The British Boys and Other Tidbits

Last night Steve and I decided to go across the street to the Imperial College Pub. Apparenlty Wednesday nights are big there (and last night there was a football game, so that was a big deal) so there were tons of people there. Most of the people in the pub were actually Wisconsin people, and they were all being midwesterner and drunk. There were plenty of British people there, mostly guys, and tried as I might, I couldn't really muster up much courage to talk to them. I don't know what it is, but they are an intimidating people, even whilst inebriated. Right after we got there, Steve was challenged to arm wrestle a Field Hockey player (a guy) and Steve won, which was a big score for the US. I tried to ask the FH players what positions they played, etc etc, and even about the football game, but they seemed completely disinterested in my existence. Which was unfortunate because one was really cute. Later on, we were sitting around a big table upon which a group of Brits were playing this drinking game with matches. It's too complicated and stupid to really explain, but then again, I'm sure they'd feel the same way about the fineries of Beer Pong. Anyway, I was trying to ask about how the game was played and break into the conversation. A nice looking young man promptly explained the rules to me, and then continued to ignore my existence. Later on, I overheard a Brit say to another "The Americans are easy to deal with, just insult them." I've said this before, and I'll say it again... if a Brit showed up in any American bar, everyone would immediately be kind to them and happy to talk to them and explain XYZ(ed) to them. Alas, that is not to be here with the Brits and me. I've heard everywhere that Brits are difficult to break into with, but once you do, it's wonderful and amazing and blah blah blah; so here's my question: how does one ever get to that point? There were Wisconsin girls blabbing away with a bunch of them, and I just couldn't quite understand how they got there... perhaps I was not drunk enough, I wasn't drunk at all. Maybe the alcohol just gave them more "courage" or whatever it is alcohol gives you (lack of judgement). It was kind of an unfortunate night on that front, but the drinks were cheap and there was another room with a bunch of dancing, so it turned out OK. I wanted an early night anyway, so all in all, I guess it wasn't too bad. Leave a comment if you have any tips on talking to British boys. I've been told that American girls have it much easier than American boys because all we have to do is "stand there and look cute and someone will come talk to" us. Perhaps I just didn't look cute enough. Maybe by cute they mean slutty? Well, first night out with a bunch of Brits so I guess I can't write it off as impossible quite yet. I'm still baffled by the success of the Wisconsin girls, though.

So I had my first class today, and despite it being 4 hours in length, it was actually pretty interesting. We talked a lot about the difference in politics and political issues between the two countries (being the US and the UK) and the devolution of the UK and non-existence of England. We talked about things in our system that the Brits find puzzling and things in their system that we find puzzling. Apparently they think it's appalling that we constantly fly the American flag and wear lapel pins with it, and put it on our fire houses, etc etc People in the class couldn't really understand why that mattered to them, and the teacher did only an OK job explaining. Also, the average Londoner is caught on tape / photographed somewhere around 300 times a day. George Orwell would turn in his grave!
The teacher seems to do a good job, and was able to hold my attention for the whole time. I think it should be a good class. I have another one on Monday/Tuesday and I'll write more about both of them as things come up. Despite it being a political science class, I don't actually recognize a whole lot of people in them. Hopefully there will be a chance to meet and greet and get to know more people.

I've realized that I am seriously lacking "going out clothes." I have things that make me look nice and far preppier than usual, but are khakis and a cable knit sweater are kind of odd to wear to a club. I guess I can make do with what I have, but a lot of the girls here are crazy fashionable and fancy and all that other rich BU finery, so I feel a bit inadequate. I forgot about the average BU student in my attempt at school to avoid them at all cost, but alas, here they are in full force. If you don't know who / what I'm talking about, it's not worth explaining.

Student life is throwing a party tonight at a bar they rented out in Covent Gardens called Bunker Bar and the admission was really cheap and includes some free drinks. I have an interview with the placement team tomorrow (Which everyone has told me thus far is kind of a joke), so I'm not going to be out too late. It seems likely that I will find partying with 300 other BU students is fairly pointless and unecessary and will not be there very long, or will quickly move on to another venue.

I suppose that really covers everything that's happened to me since yesterday. Hope all is well in the states for anyone who happens to be reading this from there. :-)

-Kate