American Splendour
A few years ago I was doing a ski season in Colorado working as a liftie. I'd only been there a few weeks (just before xmas) and hadn't had my first paycheck yet, so was as skint as a skint thing.

I was in the queue at the supermarket waiting to pay for a pack of Ramen noodles and a packet of crisps whilst talking on my mobile to a friend, bemoaning my brokeness and crappy diet.

The lady in front of me in the queue must of heard this because as she was paying for her food she moved the toblerone divider thing so that my stuff was on her side, paid for it all then gave me half her shopping saying welcome to America. Have a happy Christmas.

I was a long way from home and a bit fed up anyway, it was the nicest thing and I'm not ashamed to say it choked me up a little.
( skivesagain is now no longer in Australia., Fri 3 Oct 2008, 10:05, 7 replies)

Say what you like
about the Yanks but once you are in their country (no mean feat in itself) they are cracking people.

I don't mean the gobby ones that think they know it all, I mean the "regular Joes" that you would bump into in the street.

That story has cheered me up no end.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Fri 3 Oct 2008, 10:22, closed)

absolutely
I lived there for three years and had nothing but good experiences and met some of the nicest people I know.
( skivesagain is now no longer in Australia., Fri 3 Oct 2008, 10:32, closed)

Interesting experiences...
of an American friend of mine, who confirms this in a way - people on the street are very friendly and helpful, say if you're sitting in a bus by yourself crying, and a friendly elderly lady takes an interest, and is very caring an concerned why you're so sad.

Until she finds out that you're gay, you're crying because you just came out to your parents and they kicked you out, and then she finds out you haven't accepted Jesus into your heart and have no interest in doing so.

I don't want to talk down the genuine friendliness, but there are some disturbing undercurrents. To be honest, I think in most cases I prefer the reserved 'negative politeness' of the Brits. And I'm not even British.
(julius, Fri 3 Oct 2008, 12:20, closed)

Negative politeness
That's us Brits all over!! Brilliant.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Fri 3 Oct 2008, 13:21, closed)

As individuals
I think septics are generaly politer, more open and genuine than the average britisher.

It's just a shame they keep dropping bombs on children.
( Ring Of Fire A petty, drooling belming butthurt retard., Fri 3 Oct 2008, 11:03, closed)

Wow! That woman is about a billion times nicer than me
I would have walked off grumbling to myself that if you spent less money yakking on your mobile you might have some money for food.

I really have turned into a grumpy old shit.
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Fri 3 Oct 2008, 11:16, closed)

Britishers
I think that's right about the British being unfriendly. Once you know us we are good as gold but you have to get to know us first.

The Yanks are friendly straight away and will do anything for you.

Funnily enough skivesagain I lived there for three years also, in Memphis.

I got to know this lad through a friend and we became best mates. He lived in the nice part of town and his parents allowed me to use their address to get into my mates decent high school, I ended up almost living round their place and they were totally cool.

Wouldn't happen here.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Fri 3 Oct 2008, 12:00, closed)