Antiamericanism??

I've found that out too when I visit,  but as I'm no admirer of George W I should be safe.  Many people I've talked to in the UK don't seem real crazy about Blair either.

I find that a lot of people are anti-American GOVERNMENT ... but this doesn't translate to Anti-American CITIZENS.

Also you mention Bush,I believe he is the problem,Clinton never had a problem over here, and when he was in office I don't recall any anti American government talk.

That's interesting. Obviously, it's because of Iraq. But I wonder what British feelings were toward Bush, Sr.? Or Reagan? Any thoughts?

I've found that out too when I visit,  but as I'm no admirer of George W I should be safe.  Many people I've talked to in the UK don't seem real crazy about Blair either.

Then how'd he get voted back into office?

Lesser of several evils?

I haven't found any Anti-Americanisms...in fact most of the Brits I've encountered like to talk to me about where I'm from, how long I want to stay, etc.  And don't get rid of your caps - I wear my two to the gym, when I'm heading to the Heath on a windy day and when I'm having a bad hair day!

Then how'd he get voted back into office?

It was the ABC policy: Anybody But (the) Conservatives. 

I haven't experienced blatant antiAmericanism per se...sometimes (maybe depending on my mood?) the news is just over the top and anti American, or I guess it just seems that they relish reporting on anything that shows the US in a bad light, and while supply teaching I get a lot of questions and comments that show just how little most UK citizens know about the real United States...(most of their perceptions are negative.) That said, many, many, many times I am approached out in public once someone hears my accent and asked if I am from "America." When I tell them that I am, most people make a comment about how they wish they could live in the US and do I like it here because if they were me they would head back asap.

I've not experienced it towards myself but I have definitely been involved in conversations where the American government comes under fire. I even express my views in the conversations and so far have not had anybody verbally attack me because of my opinions.

As far as not speaking loud enough to be overheard or giving up my Americanisms (clothing, etc), I have not done so and I do not intend to do so. I don't stand on the roofs and shout I'm from the United States but I'm not going to change all the things about me that make me American. DH and the in-laws keep trying to get me to change how I pronounce certain words because "that's not how British people say them"....I just let them know that I'm fully aware of that but I'm not British so I pronounce them American style. Sometimes just to get my point across I drop back into my wonderful Missouri Ozark accent. My mother-in-law will then say "I hate southern accents" to which I reply "Good thing I'm not from the south then."

I've only had trouble with antiamericanism once, and the guy was a jerk towards everyone anyways, so I didn't really take it too personally.

What I am sick of is hearing English people go on about American politics.  Almost everyone I've met lately wants to talk about them. And the majority assume they know what's best for America and I/Americans in general have it all wrong. I've started changing the subject as soon as it come up.

That's interesting. Obviously, it's because of Iraq. But I wonder what British feelings were toward Bush, Sr.? Or Reagan? Any thoughts?

I can only tell you what I and my immediate circle think,but I'll give it a go.Bush Snr seemed OK on the surface but being ex CIA a lot of us had doubts,Reagan came over as what he was,an actor.
Not sure even if its because of Iraq that causes the problem we have with Dubya,I think it happened before that,its his my way or the highway attitude and his smirk that did it.Although many people say they dislike Blair because of the war and because he's a liar (including me) I don't think deep down those are the only reasons,we've been to war before and we all know politicians are liars,I think its his closeness to Bush that gets to us too.

Dave

I think there's a low-level bias that is like a hum in the background. Much of it comes from the media but you will also get comments from strangers and friends that share the same 'America can do no right' attitude. If you are not a fan of Bush or current American policies yourself you may not notice it as much, but the bias is there and seeps into all sorts of discussions. For example, one taxi driver I had heard my accent and used that as a launching pad into the evils of America because of the new fingerprinting system for passports. From there he spent the whole trip ranting about how bad America was. I actually avoid that depot now -- which I used to be a regular of -- because of that driver.

Anyway the bias exists and it's like when someone you know gets a new car. You may have never noticed that make and model before when driving around, but after your friend got the car, all of a sudden you see the same model everywhere you go. It's always there, it's just up to you whether you tune into it or not. You will at some point notice it and it will annoy you for awhile but then you'll just get used to it and file it back in the background.

trudif,

Some Americans do make themselves a big target by wearing baseball caps, printed T-shirts, and American sports clothes, and by speaking loudly.  Of course that behavior is not unique to Americans in Britain.

I wear local clothes and hats and do not let myself be overheard.  I never encounter any anti-Americanism.

Jim

Just a small point - if you are changing yourself or camoflauging or hiding to blend in, there's a reason you don't wanted to be spotted as an "American" and that is because of how you feel you'll be treated -- i.e., badly. So in essence you are suggesting that if you don't act "American" you won't get any anti-Americanism, which is not the same as saying it doesn't exist but rather re-affirms that it does.

I'm just me and I've never had any problems. 

Other than, like Leah, hearing the odd bit on the news, I've only ever had one bad experience and that was when I was in Edinburgh on holiday, before I ever moved here.  It was an old drunk in a pub, so I took it with all the seriousness it deserved. 

I've been here 3 & 1/2 years and can count on one hand how many times I've had someone make a rude comment or show that ignorance knows no boundaries! In those few situations, I found it was a case of someone not knowing I was American and using old stereotypes (which I think we ALL do to a certain extent. Noone is immune from stupidity) to make jokes that turned out to bite them in the A$$. In the most baffling situation (which was far too ignorant to repeat), I was too stunned to say anything but my british colleague nearly went over the counter to poke his eyes out in my defense! I think she was more horrified than I was!

I have lived and worked in both the city (London 2yrs in a bookshop) and country (Southern England- Hampshire/Surrey in a library and currently another bookshop!) & have found everyone welcoming and interested in hearing about my life back home in NY - even being interested in my opinions on some of the current events taking place (war, elections, etc!).  I've had more people say how much they loved the states and how much they wanted to visit it than anything negative.

My own mother has unfounded worries that I'm having a hard time here by just being an American, but I believe her concerns are based on her own political and religious convictions. I'm the one living here and it is just not the case. I find that most people accept that the media on both sides of the atlantic are biased one way or another and I'm thankful that I'm not personally held accountable for the actions of government- which is where a lot of debate gets opened from. It's a tricky time in the world, to be honest!

The longer I live here, the more I realise just how important it is to be a citizen of the world. I try to take peoples comments with a pinch of salt and when they say "Well, America does *insert whatever comes to mind*" - I make an assumption that they aren't talking about my sweet Nana in upstate NY...or anything as specific which would conjure up defensive feelings. That quite a bit of the edge off comments which I don't think are usually intended to be fighting words.

I think it's a great experience to be able to live in another country- experiencing the nuances of another culture.  I see the opportunity to be something of an ambassador!  You know, I was never a wearer of flag/ americana type things but I still wear my favourite clothes from the US because I don't really like the styles of clothing here!  I think as far as being loud, goes....well, my husband can tell when I've been talking to my family or friends on the phone. I'm from a very boisterous lot. It is a fact that I sometimes find myself being more loud than those around me. I *can* play "spot the  American" very well and I wish there were cash prizes! I think it's just a cultural thing!  Part of the great old variety is the spice of life thing!  I've found most people agree. 

Sounds like the grass is always greener!

I haven't experienced blatant antiAmericanism per se...sometimes (maybe depending on my mood?) the news is just over the top and anti American, or I guess it just seems that they relish reporting on anything that shows the US in a bad light, and while supply teaching I get a lot of questions and comments that show just how little most UK citizens know about the real United States...(most of their perceptions are negative.) That said, many, many, many times I am approached out in public once someone hears my accent and asked if I am from "America." When I tell them that I am, most people make a comment about how they wish they could live in the US and do I like it here because if they were me they would head back asap.

I'll keep wearing them then!  I have 3 "Life is Good! baseball caps.  Do you want one of them for the gym when I come over?

It was the ABC policy: Anybody But (the) Conservatives.