What are the differences between people from the UK and the USA

First visited the US in 1974. For a one week course in Kentucky with a German Engineer. Working for the Process Computer Systems part of GE. That was a taste, so I went back for a 2 month holiday.

Second visit in 1975. Flew from London to JFK and onwards to San Francisco. Went looking for that beach that the Monkeys played on, only rocks. On a boat trip to Alcatraz round the renowned prison and end up with sunburn. So chemist for sun lotion and big hat to keep the sun off. Took Greyhound bus tours to different places. Then moved down to Hollywood it reminded me of Blackpool.

After a couple of tours moved down to Orange County and found a pub with a Country music band. That put me in the right mood. After chatting to some locals they suggested Lake Tahoe for nightlife and wildlife.

Came across a school outing from Germany. That reminded me of where I had come from and what differences I would find here in the US.

Next I visited San Diego and it reminded me of Portsmouth. With a US Sailor flying out in the horizontal plane from a Bar. Took a tour down to Mexico and back. Their brown Beer was like some UK Beers. Food was different and made a good change.

Bus back up to San Fran and another to Lake Tahoe. Stayed in a Casino Hotel and listened to the Three Degrees over a meal and some beers. Then I went for a walkabout and met some friendly visitors.

They invited me over for breakfast in their holiday cabin. The woman was cooking breakfast and opened the back door. That attracted a large Brown Bear making her scream. When it banged its head above the door. Her husband fired a shotgun in the air and off it went.

Later that day started the horseback trekking holiday for two weeks. Two guides, two guys and ten young women. So the guides introduced themselves and one went through the safety drill. Every night put all the food in the sacks and the guides tied them up.

The horses carried us up and down the hills, through the woods and across the rivers. Plenty of wildlife and some bears looking at us. About the third or second last night one of the girls was eating cookies and a bear swiped the corner of her tent.

It could have knocked her head off. After a lot of screaming and two small bottles of Brandy and a bucket of water, and some slaps she stopped.

Two police came out and took her back for a checkup. Her father got the police to check with everybody and we all had the same story.

Then the Guide showed the police. That we had all signed up for the trek holiday and accepted the terms and conditions. So one more night in the Casino Hotel with a good band and meal. Before getting the bus back to the San Fran airport and back through JFK to London.

So no hassles, everybody friendly and only one New York Jewish guy, who spoke like a machine gun on two of the bus tours. On the way out robbed by a guy on the floor of a yellow taxi in the Airport Taxi Que.

Lucky for me it was the morning and I found the British Embassy. Who replaced my passport. And sent somebody with me to the bank to get cash and the replacement cards organised. Stayed one more night and collected my cards in the morning. Took the bus back to JFK.

California offered a lot, and would need months to go in the mountains and cross the deserts. More of Oregon in the woods and countryside. In the cities one or two people to avoid, but otherwise friendly and happy to chat.

Third visit to the US in 1979 working for UNIVAC based in Minnesota lasted 8.5 months. Shared a flat with another Engineer, who went home at weekends.

Went off site-seeing again on Greyhound Buses. Visited surrounding states and round the great lakes fishing. Found a lot of friendly Scandinavians round the Great Lakes.

Went to Chicago and got on well in the Irish part of town. Chatted about football and rugby. Having been in the North and South of Ireland youth hostelling and hiking around. To be continued...