For Yanks in UK & Brits in US

My husband, David has been here for almost 9 years. In this time he has had a lot of problems with remarks about being non-American. Has this happened to you? I am sick of it. He is very proud to be British and being called a limey and the like isn't the best of things for him. It may be my area, Wisconsin, we have what is unfairly know as "red-necks" in our area. I find the talk to be interesting as the guys he works with deal with people on an international basis daily.

While I was in the UK, I was never told to my face any remarks that I considered to be anti-American. We were in Hampshire and for what I could see I was like a celebrity and was the center of attention every time we went to the pub. Were any of the Americans given grief by being in the UK?

One of the reason he wants to move back is due to this problem.

My husband has never been called anything like that.  I'm so sorry that your husband has been treated like that in the U.S, I just can't understand that    It's been quite the opposite here in Austin for us.  Everyone wants to know where he's from, how we met, how he likes it etc...  And when I was in London, I was never mistreated either.  One thing that he does do is compare to death the differences between UK and US and it does get very annoying after a while!  For the first three years it was like..."Well in ENGLAND, we do this..." or "In ENGLAND we do that..." so finally I just had to tell him that it just made him annoying and to shut it! LOL  But he's calmed down so much now and he sees both countries for what they are.  How long has your husband been in the US?  Would you ever consider moving elsewhere in the US or even moving to the UK?

Most people have been very warm and friendly with me here in England.   I have only encountered one person who I considered to hate me right off the bat just because I am American.  But, this bloke was a miserable so-and-so who really doesn't like anyone.  He has a low opinion of anything and everything that isn't English through and through, born and raised here. It didn't even help that I'm of English decent.  He didn't have a kind word to say about anyone.  I didn't like what he had to say about Amercians and it made me feel bad...but, for the sake of my fiance' (and the fact that this man - for some reason - is his friend) I managed to keep my mouth shut.  Of course, it helped that I didn't think of all the REALLY good things to say in response (and wish I had said) until the next day!  Isn't that always the way?  ~~sigh~~

But, like I said, this was just one, isolated incident.   And, I hope, it will remain that way.

I've been in the UK for 5 years, and it wasn't until recently that I've been getting an overdose of what I call 'humour at the American's expense'. For the most part, I am met with a surprising love of all things american, except for one gentleman who frequents my shop. I know he is just poking fun at me, and for the most part, I take it with a smile, and occasionally, even a clever come back! But, one day, I'm not going to be feeling 100% and that guy is gonna get it with both barrels..LOL (it does get old!!!!!!!!!

But now, I'm wondering what it will be like when we move back to the states next year. The town we are moving to is also known to have plenty of rednecks and blue collar workers...so will be interesting when the shoe is on the other foot for my DH. Time will tell, I suppose.

My dad in Texas thinks it is absolutely hilarious to call my SCOTTISH (not English!) husband and I 'limeys'.
I think most Americans don't have a clue that it is derogatory, especially to a Scotsman.

I've gotten the occasional remark, but most people here have been very welcoming. I was treated like a visiting dignitary or something by the kids when I first started teaching here. They all wanted to know if I knew anyone famous. LOL 

I think Americans just don't know that 'limey' is offensive. I cringed when I read it on another thread...a girl referred to her new online love as 'my bloody limey'. It's just a matter of slinging around words you've heard...

I'm from a sort of 'redneck' part of the world myself, where my DH's decidedly UNsophisticated East Anglian/Hampshire hybrid accent is considered posh...so he might face some problems there, at least at first.

Interesting thread.

Well, I'm a Brit, and I don't find it in the least bit offensive to be called a "limey".  After all, the term refers to "lime-juice sailors" in the time when sailors in the Royal Navy were issued with lime-juice with their rum ration as a reasonably successful preventative against scurvy - a disease which has caused more matelot deaths in history, probably, than war or the sea itself.  I like to be associated with both the RN and that pleasant accompaniment to rum!!!!

Your local tame limey,

Howard

LOL Howard!

The only problem my husband has run into is that everyone askes him if he's from Australia.  He and his co-worker seem to have a good time about their culteral differences, and when they make fun of the English, he gives as good as he gets.  There's been nothing I would call hostle, just boys being boys.   

Sean nor I have ever had this problem.  The worst either of us gets is someone telling us how things are done in our own country.. ie.... I've been told in England, 'well in America don't you do it like this?'.. 'Americans always do it this way'.. sort of thing.  Like, thanks for informing me, because actually I wasn't aware of that.   

But now, I'm wondering what it will be like when we move back to the states next year. The town we are moving to is also known to have plenty of rednecks and blue collar workers...so will be interesting when the shoe is on the other foot for my DH. Time will tell, I suppose.

I live a few miles away and have no idea you're leaving me?? 

Say it isn't so, Sherry!

Ugh, Jenny......he just came to this decision in the past couple of weeks- so didn't leave you out of the loop on purpose. It'll be awhile yet

i for one think it goes both ways. I have had many anti-american thing ssaid to my face, including once incident where I felt quite threatened, and I can't TELL you how many times I've been called a Septic.  :\\\'( We live quite close to an American Air Force Base, and they are called Septics by the locals - sort of a (from what I gather) new rhyming slang: Yank = Septic Tank. So yeah - it goes both ways. I just ignore it now, and remember that the world is full of ignorant people, and I'd rather spend my energy being bothered about other things. I'm sorry he's had so many comments in the US... I don't think it matters where you are, I think it matters who you come in contact with: which is forever random.

Almost 2 years and still no anti-American anything.

There's been a few comments, but nothing that I took seriously or didn't have a comeback for which spun it towards a jokey thing. But I do love taking the husband home to the states. He fits into my 'redneck' family so much better than I do. He's Welsh. We live in Scotland, but he becomes a total Hoosier (albeit with a strange accent) when we get to Indiana.