rudeness

[ISUKappa]

I would chalk part of it up to the fact that London is just SUCH a large city and, like New York City, shortness--or rudeness--comes with the territory. And, yes, you usually can tell the Americans apart by how they dress--we're more casual than most. When I lived there, jeans were strictly for fashion, not every day wear (though that may have changed by now) and athletic shoes, excepting fashion ones, were taboo.

They have a completely different cultural mindset than we do as Americans. They tend to be reserved, dry and close-lipped where Americans are outgoing, open and boisterous. There's nothing wrong with either culture, it's just how we are. I worked at a very upscale restaurant when I lived there and I was hired because I was an American and knew how to give courteous service which was what the manager wanted. I thoroughly enjoy Britain, I would love to go back and live there, but I think part of it is because I'm not super outgoing, I have a dry, sarcastic sense of humor and I enjoy British customs.

Unfortunately, at this time, America is not very popular with many world countries and you are going to find that mindset reflected in its people. It's just something you're going to have to deal with while you're over there. If you can, try and get out of London for a weekend--is there a Bank holiday coming up anytime soon? When you get out of the city, the attitudes of people have a tendency to change.