All things English/American

[Martina]

Originally Posted by Incubus

It's been odd watching your President 'reclaim' his apostrophe in Ireland and visiting QE2. The Obamas look so 'Hollywood' even next to Her Maj in her finery.

I wonder why a pretty pointless state visit happened now. I wonder who's footing the bill for the extra security? Just thinking out loud.

The host country does the inviting, and they are scheduled way in advance. i am sure the British government is picking up the tab. Just googled. You are, and the estimate for security alone is 30 million pounds. A special allocation had to be made for it.

Originally Posted by Martina

The host country does the inviting, and they are scheduled way in advance. i am sure the British government is picking up the tab. Just googled. You are, and the estimate for security alone is 30 million pounds. A special allocation had to be made for it.

Thanks for googling that one Martina. Jeepers! With more children living in poverty than ever, a failing education system, an increasingly privatized health service and we spend 30m. on security. Way to go UK!! I suppose the British tax payer is used to picking up the bill for something they never asked for. I'm thinking back to that wedding recently.

I am not having a pop at the Obamas in any way. They were invited.

Does the 'Special Relationship' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Relationship get mentioned in the American media?

[Sparkle]

Originally Posted by Incubus

Does the 'Special Relationship' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Relationship get mentioned in the American media?

Not on a regular basis... but the two times (of note) I've heard it mentioned are:

WWII, certainly my grandparents and their peers referenced the special relationship between the US and the UK; with genuine gratitude and a sense of comradery. Similarly the English I know from the same generation - do as well - though not without noting how long it took the US to get involved in WWII.

My great Uncles laughed uproariously when they first heard the phrase:
"Oversexed, overpaid & over here" in reference to their time as GIs stationed in the UK.

The second time I noticed the phrase "special relationship" had become more common was during George W.'s tenure... and it is used in a very sarcastic/sardonic/ironic manner.

George W.'s wars against terror and WMDs and Tony Blair's willingness to follow (presumably because of that "special relationship" - has been widely criticized all around the world.

Originally Posted by Sparkle

Not on a regular basis... but the two times (of note) I've heard it mentioned are:

WWII, certainly my grandparents and their peers referenced the special relationship between the US and the UK; with genuine gratitude and a sense of comradery. Similarly the English I know from the same generation - do as well - though not without noting how long it took the US to get involved in WWII.

My great Uncles laughed uproariously when they first heard the phrase:
"Oversexed, overpaid & over here" in reference to their time as GIs stationed in the UK.

The second time I noticed the phrase "special relationship" had become more common was during George W.'s tenure... and it is used in a very sarcastic/sardonic/ironic manner.

George W.'s wars against terror and WMDs and Tony Blair's willingness to follow (presumably because of that "special relationship" - has been widely criticized all around the world.

It is referred to here more than there I have always assumed so I'm not surprised you've only heard it twice Sparkle.

[StillettoDoll]

Yesterday I saw a report that High School proms were getting very popular in the UK, because of the show Glee. You don't not have them there?

Stretch limos, spray tans and the £500 dresses: The unstoppable (and ludicrously expensive) rise of the high school prom


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/ar...#ixzz1R8TeOIIR

[StillettoDoll]

Do the English like country western music? Is it popular there?

Originally Posted by StillettoDoll

Yesterday I saw a report that High School proms were getting very popular in the UK, because of the show Glee. You don't not have them there?

Stretch limos, spray tans and the £500 dresses: The unstoppable (and ludicrously expensive) rise of the high school prom


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/ar...#ixzz1R8TeOIIR

Sadly yes we have now adopted the phenomenon that is the school prom - a bit like we 'adopted' trick or treating at Halloween. It's not so much to do with Glee but more to do with long-standing American cultural hegemony and kids wanting what they see in the movies/telly...the Prom as you lot know it has become more popular here over the last few years. We have always had an end of school celebrations it's just now they're called a Prom and parents have to pay out a lot more than they ever did for 'outfits' and transport.

Originally Posted by StillettoDoll

Do the English like country western music? Is it popular there?

Course some Brits love country and western music...Not so sure I'd call it 'popular' but there are plenty of folks who like it.

[Merlin]

Originally Posted by StillettoDoll

Do the English like country western music? Is it popular there?

Can't say I am a fan .. I like dolly,tammy Wynette and tim McGraw.

[Ciaran]

Originally Posted by StillettoDoll

Do the English like country western music? Is it popular there?

Depends on the context but, generally, it's not something you would admit to liking in public over here (unless you live in South West England) ....

In practice, many of us love Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson etc (even Willie Nelson) but there's a limit and, generally, any interest in the genre is less than it is across the pond.