March 5, 1999
They say traveling will broaden your mind, help you eliminate stereotypes.
I always sort of nodded when I heard that, and then let it drift out the other ear, so to speak. But now, even though I’ve only been in England for two months (well, almost two months), I can already see how many stereotypes Americans have about the British that just aren’t true. At least, not entirely. For example, I’m drinking a cup of tea as I write this, but it’s the first one I’ve had since I got to school. Your average American will crack jokes about tea being the only thing the English drink, but as far as I can tell, the beverage of choice (at least for college students) is a pint of beer.
Although I can’t quite say that the average British student is just like the average American one (because they aren’t), I can say that many of the things an American might assume aren’t quite true. The famed English reserve, for example, is partially in effect (I can easily go an entire day without saying a thing besides "I’d like some of the lamb, please, and a diet coke" and "thanks"), but plenty of the people I’ve met have been amazingly friendly. The Cinema Society (gee, bet you didn’t think I’d join that) is full of exuberant people, and we’ve gotten into some great discussions after the various films we’ve seen. And as soon as people realize I’m an American, I usually get questions about the States (see below!).
The weather here, too, isn’t quite what I expected. When one thinks of the weather in England, what springs to mind? Wet, cold, snowy, cold, rainy, cold, and miserable. Did I mention cold? I expected to freeze my California-raised rear end off. Well, it has snowed twice since I got here, but not very deeply. And even though it’s only February, it’s already warm enough to wear a tshirt and jeans under a medium jacket during the day (which is good – I was getting really sick of my long johns). It does sometimes rain for days, but the last few have been really windy, and today (Wednesday) has been calm and clear, the blue sky full of fluffy white clouds. Combined with the green of the grass and the trees just starting to put some buds out, and it’s starting to feel a bit like spring! Delightful. Of course, I may well have adapted a bit to the chill; I’ll probably fry when I get back to LA in the summer!
The stereotype thing works both ways, though. It’s a little strange to be immediately identifiable as an American as soon as I open my mouth. And it’s amazing some of the things that are assumed about Americans here! For example, I was asked the last time it snowed if I’d ever seen snow before. Coming as I do from California, my British friends assumed that I hadn’t – it’s always gorgeous in California, right? Not many folks know about our ski resorts.
And of course, when I mention that I go to school in LA, the immediate questions are usually: have I met many movie stars? and is it dangerous? Most of the people I’ve met have been quite curious, although too polite to bombard me with questions right away.
It doesn’t help that most of the things people here know about the US come out of film and TV. For example, last night, "Worlds Wildest Police Videos" was on the TV while the Cinema Society was in the snack bar. We were all watching, and making fun of it. The voice-over was amazingly stupid, as were most of the criminals, and I had to wonder what kind of impression that gives of Americans. Add to that the most popular American shows (things like "Friends," "ER," and "South Park") over here, and it’s a miracle that Americans aren’t perceived as raving lunatics. California, in particular, suffers from "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Baywatch." With luck, the people I talk to will spread the word that Californians aren’t all shallow, sex-crazed twits.
As time passes, I’m gradually getting used to the little differences between American and British culture, but I’m also learning how many of our preconceptions are wrong. It’s an interesting experience, and not easy to put into words.
Got a burning question about student life in England? Email me.
