met in England and Ireland. Our only trip to Ireland my husband was on the USS Kennedy when it pulled in for a week long stay and I flew over to meet him. People just couldn't do enough for us.

These discussions are also making me "homesick" for the U.K. I've found the people of U.K. and Ireland are both friendly and wonderful hosts.

Coming from "the other former colony", I haven't noticed any of the "rivalry" that one of the posters from Australia mentioned.

I always enjoy the English sense of humour! I haven't had any difficulty with comprehension of Scots so far, but as I have family from both London and Belfast have some exposure to the "language differences".

Cheers!