If I ever judged the UK by what I saw on TV when I lived in the US

[Tee2072]

Everyone in the UK would either speak with a Cockney or RP accent.

They would all either live in an over crowded terrace or a huge country estate.

All the schools would be crap.

The populace would spend their entire lives in pubs.

Now, I never believed any of that, being a relatively smart human being.

So am I being unreasonable to wonder how come I'm constantly battling US TV stereotypes here on MN?

It's a thread about many many many threads.

[Tee2072]

I think, Paper, people are mostly joking at this point.

[grumpyoldbat]

paper I thought it was kind of the point of the thread. For people to ask about things they've gleaned from TV and film so they can discover what is TRUE and what isn't.

[HighJinx]

at can't verify the accuracy of their laundry room

When I was a child I thought that all kids in the US had a phone (land line, no mobiles back then) in their bedroom. [shame]

Oh and I do remember suggesting to my parents that we should move Stateside after watching Grease for the first time. In my defense I was only about 9 and thought that I could be a pink lady and go to the fun fair at the end of term.

[reggiebean]

HighJinx You're not far off... I always had a phone in my bedroom, as did most of my friends! (To be fair, back in the days of dial-up, I shared my phone line with the computer, but I think it was more because our parents were so sick of us tying up the phones by chatting all night!)

[Tee2072]

I had a phone in my room. But not my own number.

I also had a TV in my room.

[reggiebean]

We didn't have a single tv in the house the whole time I grew up (breaks stereotype of Americans having a tv in every room) because my mom thought it was all corrupt filth (confirms stereotype of Americans being religious nutcases).

[HighJinx]

This is fascinating.

One other thing I've always wondered about is inter-state rivalry. Is there much? Do people consider some states to be more snobby etc?

There is the north/south divide in England before you even start on the different countries of the UK.

Thank you for answering all my questions btw

[HighJinx]

I know there is a north/south divide but are there other subtler differences between the states?

[reggiebean]

Yes, massive state rivalry. For example, in Colorado we don't like anyone who isn't from Colorado, especially Texans. No one likes Texans (except if you're from Austin. Then it's okay.) California has a massive "NorCal/SoCal" rivalry.

Every state has it's own flag, so quite often at uni, you'll have the flag of where you're from hanging up in your dorm!

[ILikeBirds]

I love these linguistic maps showing variations between the states

What do you call a sweetened carbonated beverage?

More here

[HighJinx]

reggie that's fascinating. I love that people from Austin are OK

at Colorado.

When I was in Seattle there was a lot of moaning about how many Californians had moved up to Washington and 'ruined everything'

[reggiebean]

I'm trying to think of other state stereotypes...

• Washington/Oregon = Hippies
  
• Utah = Mormons
  
• New Yorkers are rude (oddly, they actually are upstate... The rudest people I've ever encountered in my entire life were there, but everyone in the city was nice enough)

[SconeRhymesWithGone]

Oh, yes. And it is all exacerbated by the collegiate sports rivalries. I live in Florida, but grew up in Georgia. The University of Georgia/University of Florida football rivalry is historic and intense, and spills over into other aspects of life. It is very good-natured, though, most of the time.

[reggiebean]

Yes, we're not huge fans of Californians either, but I used to live there, so they've grown on me (the ones from the North... I still hate LA!).

People who live in pretty states are quite protective of them (though no one is as protective as the Hawaiians!). We have bumper stickers that look like our license plates that say "Native" on them, and someone from California started selling ones that said "Transplant" on them, and there was a spate of vandalism that happened to their cars all over the state

[HighJinx]

Scone going to a College football game remains as one of the most unexpectedly amazing experiences of my life. It was like the biggest picnic in a car park ever. No-one could say that the Americans in that car park didn't take their food seriously And so, so friendly.

[reggiebean]

ILikeBirds I took that linguistic quiz the other day... It said I was from the inner part of California! so I wouldn't say it's 100% accurate!

The soda/pop/coke thing is completely correct. It's the oddest thing, when you order a Coke in the South, and they ask you what kind.

[HighJinx]

reggie how do you feel about British tourists in Colorado?

It is very high on our list of places we would like to visit. Do we need to pretend to be from Austin?

We tip wait staff 20% if that helps.

[reggiebean]

No, we quite like British tourists (it's the accent ) and if you tip, you're more than welcome!!

Honestly, it is the most amazing place, it is SO beautiful. I go back about once a year to visit, though I haven't lived there in about 5 years, and I still am in awe at how beautiful it is there.

When you plan your trip, feel free to message me, I'd be happy to give you a whole itinerary!!

[Tee2072]

Actual conversation over heard in New Orleans Louisiana as relayed to me by my brother:

Person: I'll have a coke.
Server: What kind?
Person: Hot tea.
Tee's Brother:



I take those quizzes and totally confuse them. I've lived from East to West and my two best friends in boarding school were from the deep south. My accent is weird.

[SconeRhymesWithGone]

Coca Cola originated in Georgia so, yes, it can be generic for soft drink.
DH says pop. He is from western New York.

[HighJinx]

Oh thanks for that reggie I will take you up on that. I think it will be next year now. DH loves American football so I think he wants to time it so we can see the Broncos.

[reggiebean]

Really?!?!? (You've just absolutely made my day!) They play tonight, it's the first game of the season (and I'm actually sitting here in my Broncos orange right now!) The game is on Sky Sports! (It's on at 1 am, but you can record it!!)

[reggiebean]

Lots of () I know, but I just got so excited!!

[HighJinx]

Yes we have a subscription to NFL online so can watch the games anytime for up to a week I think. We used to get it through ESPN America but we can't get that now (we live in Holland).

Sunday night in this house starts with us tuning in at about 4pm to the pre-match build up then watching games until we fall asleep at about 1am.

The Broncos play at the mile high stadium don't they? Very exciting when you live in a country that is mostly below sea level

Go Broncos.

[reggiebean]

Yay! Go Broncos!

Yes, Mile High will always be the real name for the stadium... That was the formal name back in the 90's, but it's been bought by a few sponsors and they've tried to have naming rights. I think right now it's "Sports Authority Field", but it'll always be Mile High

Oh, I'm so excited... You never find Bronco fans anywhere over here!!