I had heard that the British were reserved but I didn’t understand the full implications of this until after I had lived in the UK for a year or so.
AP never wants to draw attention to himself and is rather mortified if I do anything that might smack of that. I sometimes feel garish in conversation. I am loud, I know. And I sometimes curse. I think nothing of approaching a stranger for directions or other exchanges of information. This horrifies my British husband. I have known him to hide from me…behind a tree or shaded by shrubbery… when I’ve done such a thing.
Once we walked in the wrong door of a restaurant and the waitress kindly asked us to re-enter through the correct door so the hostess could seat us and AP was so filled with shame that he didn’t want to re-enter the restaurant!
However, let us be in an eatery when his steak isn’t cooked properly or if a hotel reservation goes pear shaped and he is the most grateful man in the world to be with a brash American.
Yesterday we had to return a plumbing fixture to the local home store due to a fault — and without a receipt. This required some finagling and so we negotiated who should do the talking. I think you know who did the talking and I’m happy to say that I left with a credit on my account.
AP took me out for dinner. Which was perfect. And required no finagling.
Dragonlane Artisan Jewellery 
I think I’d prolly be deported in 10 seconds flat!
No, not deported. Just looked at with a blank and emotionless expression.
Maybe it’s because my grandfather was British, but I am more like your AP than you. I too can easily be embarrassed by my mate’s brashness. In our house, when a service representative, sales person, or anybody in a role of authority needs to be spoken to, I send Mark in to do it. He was born in the Bronx and when he was nine years old his family moved to New Jersey. Need I say more?
You are exactly like AP, then. But the relief that AP feels when I handle these unpleasant exchanges is palpable. Mark sounds adorable. To me.
Thanks, Alan, for the empathy.
Such a cute picture of a brash American. Well done with the plumber.
Actually I managed the plumber. He’s a very pleasant guy. And of course, my wife never offers tea (which is the custom over here).
Love it. I was like AP but as I get older, I seem to be getting more wicked 🙂
Ooh! I sympathize! I could have written this:
“AP never wants to draw attention to himself and is rather mortified if I do anything that might smack of that. I sometimes feel garish in conversation. I am loud, I know. And I sometimes curse. I think nothing of approaching a stranger for directions or other exchanges of information. This horrifies my British husband. I have known him to hide from me…behind a tree or shaded by shrubbery… when I’ve done such a thing.”
p.s. I am an old-time follower from Pearl’s blog. xx
Thank you for commenting!! I love it when Pearl’s friends find this blog and comment.