British

**buddahas** · 9th July 2012 06:07

Buddahwab

**Anna Key** · 9th July 2012 11:49

Originally Posted by cluezo

Still no dentists in Britain? 2012 ffs .....

I swear you're obsessed with teeth. Is it all that false smiling you need to do?

**cluezo** · 9th July 2012 11:50

I false smile so much my face is cracked

**Getorfmoiland** · 9th July 2012 12:30

Oi, Kate ya little strumpet, give me me teef back!

**Guy Mandude** · 9th July 2012 13:38

Originally Posted by cluezo

great big urban myth that is.

Yep. But I imagine it's Canada's only claim to fame. 'Don't tell them you're American ... sew this maple leaf on your backpack and everyone will be nice to you.' Complete rubbish russ!

**paully** · 9th July 2012 14:20

Dear old New Republic: can't they concentrate more on their own crumbling country - or have they given up on it?

**buddahas** · 9th July 2012 19:21

Originally Posted by Guy Mandude

But I imagine it's Canada's only claim to fame

No, we have degrassi

**Thinkingofachange** · 9th July 2012 19:31

Originally Posted by Guy Mandude

Yep. But I imagine it's Canada's only claim to fame. 'Don't tell them you're American ... sew this maple leaf on your backpack and everyone will be nice to you.' Complete rubbish russ!

The first time I left America was when I was 18. I come from a mid-size town in a very uneducated and poor part of America. In other words, it's a white trash city.

When I was planning on leaving for my first trip (to the UK), I was told:

A. They have no toilets in Britain, so get used to using an outhouse.
B. Sew a Canadian flag on your backpack so terrorists don't kill you.

Now, this was from a guy in his 50s, and this happened back in the 90s. I don't know if he was taking the piss or was serious; considering the context, I sadly think it was the ladder.

I don't think it's an urban myth; there are a lot of stupid, terrified Americans out there.

**fred flintstone** · 9th July 2012 19:34

Originally Posted by Thinkingofachange

I sadly think it was the ladder.

uh Prof....

**Guy Mandude** · 9th July 2012 19:46

Originally Posted by fred flintstone

uh Prof....

---Update---

Originally Posted by Thinkingofachange

this happened back in the 90s. I don't know if he was taking the piss or was serious; considering the context, I sadly think it was the ladder.

I don't think it's an urban myth; there are a lot of stupid, terrified Americans out there.

So did you sew a

flag on your bag?

I started traveling abroad in the 80's and had both a California flag and a Golden Gate Bridge patch sewn on my bag.

**Thinkingofachange** · 9th July 2012 20:10

latter--fucking hell, what a horrible mistake. If it's any excuse, I just woke up.

---Update---

Originally Posted by Guy Mandude

So did you sew a flag on your bag?

Of course not--I'd been to Britain 4 years before this guy started talking to me, so I knew he was full of shit. I was just amazed at his ignorance and even more motivated to get the fuck out of the shithole I came from.

**Guy Mandude** · 9th July 2012 20:13

Originally Posted by Thinkingofachange

get the fuck out of the shithole I came from.

This is your second unpleasant reference to your home town. Where do you hail from?

**Thinkingofachange** · 9th July 2012 20:14

One of my strongest memories was when I first left America to live abroad--and continued to live abroad for a decade. I arrived in Heathrow with my 4 bags full of crap, got on the Underground, and rode the Piccadilly line into town. A few stops from the airport, this really sleazy looking middle-eastern guy went on board with his really thin, meth-addict looking girl with a hideous face but really sexy thin body--she was wearing tiny shorts and a light shirt, although it was maybe 14c and drizzling outside. The two of them snuggled and kissed the entire trip into town.

---Update---

Originally Posted by Guy Mandude

Where do you hail from?

I'd rather not say, since it is quite specific and might give my identity away, since I've already said I live in NYC and taught in the UK. Let's just say it's a white trash shithole.