Moving to London from Texas, will everyone stereotype me straight away?

Question

I am moving to London for school in about a month. I am excited to experience a new culture, but it seems there are stereotypes against Americans, particularly Texans. Even my relatives in California think we are living with cows and sleeping in hay or something. Could anyone either from London or living there tell me some stories about this? My father worked in Glasgow (totally different story there, I know) and had shop owners etc constantly trying to s***w with him. I am hoping London is so diverse it will not really matter, but what are some things to watch out for?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi Person,

Yes, I think that you will get stereotyped.  But so what.  I think you will be better off "owning it"  Once people notice you are not ashamed of being a Texan, they will come around.  

Interesting story:

I am from Texas and was taking a study abroad class in London.  On one of the weekends, I traveled to Cambridge and got a tour from the school.  I was talking to the tour guide and he learned I was from Dallas and he brought up the problems they were having with parking and he casually said, but I know you don't have those problems in Dallas because of all your open space.  This was very funny to me because I am in the city where parking is a problem and there is no open space.  After talking to him further, I learned his vision of Dallas was based on the old soap opera show.  

I am afraid they will expect that you ride horses and rope cattle, but as I said before, so what.  When I went over there I have expected to see only a bunch of pale skinned white people talking in funny accents like it was right out of a Dickens novel or Mary Poppins, but I found London to be anything but and very cosmopolitan.  Anyways, most foreigners view Texans as their own separate people and don't even really see us as Americans.

Bottom line: do not worry about it too much.  In a few months time, this will be a non-issue.  You will have found your group of friends.  Just be warm and friendly and don't be afraid to talk a little smack back in a good humored way.  I had a friend in college who had come over from England and he was one of the most well liked persons in our dorm.  He made the adjustment by viewing the new place as his home and making a sincere effort to reach out to people by being really friendly, outgoing and laughing along with any ribbing we gave him.

Best,  

Answer 2

I'd love to help, but I'm not sure I fully understand your question - sorry! I'll need more details to help you fully.

However, if I've understood you correctly, do visit

http://islondonexpensive.com/is-london-e...

or ask again in more detail, please.

(There's also lots of vouchers and discounts on that site, which will help you when you arrive).

Happy to help, always!

Alun

Answer 3

Yes, you will get ribbed.  And with all the animosity that GW has generated, some of it may not be in all good fun.  However, keep your sense of humor.  Brits are appreciative of good wit.  My son did a study-abroad year at Leeds, and he was teased about stupid American tv shows, like Jerry Springer.  He responded, "Nobody in America watches those.  We just ship them overseas."  When I was in the UK for business, I got the occasional, "Oh, you're an American."  To which I would respond, "Worse - I'm a Texan."

Answer 4

While you'll likely always stand out a bit (somehow they always know)...the best suggestion I have is, if you have a strong Texas accent, try and lose it, or at least soften it a bit.

Answer 5

Being a native Texan I’m very proud of where I’m from and would never be ashamed to tell anyone who asked. First I’ll answer your question with another question…WHY WOULD ANYONE MAKE FUN OF SOMEONE FROM TEXAS? It’s the only state in the US that was its own republic before joining the union so that means we can fly our flag the same height as the US flag. Plus we can secede at any time so that’s gotta be saying something. I’ve never been to London and honestly I have no real desire to do so but if they do “make fun” I say make fun back haha after all them english people talk sorta like q****s anyway.