John Lee Taggart

17 responses

1. 

   rura88

   Jun 8, 2015

   The U.K. is home to Monty Python, Blackadder, The Fast Show, Little Britain and Rowan Atkinson. No versus is needed.

   Now repeat after me, “This is an ex-parrot!” You should appreciate your Norwegian blues with their beautiful plumage. Whether you are in Bolton or Notlob, it was a beautiful bird.

   If you have to make it a “versus” situation play the “Fish Slapping Dance” and you are done. Fish, music, slapping and a splash. Simple really…

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2. 

   idioglossiablog

   Jun 8, 2015

   Very fun! I have never lived in the U.K., but I have had many British friendships.I think the biggest difference is that my British friends are so much more polite. Americans tend to be bold in their expression which is our brand of humor. A type of humor that is often misunderstood by those who aren’t American. 😉 G-uno

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   1. 

      Storytime with John

      Jun 10, 2015

      Appreciate it! Yes, I think that my time in America helped me a lot, as I was very shy and introverted (still am I suppose) – but being around such bold and extroverted people helped a lot.

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3. 

   Leroy @WanderlustEmporium

   Jun 8, 2015

   Agree’d with everything you mentioned in this! You couldnt be more on point with British culture. Side note video was class, you need to do more videos, awesome to watch, incredibly funny!

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   1. 

      Storytime with John

      Jun 10, 2015

      Leroy, thanks a lot! I’ve got a new one I’m about to post – put a lot into it, so hope you enjoy it too! (It’s a crazy story about a psychopathic…oops I’ve said too much already mate!)

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4. 

   TheSimeater

   Jun 8, 2015

   Yeah…true! This video reminded me of Shaun of the dead, which personifies so well what it is to be British (cuppa tea?!) the general downer attitude, which somehow produces humour…necessity is the mother of invention! Great video btw

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   1. 

      Storytime with John

      Jun 10, 2015

      One of my favourite films for sure! And you’re right, in that movie there is an undercurrent of misery – that’s what we seem to appreciate in our heroes…that everything is going wrong, and they aren’t particularly happy but it’s amusing anyway. It’s a lot more of an American thing to have the onscreen people succeed and do well! Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing…well…I ain’t touching it!

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5. 

   elizabetcetera

   Jun 9, 2015

   John, this is the first video I’ve seen with you. Nice to put a voice and moving body to your face.

   I really like the video. Well done.

   Got some comments, yeah the “white milk” is kinda weird. Never heard my mom ask for that, but she usually drank tea. You’ve probably figured it out by now, but with coffee it’s ordered with cream — those little half-and-half containers. We don’t expect for people to put the milk in the coffee for us. We want to control the milk so we’d never order a “white coffee.” Interesting.

   About Asian, well, don’t know that I can answer for every American, but I think when Americans think about Asians we think: Chinese, Japanese and Korean. I don’t think we ever really think Indian. Filipino, many people would just say Filipino as if they’re in a class of their own.

   And about the toilet-bathroom bit. I always use the word “restroom”. You could use that if you like so as not to confuse the bathing bit. For some reason I thought Brits used the word “water closet” … no? AND you could say, I need to use the “john” — that would be a step above toilet … just had to throw that in there because well, you ARE John! 😉

   You forgot to mention the word “Tuesday” … my mum used to pronounce it “chews-day”. I was always correcting her. She’d often tell me to stop being cheeky. She also said, al-loo-MIN-ee-um foil — instead of ah-lew-mah-num foil. She also said, shed-ju-al, instead of sked-ehl for schedule. My mum was English born in Scotland, raised in England.

   MORE British vs. America:

   Keep up the GREAT blog!

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   1. 

      Storytime with John

      Jun 10, 2015

      Wow! Thank you for such a thorough response – you were paying attention for sure 😉 top marks!!!

      It’s fantastic to get your insight, what with an English mother but living in the USA, amazing! I didn’t even get into the pronunciation thing…wow, that was a challenge. Actually back when I was in the US my accent was a lot stronger – I had to learn to tone it down or people would just stare and become increasingly confused! haha! Never mind, ey?

      Thanks for the link too, watching now!

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      1. 

         elizabetcetera

         Jun 11, 2015

         Ha ha ha! “Marks” — I remember when my mom used to say that I told her, “Mom, it’s GRADES Mom, not ‘marks’!”. Oh, so many memories!

         Just so you know, my mom was born in 1932, so she’s probably older than your folks. She moved to “the states” in 1964. My mom’s accent wasn’t really noticeable to me, but others remarked on it; she also turned up her accent on the phone or when meeting people for the first time. It always felt so phony to me. One thing that made her laugh was when I imitated a British accent — always good for a hearty chuckle.

         Man, I miss her Yorkshire puddings! God, they were to die for! I think some people call them popovers? My stupid brother — he was 10 yrs older than me — used to eat all the Yorkshire puddings … I would get like just one. When he was gone we’d have leftovers. My mom made Shepherd’s pie (with beef, not lamb), and Bird’s custard! LOVE custard. Miss those days! She also made leeks with white sauce, parsnips and mashed rutabagas — no one knows what these are here, really. She drank tea with milk … white tea — ha ha! — all the time! I love tea now. I could give up coffee but never tea. NEVER. Oh, and she used to talk about my friends as my “mates” … never got to used to so many things she said! 🙂

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6. 

   Rene

   Jun 9, 2015

   I have a great deal of friends in Britain and Scotland, and I know how the two must be distinct. I would have to add to your reference of America’s patriotism, we are a young country compared to most. We still have the tenacity of a youth, the belief of ourselves and our country. Now I am generalizing quite a bit for American’s, but being one, and studying American History since day 1 (figuratively), being a youth in the mainstream of influential countries is our a large part of our idealism, and a large part of many of the problems we face.

   Great video.

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   1. 

      Storytime with John

      Jun 10, 2015

      Yes, well I certainly feel closer to Scotland than say London, England – as I am a lot closer both in miles, and culture…but then you have the contrast with USA and the gap is huge. You’re right about the USA being rather young, I suppose that does carry a certain character along with it…hmmm, got me thinking now Rene…

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7. 

   Vicki

   Jun 9, 2015

   Loved how you eloquently stated some differences between the UK and US. I’m currently in my first international job away from the States and noticed the same things mentioned in your video. Honestly, I’m okay with keeping Filipinos in a class of their own. BUT I often clarify to people that lumping (east) Asians—i.e. Chinese, Japanese, Korean—into the same category is very incorrect. Also, when I was first asked for a rubber my jaw was on the floor because one, I teach middle school, and two, being American I presumed a condom. Finally, when I visited my first non-Starbucks coffee shop and saw “white coffee” on the menu I was confused but too embarrassed at the time to ask what was in that drink. Anyhow, you’re blog is a hoot and gives me a chuckle when I need a minor break from work.

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   1. 

      Storytime with John

      Jun 10, 2015

      Thanks Vicki! That’s what I was referring to really, that often Asians are just lumped together…it’s ignorant of course, but then I found it funny that when in Asia UK/USA/others appeared to be lumped together too! I guess it’s just lack of knowledge usually, rather than trying to be rude. Funny you have ran into the same issues…condoms…white coffee…hahaha! Ahhh, cultural differences, always so amusing.

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      1. 

         elizabetcetera

         Jun 11, 2015

         PS: Just have to add, my mom was born in Scotland and so was my brother, but my mom was raised in England. I remember laughing so hard when my parents would say, “There’s a moose loose aboot the hoose!” My dad is NOT Scottish BTW. I just loved saying that as a kid. Mom had a McPherson clan kilt, a plaid Scottish tea cozy and had records of bag pipe music … Geez Louise, you’re really taking me back in time John! 🙂

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8. 

   Courtney M. Wendleton

   Jun 10, 2015

   Reblogged this on Books and More.

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9. 

   Melinda de los Santos

   Jun 20, 2015

   What I like is that Americans and Britons alike is that there’s no getting rid of the English System of measures in spite of ISU, 🙂

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