People! Are we even speaking the same language?

YES WE ARE! Anglo-American links have always been strong. And with the dawn of the new historical era we are seeing materialise right before our 21st century eyes, we should make them even stronger. So, I propose to you, o great land of the free, that you pay us a visit! Let´s bond!

Here is a handful of things that might entice you into a visit.

1. Jay-walking. Not illegal here! You can go crazy.
2. Everything is little in comparison, and therefore cute. Endlessly cute. Our roads are cute. Our shopping centres are cute. We´re just small, little people. Love us!
3. We have an archaic, ridiculous accent. It makes for easy listening. Everyone sounds POSH. Even when they´re not.
4. Our television news system is really rather different. Try it. You might even like it.
5. We´re bridging the gap between continental Europe and the USA in terms of customer service. Unlike in the states, we haven´t quite mastered the culture of making the customer the most sacred thing that there is. But equally, it´s not like in other European countries, when you ask for a different size and the people look at you as if they hate you. So if you want to see very the strange looking British people dance around the counter, not really sure who is in charge - you or them - making the whole thing a little bit hysterical and sensationally awkward…. Then BUY YOUR FLIGHTS NOW!! It´s like LIVE COMEDY. In the store! People pay to see this kind of stuff.
6. Stephen Fry is really a lot like Oscar Wilde
7. The teeth thing. Is it a myth or is it an ugly truth? You´ll have to see for yourselves.
8. We use irony to the MAX. It´s true. There´s always a chance with a Brit that what they´re saying should not be taken at face value. This has gotten me into all sorts of trouble in the past.
9. Socks with sandals is always a good ´un
10. A group of people who are very very punctual.
11. An English breakfast. Mouth-watering rashers of bacon, grilled sausages, high quality scrambled eggs, crispy toast, baked beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, with a lovely cup of tea to wash it all down.

Did you notice that was more than ten? That´s because the last thing is, that British people can´t count. Well, maybe we can count, but we certainly made a hash of things with the empirical system!

When I think of my friends, I rarely try to explain their individual behaviour in terms of them “being British”. It would get pretty insane if I did that. You might as well cite that “we´re made of carbon” as the motivation behind every thought, feeling or action. It doesn´t really make any clearer the reason why your friend decided to start obsessively hoovering the floor of their car every day. Or quite why another friend may get really awkward and start shrieking with laughter everytime that you pass the bus-stop. (Maybe it just tickles her? Or maybe she´s mad. It´s probably not a “cultural” thing though, whatever it is.)

We are impossibly complicated creatures. There is nothing in this life that we can´t confound, destroy, tangle, ruin, damage, warp or obfuscate in some way. Each and every one of us. And sometimes our ways of doing this are very original and creative.

Yet there is still a UNIVERSAL tendency to make generalisations based on nationality.

That the English say “sorry” all the time. That the Italians are hot-blooded. That the Spanish are lazy. That the Americans live for work. That Northern Europeans are cold and Southern Europeans are hot-headed.

So when we go to a foreign country, it is a brilliant chance to say, “Look! I know my country´s football fans pee in the street, but I swear to you I´m NOT going to do that, with god as my witness!” And as home exchange really allows you the chance to introduce yourself into the community of the new place, you can actually have conversations, socialise, and have your children play with the local children.

So not only do you get the envigorating sensation of being around new and exciting people, but you can also banish some of the pre-conceptions that people might have about you.

Travelling is not just about plane sickness, buildings and weather. It´s about people. We all have our quirks, but with home exchange we can celebrate these for what they are, rather than living on the false economy of national stereotypes.