Marissa Levine

Professor Highly

Global May Great Britain

10 May 2019

Perception

My assumptions about the British before arriving in London were heavily influenced by media, music and literature.  The Harry Potter series, both the books and movies, played an incredibly large role in my childhood and is what shaped my initial perception of the UK.  

Music has also played a huge role in my perception.  I grew up listening to The Beatles, The Who, Elton John, and Queen because of my dad.  Today however, I listen more closely to artists such as Adele, Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith.  

One opinion that I had and still somewhat do is that American girls love to romanticize British men solely because of their accents.  There seems to be a sort of mystical effect of the British accent which can make an average looking man more physically attractive in the eyes of an American girl.  This has been seen in the past with The Beatles craze of the mid to late 20th century and has continued into the 21st century with One Direction. I can recall watching the movie Love Actually and there was a scene that perpetuated this stereotype with a “average-looking” British man traveling to America during a holiday specifically because he knew American girls would love him.

Besides Harry Potter, another media source that I found to shape my views of Great Britain is the television program Skins.  Skins particularly introduced me to the not-so prim and proper side of British children and teens that I previously believed exist.  I was introduced to the portrayal of drugs and partying in the teenage population of Great Britain.

Because of movies like Peter Pan and Mary Poppins, I have always thought of the British to be more proper and well-behaved than Americans.  This especially perpetuated in children and teenagers. Shows like Phineas and Ferb and movies like The Parent Trap, Wild Child and Titanic all show the juxaposition of the unrefined, loud American and the uptight and reserved British.

Something else that I have assumed about the British is that they have delicious alcohol and tea but gross food.  The traditional British pubs are often imitated in the US, but don’t necessarily have the traditional food. My assumption about the alchol was correct however my assumption about the food was wrong.  I have tried Fish n’ chips, several sausages, and croquettes which have all proven to be delicious. I truly am excited to try more.

I also do have to admit however that I have been to London before already.  I visited London when I was 14 with my family. I would honestly say that my perception has not changed that much either from when I visited last time.  I think a way my perception has changed though is that the British are much more friendlier to Americans than I had been told my several people. I have felt very welcomed by pretty much everyone I have encountered.  I only was able to stay for a total of two days on my previous trip here, so I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to be back again. I truly find British culture to be facisnating and wonderful.