Blending in with another culture is a good thing. It’s what I did when I moved from Oklahoma City to New Orleans and it’s what I’m doing more and more here in London. Going with the flow, so to speak.
Now, I’ve reached the point where the only indication that I’m American comes out when I talk.
To give an idea of what my day-to-day dress has become: I wear cuffed/rolled jeans, a T-shirt or button down, a newly purchased brown soft leather jacket with lines running down the sleeves, sometimes a scarf and to top off the look, I wear my driving cap.
The worst part about blending in, though, is that people expect me to know things. Or they strike-up a conversation only to find out I’m a repulsive, loud-mouthed, ignorant American who has no regard for his surroundings, in a lot of the locals’ minds anyway.
Needless to say, most locals don’t like us too much. Maybe they’re still a little bitter about that whole independence thing in 1776.
So I almost feel motivated to wear an Uncle Sam costume, wave a big American flag, and sing “God Bless America”. Unfortunately, I feel this would cause a little more attention than I would be prepared for, especially given the current terrorist situation in Europe.
With this said, there have only been a couple of unpleasant encounters with the locals. The first is quite funny.
Drinking a pint of Young’s London Gold outside a pub one night, I laughed with a few of the locals over something they mentioned about a guy—to put it nicely—who had compensation problem in his red Ferrari. They invited me into their circle only to learn the devastating news that I was from the States.
One of the kids actually wanted to fight me! He seemed to associate me with the loudmouths inside the pub and did not like this.
Apparently the pub my friends and I chose became a ‘mini-America’ when Richmond University welcomed the American students in early September. Due to its close vicinity to the campus, it only makes sense (similar in the way that Bruno’s is so conveniently located to Loyola).
After a quick stare-down with this kid, he said, “I’ve fought bigger.” His friends laughed, and one of them said, “Maybe a bigger woman!”
The situation was immediately defused.
The kid felt embarrassed by what his friend said and we all laughed.
At this point I took my cue and went back inside the pub, to drink with friends.
Even after this unpleasant yet funny encounter, I observe and embrace the London culture.
Russell Sheldon is an mass communication senior and is currently studying abroad Richmond University in Kensington, England.
Russell Sheldin can be reached at
Camden Town, London (Courtesy of Russell Sheldon)
