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Original poster

Any American mums feeling out of place?

92 replies

Foz · 19/05/2005 12:01

I have been living in the north with DH and DS (20 mnths) and just don't feel like I fit in. I miss my girlfriends in the states and find it so much easier to make friends in the US. I think it is to do with the british culture of privacy. I go to these toddler groups and other mums don't really talk to each other.

So, just feeling a bit lonely and homesick...anyone else?

OP posts:
Gizmo · 19/05/2005 14:32

And DC, that Lumberjack outfit is so you!

DaddyCool · 19/05/2005 14:33

oh yes! i remember platinum blonde. i had their album but i was only about 10.

Amanda1 · 19/05/2005 14:35

Message withdrawn

DaddyCool · 19/05/2005 14:38

i remember the hair and shiny suits.

Amanda1 · 19/05/2005 14:39

Message withdrawn

DaddyCool · 19/05/2005 14:41

wow! i forgot these bands even existed! was cory hart the lead singer of honeymoon suite or was he on his own?

Amanda1 · 19/05/2005 14:42

Message withdrawn

DaddyCool · 19/05/2005 14:44

can't remember luba. wasn't the parachute club the ones who sang "...the wild wild west...."

Amanda1 · 19/05/2005 14:46

Message withdrawn

Anoah · 13/04/2006 10:21

I know this thread is very very old but I am hoping Foz is still around. I am also an American mum in the north of England. I'm very shy as well and haven't made a lot of friends here. A lot of that is due to my previous work schedule which made it impossible to attend mum and baby regularly. If you want to chat sometime let me know.

expatinscotland · 13/04/2006 10:24

No. I've been here 4 years, never had kids in the States and feel right at home, just as I did the day I got here.

Life is as you make it. If I were in a place where I'm having a hard time making friends (hasn't happened yet), I think I'd examine my own attitude before putting the blame on the culture I chose to live in. No American is here by force, after all.

Anoah · 13/04/2006 10:29

Uh yeah. If you read my post again you will see that I blamed my previous job which had insane hours and the fact that I am shy rather than blaming the culture.

expatinscotland · 13/04/2006 10:44

Right, and if you read the OP the person believes it has to do w/the British culture.

But never you mind, half the reason I am glad to have expatriated is b/c of America is full of people like you.

DaddyCool · 13/04/2006 10:45

I'm a Canadian Dad. I've been here 10 years so i'm pretty much settled but i think the trick is to keep a 'when in rome' type attitude.

I tried to abandon the ways I do things in North America and try not to harp on about it too much. It thought it best to just do as the natives do and not talk too much about home unless asked.

but yes. it's difficult to make friends. especially if you're shy.

expatinscotland · 13/04/2006 10:47

DC's repatriating, too. He'll be missed Sad.

He may have gone too native to ever fit in there again . . .

A fortnight's holiday a year and all that.

DaddyCool · 13/04/2006 10:48

and the worst thing you can do is start a sentence with "now, in america we would....."

Anoah · 13/04/2006 10:48

Yes, I know the original poster had issues about having problems making friends and she blamed British culture. I don't agree with that personally but I thought it would be okay to try and get in touch with her anyway.

I didn't see the need for you to jump on me and act like I have a bad attitude towards British culture just because I responded to the original poster. That is way OTT.

expatinscotland · 13/04/2006 10:49

Or 'Oh, you're Canadian? You sounded American to me!'

:o

DaddyCool · 13/04/2006 10:49

expat - i'm doing to interim contracts to avoid the holiday dilemma Grin

i feel i'm not PC enough to return to my checky shirted, pleated chino existence.

expatinscotland · 13/04/2006 10:50

Right so go ahead and sue me then.

I'm not the one who went looking for a thread that's nearly a year old.

Anoah · 13/04/2006 10:50

Especially considering I made no comments whatsoever about Brit culture in my post. I have been here 10 years and love it.

expatinscotland · 13/04/2006 10:50

But DC, will the world of freelance allow you to afford the necessities in life: a built in dishwasher, an SUV, a side-by-side fridge freezer?

DaddyCool · 13/04/2006 10:51

whoah whoah whoah, why the tension!?

you've been here 10 years!! ummmm... if you feel you still don't fit in maybe (and i hate to say it) you should consider returning (??). sorry, but i got the impression you were a newbie.

oliveoil · 13/04/2006 10:53

I agree Anoah.

DaddyCool · 13/04/2006 10:53

yup expat. the interim work pays more than the perm work!

i'm getting a half tonne pickup... and before anyone jumps on me about fuel economy and pollution, i need it to tow a 'fifth wheel' trailer during the summer. we're going to pikey it up for a few months.