I'm an American planning to study abroad in London, any advice on how to meet people and avoid stereotypes?

I've been reading a lot about what British people think of Americans, and am starting to get worried. I understand the kind of people they are referring to, and am not one of them. Aside from conducting myself properly, what are good ways to meet people and avoid being written off as another stupid American?I'm an American planning to study abroad in London, any advice on how to meet people and avoid stereotypes?
Don't even worry about it. You are who you are.





If you are concerned enough in advance to ask this question then you are probably going to do fine.





btw The English love the Yanks even if they don't admit it. WWII still gives you a lot of rope.





The only advice I would give you is that if a Brit criticizes something don't join in. Brits are very self critical but don't like to be criticised. (...I don't mean them personally.....but their country, services, food etc).





PS....also don't use the word ';quaint';....to a Brit it sounds a bit like saying ';thats quaint compared to how modern we are in America';. They don't know that Yanks yearn for the old fashion stuffed.





Have fun.I'm an American planning to study abroad in London, any advice on how to meet people and avoid stereotypes?
Don't worry too much about how you're going to come across. As the other answer said, the fact that you're already thinking about it means that you're probably not going to fulfill the 'ugly American' stereotype (they're usually too arrogant to care). Once you meet people and they realise that you're not like that it will be such a welcome change that you'll probably be welcomed with open arms.





In terms of meeting people, it's a bit hard to say specific ways as London is huge and the possibilities endless! Universities often put on special events for people new to the university (such as people starting their course or new arrivals such as yourself) so it would probably be worth going along to as many of those as possible. It's also probably worth trying to get tot grips with the notion that in this country alcohol is very much of a social 'hobby'. A friend of mine is originally from Chicago and first came here to study like you. She said that she was shocked at how much British socialising revolved around alcohol and going to pubs and bars! So whereas you might go to a coffee shop or a restaurant to socialise, we go to pubs. We're not alcoholics (honest!), it's just the way we work in this country so if you want to meet lots of people it would be a good idea to embrace the pub culture.
Don't worry about that stuff. Just be kind and courteous and that is how everyone will be to you. You will have a blast in London! Be prepared to stay out late, clubs don't close until around 5 or 6 in the morning.
London is pretty cosmopolitan so being American isn't really something that will turn heads. People might assume you are on holiday rather than studying here but a lot of places in London employ students from other countries.





If you want to be in London then you should be fine. The only thing that really gets to people is when a person is here and does nothing but complain about how much better things are back home. They get told to go back home pretty quickly.
It is not personal but the problem seems to be that in America, you do seem to be led to believe that you are bigger and better at everything.





In Europe and other places, things have been going on for a very long time and we have got used to the differences between one country and another.





So, when we get Americans who exclaim that 'you guys drive on the wrong side'. 'I just do not understand the money here' Where is Starbucks and dun-kin donuts?' 'Ain't it quaint that they have castles?'


Worst of all when asking what the monument is for and some one tells you that it was from WW1 or WWII the reply is 'Oh gee where you guys in that one too?'





We are not impressed.





We do understand that you drink coke with your breakfast and realise that you expect that when the Americans arrive every shop, taxi and restaurant should open up to serve you.





But ask you to understand that we are not underprivileged Carri bean Islanders who will bow and scrape to you. Our civilisation, customs and history existed before yours. A lot of people here have much more money than you do and are not impressed when you speak addressing the entire room rather than the person to whom you are talking.





OK, you are a decent human being who just wants to meet other decent human beings and engage in social intercourse with them at an equal Level. It is not a form of communism, that is how we are. Equals socially.





You should be OK. At least you have taken the trouble to ask.