British School
This week has been an onslaught of very British things invading my senses. My reaction is more often than not thus: oooh I know that thing, but it feels kind of weird, and yet kind of normal too.
Like school for Harry. Obviously it’s been 30-odd years since I went to primary school so it’s naturally changed oodles, but my comparison is, of course, American schooling from the past three years. Honestly, not too sad to leave that behind. Sorry America, much as I love soooo much about you, I just couldn’t connect with the American school system.
But let’s start with the British school uniform. Cute, yes. Stripping one’s identity? Slightly, but I totally love the rationale behind school uniforms in the UK. Anyhoo, there it is in all its glory. No tie yet though, thank the Lord. There’s a 4-6 week waiting list for that piece of fun.
According to Harry the best things about British school are, in order: ‘toffee sticky pudding’; the ‘boys’ toilets that hang on the wall’; and his lovely teacher, who I am sure gets a lot of attention from the fathers on parents’ evening 😉
British cricket
I am actually typing this whilst sitting in glorious British sunshine – the warmest day that I’ve experienced since I’ve been back. Yes, I know it’s still 80 degrees and humid in Maryland, and I miss the hocohomos and the pool etc, but my word this current climate is suitably pleasant to have a cup of tea in whilst in yer t-shirt and whilst not having to worry about bikini issues, if you know what I’m saying ladies.
So, with such a fabulous day today, of course it was the coldest day so far yesterday because we spent it outside at a cricket and beer festival with scarves and jackets and thermal ruddy socks on. That is so very, very British 🙂
Still capitalizing on that expat thing….
Yep, I’m still harping on about being an expat in the USA and that will happen for a while, I suspect. I’m not done yet with cultural comparisons.
So, here is a podcast I did last weekend with my old school chum who is right knowledgeable about languages and culture and stuff. It was super fun talking to him, and I natter on for ages, just to warn you!
http://www.100percentbusinessenglish.com/american-and-british-culture-with-claire-mcgill/
I also got a chance to gas on BCC radio here in Gloucestershire last week. I promised the presenter it was only this time on the show that I would use the phrase ‘When I was in America’, cos it gets a tad annoying even to my ears!
Sad sad news
My sad new is this: my glorious American tan that I spent ages cultivating has now faded and I feel all white and puffy, since my abs have also disappeared thanks to excess UK fish and chips and cider. Thank gawd for dry September and St Tropez tanning gel!
Desperate Housewife: From America to England 
Well, Harry is certainly looking dapper. I am glad to hear he is adjusting well. And what is not to like about “toffee sticky pudding”?
I am sorry you didn’t take to the Columbia schools. My husband’s previous company is headquartered in Columbia, so he had to make numerous trips there when we lived in Massachusetts. A good chunk of his colleagues sent their kids to private school. Is that what you did with Harry?
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Harry was in private then public. To be fair, it wasn’t the Columbia schools. They are voted as top in the country frequently. It was more the style and method of teaching, and the fact that I was aware what the children back in the UK were doing and how they were progressing – which was further ahead and with more structure. Harry didn’t get too lucky with his teachers either. He was told on day one of his American schooling that saying the alphabet phonetically was wrong and I had briefed them beforehand that he had learned it this way in nursery and perhaps they needed to accommodate this. The school thing tired both him and me out in the USA; here it invigorates is both. Interesting cultural differences really. 🙂
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