1. Britain doesn't exist, only England
For some reason, I have grown accustomed to saying "I'm from England" since most people here assume that England is the entire country. That being said, I can't really blame some of them. England is constantly in the news for political action, the capital is there - and when do you hear about Wales or Scotland in the news? ;)
2. Everyone thinks we all talk like Nigel Havers
Cheerio, pip pip, tally ho - all phrases that American park workers and guests constantly throw at me. It must be a legacy of too many clichéd films where every British character is an aristocrat who talks with the Queens English. Apparently my hair and accent don't really help - I have been told by some Americans that they think everyone does their hair like me, and that we all sound as posh as I do to them. Tia told me "The first time I saw you, I knew you were British". Perhaps I am a walking cliché after all...
3. Everyone thinks we live off crumpets and tea
Another legacy of some truly awful films. Whilst it is true we are a nation of tea drinkers, we don't live off the stuff. I even had some girls go on my ride one day again and again so I could talk to them about London, crumpets and tea. They really couldn't get enough of it! I didn't know whether it was that patronising but I enjoyed it all the same
4. The association with Harry Potter or the Royal Family
I have been asked countless times what I thought of the Royal Wedding a few months back, and my opinion of the Royal Family as a whole. For some odd reason, I also have alot of parents point at me and say to their kids "he's from the same country as Harry Potter". American workers keep asking me to say "Harry Potter" because apparently it sounds better with my accent. I get asked all the time if I've been to London too - it's fortunate I have because I'd sound a bit of a lame Brit abroad otherwise!
5. The misconception we all suffer because of "socialised medicine"
A lot of right wing Americans believe that the NHS is socialist, and that you shouldn't have to pay for the mistakes of others who "drink and smoke themselves to death". The irony of statements like this in a country with a maassive obesity problem is staggering. They find the NHS such a strange system, as they are so used to health insurance
6. People tell me have you heard of "X town" in the hope it will be somewhere near where I live
A lot of American visitors and workers still have close ties to the UK, it's only natural since New England especially is steeped in history from when we settled this country. Yet many guests have a habit of telling me a random place name, hoping it is near to where I live. I also have to explain where Lincoln is in terms of distance from London - because that's the only city they know about!
Rule Britannia!