Oh my goodness, I loved reading this. One of my best friends is Brit and I always tell him I adore everything British, especially the accent. LOL. Practically everything I watch on TV is British - Endeavour, Grantchester, Lewis, etc. And I try to read everything that's based in Cornwall. 😂
Girl. I so get it. I married (and divorced) a Brit. I lived here in the UK for a total of 18 years (off and on). You pick up the things. As a little girl, I always wanted to live in London, so I moved there when I was 33.
Having lived in the UK for about 2 decades (and grown up under the influence of an Anglophile father) I can totally relate! I am definitely an Anglophile too ~ a naturalised British citizen even ~ although British TV has passed me by entirely. We opted out of having television altogether. First to the great chagrin of our kids, now they don't have TVs either.
Despite having a Scottish great-grandmother, I never took a shine to doilies or any knick-knacks to be displayed... but our very British glass-door cabinet is a lovely and useful piece of furniture for housing my shoes...
Oooo, I'm drooling with envy! I knew a family who didn't have TVs in their homes. I get it, but I now look at it as part of a shared experience for my generation, because nowadays, we don't have those anymore. But the nice thing is being able to watch what you want when you want. I would imagine though that growing up without TV strengthens the mind, and allows for hobbies and other interests to develop!
It's always a good time to re-watch Pride and Prejudice! Although I really couldn't get into Downtown Abbey which was written by Julian Fellowes, yet my American in-laws love it.
I have often wondered if accents soften and change when you don't live somewhere in your home country for a while. My husband says that I slip into a Midlands accent when we travel to the UK, while he definitely sounds more Bostonian when we visit the states. And then while we are here in HK, he thinks I sound Australian.
Tee hee. Yes, 100% agree, Pride and Prejudice forever! I didn’t mention Downton Abbey for a reason. After the first two (?) seasons, I got bored with it. Sometimes though, I wonder if I should try to get back into it, but I think it got too soapy for me.
Accents def change ~ there’s a theory that if you’re British overseas you sound MORE British or you’ll go the opposite where your accent softens, as you say. I think we pick up what’s around us naturally, too!
I adore the “posh” British accent lol and I’d forever remember when Dave, my first British colleague, poured a bottle of Snapple into a Styrofoam cup while I threw back my head and chugged down mine directly from the bottle 😅.
Well, obviously I love all THIS, Lani! No humour like the British (although the Irish take the zaniness just that bit further which I appreciate and admire!) My fav comedian is Steve Coogan (also quite fanciable in my off-beat opinion), loved The IT Crowd with Richard Ayoade (screamingly funny) and of course, Father Ted. I could go on and on. I am a Canadian who lived in the UK during my formative years and also had Brit parents so I am a true transAtlantic type. Jane Eyre is one of my favourite books and if you haven't read Penmarric by Susan Howatch you must. (Not so available or well known, but soooo good!) It's leaning a bit towards the same school as Poldark - which I am just going to presume you are familiar with! Again, simply excellent. (Google Ross Poldark as a tempter ...)
Whenever I am feeling low, I watch an old Alan Partridge episode or two on YouTube. I don't lol easily but the cringe factor he presents is so hilarious. And of course 'The Road' movies! Nice to meet another enthusiast.
I loved the IT Crowd, too. It was my introduction to Ayoade and Noel Fielding, etc. Which reminds me I forgot to mention The Mighty Boosh! Super weird and hilarious. I'm familiar with Steve Coogan, but not as intimately as you. 🥰 And you're reminding me of Father Ted. Another recommendation - I need to get on that. Did I know that you are Canadian? I don't think so. Fascinating background. You know, I haven't watched Poldark, but I will take it seriously now, as I will Penmarric. Hmmm, Ross... xo
😆 I think you may want to checkout 'Britbox' on Amazon Prime - ALL British TV...I may've started a whole binge-watching session of dramas now!
As you head 'up north', there are a LOT more local phrases that'll confuse you...lunch, tea, dinner, afters...and also pal, chum, ....and when 'luv' and 'dear' are par for the course even if we get a bit affronted by the sexism of it all...ahhh so much more I could share...xo
Let's not get started with the north. 😂 Accents become increasingly challenging. My London friend always says 'love'. Personally, I gravitate towards dear, especially with my students.
Britbox sounds dangerous! I'll check it out, thanks, Victoria! xo
Sorry better comment with corrections (please delete my older one):
Of all accents, I wish I did have either a British or Caribbean accent/patois as someone with an Asian face. I like listening to such accents.
I haven't bothered to adopt certain colloquialisms outside of Canada. But what I have noticed that if I vacation long enough in the U.S., I invariably start to adopt the American accent there. After about 5 days vacationing or so. It just creeps in...and I stop myself.
Ha! Yes, I try to be aware of my speech when I'm around British people because I don't want to start to copy their intonations, etc, unconsciously. Which means, I've caught myself with a lilt and that's not good. Hahahahha. It must be human nature!
I'm a total Anglophile too! My British husband can't stand historical dramas, but despite my Australia upbringing I can't get enough of them! And it's very weird for me when people hear my accent and spot me as an Australian rather than a Brit! 😊
Love it! My mom and I watched British comedies all the time when I was growing up. Thank you, PBS. And while I've always been slightly (very) obsessed with France, a few British friends have teased me lately saying I might actually be more of an Anglophile. Shocking. But they may be right. Oh my. "I have the soul of an old lady who’d rather be crocheting blankets, reading cozy mysteries, and faffing about in the garden." Yes, indeedy. xo
We can be those Americans (eye roll) together then. 😂They want to convert you from being a Francophile, which is totally understandable. You might have to embrace the inner conflict within!
Yes! 🧶 I think, as expats, we have to embrace/get used to that darned inner conflict. My brain is a rotating roller-coaster ride. 🤪 But I want it all! 🇫🇷🇬🇧🐊 Is that so much to ask? 😂 Le sigh.
Indeed. I almost want to suggest that the last 14years of British history appear as if they have been scripted by comedians with a liking for dark humour. But that would almost certainly be going too far.
Oh my goodness, I loved reading this. One of my best friends is Brit and I always tell him I adore everything British, especially the accent. LOL. Practically everything I watch on TV is British - Endeavour, Grantchester, Lewis, etc. And I try to read everything that's based in Cornwall. 😂
😁😁😁 My first response was to say, Awesome! But that’s too American, instead, I’ll say, Brilliant! xo
Girl. I so get it. I married (and divorced) a Brit. I lived here in the UK for a total of 18 years (off and on). You pick up the things. As a little girl, I always wanted to live in London, so I moved there when I was 33.
Wowwww. You’re so lucky, and I’d imagine you’ve got some fun cultural clashes to share, too. Is fun the right word? 😅😅
😳 Not sure fun is the right word 😂
😅 Wonderful!
Having lived in the UK for about 2 decades (and grown up under the influence of an Anglophile father) I can totally relate! I am definitely an Anglophile too ~ a naturalised British citizen even ~ although British TV has passed me by entirely. We opted out of having television altogether. First to the great chagrin of our kids, now they don't have TVs either.
Despite having a Scottish great-grandmother, I never took a shine to doilies or any knick-knacks to be displayed... but our very British glass-door cabinet is a lovely and useful piece of furniture for housing my shoes...
Oooo, I'm drooling with envy! I knew a family who didn't have TVs in their homes. I get it, but I now look at it as part of a shared experience for my generation, because nowadays, we don't have those anymore. But the nice thing is being able to watch what you want when you want. I would imagine though that growing up without TV strengthens the mind, and allows for hobbies and other interests to develop!
It's always a good time to re-watch Pride and Prejudice! Although I really couldn't get into Downtown Abbey which was written by Julian Fellowes, yet my American in-laws love it.
I have often wondered if accents soften and change when you don't live somewhere in your home country for a while. My husband says that I slip into a Midlands accent when we travel to the UK, while he definitely sounds more Bostonian when we visit the states. And then while we are here in HK, he thinks I sound Australian.
And cheers mate for a great post :)
Tee hee. Yes, 100% agree, Pride and Prejudice forever! I didn’t mention Downton Abbey for a reason. After the first two (?) seasons, I got bored with it. Sometimes though, I wonder if I should try to get back into it, but I think it got too soapy for me.
Accents def change ~ there’s a theory that if you’re British overseas you sound MORE British or you’ll go the opposite where your accent softens, as you say. I think we pick up what’s around us naturally, too!
I adore the “posh” British accent lol and I’d forever remember when Dave, my first British colleague, poured a bottle of Snapple into a Styrofoam cup while I threw back my head and chugged down mine directly from the bottle 😅.
Ha! That's funny. I think that would have drank from the bottle when I was living in the States, but overseas has taught me to pour it in a cup! 😅😅
Well, obviously I love all THIS, Lani! No humour like the British (although the Irish take the zaniness just that bit further which I appreciate and admire!) My fav comedian is Steve Coogan (also quite fanciable in my off-beat opinion), loved The IT Crowd with Richard Ayoade (screamingly funny) and of course, Father Ted. I could go on and on. I am a Canadian who lived in the UK during my formative years and also had Brit parents so I am a true transAtlantic type. Jane Eyre is one of my favourite books and if you haven't read Penmarric by Susan Howatch you must. (Not so available or well known, but soooo good!) It's leaning a bit towards the same school as Poldark - which I am just going to presume you are familiar with! Again, simply excellent. (Google Ross Poldark as a tempter ...)
You're welcome xo
Love Steve Coogan! I tried introducing Alan Partridge to my (American) husband and he just couldn't get it, mainly from the accent.
Whenever I am feeling low, I watch an old Alan Partridge episode or two on YouTube. I don't lol easily but the cringe factor he presents is so hilarious. And of course 'The Road' movies! Nice to meet another enthusiast.
Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon are brilliant in those series
I loved the IT Crowd, too. It was my introduction to Ayoade and Noel Fielding, etc. Which reminds me I forgot to mention The Mighty Boosh! Super weird and hilarious. I'm familiar with Steve Coogan, but not as intimately as you. 🥰 And you're reminding me of Father Ted. Another recommendation - I need to get on that. Did I know that you are Canadian? I don't think so. Fascinating background. You know, I haven't watched Poldark, but I will take it seriously now, as I will Penmarric. Hmmm, Ross... xo
😆 I think you may want to checkout 'Britbox' on Amazon Prime - ALL British TV...I may've started a whole binge-watching session of dramas now!
As you head 'up north', there are a LOT more local phrases that'll confuse you...lunch, tea, dinner, afters...and also pal, chum, ....and when 'luv' and 'dear' are par for the course even if we get a bit affronted by the sexism of it all...ahhh so much more I could share...xo
Let's not get started with the north. 😂 Accents become increasingly challenging. My London friend always says 'love'. Personally, I gravitate towards dear, especially with my students.
Britbox sounds dangerous! I'll check it out, thanks, Victoria! xo
Sorry better comment with corrections (please delete my older one):
Of all accents, I wish I did have either a British or Caribbean accent/patois as someone with an Asian face. I like listening to such accents.
I haven't bothered to adopt certain colloquialisms outside of Canada. But what I have noticed that if I vacation long enough in the U.S., I invariably start to adopt the American accent there. After about 5 days vacationing or so. It just creeps in...and I stop myself.
Ha! Yes, I try to be aware of my speech when I'm around British people because I don't want to start to copy their intonations, etc, unconsciously. Which means, I've caught myself with a lilt and that's not good. Hahahahha. It must be human nature!
I’ve always said you are a diamond geezer Lani. And don’t forget to cheer on England tonight in the Euros
Awwww. Thanks, Steve. 🩷I've never been called a diamond geezer! You're expanding my vocab, dear teacher. 🇬🇧 Go England!
I'm a total Anglophile too! My British husband can't stand historical dramas, but despite my Australia upbringing I can't get enough of them! And it's very weird for me when people hear my accent and spot me as an Australian rather than a Brit! 😊
How dare they! 😉 Yeah, you don't get many men embracing the historical/costume dramas, and yet some of the best ones have been written by them!
Love it! My mom and I watched British comedies all the time when I was growing up. Thank you, PBS. And while I've always been slightly (very) obsessed with France, a few British friends have teased me lately saying I might actually be more of an Anglophile. Shocking. But they may be right. Oh my. "I have the soul of an old lady who’d rather be crocheting blankets, reading cozy mysteries, and faffing about in the garden." Yes, indeedy. xo
We can be those Americans (eye roll) together then. 😂They want to convert you from being a Francophile, which is totally understandable. You might have to embrace the inner conflict within!
Yes! 🧶 I think, as expats, we have to embrace/get used to that darned inner conflict. My brain is a rotating roller-coaster ride. 🤪 But I want it all! 🇫🇷🇬🇧🐊 Is that so much to ask? 😂 Le sigh.
Hi Lani, I think you have watched a lot more British TV than I have! Good to hear that you enjoy it, though.
Ha! Yeah, I suppose we like what's different, and since I enjoy comedy and history, Great Britain fits the bill!
Indeed. I almost want to suggest that the last 14years of British history appear as if they have been scripted by comedians with a liking for dark humour. But that would almost certainly be going too far.