Brits Americans

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:42:51 GMT

What do Brits use as a pet name for someone other than "luv"? I was thinking of 'treacle' but do not know if anyone (other than Scott Mills) calls people 'treacle'.

To give you some point of reference, it's for a story I'm writing about a British man who meets his American crush's 5 year old daughter for the first time.

Thank you very much in advance for your help!

"There Are Places I Remember..."

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 04:13:07 GMT

Which towns/cities have you lived in, both in the US and UK? Please give a short summary of the main pros and cons of each.

UK home loan

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:26:22 GMT

I've got a couple of questions to ask for my aunt so I hope that someone can help me. To make a long story short she does not have credit established in the UK and she wants to buy a house. So does anyone know of any mortgage companies in the UK that will give her a home loan for a house in London or any of the surrounding cities? She banks with Abbey National so she doesn't have any problems with setting up a bank account. If anyone has information on home loans in the UK I would appreciate anything you have to say. I know she could just move back find a job and build up enough credit in order to buy a house but I want to know if there are any short cuts? She spoke to some loan companies but they all asked her to put down large amounts of money. So would anyone happen to know of any loan companies that could help her out? Thanks!!!

Also, if any one knows of any UK jobs that allow you to work from the U.S. that pay you in pounds I am all ears, thanks again.

ESTA - Electronic System for Travel Authorization

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:48:09 GMT

Have you heard about this yet??

Apparently, the lovely US government has decided that now, if you're traveling from a VISA Waiver country, that at least three days prior to boarding an aircraft (or cruise ship) that travels to the USA, you must apply for permission to board the aircraft (or ship). This does not, however, assure you will be able to pass immigration, it is purely for "registration" purposes for those traveling to the USA. They're using the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 as basis for this, saying that it will increase security for the safety of the United States. This does not affect US citizens traveling abroad.

Here's where it gets complicated.

This is something that 1) you can do yourself online, 2) you can pay (yes, I said pay) a travel agent (who may book your ticket) to do it for you, or 3) don't travel. I have no idea what this means for people who have to travel at the last minute (say for business or a sickness/death in the family, etc.).

Here's a link to the article about it: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/archives/2008_news_releases/june_2008/06032008.xml

Visitors will still have to fill out an I-94, the authorization will be valid for up to two years (or when their passport expires, if that comes first), is valid for multiple entries into the US, and they're advising that potential travelers apply for the authorization no less than 72 hours before travel. This goes into effect in January, but you can start applying as of 1 August, 2008.

Baby shower

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:54:24 GMT

Interesting post on common_language about UK incomprehension of / revulsion at "baby shower". As a UKer, I'd heard of the idea, but didn't really know the details of what it entailed.

Do the issues she talks about match with, or contradict, the experiences of any of you transplanted / mixed folks?

Car Leasing and Military Dependent work Question

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:09:00 GMT

I'll be moving the UK next year. We are shipping a car over but I would like to get a right hand drive car for myself . Is there a leasing option in the UK for cars? I found a website, carleasinguk.com which seems to indicate that dealerships don't lease cars but there are car lease companies ..is that correct?

My other question is; I am a US Citizen, my husband is in the US Air Force we are being stationed at RAF Lakenheath. I would like to work in the area, do I need to get a work visa or somesuch?

Thanks for your help!

eta: I thought Lakenheath was in Cambridge, but I was wrong. What are good towns, cities that are nice/safe and maybe a 30 minute commute from Lakenheath?

Heathrow?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:38:27 GMT

Hey guys, more of a travel-specific question here. My parents are visiting me in England (from Canada, though I don't see that it's very useful to know TBH), and managed to lose a piece of carry-on luggage at Heathrow- they accidentally left if behind going to their gate, remembered halfway there and turned around for it (apparently inducing hilarity running the wrong way on the moving walkway), but of course, it had been removed by the time they got back to it (because of course any baggage left around unattended is considered suspicious).

Can anybody suggest the best way to track down this piece of carry-on? I see on the Heathrow website there's a phone number for Left Luggage, and Lost Property. Which contact is probably the best way to track it down? All of this is only transpired yesterday, so my best bet to try and track it down ASAP instead of when they're flying back in 2 weeks or so, right? Or, is the highlight of some security guard's day the part where he gets to explode left-behind baggage and carry-on?

Faking an American Accent on the BBC

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:36:57 GMT

Okay, so has anyone listened to the samples from the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7518968.stmBBC's followup on imitating an American accent?</a> Some of them are pretty amusing to my American ears, though I think the guy who lived in California manages to pull it off most successfully. And I found the tip Stuart Smith gives about "curling your tongue up" when you say certain words to be pretty interesting to imitate an American accent. I was once told (in Colonial Williamsburg) that the best way to fake a British one is to pretend you have a plum (yes, a plum, they were very specific about the fruit) in your mouth and keep your tongue low. I guess that's where the difference lies!

So I'm the new kid...

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:15:47 GMT

and I'm in a bit of a bind. I've been spending the last hour and a half trying to figure out what I want to write my UK themed informative speech over. Thing is I'd really rather not get into my nerdy obsession with Gainsborough or Sylvia Plath and I know Winston Churchill and Jane Austen have probably been done a million times before so really...what I'm looking for is some type of contemporary issue that I, as an American who has never stepped foot in the UK, may be unaware of. An alternative would be...maybe some type of celebration? Any help would be most welcome.

health insurance

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:14:12 GMT

I've had a look through tagged entries and my question is similar to this http://community.livejournal.com/brits_americans/792518.html
as I am a US postgrad student who is soon going to see my American health insurance expire. I am not going to pay coverage because I use the NHS and when I go home to visit I can get travel insurance.

However, I was wondering, as I plan to move back to the US in 1-2 years time (subject to Post Study Visa approval), will it be difficult to get health insurance because I will technically have been uninsured for a period of time?

Has anyone had a similar experience that they can share? I ask because when I first moved, I got taken off of my car insurance because I obviously wasn't driving. It was then incredibly difficult to put me back on because, according to many agencies, I had an uninsured period. Just wondering if it works the same way with health insurance??

Planning a UK vacation for next year

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:59:57 GMT

Hello!

I haven't been on lj since the dawn of Vox but I had to dig up my old account and password to ask this question...

What's the typical cost of vacationing to the UK?

I'm planning a vacation to the UK for August 2009. I obviously have a year and haven't really planned anything about the trip past the idea that I want to go to the UK. I've already started saving money but my question is, about how much do I need?

I'd like to stay a month, if costs permit.

My basic plan involves hosteling and backpacking as well as acquiring a guide (the paper sort that tells you what not to do not the human sort that charges per hour) long before I fly out.

If I can stay the full month I'd like to spend some time in London, Glasgow and pop out of the UK to see Dublin. I'd also like to ride a train (because I live in Texas and have only seen them used to transport coal and stuff). And eat things native despite the... things I've heard. (I'm hoping no one took offense at that, I've heard nothing good but I'd like to find out for myself.)

So, can anyone take a guess at about how much I should save?

This was really the best resource I could think to ask. I'm sorry if I bothered anyone.

How not to do an American Accent. (BBC online article)

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:26:14 GMT

Here's an article on a voice coach who advises and coaches movie stars on how to speak with either an American or English accent, though the main focus of the article is on learning how to sound American. There is a video included that shows the author of the article how to speak with an American accent. I found this very entertaining. I hope you do too. :->

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7509572.stm

Gold

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:56:00 GMT

Does anyone know the reason why 14k gold just doesn't seem to exist in the UK?

Britian "Sold" to the EU

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:17:21 GMT

The great thing about moving back to the UK and is I am a little more up on the latest news and what's happening here. The bad thing is that spending most of my life in the US means I really don't understand a lot of the issues at play here in the UK. I found this article in the Daily Express talking about the ratified Lisbon Treaty. Now I know most people in Britain are against the treaty but other than national identity I was wondering why? Can anyone give me some background and understanding about the treaty (beyond what Wikipedia says)?

Thanks in advance.

Edited: Perhaps I should mention that I want both sides of the story. In any argument there is "he said" and "she said" and the truth that lies usually somewhere in the middle. I am looking for that middle section and not a bunch of commentary about how bias the Daily Express is. Thanks.

Traveling on Dual Nationality

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:44:11 GMT

A few weeks ago I uprooted and moved from NYC to London. As it was my understanding at the time, I entered the country (UK) on my British Passport; having left the states on the US passport. This morning, however, someone informed me that I should have entered the UK on my US passport and not my UK passport because supposedly you are supposed to travel on one of the passports but then you risk "over staying" even if you are dual. However, if I recall correctly, my mum (who is also dual) has left and entered in much the same way without a problem. Considering she is out of town at the moment I can't ask her and she may not know if laws have changed. Thus I am wondering if any of you with dual nationality have an understanding of the law(s) surrounding this for the US and UK? I am now a little bit worried about returning to the states and having problems because I don't have a stamp in my US passport saying I entered the UK but would they even look? This is my first time traveling on two passports so I am unsure of the process. Help?

Edited: Thanks. Question answered. Though why can't I add dual nationality and living in the uk into my tags?

quick air travel question (x-posted)

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:45:27 GMT

I'm heading to the UK for a masters degree around September 18 and have no idea when I'll be coming back to the States. Round-trip flights are cheaper than one-ways (at least for the airline/airports I'm looking at), and the UK -> US -> UK fare is a better deal than the reverse for the same dates and airports. Would I get in trouble with the government of either country if I book the UK -> US -> UK flight and only use the US -> UK portion?

(I hope this makes sense.)

Free Advice

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:57:40 GMT

Yesterday, a co-worker posed this question: "My sister is going to 'Mitchigan' on holiday. What advice would you give her?"

I said "Number One: tell her never to say "MiTchigan"... people will laugh at her. It's like when Americans come over here and stumble over Gloucester, Leominster or Worcestershire. People will treat her like a rube. Pretend the word Michigan has an SH in it. MiSHigan.

Number Two: Avoid Detroit. Don't even venture near it. Go somewhere else, like Lansing or Mackinac Island. Michigan has the longest freshwater shoreline in the world... you can't really go wrong.

Number Three: Listen to this. A lot.

Number Four: Go fishing.

It was named after Lake Michigan, whose name is a French adaptation of the Ojibwe term mishigami, meaning "large water" or "large lake".

Now, it's your turn. Pretend I'm visiting somewhere you know well. Give me some advice.

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:13:28 GMT

Weird question:

Does "geek" in the UK carry with it more of an implication of "really into science and technology" rather than "somewhat obsessed with music/movies/comics/nerdy things/etc?" Because I keep encountering it almost exclusively in that context, and it's getting a little confusing, given that my friends, classmates, roomies, and I have refered to ourselves as "geeks" for the past several years, usually with only a passing grasp of technology.

I hope the wording on this makes sense; it's late, I'm tired, and I'll likely try to fix it tomorrow.

Multiple Questions

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:44:26 GMT

I have some questions in regards to jobs and banking.

Prior to moving to London, I will be a college graduate with a BA. Now, my school is no Harvard (obviously, well known) but I do go to an excellent school, USC here in California. How credible are US schools in comparison with UK schools during the job search process?
I feel like I have good work experience for a standard office type job until I find a gig I like, but so far I've had one retail job and have worked at the Canadian Consulate for the last year years on and off gaining experience mainly in Consular Duties and Administration. I know it's probably hard to answer but are these helpful in the job hunt?

I just dont want to arrive and be jobless for days/weeks/months.

Lastly, since I want to be prepared prior to moving I need to open a bank account with some money. I was curious in HSBC's offshore account which can be opened as long as you start with 5000 quid. I've seen there Passport account but I want to have money there way in advance prior to moving. Any other banks offering good options?

Any help would be appreciated.

Edit:
I have double citizenship France/USA so I'd obviously enter the UK with my French passport thus enabling me to work/live without problems.

Piper Alpha?

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:39:10 GMT

Recently, several of the BBC podcasts I listen to have had commemorations and tributes to the victims and survivors of the Piper Alpha disaster which happened 20 years ago this month. I was initially unaware of the Piper Alpha tragedy until these remembrances aired. At that time, I was in high school in a small town with only 1 radio station, a weekly newspaper and 3 fuzzy TV channels, but I would think I would have heard something about it had it made the news in the States.

I'm interested in knowing what Britons my age or younger know about the tragedy. I don't need the specifics - I have found out a lot from the news podcasts and further research on my own. I'm really much more interested in what British students have learned in school about the event. Is it covered in History classes? Is it something that's passed down by word of mouth (ie: "When I was your age...")? Those of you who are in your teens and 20s, do you know about it or had you not heard about it before the recent renewed media coverage? Are you aware of the recent media coverage?

I guess what it really boils down to is this: the podcasts and some of the online articles I've found make it appear that the Piper Alpha disaster is a scar on the nation's psyche. I'd like to know if the average Briton feels the repercussions of that day deeply or (meaning no disrespect to those who died) if the current media blitz has skewed its importance in recent British history.

illusions?

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:05:27 GMT

So, I'm curious. For those of you who live, or have lived, in the UK having come from the US (or in the US having come from the UK), what surprised you most? By which I mean not so much economic things or climate things, but what did you believe/expect/look forward to about the place you were going that turned out to be completely wrong? I'm thinking first of all of disappointments (shattered dreams? ;-) but also of unexpected pleasant surprises.

I know, I know, in [X] they don't have [Y foodstuff] and the cost of living is [better/worse] and it always [rains/is sunny], which is just awful. But on a somewhat deeper or more abstract level, what was really different that you didn't expect?

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:45:47 GMT

I fished a "keep left" regulatory sign from a skip when a road near me was being redone. It was all mangled and dirty but i un-bent it and shined it up a bit. It's been in my room all year and i've grown quite attached to it.

So, question is, is it illegal for me to transport it to the US when I go? Would it be illegal for me to ship it?

You can buy them on eBay and such, but for some reason I keep thinking that this is a no-no and i'll have to dispose of it and be sad.

Any suggestions? Please and thanks :)

Tier 1 Visa

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:04:11 GMT

Okay, so it's been AGES since I've posted and my apologies if this has been answered previously, but I'm freaking out because I really dropped the ball on my visa application (long story), though it's not technically late.

Anyway, I'm in the UK and have applied to change status from student to Tier 1 (replacing the HSMP scheme) and all docs have been received by the Home Office yesterday. I'm meant to go back to the States for 2 weeks on 1st Sept. and return to start a new job on the 15th. Clearly, this is contingent on the visa gods smiling down upon me and granting my visa and returning my passport before I travel.

Has anyone else applied for and been granted a tier 1 visa, and, if so, how long did it take to process? Mind, this is not a tier 1 visa for a dependent, which I understand only takes a matter of days.

*fingers crossed*

Afternoon Tea?

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:54:02 GMT

I've checked other communities, read the rules and FAQs of this one and decided this is most likely okay and appropriate to post here. :)

If you were to choose to have Afternoon Tea at The Ritz or at Brown's Hotel, which would you choose and why?

Thanks!

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:57:44 GMT

Hi,

I was wondering if any of you know where I might be able to find some pictures of Liverpool in the 1940s & early fifties? Google has been only partially helpful, & I am asking at a few other places, too.

Thanks for your time!