Hello from a British Lass, new to the board, many years to the US!

[Rachel_Heath]

Hello to everyone here! Whilst I've been a reasonably long time resident in the US (Cincinnati - the Queen City since 2001) I only chanced across this board today when looking for information about updating my UK driving license.

Whilst I do love living out here, my heart yearns to be able to retire to South Wales (Tenby & Saundersfoot area) where I spent many a happy holiday with my grandparents during my childhood.

Despite living here in the Midwest I'm still considered very much British Lass by everyone I meet and work with - I learnt fairly quickly here that, unlike the UK, pants (Trousers) are the norm - but being very much a girly-girl I rebel on many an occasion! It's always nice to stand out in the crowd like that and stamp my identity. But then, isn't that part of the fun of being an expat? I also have trained my of my friends and co-workers the finer points of real English (and yes, that includes pronouncing herb with an 'H' LOL!) and what I really mean when I say that I'll take a butchers at something

There are certainly some interesting issues being posted here, some funny, some sad but I guess that's the nature of being an expat - nothing is easy...

Well, that's all for now,

Take care!

Rachel

[Dolly]

Hi there Rachel,

You also forgot v-hickle (vehicle), o-reg-ano (oregano) - oh the list could go on

You can take the girl out of Britain, but not Britain out of the girl! Good on you...

Keep an eye on the US forum, it would be great if you could pass on your advice and experiences.

Welcome!

Dolly

[Rachel_Heath]

If only I could teach the locals the real use of a turn signal my life would be complete... Sigh...

[synthia]

Try to remember that American English is closer to that of Shakespeare than moden English as spoken and written in the UK. It's you who have drifted away from the true tongue.

I lived in Cincinnati for over nine years, back when Jerry Springer was mayor, but haven't been back since 1985. I'm glad you like it there. It's kind of a nice size for a city, big enough to have things to do, but small enough to be fairly workable.

[Rachel_Heath]

You're right. I've had a hard time convincing my mother about that though. Quite often she'll correct me on the phone and tell me 'we speak English here, not American' LOL

Still doesn't explain the missing H on herb though

Cincinnati wasn't my first choice when I cam back out here, but between Cinci and San Fransisco in early '01 (death of the .com era, brownouts caused by Enron diddling the figures and a downturn in the job market) it kinda made more sense to move here.

At least we have Skyline

[Bevdeforges]

Hi Rachel - welcome to the board (though you've been doing just great getting yourself involved and "integrated").

On the turn-signal issue - you realize of course that there are only three drivers in the US who use their turn signals? (Four, I guess, at the moment since I'm currently in the US on a visit.) But after Tuesday evening, you're on your own!
Cheers,
Bev