An American Asking a Question

[experiment626mom]

My husband and I travel alot. We enjoy talking to people as we wait in line or elevators, wherever. As an American, we are very used to asking people where they are from. I was recently told that British people find this offensive. Please tell me if this is true. We often find ourselves talking to British people and we don't want to offend or be thought of as rude.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Tz

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi there and welcome to the UK boards!

Speaking personally, I would not find this offensive in the slightest. I've had lots of nice chats with people in line at WDW and it passes the time pleasantly!

So it's fine with me

Karen

 

[KayleeUK]

Not at all - I love it when people chat away Although it is not something that happens regularly here.

 

[G00fyDad]

I wish that I lived in the UK. I think it is so facinating there. Might not have been so bad if UK had won the Revelutionary war. LOL I know I am goingt o be burned for that one.

 

[catherine]

I don't have a problem whatsoever with people asking me where I'm from. Most British people that I know wouldn't find it offensive either. My DH is from CA, and when he first meets people over here, they always ask hin where he's from!

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
No problem here at all. In fact when we answer it usually turns into a lengthy conversation because we live in Boston ( the original Boston as we say ) and most Americans have never heard of it. Even more fun when we tell them New York is only 15 minutes away from our house ( really check a UK map.!! )

Mick.

 

[BONZO]

Nice one G00fyDad! - LOL

I guess that with any group of people you'll find the "bad apples" sooner than later but in my experience we welcome a chat with our "country cousins"

 

[experiment626mom]

Goofydad you are going to get us in trouble!!

mickg7dyd - I'm going home to look at a map!!!!!

Thanks to all of you who have put my mind at ease. We enjoy finding out about our fellow travelers and don't want to put anyone off.

May our paths cross one day in line at WDW!!!

 

[tartangirl]

I dont think many people would be offended.

We're used to Americans asking where we're from due to our funny Scottish accents.

DH is even happier if they understand his reply

 

[G00fyDad]

I swear, one of the funniest parts in National Lampoons European Vacation was Clark talking to the Royal Windsor owner. The owner starts telling him a little anictdote (sp?) and Clark starts looking in his translator for it. Rusty says "He's speakin English dad!"

A little off topic I know.

 

[mandymouse]

Hi there

I love it when someone asks us where we're from, and I'm like you, if I'm waiting in a line I usually smile at someone and start chatting

mandymouse

 

[rhysd2]

i have no problem at all with it. only time it does get annoying is once you say england you get presented with the typical stereo types like "is london always foggy?" and "i know so and so in x city do you know them?"

otherwise its always fun to chat to random people.

 

[UKDEB]

I can't understand how anyone could possibly be offended at being asked where they're from . I'm always a bit baffled, though, by the inevitable follow-up question, "Is that near London?".

 

[florida sun]

Hi there
Dont worry me at all, I love to have a good chat to anybody, but always amused when people say "Oh your British, where from" "Cardiff in Wales" I reply," Lovley, what part of England is that, anywhere near London"!! is the usual reply.

Sue

 

[AndRu]

I can't understand how anyone could possibly be offended at being asked where they're from . I'm always a bit baffled, though, by the inevitable follow-up question, "Is that near London?".

So true! We had that from a couple of Texan ladies in the car park of KSC. We told them we were from Derbyshire but inevitably the London question came up!

Personally, I love it if someone asks where we're from or talks to us - especially if they're from another country. Isn't that part of the fun of being abroad, to meet people, talk, interact and get to know what the rest of the world is like?

However, it's not the 'done thing' in the UK to talk to each other in queues/lines or at bus stops, lifts etc. Don't know why it's like that but it is - most people keep themselves to themselves. But there are exceptions, especially if you have children as they're the great ice breakers. Kids don't know these rules and can babble away to anyone which then sets the adults talking. We have a lot to learn from our children!

If I were you I'd ask away. As you can see from the replies here, not all of us are defensive and would be quite willing to have a conversation.

 

[vernon]

I think very few people would be offended, however you may find more than a few who are a little suprised when someone initiates a conversation with the question. A couple of reasons 1) Brits can be a little more reserved than people from the US and 2) "where are you from" is used much more in the US as a conversation starter, I'd guess that for a lot of the time local accent isn't such a help as it can be in the UK and therefore it is a bonafide starting point. Ask someone with a BROAD Scottish accent where they are from, there is a chance they think you're trying to be funny. If I were to ask the question in a British pub, late at night I might be on the receiving end of a "Glasgow Kiss" (AKA head butt) but in the US, on vacation from an American I think most people will understand you're 1) trying to be friendly and 2) genuinely can't place the accent.

If you're looking for a "safer" opening gambit for Brits you're probably better off sticking with the weather, for some reason it's seen as a safe opening line to most Brits. "Phew it's warm today" or " Brrr I should have worn long sleeves as it's colder than I expected" depending on conditions may do the job.

 

[Ware Bears]

If you're looking for a "safer" opening gambit for Brits you're probably better off sticking with the weather, for some reason it's seen as a safe opening line to most Brits. "Phew it's warm today" or " Brrr I should have worn long sleeves as it's colder than I expected" depending on conditions may do the job.

Couldn't agree with you more, Vernon! We British are certainly obsessed with the weatherand it is the safest conversation starter!!!

Personally speaking, Goofydad, DH and I are always happy to chat and found the friendliness of you Americans one of the highlights of our holiday to Florida!

Elaine

 

[Madjock]

I’m from Scotland where people do talk to each other in the bus queue, the shop queue and I have had many an interesting conversation with the taxi drivers but when I moved to England it took me a while to realise that the complete strangers I would try and strike up a conversation with probably thought I was an escaped lunatic, lol!

As I travel with a bunch of woozies I find myself doing a lot of rides on my own and when you’re stuck in the line it makes it go much quicker and much more pleasant when you start talking with people so I usually instigate a conversation with “have you done this ride before”.

As the advert used to say “it’s good to talk”!
Annmarie

 

[experiment626mom]

You're cracking me up!! It allways amazes me how people think and the questions we ask.

I am really glad I started this thread!

 

[Fantasia Sam]

It's funny whilst I have lots of American friends I still get a kick when I'm standing in line with my girlfriend from CT, that;s any line be it at WDW or in a shop or waiting for a table in a restaurant in less than 30 seconds the question "So where you from?" will pop out of her mouth to the next in line.

I love chit-chatting with anyone I really do but I do get frustrated by the whole "oh I have a brother-in-law from England his name is .... do you know him?" I appreciate that in terms of the U.S.A. we are a smaller country in size but heck there's like however many million (and yes, I'm shameful because I don't know the population of my own country) people in the UK.

If I want to start a conversation with someone I always start with "So are you having a nice vacation?" I think that's a great ice-breaker