I’ve never seen such an excellent translation guide between England-English and American-English. ‘Quite good’ still catches me out sometimes after 8 years! And ‘That’s not bad’ was one of my biggest peeves when I first moved over.
Anyone considering moving across the pond – read and learn. :)
Oh no… here come more broad sweeping generalisation from people who I thought were my friends…
yankeebean
Every time America is in the news, I find myself unfriending someone else from Facebook. I’m starting to see a pattern here…
As we all now know, Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan – it’s big big big news. Some people are celebrating, some are anxious about the possible retaliation that we have to prepare for and pretty much everyone I know is talking about it on Facebook.
Comments on my Facebook page are all fairly similar. People are talking about Obama’s speech and several people have mentioned that they think this will cinch his re-election. Anyway, it’s obvious that Bin Laden won’t be missed…
But there was also this:
Alright – place your bets. Who’s going to be the next bete noire for the USA? There must always be a figurehead to strike fear into the witless populace and make them willingly give up their freedom.
WHY do people think it’s ok to make broad sweeping generalisations about Americans?? If something like this was said about someone’s race, gender or sexuality it would be completely unacceptable. But not the Americans… we’re open game to anyone with a chip on their shoulder.
The truth is, I expect to hear stupid comments like this sometimes – it’s all part of the joys of being an expat no matter where you live or where you’re from. The thing that throws me is when someone that I like(d) says crap like this…
Sigh…
yankeebean
US President Barack Obama announced yesterday that Osama Bin Laden was killed in a fire fight by US forces.
I know I don’t exactly live on the front line, but it’s not worth risking it… the U.S. State Department are warning Americans travelling or living outside of America of ”enhanced potential for anti-American violence”.
I’m lucky enough to live in a country that largely sides with America in these issues. The majority of Brits will be glad he’s gone, too.
All the same, please be aware, my lovely expats. Be safe and be well!
yankeebean
Yesterday I had every intention of rolling out of bed and casually sipping my coffee while watching the Royal Wedding. I had firm plans to relax and ‘have it on in the background’ while I did some day-off-admin.
Kind of like the fascinator I was wearing...
But come 11am British-Royal-Wedding time, I was sitting entranced on my couch wearing a party dress and a fascinator (a bit like the one pictured), bouncing up and down on the sofa and occasionally squealing like a little kid.
PeacefulYorkshire (who was also wearing a party dress) and I were Skyping so we could watch it together and talk about it. ’It’ ended up being mostly talking about people’s wedding hats – I think the British could teach the world a thing or two about how to rock a fantastic hat. (For the record, the ones that caused us to make the most noise were Princess Beatrice’s, Victoria Beckham’s and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson’s – opinions on a postcard, please…)
Anyway, I was completely swept up in the excitement and I think it was an awesome thing to be a part of. A fine day to be British! (Even though I’m still technically not British…)
It was AWESOME to see so many people gathered in London to celebrate. It seemed like there were some seriously good vibes flowing and everyone was having a royally excellent time.
How did you guys celebrate?? Did anyone go to London to take part in the big-style-party-atmosphere? Did anyone actually witness the balcony kiss first hand?? I’m still excited and I want to hear all about it…
yankeebean
I literally feel exhausted after watching the royal wedding. I was soooooo freakin’ excited!! Far more excited, in fact, than I ever thought I’d be.
PeacefulYorkshire and I were Skyping each other while watching the prep on the BBC. It was awesome watching Wills ride to the Westminster Abby (not a shabby place to tie the knot, I must say…). Kate’s dress was insanely gorgeous – she looked completely perfect. I think she did an awesome job of masking the outright terror she must have felt because of the pressure and attention. I walked down the aisle with 35 people watching at it almost ended me… 2 billion and I would’ve needed to be air-lifted down the aisle with a special lacey bridal oxygen tank for good measure.
But my favourite part (aside from the ceremony, my Brit-lovin’-darlings) was the HATS. Have you ever seen such outstanding hats in your life??? I couldn’t get enough of it. I still can’t get enough of it… I’m going to have to Google some pictures after I write this.
I want one… a HUGE one. A hat so big that the person next to me has to move down a chair because my swirly bits of fabric are waggling too close for comfort.
Have any of you lovely ladies bought giant hats or fascinators for weddings or the races? I’ve yet to join that club… but I think I’m caving fast…
Congrats Wills and Kate! You’re both gorgeous, lovely and surfing on a giant wave of wonga – the ladies of She’s Not From Yorkshire wish you the royal best! 
yankeebean
As a seasoned-expat, I think I’ve gotten fairly used to the English stiff upper lip. It used to drive me bonkers when I first moved here. I found myself wanting to take random Brits by the shoulders and shake them until they were forced to emote. (Unless large amounts of booze is involved, in which case the stiff upper lip stops being such an issue.) :)
With wedding season once again upon us, I’ve been a witness to the inner struggle of Brits trying to keep their stiff upper lips locked-down in emotional situations.
I don’t know about you ladies, but I could cry for a living. EVERYTHING makes me cry, but I don’t mind. Mr. Nice Guy is used to it (having lived through 10 years of it already). In private? Sure thing. In public? No problem. Just set me up with my water-proof mascara and some Kleenex and I’m ready to roll. Happy as a sad-clam…
Twice this year I was asked to play during a wedding (sitting up front with a full few of the peeps in the pews), and I’ve watched as the lovely Brits start to cave (usually when people are saying their vows). First their faces harden as the struggle begins. Lips pressed together, eyes glancing up to hold in the emotion, but it’s a losing battle. When the first tear falls, they might glance around to see if anyone has noticed. If the tears keep comin’, a general look of uncomfortable surrender eventually takes place. Surrender is complete when the tissue-rummaging and tear-mopping begins.
As a side note, I’ve noticed that if other people are already crying, then it’s not such a big deal. So, American ladies, do your British lady-friends a favour at the next wedding and be the first one to cross the snuffly finish line.
Initially, at these two weddings, I wished I could’ve given them a little slice of my ‘Just cry, it’s awesome and you’ll feel better’ pie. But the truth is, they don’t really need my help. Brits been stiff-upper-lipping for generations - it wouldn’t seem like England without this charmer…
PS – I’m especially excited about wedding season this year because I’m going to be PeacefulYorkshire’s biotch-of-honour at her wedding in the States next year. WOOOHOOOOO!!! 
I’m sure it comes as no surprise, but we’ll miss her very much! Pacificyorkshirebird has moved back to America and she’s decided to take a step back from She’s Not From Yorkshire.
We wish her all the very best and say a BIG thank you for all her posts-of-glory. Some of our favourites are:
- How to fall in love with an English man
- Top 10 Ways Attending US Immigration Interview Is Like Being On A Game Show
- Kraft – Its the Cheesiest! And other care package desirables
- The perils of washing dishes in England
We’ll miss Pacificyorkshirebird’s practicality and good, solid advice and sensibility! Most of all, we’ll miss getting together for home cooked food, white wine and general expat hilarity.
We wish you all the best, m’lady!! Thank you for being a big part of us!!
peacefulyorkshire
One of the greatest things about running SNFY with Yankeebean is the great feedback we get from our readers. We get all kinds through our email boxes on a daily basis, and we are honoured that you stop by to say hello, rant, and just let us know what you think. So in keeping with the fantastic offers we receive, I just wanted to take a moment to share an opportunity that might appeal to you lovelies out there looking for your big break– a chance to be on the telly! Have a look:
Hi,
I stumbled upon your blog while researching for potential contributors for the US hit television series House Hunters International. I understand three of you are currently living abroad in the UK. Would any of you be interested in sharing your story with us? I would love to hear some more details on your house hunt, and see if we can make your journey fit into an episode of House Hunters International.
Here is a brief description of our show:
Our hit show is looking for energetic individuals, couples and families to share their story about moving abroad. Participating in our show is a lot of fun and a great way to document your exciting search for a home and new life abroad. We are looking for people that have relocated any place in the world except North America.If you are interested in participating with our show or learning more, please send an email to MelissaGrassi@leopardfilms.com.
To view current episodes of the House Hunters International, you can visit the following youtube links (please copy/paste the links listed):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh0Q6DYe3QM – London from South Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLmhKEzm5kg – Dubai from IllinoisHGTV is a top 20 cable network in the US and House Hunters International is one of their top rated shows. At any given time the show is also airing in a variety of other countries.
I look forward to hearing from you and sending you further details.
Best,
Melissa Grassi
Associate Producer
LEOPARD FILMS UK
1-3 St. Peter’s Street
London, N1 8JD
+44 (0) 207 704 3300
http://www.leopardfilms.com
melissagrassi@leopardfilms.com
If one of our lovely readers manage to make it on this show, do let us know, we would love to watch! xx We’re not jumping on the offer ourselves because, erm, well we just don’t have any money to buy a property here in the UK. Heck, or abroad for that matter…someday though, someday….
It started when…
A Facebook ‘friend’ read this article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9398000/9398261.stm
Then he posted this on his Facebook wall about my beloved country:
Get a grip BBC! That stupid, filthy place needs to die a slow painful death, it has been a stain on this planet since it arrived. It’s not grand, clever, intelligent, nice, or anything great and never has been. Be the Great British institution you are and hate the stupid place like most of the people you represent do.
To which I reponded:
offended.
To which he replied:
Of course you do, Yankee! You converted to British ways though so that’s okay. I still love you though even though you are Yankish. I suppose I can forgive that. You started off a chain of events that led me to where I am now so I must be thankful for that. Oh wait . . . oh no . . . I owe my current existence to an American. Crap!
Oh, thank you *bow…scrape*, that you would deem me acceptable *bow… scrape* according to your most exacting standards…
Consider yourself blocked, you bigoted bell end…
yankeebean
The other night one of my newly-expatriated Canadian friends pointed out that ‘quite good’ is one of the hidden-and-never-mentioned differences between us and them (or us and us, to be truer to my current situation).
When it comes to the language barrier, expats will instantly tell you about ‘pants’ (underwear!) and ‘fags’ (cigarettes!) – and the the brave ones will tell you about ‘fanny’ (umm…), but ‘quite good’ slips right under the radar. I didn’t even know about it, its new Brit-i-fied meaning had just misted over me and seeped in without me noticing.
Here’s the low down:
- In American, ‘quite good’ means something is slightly better than good. (And the inflection goes up)
- In Britain, ‘quite good’ means something is slightly less than good. (But the inflection goes down)
As soon as Mr Canuck said it, I knew exactly what he meant. And without realising it, somewhere over the past 7 years I’ve adopted the UK version.
Mr Canuck’s lady friend, Ms Canuck, piped in (horrified) because she said she’s probably been offending people without realising. Man, do I know how she feels – when I was fresh off the boat, I repelled British people (especially women) with razor-like accuracy.
All that aside, my favourite part is that it fits so nicely with the stereotypes of both my peeps. The American version hedges towards the positive in a kind of, ‘yeah, it was enjoyable, I had a good time’ kind of way. But the Brits hedge towards the negative – ‘It wasn’t utter shite, but I wasn’t too impressed.’
It’s so beautifully subtle and excellent… I love these hidden gems that keep turning up even 7 years on. Long may it continue!
