How do you like the British?

well being British myself i do not get on with everyone and if i am to go on holiday i will not by any means go to a british destination..... e.g. a place where you see union jack shorts, guys and girls drinking from 9am till 9am, the local hospital line longer than harry potter opening night, swearing beyond belief and people that really should re think there outfits

Now how are you guys liking/hating the British people?
What things just annoy you about British?
How are you coping with the Accents of the UK?

Quite a number of us on UKY, myself included, are British, and a great many more are married to British people - so we might not be inclined to jump on board with some of your generalisations, Brit-in-love! 

I'm not sure where you live, but I will say that I've not encountered Union Jack shorts, people drinking all night, hospital lines or excessive swearing. Those aren't the people I surround myself with, nor are they the people I live near. I just don't see that. As for outfits that need re-thinking, OK, I'll grant you that one! But I recently spent a couple of weeks on holiday in the US and saw just as many awful outfits there. Bad taste knows no boundaries! 

I have come to the conclusion that humanity in general looks better fully clothed.

I just wish DH and I didn't live in Crewe. I'm forever jealous of everyone who doesn't live here. That's all. :/

I've spent only 5 months in England, but generally have found the English people to be very friendly, hospitable and helpful.  I've noticed they may not say "hi" when passing strangers on the street as we do in my part of the USA, but once you approach them/talk to them, they are warm and talkative.  Strangers don't just point directions, they offer to walk part way with you.  As soon as they hear my accent, they ask where in the US I am from, if I am visiting or living here, etc.

I enjoy the slower pace. I've lived in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA, most of my life (fast paced) and for 11 years in Montgomery, Alabama (snail's pace), so West Yorkshire is a happy medium.  I love market days and tea breaks, enjoy talking to the people in town and in my neighborhood.

I can be shy, but I force myself to be outgoing, especially when it comes to people walking dogs. I figure we already have something in common (love for dogs), and I'll ask if I can pet their dog, and soon we are talking about dogs and other things.

I LOVE the weather!

My DF's friends are a wonderful group of people. Each one has welcomed me with open arms and kisses on first meeting them. Several brought me flowers and small gifts. I was a bit overwhelmed at first. They refuse to let me pay for drinks or even go to the bar to order them. We were invited out many times to restaurants and peoples' homes for meals.  His friends sent me birthday cards and call me to chat when my DF is working.

I love hearing all the different accents and think it is fun trying to decipher them. Only a couple times I was frustrated (once at a party where everyone was talking quickly and I felt rather left out of the conversation), and another time in town when I couldn't quite explain what I was looking for to the clerk.

All in all I love England, the people and culture. I don't have too many complaints, but the ones I have are minor in the grand scheme of things (clothes washer takes forever, bedrooms are tiny, not used to so much walking).

I really feel I will adapt well once I move permanently.

When we had a flat sandwiched between a pub and a kebab shop in Rye, we saw some pretty amazing scenes late at night. Occasionally, people would throw food in our opened windows. But, hey! Free kebab!

South London wasn't exactly a little slice of heaven, either.

We moved to the country, and we adore it. People have been incredibly friendly and welcoming. Considering we moved to a very small rural village, that didn't have to be the case (rural villages the world over can be pretty insular).

One thing that surprises me is that nearly everyone I meet wants to tell me about the holiday they took in Florida or their kid who lives in Boston. My accent sometimes makes strangers light up and start a conversation, which is not something I expected. Which is good, because I doubt I'll ever lose the accent.

I sometimes have difficulty understanding people on the phone and I'm terrible at recognizing people from their voices. TV and radio can be a challenge, too. But face to face, I do alright.

When we had a flat sandwiched between a pub and a kebab shop in Rye, we saw some pretty amazing scenes late at night. Occasionally, people would throw food in our opened windows. But, hey! Free kebab!

I love it!

I like that England is more calm and quite than the states. I live in a smaller suburban town in Michigan, but even here it is so loud....the cars, the people, the constant construction. I enjoy England because it seems much quieter.

As far as the people- everyone has been more than lovely. My boyfriends parents are wonderful people and so are his siblings and grandparents. It's nice to be able to go over and not only have my boyfriend but also be able to spend time with his family. His friends are nice and make an effort to go out with us or visit us when I am over. Even the first time I went to England (before I knew my boyfriend) British people on the plane were helping us with directions to our hotel and even wanted us to email them and meet up. The workers at the grocery stores always seem nice.  So in my opinion, the British have been more than pleasant to me.

The British are no more likable, unlikeable than anyone else on this planet

The Brits I see on holiday seem to be the type who wear white panamas and linen jackets and think they are Graham Greene. They do get a little tipsy on red wine now and then. Maybe I go to the wrong places?