to wonder what American-isms people actually like?

[DragonWithAGirlTattoo]

just been watching the forum, and noticed that a lot of people dont like 'prom' (even though i think its just a leavers disco with a different name)

or baby showers (totally agree here!)
or halloween ( )

what about gifts for teachers? is that an american import? i'm pretty sure when i was in school in the 70/80s we didnt do that....

Meanwhile Americans could not give a shit what Brits do or don't copy from them

Not sure where in the U.S. you have seen this. I see the complete opposite. Lately the worst one is the bastardisation of trifle.

I love Walgreens/Duanne Reeds
Peanut butter m&ms
Forever 21

Positivity

I lived there for two years.

I like "where is the bathroom/restroom". I cannot say toilet. It sounds so crude.

I love how genuinely friendly and chatty people are.

I hate how we have adopted their mad tipping culture. It doesn't work here where servers remain surly and still expect their tip for doing absolutely nothing. At least over there, they work hard for their tip.

Halloween as a holiday is bizarre over there. Old and young, they genuinely treat it as a Big Deal.

I love JCrew. Hate how they hiked up the prices when they opened in London.

Being "good to go!"

I'm expecting this thread to descend into the usual bashing of Americans and all things American (eternal pessimist alert). But so far it seems quite friendly.

I love many things about the U.S. But I'm not British so perhaps my opinion doesn't count.

Love Legal Seafoods too. Not so keen on how they serve lots of things, like shrimp prawns ice-cold.. But a bucket of 'u-peel-em' shrimp etc with a spicy horseradish seafood sauce ( NOT a sickly mayo/ketchup combination) is fabbo. Once it's warmed up a little.

On to p.3 and I'm the only one who loathes 'play date'?

I hate 'family member' instead of relative.
I like TV shows such as The Big Bang Theory, True Detective etc etc

I don't think that presents for the teacher comes from there. I always find it strange when people say 'we didn't do it in the 70s' because I was teaching in 70s and got presents at Christmas and the summer end of year.
You are not the only one who loathes 'play date' Jacana.
I really hate Halloween.
On a positive note I love their fridges and their friendliness.

I love how they say 'plumber's crack' instead of 'builder's bum'.

I always thought that when people said that customer service was better over there full stop must be an exaggeration, until I went there! Even just going clothes shopping the shop workers were so friendly! In restaurants they top up your drinks before you ask etc.

Family member is used instead of relative because unless married you are not a relative but you can be a family member IYKWIM. This is one reason of many as to why gay marriage is so important here in the us.

It's a bit like people using partner in the UK. If you say partner here everyone assumes business partner or gap couple. Benefits of being married are huge so far fewer unmarried couples. If you aren't married its boyfriend/girlfriend here.

Of course you can be a relative without being married. Otherwise the only person you could call your "relative" would be your spouse.

What nonsense.

In fact, it makes even less sense, as a spouse is NEVER your relative (unless it's a very illegal marriage) because you aren't related to them!

I like the way politicians aren't afraid to mention religion.

"God bless America"!

Cashewnutty I would LOVE to actually go to Nashville one day - and all because of the series!

Halloween- I love how they go all out and decorate their houses.

Positive attitude- I have a lot of US colleagues and I always feel more positive after speaking to them.

Music- some of my favourite bands are from the US.

There are loads more, but I have to say I would love to spend some time living over there.

Halloween . I love it !

Correct me if I'm wrong but their university process is different in that they do a sort of generalised degree first and then go on to do another one ? I know the cost of this is probably extreme but at least you don't have to choose your whole future career at 17 which I think is far too young.

( could be wrong about this , I'm probably just watching too much American TV )

myneighbour - in the US, students have to study for a major, BUT unlike here in the UK you don't have to apply directly to study a certain subject. US students don't have to declare a major until (usually) the second semester of sophomore year (the second of four years).

There are also general education requirement in US degrees too, so students have to take writing/composition and some level of mathematics, as well as courses in natural sciences, social science, humanities and the arts. And in many colleges, there is a language requirement too, for example my cousin is off to college in August and she'll have to take three semester of a foreign language. (Some requirements can be met by achievements in high school tests, like Advanced Placement examinations, SAT/ACT scores, or SAT II subject tests).

Specialisation doesn't come until post-graduation, so there are no Bachelor level medicine or law degrees (for example), the focus at undergraduate level is (as you rightly said) for a broader education.

Ah thanks cordelia ! I think it sounds like a great system

Friends

Ben and Jerrys

Burgers

My boss is American and so is the ultimate boss where I work. I like the fact that they are both so forthright and upfront.

I work at a university and prior to them coming in the culture was insanely clique-y - no one shared information with one another, no one communicated with each other properly, and people consistently bitched about colleagues without ever taking it up with said colleague themselves.

My American boss, if she receives a bitchy email about another colleague, replies to the person that sent it and cc's the person they talked about into it too, saying 'everyone needs to be on the same page'.

I like the fact that if I screw anything up, she will tell me (nicely, but she will still tell me) and not just sit on it and brood for the next six months.

I think the forthrightness at work is quite an American thing and I like it.

I also love American food. Anything deep fried and cheesy is heaven for me.

Americans do have amazing manners though don't they?
Wasn't that shown v well in Borat?

Wish we could coupon here quite fancy a stockpile I quite like pepsi American Tv prom never been or heard of anybody having a baby shower but why not people usually give a baby gift anyway so why not before, Halloween isnt a new thing not sure why folk call it an American import ,

I wish we had Taco Bells here.

And the lovely big houses on their own plots instead of our teeny newbuild dolls houses.