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I am planning a road trip around the US. I am unsure what cities/states I would like to visit but I was talking to a US friend of mine the other day and I mentioned that visiting the Deep South would be near the top of my list. She is from Tennessee herself and said that southerners aren't too fond of the British - is this true? This got me thinking: are there any states to avoid as they don't take kindly to outsiders? I know this will end up being a generalisation but I would like to rule out some states and this would be an easy way to do so. What states would you say aren't very friendly to outsiders and on the other hand which states are the most friendly?
For the record, I have visited Florida before (Jacksonville to watch NFL) and the locals at the tailgate were exceptionally friendly so I understand that everyone in the Deep South dislike outsiders; but obviously this was because Jax is a big city and I was clad in my Jags gear!
Also: are there any states with a particularly strong anti-British sentiment?
I don't think there are any states that dislike the British. You will find friendly and not so friendly people everywhere, no matter what others say. As long as you are friendly yourself, respectful, and don't buy into any stereotypes about the people/place you're in while in that place, you should be fine. If you go into an area expecting people to be a certain way, it may affect YOUR attitude, thus affecting how people act towards you. Keep an open mind and understand that there are good and bad people in every state.
I am planning a road trip around the US. I am unsure what cities/states I would like to visit but I was talking to a US friend of mine the other day and I mentioned that visiting the Deep South would be near the top of my list. She is from Tennessee herself and said that southerners aren't too fond of the British - is this true? This got me thinking: are there any states to avoid as they don't take kindly to outsiders? I know this will end up being a generalisation but I would like to rule out some states and this would be an easy way to do so. What states would you say aren't very friendly to outsiders and on the other hand which states are the most friendly?
For the record, I have visited Florida before (Jacksonville to watch NFL) and the locals at the tailgate were exceptionally friendly so I understand that everyone in the Deep South dislike outsiders; but obviously this was because Jax is a big city and I was clad in my Jags gear!
Also: are there any states with a particularly strong anti-British sentiment?
The War of 1812 has been over for a long time. I think we've gotten over that.
In my experience, the friendliest states are the Upper Midwest / Great Plains states, not the South. Places like Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, etc.
The only anti-British sentiment I can think of that people might have is if you run into some crazy tea bagger type who hears your British accent and assumes you must be some sort of Communist / socialist / left-winger. It's unlikely you'd run into such a person, but it is possible. Most likely to occur in the interior western states or the southern states, if it does happen.
Outside of inner cities, (who are hostile to pretty much everyone), I don't know of anyplace in the US that would be openly hostile to British citizens.
Snide unfounded political remarks aside, I wouldn't have any problem traveling in the South, Midwest, Great Plains, Intermountain West, Great Lakes region, Or pretty much anywhere else you would like to see.
Enjoy your trip, and remember, we drive on the Right side of the road
The War of 1812 has been over for a long time. I think we've gotten over that.
In my experience, the friendliest states are the Upper Midwest / Great Plains states, not the South. Places like Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, etc.
The only anti-British sentiment I can think of that people might have is if you run into some crazy tea bagger type who hears your British accent and assumes you must be some sort of Communist / socialist / left-winger. It's unlikely you'd run into such a person, but it is possible. Most likely to occur in the interior western states or the southern states, if it does happen.
Generalize much, White Wine? For the benefit of the OP, who may be unaware of American political movements, "tea bagger" is an offensive term used to castigate a certain type of political conservative. The British equivalent would be whatever offensive term is applied to a member of UKIP.
Actually, I believe the OP will do fine here, even if he should fall in with a bunch of tea partiers (the more polite term). Most Americans find the British accent to be charming and sophisticated, so we tend to view those who have one in higher regard. Just don't brag too much about torching the White House during the War of 1812, and you'll be fine!
As for places to avoid, I think it's too much to generalize an entire state. Apply it more locally, and in general, you're best off avoiding some of the poorer areas of our inner cities. If there are places that you would avoid in London, avoid the places that look like those in our cities. The converse can also be true; people in poor, rural, isolated mountain settlements may also be wary of outsiders.
Otherwise, I think anywhere you go in any state, the odds are good that you'll encounter friendly (or at least not unfriendly) people.
Generalize much, White Wine? For the benefit of the OP, who may be unaware of American political movements, "tea bagger" is an offensive term used to castigate a certain type of political conservative. The British equivalent would be whatever offensive term is applied to a member of UKIP.
Actually, I believe the OP will do fine here, even if he should fall in with a bunch of tea partiers (the more polite term). Most Americans find the British accent to be charming and sophisticated, so we tend to view those who have one in higher regard. Just don't brag too much about torching the White House during the War of 1812, and you'll be fine!
As for places to avoid, I think it's too much to generalize an entire state. Apply it more locally, and in general, you're best off avoiding some of the poorer areas of our inner cities. If there are places that you would avoid in London, avoid the places that look like those in our cities. The converse can also be true; people in poor, rural, isolated mountain settlements may also be wary of outsiders.
Otherwise, I think anywhere you go in any state, the odds are good that you'll encounter friendly (or at least not unfriendly) people.
In my experience, people in California are most friendly to outsiders.
In my experience, and I used to work with a CA company and spent weeks at a time there several times a year over the course of many years, people in California are some of the least friendly to outsiders.
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