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A Brit's eye view of Seattle Login/Join
 
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posted September 21, 2004 19:05
There was an article today in the Seattle Times by a transplanted Brit, Sarah Franklin, titled "Upbeat, helpful Americans give a transplanted Brit an attitude makeover".

Tinman
 
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posted September 21, 2004 20:14Hide Post
Tinman... that was a great article! Thanks for sharing.
 
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Picture of Kalleh
posted September 21, 2004 20:58Hide Post
Yes, Tinman, that was delicious.

Of course, though, she missed the point (in time she will get it)...it's her English accent! Wink It would be a cold day in Hell before most of us would be treated like that when late for an appointment.

You Brits don't know how valuable that accent is!
 
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Picture of arnie
posted September 22, 2004 02:53Hide Post
I think the answer lies in the fact that the American civilisation is much younger than that of the British and other Europeans. There is something child-like about American enthusiasm and "get-go" compared to British world-weariness and cynicism. Most Brits working in service industries tend to feel that the job is beneath them, whereas Americans have a proper respect for the dignity of labour.

Americans' love of a British accent is similar; here, children tend to be fascinated by an unusual accent, but adults merely find it annoying.

Note that by comparing Americans to children I am not trying to be disparaging in any way. I am talking about the American culture, and most certainly not individual Americans.


Build a man a fire and he's warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life.
 
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Picture of Richard English
posted September 22, 2004 02:55Hide Post
In my own experience there is a more positive attitude towards service in stores and retaurants in the USA than there is in the UK - though how much of the restaurant attitude is due to the obligatory 20% tip I couldn't guess.

However, I have also experienced the customer service offered by Manhattan cabbies and I can tell you that they could certainly use a few lessons from London's - and in geography as well as manners!

And as for accent - heaven forfend that anyone should infer that my diction is anything more than that with which I was imbued by my parents and contemporaries.


Richard English
 
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