Why Americans will miss the British if we can't visit this year
In Europe, many countries are tentatively lifting border restrictions, allowing UK travellers to once again dream of a sojourn abroad before summer is out – but the message across the Atlantic is much gloomier. In short, don’t get your hopes up. The USA is not open, not even for the Brits.
President Trump ordered the borders closed to all travellers arriving from Europe way back on March 12. The UK was initially not included, but within two days the hatches were battened and we were also firmly locked out.
More recently, on June 14, Dr Anthony Fauci, a leading member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, told The Telegraph in an exclusive interview that the ban on travel for British holidaymakers to the United States could last until after summer, or even until a vaccine is developed. He said: "My feeling, looking at what's going on with the infection rate, I think it’s more likely measured in months rather than weeks.”
It’s disappointing news for the 3.8 million British nationals that visit the USA every year, but Americans will end up missing us more than you might expect. And I’m not talking in this instance about the money British travellers spend on their US adventures, though that is a factor – I’m talking about the fascination many Americans hold for their friends from across the pond.
I’ve seen evidence of this throughout my life. Though my mother is English and I now live in London, I was born in a small town in California. When a young girl from Surrey arrived at my middle school at the age of 13, she was met with instant popularity. Everyone wanted to know the girl from England. Wanted to hear her accent again and again. Wanted to know if British schools were just like Hogwarts. Wanted to know what it was like to be from such a ‘quaint’ country and eat crumpets every day, drinking tea with a pinky up. Yes, they really believed that.
I should add, when I made the move in reverse to Swindon, I was not met with the same adoration, but instead stereotypes surrounding guns, obesity and stupidity. It may not surprise you that we do not echo the warm welcome that is found in the USA.
Children do not, of course, represent the population at large, but this is just one small piece to the puzzle. Anyone that has seen Love Actually, will know that the less-than-ordinary Colin finds his romantic fate turned upside down when he lands in Wisconsin. Women are drawn to him simply because of his accent: which is ridiculous, but also bears some truth. Marti Buckley, from Alabama, summed it up: “I’ve never heard of Americans loving British people! The accent is super fancy and attractive on men, that I’ll give you.”
What’s funny is that while some American friends of mine refuted the idea that the stereotype even exists, a quick poll of the Brits on my social feed showed they all felt much more loved when travelling the States. Maybe Americans are just friendlier in general, and so don’t see their compliments as much of a big deal.
Alex Allen shared: “During a uni year abroad in central Illinois, having a British accent was like an everyday circus act. I'd get stopped by people asking me to perform certain words. 'Bollocks' was a popular request. Things like 'scrumptious', 'nonsense' also v. good value.”
Simon Urwin echoed the sentiment: “On a recent road trip through Mississippi it was hilarious the impact of my regular London accent. Especially in Clarksdale, [the] friendliest town in America.” What exactly was the impact exactly? Free drinks, he told me. He was also asked to read out the menu for entertainment in one diner, suggesting they thought he sounded like Hugh Grant. Let’s call it the Rom-Com effect.
Clearly, the British accent is a big part of the appeal. But there are other things to consider too: the interest in the Royal Family is huge. My American grandmother is always filling me in on what they’ve been up to, and is obsessed with television dramas like The Crown. She is not alone. For a country without the same depth of history, it’s easy to see why they find our long and storied past so intriguing. The fact we continue to have a monarchy today only adds to the appeal.
Music is another factor, with diehard fans eager to discuss their favourite albums (from The Beatles to The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd) with a local.
Louise O’Brien, Regional Director of Public Relations of the Langham Hospitality Group (with hotels in Chicago and Pasadena, Los Angeles among others) points to the character of British guests as to why they are so loved: “British travellers are some of the most fun to have visit the US. There is a certain charm and grace to their demeanor, and something so elegant about their way of travelling and experiencing a city. They are the reason we offer electric kettles in our guest rooms, and, of course, our Afternoon Tea service was inspired by our flagship The Langham in London. We have always found them to be hearty travellers as well, taking on the whole city they are visiting, from morning to night, really becoming part of the local experience. And yes, the accents are charming as well. Even a complaint when said with a British accent sounds nicer.”
Daniel Hostettler, President and Group Managing Director of New-England based OHM Collection (including the Ocean House, Rhode Island, added: “We love the Brits and will miss our guests from across the pond at all of our properties. We enjoy the British wit and sense of humour – and their sitcoms. In the absence of seeing them this summer, we will think fondly of our British friends every time we swing a croquet mallet, take a walk along the pond or pick up a cup of tea – making a cup of tea in times of crisis is a British quality we appreciate! We love the tea-fixes-anything outlook.”
No one I spoke to mentioned tipping, which surprised me as that seems the most obvious reason why Americans would not miss Brits. Though I guess some business is better than none.
A friend of mine in San Francisco, Katie Garcia, figures the fact there is no language barrier is part of the reason Americans are particularly friendly to British visitors. She added: “To be honest I hadn’t thought about not seeing British tourists or any tourists for that matter. It feels like I’m not gonna see anyone this summer and that’s what I’ve focused on. But once you asked me, it did get me thinking that everyone’s world is getting smaller with people traveling less. Missing out on interactions with foreigners as a traveller yourself or with a tourist visiting your country, makes you miss out on learning about other cultures and ways of life. Also possibly some friends. That makes me sort of sad!”
She’s absolutely right, and not just in the US, but around the world too. Without travel, the circle of people you meet will shrink, even in your own home city. The fact Americans can’t welcome Brits with open arms this summer, or perhaps even this year, may be the least of the country’s worries right now – but even so, I’m sure they will miss us the most.
