20 Most Common Questions I Get from Americans

[@elliebellie7816]

I lived the first ten years of my life in Kent, England (dad was in the diplomatic corps). Forty years later, I'm in the grocery store talking to my daughter-in-law when a lady behind me says, "Oh, from Kent, are you"? Been living in the US for long?

[@christopheryoung826]

That is amazing tho. The odds of someone actually being able to register that you speak differently.

[@mescko]

That's funny! I once caught a Glaswegian off-guard when I knew where he was from. It's the only accent I can readily identify.

[@allanlank]

What's the difference between an Englishman and an American. An American thinks 200 years is a long time and an Englishman thinks 200 miles is a long distance.

[@ShanaLawson]

allan lanktree I like this one!

[@ladybee883]

It's also like my friends living in Chicago and California think it's the strangest thing for us (since we live in a small town near the Florida/Alabama state line) to have to drive 45 miles to get to our medical appointments. Or, when I was still working, to have an hour and half one way drive. It's just normal for us.

[@yclepe]

Was told that one by a European when I lived there many years ago it is absolutely true (an ancient archeological find had just been made not too far from where I lived) Along that line I found that when you say it is 1500 miles that means little, so I began to describe distances in Berlin to Moscow units(hint it is less than a thousand miles ;-0

[@billmelater6470]

This is spot on.

[@Ocrilat]

Exactly! Hey, allen, lend me £10,000. I'll pay you back in just 200 years! ;)

[@joydurham5437]

When Americans ask "How do you like it here?" We are asking for your experiences not if you truly like it or not. Something like "I love the football but i hate the weather." so it probably never occurs to anyone that you could answer differently.

[@DimNussens]

If I was to ask that, I'd mean it more like - does it put him at unease, or is he getting on well enough? Britain can be hard on Americans, and America can be hard on the British, depending on where we're raised. So asking that, I'm in a way asking him, is there something we can maybe do to help? America is huge and the answers depend on where we ask the question from.

[@3506Dodge]

When people ask me that, I let them know what I really think.

[@Damaged262]

Canadians marry immigrants. Southerners marry only up until first cousins, because, you know, standards...

[@patrickobrien5311]

also I feel like if he said "I hate it and I want to go home" most Americans would be like "yeah, that makes sense"

[@Pinkfong2]

@@Damaged262 not quite certain what that means. I understand the southern part, but you all marry immigrants, not sure 🤔.

[@momstermom2939]

My grandparents emigrated to the US over 100 years ago. They returned to GB only once and never had the urge to go again. My grandmother’s two biggest surprises in the US both centered around food. After getting off the ship in Boston, where she was met by grandpa, he took her out to eat. She remarked that she didn’t know if she would like the food here...the cheese has absolutely no flavor. Grandpa informed her that she had eaten the butter pats. Her positive food experience was American-style bacon.

[@ChrisPage68]

American bacon is streaky bacon, not the meaty back bacon preferred here.

[@msjazzmeblues]

@@ChrisPage68 Eating the butter, thinking it's cheese. That's the sort of thing I'd do!

[@Trevin_Taylor]

“What’s Up?” is the equivalent of “You Alright?”

[@achecase]

I'd say in my usage it's a polite "what do you want". I answer the phone with hello, and if it's a friend, I'll say "What's up?".

[@NurseEmilie]

Actually it means Hi, what's happening with you? Or it can mean just Hello.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes! I always think it’s funny that Brits ask “ are you ok?” All the time. Americans only ask that if they are worried about you!😂LOL

[@aredub1847]

yeah i learned that talking to brit girls online when i was like 14.

[@msmreviews8408]

So true. I am an European in America and I have never missed and loved Europe as much as now that I live here. I know as soon I would go back I would miss the speedy online deliveries and the great customer service and the bagels and cheesecakes.

[@youweechube]

I miss walking around to be honest. I felt more free and not confined to a car.

[@msmreviews8408]

youweechube Move to NYC and you will walk a LOT. 😄

[@robertsparkman8516]

General greeting: HowYaDoin'/what's up..etc. Proper response: Hey!

[@nancymarie1546]

We hope that you and Tarah get to visit your homeland again in the not-so-distant future, but don't ever leave for good. We like having you live here!

[@TuxPeng]

13:05 I'd smile and say, "Good luck with that"

[@Barb5001]

As humans, as we get older we like to revisit some things things that we liked when we were younger I suspect that as you age you will likely to go back to England one day just for a visit as it become more and more something you will want to do

[@johnrettburg6291]

I really like your videos.I like your viewpoint.Never been to England.Don't know if I want to visit.

[@suegeorge998]

Guinness is less bitter when it's room temperature, imo. I don't like yellow beer, but I do like dark beer and ales. When I was in Ireland driving on the other side of the road was not a big adjustment because the steering wheel is on the other side of the car. The worst adjustment was walking to the wrong side of the car to get in, which wouldn't be bad except I was alone.

[@ashleylitebrite6971]

Love the Gladiator reference! Great video, per usual. 👏🏻

[@aarondeifel6357]

What’s up is so much more than “hello” though, I also use it when someone gets my attention and I want to know why, it’s a great casual way to ask.

[@TheAx504]

As I mentioned before, I moved to the US in 1976 at the age of 23. The two questions I get the most are, what do you miss the most about the UK and when the hell are you moving back. Okay, the second one was only asked once and that was during a heated discussion my wife (who is American) and I had about what is more exciting ...... A home run in baseball or a goal being scored in soccer (English football). I love living here in Connecticut. I am retired now, but I can say that life seemed simpler in the UK compared with the US, especially when it came to the working environment. Generally, a great deal of demand is put on the average working American. It maybe different in the UK now. I also have not been back for quite awhile. Actually, I should be there now (dam covid19). Really enjoying the videos .... Thanks!!!

[@heathermccall-kelly6639]

Great video! I only recently discovered your videos so I'm catching up. I loved Monty Python but had a weird thing happen. I would watch them on PBS in the mid-70s. I was on a medication that I had to take about an hour before the show. The med made me sleepy, and I would fall asleep during the show. This led to a Pavlovian reaction. I would fall asleep when I would hear the opening music even without taking the medicine. I read a lot of British books but have never figured out exactly what a jumper is, I thought perhaps a windbreaker (light weight jacket). Thanks for clearing that up. Thanks to a British facebook friend I do know what a wanker is. He recommended a British show I could find online, and I learned quite a few new words. ;-)

[@amandaking5763]

From a person who was born and raised in Anderson, Indiana. It's seems like bad luck that Anderson was your first impression of the U.S.

[@shebadog9628]

It could've been far worse (trust me); he could've stepped off the plane and ended up in some of the seedier parts of Queens...

[@HoosierHomesteaders]

You should come back to Indiana! Chicago is alright, but the various liberties afforded in IN and not in IL are very nice to have. Oh, and if you come back, you've got to get out of places like Indy and out to the countryside. It's so much nicer. So much.

[@cherigreen4471]

I lived in Thetford in East Anglia for four years and loved it! When I got back to the states people thought I had picked up a slight accent. I wonder if your family and friends feel that you have become Americanized?

[@annathy]

Jumper and cardigan is in every knitter’s vocabulary no matter where they live.

[@zippymk13]

Ah the Lake District, it's killing me have to isolate, I haven't been up to the lakes since before it began, fantastic place and if I was moving to live there the choice would be either Keswick or Grasmere.

[@matthewlewis2072]

Grimsby? No wonder you left!

[@lynb87]

I'm a Canadian in the UK and I can tell you the British ask exactly the same questions.

[@tonimilstead5089]

Thank you Lawrence for coming to our defense. We're not all idiots. Many of us know quite a bit about the UK and other countries. I don't know.... that line in "Life of Brian" about going to the sewer convention had me falling out of my chair! Cheers....

[@cowsonzambonis6]

"How do you like it here?"... Haha!!

[@jprehberger]

You are the British version of the Dilbert cartoon. You need to start calling your cat Catbert. 😸

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Hey! I have a trip to the UK booked for July too... but I’m still hoping to go! Why did you give up? Am I crazy?

[@sficlassic]

The question was, Why do the British drink warm beer. The answer is the refrigerators were made by Lucas Electrics. Well known for the reliability in the British motor industry in the 60's and 70's.

[@delphinidin]

The equivalent of "what's up" for Americans talking to Brits is, "Are you okay?" We hear that as, "you seem upset!" when really it means.... "sup."

[@kevinmccarthy1076]

I have a question, Why does Britain use the metric and a mixture of Imperial? Pints and quarts are Imperial measurements, but Liters are metric! Just asking. Love your show!

[@johnbaird4912]

Kevin McCarthy Because metric is french So we a reluctant to fully immerse ourselves Plus we are still imperialist at heart

[@janestraub3252]

How does the U.S. compare to Britain? ….Gosh, we took a 4 week traveling vacation in France then we took the ferry to Portsmith. It was so wonderful to hear English! What a joy! And the British do the same things Americans do! Like, they will look at the goodies or meals in the case and choose something that looks good and comment about it with their companion. The Brits just have ways that are familiar. When an American has been abroad and seen other cultures and then appear in England you recognize the familiarity and it's comfortable. lol

[@L1N3R1D3R]

"And we think it might happen within our lifetimes, you know. Although I don't know why we'd attempt it after then, 'cause we'd be dead. But, as I've established, that already happened, due to Monty Python." Your dry humor doesn't always land perfectly, but when it does, it is a real treat.

[@steveford8999]

Do you ever get "Send Jaffa Cakes and Jelly babies? Oh, and Bisto?"

[@CloudslnMyCoffee]

Steve Ford so y’all not have those at the grocery store? Check the international aisle

[@jennysmith9709]

Lawrence! I was supposed to be boarding a plane for London tomorrow, May 5th. What are some dishes that I can prepare that can transport at least my taste buds to England?

[@johnbaird4912]

Jenny Smith You need to go for a good curry Indian or Chinese usually 😅

[@CoasterMan13Official]

Instead of Monte Python, we have Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

[@whitelacey333]

Once, when visiting London, someone asked me if I knew Britney Spears. I guess that Queen question goes both ways…

[@valerielinares2068]

Concerning Monte Python, I know what you mean. I've never seen Monte Python before, but, I think I feel the same way you do about Monte Python as I do about MASH. I'm pretty certain I've seen every episode of MASH more than once. But, it's gotten to the point where I'm like, "meh, I've seen them all - why watch them again?" It's like, you hear a good joke, it's funny the first time. You hear a great joke, it's funny for the first few times. But, even the best jokes eventually dry out.

[@leirawhitehart1236]

My question is, what even is pudding to you guys? Because here in America, when someone says "pudding" most people know you're talking about a creamy custard like substance usually flavored in chocolate or vanilla, but I feel like with British puddings, they're either a cake or a sausage, so what gives? Do you guys even have normal pudding over there? Why do you call those things pudding!?

[@kathryndunn9655]

I personally don't need to find out

[@LauraPalmerD]

I love that you don't drive! I've been living in the US for nearly 20 years, since I was 17 (except for 6 years of globe-hopping in the middle), and I still don't know how to drive. I get shit for it ALL THE TIME. I live in Milwaukee now, which is not as good w/ public transport as Chicago, but do-able. I am terrified to learn how to drive - I should, bt not sure if I ever will.

[@heleneg525]

If you don't want to learn how to drive, don't. Don't allow others to bully you into thinking your're something less than what they think you should be.

[@IroquoisPliskin86]

So, question about the whole Britain/England/UK thing. If, say, Scotland were to declare independence from the UK, would they still be considered British? This is probably a very stupid question, but I am American, and we don't know a lot of things about stuff.

[@BritIronRebel]

I've always liked Americans asking if we have a 4th of July in England.....

[@youweechube]

Yes, we have the same calendar after all :)

[@xadahgla]

Kentucky? Seriously? 2:38-Not me: Benny Hill. 6:41-German beer is the warm one, or so I’m told. 11:46-“Bubble & Squak” is where I asked “Do you try to find the most disgusting name for food possible?” Of course, when I heard Marmite was controversial, I knew I had to try it.

[@lindacaldwell6251]

It's very expensive to fly.. .. ..and WE can't afford to go anywhere ......

[@sirbrewzalot]

When an American, asks you "do you know the Queen" we're messing with you.

[@markskid8757]

Well you can never be sure lmao

[@Billis75]

It could possibly be Scott Thompson

[@Steplie-db3vp]

Well, jokes on you because I do know the Queen!! I would elaborate, but Meghan wants her laptop back.

[@tristramcoffin926]

This is also the case when we misplace commas.

[@Albanez39]

Considering the national rate of stupidity, you can never be sure that it's a joke...

[@oldbroad797]

I had a pen pal from the UK years ago in early high school (60's). She sent me a photo, containing two girls. She told me she was the one in the jumper, but I could not figure it out. We wrote back and forth for a year, but I never knew which one I was writing to - and was too embarrassed to admit it. NOW, I know!

[@MissyQ12345]

It's amazing to see cursive writing! I am sad they don't teach kids to write anymore. Oh well.

[@mikeyoung9810]

I saw an actor in "Sink the Bismark" remark about "WREN" not wearing her jumper and it wasn't really that hard to figure out.

[@catw6998]

@@mikeyoung9810 As a project in my Jr/Sr HS., Home Economics Sewing class, I made a jumper. I think my Mom who was a Home Economics major said that was the easiest. Who was she kidding? :) Forced compliance. She ultimately felt sorry for me I guess, and gave me a hand. Whew, can’t believe I actually passed that portion of my class. Baking, was more my thing :D.

[@abstractapproach634]

So don't leave us hanging, was it the hotter one

[@McFlingleson]

Dude, I live in Kentucky, and anyone who mistakes your accent for a Kentucky accent has no idea what they're talking about.

[@UTubeHandlesSuck]

Seconded. I'm still convinced that had to be a joke. Much as I love Laurence he can't even manage a proper-sounding "y'all." ;)

[@SirStoneyOfBow]

I’m from London.. I have a cockney accent, and some numpty thought I was from New Orleans. Some folks just live in bubbles or under rocks.

[@dibutler9151]

As a fellow Southerner, I was also like, WTF??? I have known quite a number of Brits in my life, so I can guess with about 90% accuracy the general area their accent comes from, so that seems bizarre to me. Maybe people who don't get out much? I dunno. Weird.

[@stclairstclair]

McFlingleson Thank you for bringing me Even Williams, I no longer Like jack because of it.

[@ShanaLawson]

SirStoneyOfBow It might be they got cockney and Cajun mixed up. Cajun is kind of like cockney

[@nemo227]

I'm still laughing from, "It's not like we hug; we're British."

[@lesleeherschfus707]

What do you prefer in the US? In Britain?

[@kathleenpayne564]

somehow i can see you not hugging. stiff upper lip and all. do you love black adder?? how about. dr who? i have been watching dr who for ages..

[@nemo227]

@@kathleenpayne564 I think Lawrence hugs his wife because, after all she's born in the USA. Personally, I was born in Pennsylvania by a first generation Italian mother so I surely have the hugging gene; relatives, co-workers, almost anyone who will stand for it. And I talk to everybody but not with my hands like Italians do.

[@johnmcconnell9979]

Same thought!

[@MarkGast]

Wait, so that comes from the _English_ side of my family? Weird, I would have guessed the German side.

[@silkytp789]

As an American in London, I was surprised to find out that a "fanny pack" took on a whole new meaning!

[@juliaw151]

Haha yep! It’s a bum bag

[@chicagodaddy1]

Silky Tp I remember being on the road behind Charing Cross Station with a local. I said “look at all the bums”. He quickly corrected me and said they were “tramps”, and not to say that again. (In London, a bum is a butt and a tramp is a street person, vagrant).

[@silkytp789]

@@chicagodaddy1 Exactly. They call a fanny pack a bum pack. Which is also interesting....LOL

[@abbycross90210]

@@chicagodaddy1 and in the US a tramp is a promiscuous woman.

[@LambentLark]

I hear going out for a cigarette takes on new meanings in Britain. One must be careful about what one puts in their mouth, after all. 😬

[@alexandra109]

How odd that the one year you planned on going home you got quarantined...it’s almost like America doesn’t want to let you go.

[@nemo227]

It's like Hotel California, you can check out but you can never leave. . . Ominous.

[@angietyndall7337]

I had planned to go to Oklahoma and Colorado to see my sister and then my friend on the way back to my Rocky Mountain State, but with COVID-19 and my suspectibilty to getting sick easily, since like forever; there was NO way I was going on a possible flying petridish of COVID-19. NOPE!!

[@lonetrader1]

We do that here.....

[@kritikitti3868]

True, Laurence can visit but he has to return. We LOVE him. He is a lovely, regular chap with a lovely accent.

[@iamblackthorne]

It's our cunning plan!

[@CraftyLittleRat]

Me to my husband: "Oh he's from Grimsby (I was also born in Grimbsy) - and he moved to America" Husband: "Why did he move to America?" Me: "He's from Grimbsy - is that not enough of a reason"

[@harleyretherford6329]

How do you pronounce Grimbsy? Don't know if I am just hearing it wrong, but it sounded like he pronounced it Grims-bee is this correct?

[@CraftyLittleRat]

@@harleyretherford6329 Very close! Locals tend to shorten the 'bee' to a short 'be' to my ear.

[@bandotaku]

@Debbie M I think they mean the difference between a long and short "e" sound. So "bee" is how you think, but "be" is said like "bet" but without the -t.

[@krisc2535]

The correct pronunciation of Grimsby is 'Grim-bo'

[@nigelrobson505]

@@krisc2535 The actual pronunciation is "Grim Hole", which it is, and is also the reason why anyone who can leave, does...

[@tyronejackson4509]

Damn. You still didn’t tell us if you know the queen.

[@BradyPostma]

To be fair, Oprah is one in 327 million Americans. The Queen is only one in 66 million Britons. As a population-based statistical calculation, a given Briton is about five times more likely to know the Queen than a given American is to know Oprah. By land area the odds are even more slanted in a Briton's favor, since 40 Britains could fit within the United States (7 in Alaska alone). So sure, the odds are astronomically small, but far less astronomically small than we're used to in our own lives. Also, we do the same thing with fellow Americans. "Oh, you're from Delaware? Do you know Aubrey Plaza?"

[@drewpamon]

He did say that prince harry was his brother

[@dalemoore1308]

pisswobble you do know he was joking don’t you? I guess Brits don’t understand sarcasm....hehe

[@justreallybored6014]

He MUST!

[@loismcclung1940]

BradyPostma 72 million to be a little more precise.

[@free9200]

I'm a fellow Brit (North Yorkshire) and visited the US last summer. Loved every single minute of it and got asked pretty much every question you listed. Loved the warmth and positive attitude of all those around me, from getting a few things in Walgreens to getting a drink in a bar. I raise my glass to you, the motherland and the United States.

[@boondoggled1]

👍🏼❤️

[@bethknight4436]

Awww, that’s so sweet! We happen to be especially partial to a British accent 😂

[@StephenFasciani]

you’re exotic you’re gonna be treated differently

[@antonioliles5027]

I have a few British friends that I met while deployed in the Army that I still keep in contact with. We always have fun giving each other the business! Insults fly back and forth and we all laugh!

[@emilywhitfield2780]

That's very nice of you!! Glad you enjoyed it here!! Hopefully you can visit again soon!!

[@mikedepue]

I don't know if you've done a video on this or not, but what are some American stereotypes you heard about/believed while living in Britain that, once you came over and started living in America full time, you found out were completely untrue or wildly inaccurate? Thanks, great video!

[@sunniertimer598]

As a Brit, I don't think he's culturally allowed to share that information.

[@BradyPostma]

Surprisingly, we don't enjoy being called "colonials."

[@abbycross90210]

@@BradyPostma not since 1775 anyway.

[@x4bluntz2urd0me2]

BradyPostma seriously? who tf cares lololol

[@anonymous-iu4th]

I think he should do a video on both american stereotypes and british stereotypes. There is some pretty crazy shit people believe anything

[@spudskie3907]

Would love to see you react to a WWII film instructing American servicemen how to behave in Britain.

[@davehoward22]

The one with burgess Meredith is good

[@ldg3968]

Yes! That’s so funny!!

[@antcri730]

Just how old do you think this limey is?

[@nerysghemor5781]

ant cri I think the point might be for him to also point out what’s now outdated...and what might never have even been accurate in the first place. XD

[@sunniertimer598]

Yes! That would be great!

[@V3ryan]

I remember being out at a restaurant, and one guy with us asked the waitress, "I love your accent! What part of England are you from?" Her response: "South Africa." :P

[@Michael-ex8lk]

3 years late but that WAS technically true.

[@kari8187]

I lived in the UK for three years, I’m originally from the south, “sweet tea & y’all” accent. People in the UK asked if I was Canadian 😂

[@johnbaird4912]

Kari Normally it’s the other way round

[@maryrosekent8223]

Kari Where in the south?

[@kari8187]

Mary Rose Kent north Florida

[@timeladyshayde]

@@kari8187 It's because Canadians get offended if you mistake them for Americans, whereas Americans don't seem to have the same response to being mistaken for Canadians.

[@ladybee883]

@@kari8187 North West Florida, or the Florida Panhandle, here. I spent time in Germany when I was in the military, but never made it to Great Britain.

[@michaeldougfir9807]

I was married into a British family for eight years until my wife died. I quite liked their family structure. My father in law and I discussed the difference between UK spoken English and the American version rather often. I learnt so much. We enjoyed comparing differing terms for the same things: hood/bonnet; wrench/spanner, etc. The family were easy to get on with. They are very loving and never insisted on their way in anything. My inlaws included a lot of extended family who also came here. They were appreciative and just happy to be here. I text a couple of them still and even call at times. It has been over 20 years since my wife died and they still treat me like family. I hope the experience is similar for other people, as I have had, I being a Californian who married into a British family who is here in the US.

[@ChrisPage68]

You are still family.

[@ninmc5959]

PageMonster yup

[@judemelroses9920]

So sweet of the family.

[@vt3039]

You write like a Brit, too.

[@pauldzim]

@@vt3039 Yeah, like "learnt"

[@loismiller2830]

I love that about British swear words. As soon as our first child was born, we started saying "bloody" because it's not a bad word here. We could cuss without guilt. To this day our daughters say "why doesn't this bloody thing work?!"

[@onemercilessming1342]

A "jumper" in the USA is a garment usually (but not always) worn by little girls. It is a one piece sleeveless and collarless garment under which is usually worn a blouse of sweater (what you'd call a "jumper"). The garment can be made of a mid-to-heavy weight cotton or a fleece or even wool. It can be lined or not. Little girls in Roman Catholic elementary school, up to about grade three, wear them with bicycle shorts underneath for modesty (at least my daughter was required to during her elementary school years in Parochial school).

[@dale3404]

A jumper is similar to a pinafore. Don’t know if they still use that in England.

[@debbiesims138]

Was watching Hugh Bonneville on Graham Norton and they were referring to his jumper he wore on another show. Took me awhile they were talking about his sweater.

[@standupbroad6648]

Eight years of Catholic grammar school uniform jumpers is the reason I will NEVER wear anything in navy blue.

[@shebadog9628]

A "jumper" in NYC refers to an idiot on the rooftop threatening to dive off.

[@Kelbie.Sturgis]

Your way of describing a jumper is a bit complex. I thought a jumper was overall shorts or a one price body suit, onesie as some people call it ... I've seen both boys & girls wear them depending on how they are made. In the south everyone wears them in summer.. I would call what a girl wears a romper

[@kariwinslow9933]

I’m an American living in England. I get asked many of those types of questions too.

[@JesusSaves356]

Amber dang she left you hangin

[@holger_p]

And all those questions are just small talk, it's not like they urgently need to know.... they know you are American, so they make this a topic.

[@Steplie-db3vp]

Oh my god, do you know Donald Trump?:)

[@joedd215]

Make a youtube channel

[@patharris3197]

Do you know the queen too?

[@ericmarois6960]

"What brought you here ?" -A plane, litterally. I honestly busted out laughing at that one. Oh that dry British humor.

[@urmorph]

Just where do people come from who have wet humor?

[@matthewsmith2979]

"You're from the UK? I have a (insert friend/relative) that lives in (insert large city), do you know them?" Yes I do, because we know everyone .

[@skiergirl4753]

Matthew Smith I am Canadian. Happens to me frequently.

[@matthewsmith2979]

@@skiergirl4753 lol, so ofcourse you know everyone in Canada right?

[@alejandraclevesmorales1741]

Insert country too, I’m Colombian and I get that one sometimes!

[@nthgth]

@@matthewsmith2979 in that case, do you know Jenna Coleman? 😉

[@iranianintelligenceagency9337]

Well there's always a chance!😂

[@jamesallen5591]

Everybody has an accent. We all know this, yet we are curious about the accent of other people. It's human nature.

[@maryannanderson7517]

Anyone who is familiar with country music is also familiar with Loretta Lynn. Loretta is one of country music's biggest stars and she has sold millions of records but she has never tried to hide the fact that she is from the mountains of Kentucky and if you have seen the movie, Coal Miner's Daughter, you have some idea of the poverty in which she was raised. She is, as we say in the south, as southern as cornbread, and she has the southern accent that goes along with her roots. A rather smart alecky reporter once asked her, "Loretta, do you think you would have accomplished more fame and fortune and climbed higher in the music industry if you didn't have that accent?" Now Loretta could have told him that she had reached such a pinnacle in the music industry that there really wouldn't have been much higher that she could have climbed. She could have reminded him of all the awards she has won and pointed out the times when she won "Female Vocalist of the Year" and even "Entertainer of the Year". Being a kind person, she didn't put this bozo down as low as she could have put him. So to his question about the possibility that her southern accent had kept her from being all she could be, she simply smiled at him and said, "Whut ac-ceent?" And BTW, the name of that rude reporter escapes me and in fact I am not even 100% sure whether it was a male or female but I will NEVER forget the name of Loretta Lynn!

[@jamesallen5591]

@Heywood Jablome Uh, I live in Oregon. You are wrong. Everyone has, by definition, an accent. If you speak, you have an 'accent'. It is relative.

[@dendrocerulean5908]

Everybody who talks has an accent

[@mescko]

I once accompanied the proprietor of the b & b at which I was staying to their local pub and at one point he laughed and said how funny it was to hear me use British English with my accent. Feeling cheeky I replied in a bewildered tone, "Accent? What accent?"

[@MichaelDubenetsky]

Thank you, I find your videos a good diversion from our current condition

[@nicolenaylor8125]

Visiting N. Ireland I was asked where to visit in the U.S by so many!! One night in a pub I actually had to explain our geography, topography and general weather of the areas. People were amazed at how large the U.S is-

[@mollyk.4031]

I suppose a lot of your positivity about living in the US is due to Tarah. One's happiness, anywhere, can be greatly influenced by the company they keep.

[@youweechube]

Very true

[@neils5539]

I agree with that for sure. Also you're in Chicago which despite the negative publicity from the murder rate (which is all in certain neighborhoods like in any city) is a very fun town. Tons to do and a very vibrant and young population.

[@emilykowal3424]

Here's a question for you (and others): What questions do you wish Americans asked you?

[@alejandraclevesmorales1741]

Not sure if you asked specifically for British people or immigrants in general. In case it’s the later, I don’t mind any questions that are curious and unassuming. Like things about our national dishes or music. If you were asking about British people then ignore this 🤣

[@steveisthecommissar4013]

@@alejandraclevesmorales1741 were are originally from?

[@ginny5937]

One of my favorite Britcoms is Keeping Up Appearances. Are You Being Served is next. Hilarious!!

[@elizabethkeyes8750]

As Time Goes By is my favorite and Are You Being Served is a very close second.

[@aussiejohn5835]

@@elizabethkeyes8750 Just love thy neighbour in coronation Street and keeping up appearances with that Bucket woman. To Sir with Love a great movie. Can't get more English than those.

[@BlankCanvas88]

When I was in 8th grade we had a boy from England join our class. I remember feeling sorry for him bc he seemed so scared, not bc we were mean to him but bc of all the attention and he was shy. He really looked like the most stereotypical English boy. I wonder how he’s doing now.

[@BillMarion]

But really...Do you know the Queen? Totally kidding. Sort of..

[@kritikitti3868]

Hmmm. Meghan met the Queen; got otta there. Maybe Laurence....

[@rsrt6910]

But does anyone REALLY know The Queen?

[@c.hanley1423]

Tell them, "Yes, I do. She's about 5'5" , 93 years old, lives in Buckingham Palace... "

[@apples1290]

When I was living in England my favorite common question people would ask me was “ do you get to New York (or Disneyworld) very often?” I loved it because when I said “no” people would commiserate with me about how, when you live some place, you don’t necessarily take advantage of things. What is funny about this is, I’m from Portland Oregon and the distance from Portland to New York is actually somewhat greater than the distance from London to Teheran.

[@Mode-Selektor]

I don't think anyone actually thinks the US is a small country, but I think people just forget just how large it is when speaking casually. I recall one night playing games with a few friends and one of them (Italian) says something suggesting that we would potentially get together sometime with his cousin (In the Southern US). The 2 of us US guys kind of laughed because I'd have to drive further than the length of Italy to get to his cousin in the South and then the guy in Texas is even further west from the guy in the South than that distance.

[@mescko]

@@Mode-Selektor I'm in Oregon, and I have a good mate that lives in Croydon (greater London) and he mentioned during one of our phone chats how he fancied having one of his cars sent across the pond and driving from coast to coast. He asked how long it would take. He thought I was having him on at first. He's also a *huge* WWII buff, so he asked about going out to Pearl Harbor. I said sure, we could do a short stay reasonably cheaply. "How about Guam? Can we go to Midway?" I said, "Marcus, you don't have the slightest idea how far that is, do you?"

[@TheNorfolkBoy]

I haven't lived in England for twenty years, five of them in Spain, the rest here. When I get asked do you go home often, I reply "every night, this is now my home."

[@dM_gH]

Oh, honey, not Kentucky. Our accent here is more of a "hick" accent (bless our hearts) and definitely not like a beautiful English accent. Do you have a brother? ;)

[@jerelull9629]

Isn't "Home" wherever the wife is? That answer gets me "affection points" from MY wife ;-)

[@bullettube9863]

I've known many people from different countries here In America over the years, and they have all told me the same thing: Americans are very friendly and very helpful. Several told me of being lost and Americans have asked them if they needed help. Several commented that the idea of sales people asking if they needed help is something Europeans need to do. My friend from Australia said anybody that drinks their beer cold is okay with him! A long time friend who immigrated from England said it was strange that Americans are stereotyped in Europe by people who have never visited America! So yes, we can be weird, but we can also be the best we can be!

[@kritikitti3868]

Ah yes! Once 'they' get on this side of the pond, they come to like the regular Americans.

[@sahhull]

@@gg-eo6ez I was warned exactly of that.. 'Dont get shot' etc expecting my life expectancy to drop to plummet as soon as I got off the plane at LAX. To be fair the American education system leaves a lot to be desired.. You get credits for just turning up FFS. You can get extra credits if the teacher likes you.

[@abbycross90210]

@Nicky L it just comes from customer service, plain and simple. America "invented" customer service and they go full-hog with it.

[@free9200]

British person here. I have to say out of the 30+ countries I have been to, I found Americans the most hospitable people I have spent time with. And that isn't because we share the same language, I've came across some lovely people from Indonesia and Taiwan all but to name a few, but there is just something about the openness of Americans and how they engage with people from the outside. I remember going to a bar in Milwaukee and I said to a girl in the smoking area "excuse me, do you have a lighter?" her face just lit up and she replied "oh my God, what is that accent?" and a few minutes later I'm spending the rest of my evening with her and all her friends. I know that could happen anywhere, but it definitely wasn't a one off. Some Americans give their country a hard time sometimes by complaining a bit too much, but it really is a wonderful nation.

[@bullettube9863]

@Nicky L After I retired, I got a job at a home improvement store, and no it wasn't Home Depot or Lowes. We were required to ask customers if they needed help, and to be on hand if they did. One of the employees in the plumbing dept. was caught on camera deliberately moving away from customers, and was warned. When he was spotted again (he knew about the cameras!) He was fired. Our customer support was the number one reason people shopped with us, and the number one complaint from customers in other stores. So your pestering is the employee doing his job. Be polite and say "no, and thanks for asking". Employees hate it when customers get rude!

[@user-ii3vn8tn3q]

I have British teeth, and nobody wants to see that...OMG!!! Hysterical!

[@flagmichael]

Just a salute on this 75th Anniversary of VE Day.... I cannot conceive of the national resolve, living on an island a short distance from Nazi occupied France with the Atlantic on the other side and refusing to admit defeat. If it were a novel everybody would say, "What drivel! Tell us a story we could believe." I also credit Winston Churchill with the greatest individual effort in defeating the Nazis. I am forever fascinated by the desperation of the times, knowing that failure meant fascism becoming the dominant government in the world. If you will forgive me my immodest display of emotion: "Good show!"

[@themermaidstale5008]

People had more backbone and bravery, imo.

[@TheOneTonHammer]

"Jumper" has a darker meaning in the US as well...

[@anonymousaccordionist3326]

Well, that de-escalated quickly.

[@cindyknudson2715]

It does?? Oh.. like from a ledge.. 😕 A jumper is also a piece of clothing here in the US as well. A dress with shoulder straps (coverall-ish) worn over a blouse or other top.

[@TheOneTonHammer]

Cindy Knudson yep. Also a great movie 😂

[@ItsAsparageese]

It also refers to standalone car battery jump packs, which rule btw

[@skylx0812]

I think in the late 70s that also referred to guys that jumped out of hedges or out from alleys to grab women and drag them off. You saw that a lot on tv shows like Charlies Angels or Police Woman.

[@nicolestewart2843]

This channel brings me joy. So glad I came across it. Thanks for the lovely content. :)

[@jeniw8586]

I can't watch Monty Python anymore either however An Idiot Abroad is hilarious. Kinda mean, but hilarious.

[@stclairstclair]

Jeni W, Are You from the U.K.? I'm middle America and have also outgrown MP for the most part, But my admiration for them has never dwindled!

[@Vejitatheouji]

As someone from Kentucky, I'm not sure how someone would think your accent is from here.

[@ItsAsparageese]

With a decent ear for accents, they're very different, but British enunciation actually has a weird amount in common with southerner enunciation. There's a good video floating around about it but I can't remember what channel it's on

[@BradyPostma]

Also, some people are just remarkably terrible at determining the origins of accents.

[@ecclestonsangel]

@@ItsAsparageese there is a small section in Virginia where the people actually do speak with an English accent still. I'm from Virginia Beach, so I've got that Tidewater accent.🙂

[@tanya5322]

ecclestonsangel my sister lives in Virginia Beach, but she grew up in Minnesota with a best friend from New Jersey (?) by way of Australia. Then after high school she went to a specialized field of study in Santa Monica where she was in class with lots of foreign students. Her speech pattern is such an amalgam that even people a good ear for accents have asked her “where are you from?”

[@dale3404]

Speech in parts of Appalachia is closer to Elizabethan English than what is spoken in England today.

[@benrast1755]

Brits have their version of “what’s up?” All right?

[@rickbare33139]

Ben Rast awwwright

[@robertfortier2136]

Laurence, you need to check your microphone settings because I see you are wearing a mic but it isn't being utilized by your computer. Large echo/cavern sound with a hollow, low volume.

[@bylen8589]

Loved this, Laurance. I like that it was different in that you took the time away from the humor to inform us on how life is for you. It was very personable and allowed us to know you better. A nice peak at " the man behind the curtain".

[@dominaevillae28]

When I was in college (university😉) I did a study abroad in London and had an internship at a public boys school. The boys liked to laugh at my vocabulary, and the teachers would sometimes look at me like this 🤔. 👩🏻‍🦰bathroom-🧑🏻but there’s no bath 👩🏻‍🦰sneakers-🧑🏻 but we’re not sneaking 👩🏻‍🦰sweater - 🧑🏻 but we’re not sweating 🧑🏻rubber -👩🏻‍🦰😱

[@Quarton]

I love the Lake District of England - it's beautiful!! I'd move there, too, if I could! I've always wanted to visit Banff, Canada - it looks like a great Park area.

[@mrzee4862]

Definitely go to Banff if you ever get the chance. It's beautiful

[@karenschafer2827]

My father was born in Denmark and came to the US when he was 25. When I would ask him what he first thought about it when he came (1929 on ship) first he would say that the sky is bigger in here and second that he thought he knew the language because he studied it in school for many years and spoke it with his mother who was fluent. When he landed in NYC and had to get to Grand Central Station to take a train to Florida ( a Danish Plantation near Jacksonville if you can believe it!) he realized that American English was a totally different language from his school boy British English. He then learned American English from going to the movies.

[@stellaluceat7335]

What a great story! Thanks for sharing!

[@elyace]

What did he mean by "the sky is bigger here" just asking?

[@zuzanazuscinova5209]

I swear the sky is bluer here than in Europe. Especially in Texas.

[@BlueTangWebSystems]

After spending some time in the USA, a common question I got asked was, is it always foggy in England. Countless times I explained that they were watching too much Sherlock Holmes until I finally flew home, and landed at Heathrow, in the fog.

[@jenniferbabros1985]

I've been watching you for a bit 🙃 I find you very down to earth so I subscribe😁

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

OK....regarding your final question. Thank you. You've nailed it. We are NOT all alike an America is a HUGELY diverse set of cultures (plural). It's sometimes called a melting pot, but it's really a wonderful mixture of people of various cultures who generally mix very well. Yes, we have our faults, but overall, it's been a rather good experiment when you consider the alternatives.

[@madr309]

Are you familiar with the writer Bill Bryson? He's your American equivalent - moved to Britain as a young man and married an English woman. Great writer. If I met you, I'd ask you your thoughts on Brexit.

[@abbycross90210]

Bill Bryson is so damn funny.

[@wandlbaker]

I am not going to ask you a question, I am going to thank you for taking the time and initiative to learn about this country. I feel that many who live here should do the same. Thank you ... and ... WASH YOUR HANDS

[@tycelight]

As a Chicagoan in Australia for 11 years, I get asked many of these questions, too. Depending on my level of playfulness when asked, I often respond to "Where is that/your accent from?" with "My voice box." Though, while watching this video, the answer, "From a distillation of all the places I have lived." seems an equally valid response. Cheers!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Tyce Light I also grew up in the Chicago area. I am scared to guess where people are from, because I have guessed Australia for people from New Zealand, and they get offended!😳

[@renshiwu305]

@@MagentaOtterTravels "Six" is a shibboleth to differentiate Australians from New Zealanders. The Aussies pronounce it as "seex" and the Kiwis pronounce it as "six," more or less, with the short "I" sound.

[@tycelight]

RenShiWu I hear “suhx” for the Kiwi 6!

[@tycelight]

Magenta Otter Travels Often I’m asked “Is that a Canadian accent I hear?” It’s the old adage: an American doesn’t mind being asked if they’re Canadian, but woe to any who reverses that! LOL

[@renshiwu305]

@@tycelight Really, the go-to assumption is not American? There being 10 times as many Americans as Canadians, I would be surprised if any American was assumed to be Canadian. Similar to how (I imagine), an Austrian would be taken for a German or a New Zealander would be taken for an Australian because Germany and Australia are more prominent than the smaller countries. Are you from the northern Midwest? I can see similarities between, say, a Minnesotan accent and a Canadian accent. An American can tell that a Canadian is a Canadian pretty readily once the telltale words come out (shedule? prohcess?), but I wouldn't think the subtleties were apparent to non-North Americans. Having an American vocalize zee (versus "zed") is the quickest, easiest way to out an American.

[@joelmarcott3282]

I can distinctly tell the difference between British, Irish, Scottish and Australian accents. To my ear, they are quite different.

[@Bonglecat]

Scotland is part of Britain, I think you meant to say an English accent

[@andycockrum1212]

If someone asks you if you know the queen, they’re joking

[@amyfisher6380]

Andy Cockrum Not necessarily.

[@zargonthemagnificent330]

Maybe. But if they are joking, the joke wears pretty thin after you've heard it 50 times..

[@courgette3401]

Andy Cockrum ....maybe now but my husband worked in America 20 / 30 years ago and he was asked if he knew the Queen many many many times. These were well educated managers and directors of engineering companies and yet there was an assumption that everyone knew each other.

[@Baileybooandecho]

Great Britain always seems to me that it would be more charming and romantic than the US. I did visit London many years ago and had a wonderful time.

[@tamaracarter1836]

Here are some charming and historical places to visit in England (if you’re interested): - *West England:* *Pretty Villages and Towns/ Cities:* Castle Combe, Wiltshire, Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, Burford, Oxfordshire, Lacock, Wiltshire, Dunster, Somerset, Bibury, Gloucestershire, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, Lower Slaughter, Gloucestershire, Corsham, Wiltshire, Broadway Village, Worcestershire, Axbridge, Somerset, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, Woodstock, Oxfordshire. ------------------ Bath, Somerset, Oxford, Oxfordshire, Wells, Somerset, Bristol (its own county) *well preserved 18th century section, as well as modern, vibrant areas, Salisbury, Wiltshire. *Medieval Cathedrals/ Abbeys:* Salisbury Cathedral, Wells Cathedral, Gloucester Cathedral, Bath Abbey, Tewkesbury Abbey. *Medieval Castles/ Stately homes and Manor Houses:* Blenheim Palace, Wilton House, Sudeley Castle, Dyrham Park, Berkeley Castle, Longleat House, Stourhead. - *South England:* *Pretty Villages and Towns/ Cities:* St. Ives, Cornwall, Rye, East Sussex, Corfe Castle Village, Dorset, Mousehole, Cornwall, Clovelly Village, Devon, Alfriston Village, East Sussex, Totnes, Devon, Polporro, Cornwall, Dartmouth, Devon, Sandwich Town, Kent, Cockington Village, Hampshire, Chilham Village, Kent, Arundel Town, West Sussex, Sherborne, Dorset. ---------------- Canterbury, Kent, Brighton, East Sussex *a mix of charming/historic with new/vibrant, Rochester, Kent, Winchester, Hampshire, Exeter, Devon *heavily bombed in WW2 - yet retains charm in places. *Medieval Cathedrals/ Abbeys:* Canterbury Cathedral, Winchester Cathedral, Exeter Cathedral, Sherborne Abbey. *Medieval Castles/ Stately homes and Manor Houses:* Bodiam Castle, Arundel Castle, Leeds Castle *not actually in Leeds, Knole House, Dover Castle, Ightham Mote, Herstmonceux Castle, Highclere Castle, Hever Castle, Rochester Castle, Penshurst Place. - *North England:* *Pretty Villages and Towns/ Cities:* Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire, Ludlow, Shropshire, Bakewell, Derbyshire, Staithes, North Yorkshire, Hawkeshead Village, Cumbria, Haworth, West Yorkshire, Richmond, North Yorkshire, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, Grassington, North Yorkshire, Longnor Village, Staffordshire, Thornton-le-Dale, North Yorkshire, Bishop’s Castle, Shropshire, Whitby, North Yorkshire, Alnwick Town, Northumberland, Castleton, Derbyshire. ------------------ York, North Yorkshire, Durham, County Durham, Chester, Cheshire, Southwell, Nottinghamshire. *Medieval Cathedrals/ Abbeys:* Durham Cathedral, York Minster, Fountains Abbey *ruins, Beverley Minster, Southwell Minster, Rievaulx Abbey *ruins, Chester Cathedral, Whitby Abbey *ruins. *Medieval Castles/ Stately homes and Manor Houses:* Chatsworth House, Alnwick Castle, Castle Howard, Stokesay Castle, Haddon Hall, Bamburgh Castle, Kedleston Hall, Hardwick Hall, Bolton Castle, Little Moreton Hall. - *East England:* *Pretty Villages and Towns/ Cities:* Lavenham, Suffolk, Stamford, Lincolnshire, Wendens Ambo Village, Essex, Kersey Village, Suffolk, Uppingham, Rutland, Saffron Walden, Essex, Little Walsingham, Norfolk, Houghton Village, Cambridgeshire, Clare Village, Suffolk, Chelsworth, Suffolk, Dedham Village, Essex, Castle Rising Village, Norfolk, Flatford, Suffolk. ---------------- Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, Norwich, Norfolk, Ely, Cambridgeshire. *Medieval Cathedrals/ Abbeys:* Lincoln Cathedral, Ely Cathedral, King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, Peterborough Cathedral, Norwich Cathedral. *Medieval Castles/ Stately homes and Manor Houses:* Holkham Hall, Burghley House, Houghton Hall, Castle Rising, Belton House, Oxburgh Hall, Blickling Hall, Tattershall Castle. - *Central England:* *Pretty Villages and Towns/ Cities:* Turville, Buckinghamshire, Shere, Surrey, Denham Village, Buckinghamshire, Oundle, Northamptonshire, Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, Weobley, Herefordshire, Woburn Village, Bedfordshire, Welford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, West Wycombe Village, Buckinghamshire, Ledbury, Herefordshire, Collyweston, Northamptonshire, Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire, Ilmington, Warwickshire, Pembridge Village, Herefordshire. ------------------ Worcester, Worcestershire, Windsor Town, Berkshire, St Albans, Hertfordshire, Lichfield, Staffordshire. *Medieval Cathedrals/ Abbeys:* Worcester Cathedral, St. Albans Cathedral, Lichfield Cathedral, St. George’s Chapel, Windsor. *Medieval Castles/ Stately homes and Manor Houses:* Warwick Castle, Windsor Castle, Hatfield House, Baddesley Clinton Manor. - *London:* St. Paul’s Cathedral, Hampton Court Palace, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Baroque Maritime buildings in Greenwich.

[@simonpowell2559]

"Charming and romantic" ha ha. I could take you to places that would frighten to pants off you, and I don't mean American pants.

[@tamaracarter1836]

There are “rougher” areas in all countries around the world. England has an awful lot of beauty - look up some of the places on that list and see for yourself. I have hundreds more if you’re interested also.

[@simonpowell2559]

@@tamaracarter1836 I know! I live next to the Peake District and the Cheshire plane and surrounded by wonderful stately homes. I just think it's funny that many Americans think we all live in Downton abbey.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Tamara Carter what am amazing list! Thanks!

[@speshul7525]

You can miss the uk, I have lived in Massachusetts for 30 years, it sucks, the south and Midwest were so much nicer and friendlier. Love the channel

[@danielfronc4304]

There is a world of difference between peoples in the north and south in the U.S., which is delineated by the Mason-Dixon line, ie the northern border of Maryland and Pennsylvania.

[@nikigunn]

My friend Bob, who lives near Boston, said to me, "The weather's not the only thing that's cold in Massachusetts."

[@renshiwu305]

The word "Masshole" exists for a reason. I agree that the South and the Midwest are the nicest parts of the United States (I'm not from either region, so I'm not biased). Since foreigners tend to go places in America where the nice people aren't (New York, Florida, the Bay Area), I think they might mistake all Americans for those particular Americans. Similar to traveling abroad; I think your average Briton, Frenchman, and German is nicer than the ones you'll find in London, Paris, and Berlin, respectively.

[@maryrosekent8223]

RenShiWu San Franciscans used to be known for their friendliness, but then people from all over moved there to make 💵💵💵💵💵💵💵.com, and many of us were priced out of the place we called home and forced to move elsewhere-not that I’m bitter, or anything! Don’t you think that about me...no siree Bob...not for a moment...never entered my mind! 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@abbycross90210]

Yeah, my extended family are all from Boston. That place is proud as hell to be full of assholes.

[@Cat-kj1be]

I was asked if I was from the like Poland. Born and raised in the Southern part of US

[@nadiazahroon6573]

Kat Coin I get Boston or N.Y. And I have to say no.

[@joannemcmillan9201]

People have insisted at different times that I was from the West Indies, Panama, and Nigeria. I’m from Detroit, Michigan.

[@davemurray4746]

I'm from Alabama and been mistaken for Russian

[@maxxmaxwell9051]

My mother and father were presented to the queen in the late 60s, and we're American.