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Lost in the Pond: 4 Bizarre Questions Americans Like to Ask British Expats

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Flag-faced_counter-protester_-_September_15,_2007

As a British expat who has resided in the United States for almost 5 years, one thing I can say without reservation is that select Americans are often inordinately inquisitive about my background. Mostly, this group comprises of people who have either traveled to England or who are, deep down, bona fide Anglophiles. They ask the most fascinating questions, such as how is it possible for you guys to sing the Alphabet Song when you pronounce the letter Z as “zed”? Occasionally, however, this same level of curiosity comes from a different place: a place that is driven by confusion and mediocre fact-checking. From the Royal family to religion, some Americans, unbeknownst to them, like to ask the British what are quite frankly bizarre questions. Here are 4 leading examples.

1. Do you know Prince William?

Americans get a bad rap for this one, and with some small degree of justification. While most Americans are most certainly aware that the majority of British people have no day-to-day affiliation with the Royal family, the odd (sometimes very odd) American will ask: “do you know Prince William?” When this happens, it is best to smile politely and ask them if they know the president.

2. Is that a South African accent I hear?

Americans commonly mistake a good old British accent for that of an Australian or a New Zealander. This is somewhat understandable, given the vague similarity in intonation and pronunciation. However, on occasion, if you speak to enough Americans, eventually you’ll find one that is convinced you’re from Capetown or Johannesburg. That’s right: to a small percentage of Americans, British and South African accents are all alike.

3. Do you have Christianity in England?

You may have noticed that religion is a big thing in the United States. Indeed, there are nearly 4 times as many Americans who identify as Christian as there are British people! It’s particularly bizarre, then, that some Americans remain seemingly unaware that Christianity exists outside of their own country. To these people – and they are, thankfully, quite rare – it is best to avoid mentioning that Christianity has existed in England since the 3rd or 4th centuries.

4. Do you guys celebrate July 4?

July the 4th is as quintessentially American as holidays are going to get: street parades for all the family, apple pie for dessert (as well as for breakfast on July 5), and a celebration of America’s independence from the British. Oddly enough, though, some Americans are bizarrely curious as to whether the latter also celebrates America’s Independence Day. In other words, Americans are essentially asking the British whether they revel in defeat. The short answer is no.

The post Lost in the Pond: 4 Bizarre Questions Americans Like to Ask British Expats appeared first on Anglotopia.net.


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