Sincerity

I think the past two weeks has affirmed my love for the British and our newly acquainted commonwealth Kiwi.

The beginning of last quarter we were determined to make American friends in an attempt to embrace the Year Abroad experience...

And that's not to say we don't love and appreciate the Americans that put up with our cynicism and obnoxious humors - we do, it's just different.

Something I have noticed and have from then on wondered, is whether Americans actually like us for us, or just for the fact that we're English.

I went to a "frat party" last night and happened to make many "friends" with Americans - both male and female I hasten add. Now, my new suspicion is that some of these people would not turn a blind eye to us if we spoke with an American drawl, but the second we open our mouths they instantly want to become acquainted.

This theory has also been explored after a spontaneous binge drink at the pub with a few people from my English friend and mines class. Once again, instantaneously we had made a whole selection of "friends" who proceeded to migrate in class and sit surrounding us from all angles.

I could go so far as to make a comparison between the way we react when we meet other Europeans and people from the commonwealth. Instantly we bond over the differences in America and being European etc...

Now I'm not complaining or being ungrateful, I'm merely making an observation in the way we have been treated as the "English girls" in a nation of Americans. These bonds that we make with people could be genuine and sincere, but I can't help speculating as to ulterior motives...

America the Great...

It has come to my attention that there is a vast difference between American and British social life - and social standards for that matter. Over this past month I've become disgruntled by the lack of night life that I am presented with. Actually, on a more accurate note, the standard of night life.

My English friends and I (those currently on the Year Abroad) had a conversation about this the other day. When asked - "How was the party??" my English friend would reply - "Yeah, it was alright". But when asking a "frat" boy how the exact same party was - "DUUUUUUUUDDDEEEE OMG sicket party ever!" So we conclude that American's party like we did when we were fifteen. Stuck in a house or attending a venue (in England for someone's Birthday) where alcohol is limited and fear of doing something illegal is high on the agenda.

I would also like to address American dancing. I first encountered this horrific cultural shock at my first venue party. At the beginning I was midly impressed with the club and chose to ignore the severe lack of alcoholic beverages. But then, to my horror I entered the dance floor to witness was looked like the biggest, most sober, orgy ever. Girls were literally "backing-it-up", down on all fours, assuming the doggy position for the "lucky" male behind them. I just wanted to hand out condoms to everyone, promote safe sex, and pray that each and every single one of them didn't contract an STI. It's safe to say I left after a couple of hours, being no longer able to 1. Keep a straight face. and 2. Was concerned for my own backside.

Now, I don't want this post to be entirerly negative. In fact I quite enjoy the free alcohol given to me as a female at one of the many house parties, and I am quite partial to not having to pay an entrance fee to the venue parties - even if it is Buffalo Wild Wings.

I just wanted to vent my feelings on a few of the differences between what I am used to, and what I now experience.

But it is safe to say turning "21" overnight has deffinatly made me feel more at home.