Hilarious! How little some americans know about England!

The most basic mistake is Americans thinking England=London. How often do you have to be introduced as someone who has moved to "London" even though you live hundreds of miles away? And of course they are totally confused about Great Britain and United Kingdom.

I lived for a few months in Westwood and for about a year in St Bernard (was never sure if that was considered east or west).

I grew up in Bridgetown, right next door.

My ex-husband was from the west side and went to Elder.

*boohiss* I went to Oak Hills.

Haha, my mother always asks me 'Do they have Valentine's Day/Thanksgiving/Halloween/whatever holiday there?'

I've also had to explain to people what makes up the United Kingdom.  And most of the time when I say 'and Northern Ireland' they go 'What about Southern Ireland!  Ha ha!'  Then I say 'Well actually Ireland is its own country, it's not part of the UK.'  That really confuses them 

Fun times!  Although to be fair, and it must be said, a lot of Brits don't know much about America either unless you are talking NYC, Orlando, or somewhere in California. 

Fun times!  Although to be fair, and it must be said, a lot of Brits don't know much about America either unless you are talking NYC, Orlando, or somewhere in California. 

Yeah, back in January I was telling one of my friends at work about how cold it was going to be when I flew to the US in February (it snowed most of the time I was there) and she said, "But I thought it was always hot in America?" .

Fun times!  Although to be fair, and it must be said, a lot of Brits don't know much about America either unless you are talking NYC, Orlando, or somewhere in California. 

too true.  I do laugh at how hard it is to explain to so many people that I don't live in England.  They know I'm in the UK, but just don't always get that Wales is a different place than England.

Whenever I go back for a visit, people still ask me (the same people over & over, 6 years on!  ) - How's London?

   Um, I don't know - don't remember the last time I went to London (November maybe?), it's about 200 miles away...

Whenever I go back for a visit, people still ask me (the same people over & over, 6 years on!  ) - How's London?

   Um, I don't know - don't remember the last time I went to London (November maybe?), it's about 200 miles away...

London ... Leeds. They both begin with L, right.

I always get the England = London comment.

My favorite to date is that someone asked me, "Are all the streets made of cobblestone?"

*smacks head*

there ARE lots of areas in england with some cobblestone streets.  2 of the neighborhoods in/around london that we have lived in have been cobblestoned for blocks and blocks.... not very nice for upkeep of your car, but charming for sure.

I always get the England = London comment.

My favorite to date is that someone asked me, "Are all the streets made of cobblestone?"

*smacks head*

My response would be something like- "Yes! How did you know? People don't have cars, and the cobblestone is better for the horses hooves." 

It does go both ways. When I would say I was from Tennessee, people would ask me if that was near Florida. One guy asked if that was close to Oregon, lol! I would just explain that Tennessee  is about half way between Florida and New York.

My response would be something like- "Yes! How did you know? People don't have cars, and the cobblestone is better for the horses hooves." 

 

Haha, brilliant!

When my bf and I were in Edinburgh last spring, we went to the zoo one afternoon.  My bf really likes penguins, so we made sure we were in time to see the daily Penguin Parade.  It's really cute.  They open the pen and let the penguins take a stroll down the sidewalk. Of course, I got the whole thing on camera.

Back home, when I was showing my photos to my family, I told my 10 year old sister that, in Scotland, there are wild penguins roaming the streets.  I had photographic proof! 

Her jaw dropped.  Then I got her trademark, squinty-eyed, suspicious, 'are-you-messing-with-me' look for about two seconds... and then I just burst out laughing.  My bf is still disappointed that I couldn't keep her going longer.

When my bf and I were in Edinburgh last spring, we went to the zoo one afternoon.  My bf really likes penguins, so we made sure we were in time to see the daily Penguin Parade.  It's really cute.  They open the pen and let the penguins take a stroll down the sidewalk. Of course, I got the whole thing on camera.

Back home, when I was showing my photos to my family, I told my 10 year old sister that, in Scotland, there are wild penguins roaming the streets.  I had photographic proof! 

Her jaw dropped.  Then I got her trademark, squinty-eyed, suspicious, 'are-you-messing-with-me' look for about two seconds... and then I just burst out laughing.  My bf is still disappointed that I couldn't keep her going longer.

Now I want to go see the penguin parade, too!

This thread is wayy too funny!

I just let people think what they want to about England...And sure, if I've told you (many times) that his hometown is "2 hours north of london", and you still want him to be from London, fine by me!  Saves the hassle of explaining 1. How to pronounce "Leicester" and 2. Drawing a map of the "UK".  I'm going to be headed to Nottingham in the fall, but when people ask if I'm going to London for grad school, I just say "No, A bit north of there---Robin Hood's old digs" 

 I guess the best thing to do is relate anything of or relating to the UK to something the "average american" would know.....and if that means convincing them about penguins and washboards and cobblestone streets, so be it!