From sinner

Contents 1 Frequently Asked Questions 2 Politics 3 General Advice 4 Regional Advice

Frequently Asked Questions

• How expensive is it to live in St Andrews? Answer: Very. Rule of thumb: however much you expect something should be, it will cost twice that.
• How do I call the US? Answer: If the number you want to call is (416)-123-4567, dial 001-416-123-4567.
  
• Are there a lot of Americans in St Andrews? Answer: Yes. You will probably have to make an effort at first to meet someone who isn't American, as when everyone is newly arrived, the instinct is to fall into little all-american groups. Avoid this. You didn't come all this way to meet people from the next state over.
• What's the time difference? Answer: You should already know this, but anyway, the East Coast is 5 hours behind the UK, and the West Coast is 8 hours. All points in between will have to do the math themselves.
• Can I get a Young Person's Rail Card, and thus get excellent discounts on train fare? Answer: Why yes you can. You'll just need your matric card / passport, a passport photo, and 20 pounds or so. For the best deals, book tickets in advance, either through the student travel service in the union, or through sites like trainline.co.uk.
  

Politics

One of the most frequently asked questions.

• Should I pretend to be Canadian? AKA Do people hate Americans?

Answer: No. Don't be silly. You may have to put up with a certain amount of ribbing and teasing and people making stupid statements, or referencing stereotypes. But this is no different than back in the States, or anywhere else in the world, really. It's not all directed at America either. Other countries are equally fair game. Bear in mind, however, that as the US is one of the most visible nations on the world stage, it's also one of the biggest acceptable targets. Just accept it in the best possible humor. That said, you'll only make yourself look like something of a twat if you embrace this perceived anti-americanism out of some deluded notion that that will make you fit in.

General Advice

The answers to the questions you should be asking.

• Don't refer to the UK as "England".
  
• Don't forget the difference between how dates are written. It's 4/7/1776, not 7/4/1776
  
• Don't go crazy when it comes to drinking. No matter how much a hardened drunk you think you are, you're no match for the alcoholics of St Andrews. The very friendly alcoholics of St Andrews, who will encourage you to keep up with them. Don't. Stick to a set number of drinks, or drink very slowly, or drink cokes. You don't want to be the asshole american kid who went nuts when first exposed to alcohol and then barfed all over the union. This has developed into a stereotype. Don't perpetuate it. Secondly, drink spiking and rape are unfortunately not unknown in St Andrews. Don't let the size of the town fool you into letting your guard down. And it goes without saying (or rather, it should) drinking to the point of insensibility is always dangerous.
  

Regional Advice

Advice specifically directed at people from particular areas

The West Coast

• No matter how many sweaters, coats, and pairs of boots you were planning on bringing, they probably won't be enough. Or they won't be warm enough / water-proof enough. Plan to freeze. St Andrews at 40 degrees F with chilling breeze will feel colder than the Sierras in the middle of a blizzard. The wind will cut right through you.
  
• Leave your flip-flops behind. You really, really, really won't get a chance to wear them.
  
• Cilantro goes by the name Coriander. Just FYI.