Sometimes, I Pretend I Am Canadian (How Americns living in England cope with the hate)

There was a moment when we Americans living in Britain, all 200,000 or so of us, thought we were home free. The years of being mocked and antagonised for our country's leader were coming to an end. "Actually, I'm voting for Kerry" was the simplest way of getting out of a difficult conversation. The truth is that many Americans in Britain probably voted for Bush, but have kept it to themselves. It's about as fashionable as admitting to having the clap.

"Every meeting I go to, every social occasion, even when I'm out shopping, someone hears my accent and challenges me to a debate," says Annie Ouroussof Jordan, an executive headhunter who, though American, spent years in France and the Middle East before moving to Britain 15 years ago. She did not vote.

"There wasn't a proper candidate as far as I'm concerned and I wasn't going to vote for Kerry just not to vote for Bush. The truth is that I would have voted for Bush if I had to make a choice. Many of us Americans feel this way because we don't know what Kerry believes in. He stands for nothing. I have gotten flak for it but part of being an American is speaking up. I am often provoked in social situations and have taken to avoiding the subject altogether." Still, this is nothing compared with French anti-Americanism. "It's pure hatred there," she says.

You dont deserve to be an American, there are young men and woman fighting for your freedom and mine everyday, Terrorist just love people like you, I am not American my ancestors were, and I defend America and Americans to the last, thank God for President Bush, A life without freedom is no life at all, go learn about the History of the great Country you have the pleasure to live in. ,

"they, like you can bite me!"

Geeze, guy... sounds like you have some personal issues. You're the one who brought out the "Ugly American", not me. Its good manners -- and good business -- not to upset your customers, especially if you want repeat customers.

I can understand the young lady's temptation to claim she was Canadian. Sometimes you just don't want to get caught up in irrelevant arguements. Who wants to argue politics with non-voters when all you're trying to do is buy groceries?

I as in Ireland in late 90's and my sister and I took a trip into Antrim. As some people may know, that is in Ulster and we are Catholic. My sister had her Celtic Cross showing outside her shirt.

I asked her to put it back inside her shirt so as not to antagonize anyone and she said to me, "Never be afraid of who you are".

Ever since then, I have lived that. Too bad those Yanks in Britain don't have the same guts

Geeze, guy... sounds like you have some personal issues. You're the one who brought out the "Ugly American", not me. Its good manners -- and good business -- not to upset your customers, especially if you want repeat customers.
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As a matter of fact I do have some personal issues: My uncle is buried in Normandy, my father spent 22 years in the military fighting the cold war, as a child I lived on a base in Germany where we were told at any moment we might be over run by the Russian Bear. All of that was for those Europeans who you say we should cowtow to. My personal issue is that I am an AMERICAN, born and bred, I won't be ashamed of it, I won't hide it and I certainly will not SELL IT TO THE REPEAT CUSTOMER.

I am never rude overseas or at home. Strangely enough I had very few confrontations of any sort in Great Britain. I did wear my American flag and even a Bush shirt, if you think that is rude, YOU have personal problems. In my lifetime I have lived in 6 different countries, and visited 32 different countries. I speak 3 different languges well and 4 more that I can get by with. I have every respect for those in other countries, but there is one thing that is absolutely non-negotiable: I am an American, here and there. If you don't want to buy from me, or sell to me because of that then don't do business with me.

Your arrogance and elitist attitude is sickening, but your flippant attitude about being an American is absolutely gut wrenching. If you think I've done something wrong that's fine. I think the idea that you would deny your Nation is treasonist and you don't deserve to be called an American. To paraphrase Christ, if you deny us abroad, we should deny you here.

John Harris
Atlanta, Georgia

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