Know nothing Brit transferred to Detroit!

**Slartibarfast** · February-26-12, 04:46 PM

Hello..

I hope that terrible title got someones attention.. Leaving the Army in a month and lucky enough to have a found a good job. The company is sending me to the Detroit head office for 6 months and whilst there i'll be sent all over the place doing training and the like before they decide where to put me permanently.

I'm being put in a rented apartment somewhere and left to fend for myself when not needed so i thought i'd seek some advice. I've never been to N.America before and i was hoping that these forums might be able to help lessen the steepness of the learning curve.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give and thanks also for the information i've gleaned from the forums in the last few weeks both enlightening and disturbing

**gazhekwe** · February-26-12, 06:03 PM

Welcome to our world! There is a lot to do here, in just about every area of interest you can imagine. It will be a busy time for you.

**Kathleen** · February-26-12, 06:34 PM

Welcome to DYes....and to the D!!

Let us know how we can help make your transition to Detroit and your new home and job go more smoothly.

**Marc** · February-26-12, 10:56 PM

Welcome! Where abouts are you staying? Detroit proper or a neighboring suburb?

**Blueidone** · February-26-12, 11:59 PM

Welcome! Hope you get a chance to stop by the Georgia Street Community Collective some day and say Hello. www.georgiastreetcc.com

**Slartibarfast** · February-27-12, 04:59 AM

Thanks for the warm welcome, it's very much appreciated.

@Marc.
No idea where i'm staying, my contract says "Will be housed in Detroit in a self-contained appartment for the period of your training [[6 months)." So not a clue where i'll get put. After the training it'll be up to me and hopefully i'll have an idea of where would be good place to put myself, i wont be asking the real-estate vampires for suggestions though, it'll be you lot on here

@Blueidone.
You can count on it. With luck i might be able to contribute in some way too, my job gives me a fair amount of free time.

Any other suggestions on where to visit and where i might be of use would be appreciated.
Thanks again..

**Barbara Nadel** · February-27-12, 06:04 AM

Hello Slartibarfast. And a happy Douglas Adams to you too! As a Brit who has visited Detroit and been made to feel very welcome by a whole load of DetroitYes people, I can heartily recommend the place. There is a lot to see and a lot to do. Get involved with Georgia Street, it's really worthwhile and get out and about as much as you can. Detroit is fascinating and vibrant and you'll find that people really do want to help you.

**Gannon** · February-27-12, 07:11 AM

We drive on the right side of the road here...and most don't know what 'mind the gap' means.

Luckily, the state legislature is busy guaranteeing that pints of beer hold sixteen ounces.

Spend time at Foran's Grand Trunk and the Park bars, and you'll be up to speed in no time at all.

Cheers!

**Slartibarfast** · February-27-12, 08:57 AM

Hello..

@Gannon
Drive on the Right? Hmmm... Gotcha

Whilst on that note though, my preferred transport for years has been a motorbike, is this a safe [[as it'll ever be) and viable way to get around in Detroit and the neighbouring states or would getting a car be more advisable?

@Barbara Nadel
Thankyou, may Douglas live on in the ramblings of his followers for many years to come..

**laphoque** · February-27-12, 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by Slartibarfast

Whilst on that note though, my preferred transport for years has been a motorbike, is this a safe [[as it'll ever be) and viable way to get around in Detroit and the neighbouring states or would getting a car be more advisable?

It snows here despite this abhorrent winter. Are you used to motorcycling through three feet of snow? Motorcycles are typically seasonal transportation here.

**sumas** · February-28-12, 03:56 AM

Welcome to the D. You will find people here very friendly and helpful. Be sure to send us a pm and we'll have you over for dinner and an east area tour. We live close to downdown in a historic district. Our bar hopping days are over but we could certainly introduce you to a younger set that could show you the "hot" spots.

**Slartibarfast** · February-28-12, 06:13 AM

Hiya.

@Laphoque
Thanks for the comment. Bike for the summer and SUV for the majority it is then as i'll be traveling to the National Parks on occasion.

@Sumas
That's a very gracious offer, thankyou. Meeting people would be good, although the idea of going to a "Hot" Spot fills me with terror, i'd resemble a cat in the dog pound

**Meddle** · February-28-12, 08:32 AM

You haven't said if the office is in Detroit or one of the suburbs.

If you are in Detroit proper, don't do, wear, drive or say [[whilst) anything that makes you stand out. Blend in. Observe what your co-workers are wearing and adapt to their local style. Liken this to a trip to Belfast or Londonderry and ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings, both places and people.

You mention National Parks. That will take a considerable drive. I can't think of any within a 100 miles or so. Sleeping Bear Dunes is a National Lakeshore Park and there are some National Forests in Michigan and Ohio.

**Slartibarfast** · February-28-12, 08:59 AM

Hello..

@Meddle
Well, not sure how best to describe this, i don't really have an office in Detroit and i'm pretty much left to my own devices. My 'Head Office' is in Washington [[British Embassy) and my regional one is in Chicago [[British Consulate). My office is whatever appartment they put me in.

My job is to assist any British Nationals in Michigan State and also Toledo and Cleveland areas if they need it. With regards to any medical emergency they may have, to help with repatriation, to help in dealings with local or national law enforcement and god knows what else.

From my brief it seems that especially in the summer months i may well be spending a lot of time travelling into the Forests to help get accident prone Brits glued back together again then sent home.

**gazhekwe** · February-28-12, 09:24 AM

That sounds like a wonderful job for someone who likes to solve problems and find out things. I wonder if there is one like that for lost Detroiters in Florida

. Sounds like you might need contacts in the northern part of the state, maybe the reservations, as well as the parks. We have lots of state parks as well as the national park areas, Sleeping Bear, Grand Sable, Isle Royale. As Meddle said, they are quite far. Grand Sable is a day's drive, Isle Royale will take a day and a half and then you have a boat ride.

**Slartibarfast** · February-28-12, 09:47 AM

Hello

@Gazhekwe
Making contacts is going to be a very important part of job, i'm going to have to learn how to oil minds

. With regards to your mention of the reservations i'm sure that knowing as many people as possible could only be a benefit to me with regards to work and an even bigger benefit to me personally.

On a side note i'd like to say how much i've enjoyed your writings on these forums on your heritage and culture. Where once i knew nothing i now know almost nothing, maybe one day i'll know a little, i thankyou.

**gazhekwe** · February-28-12, 10:24 AM

Well, thank you! That is good to hear, that something I can do increases awareness. If you run into any issues where you need contacts in the Indian community, do PM me, I can help. There is a lot of tourism to our reservations, especially because of the casinos and nice resorts, but also we have fishing, golf, and proximity to parks. In winter, the UP is snowmobile heaven most years, maybe not this year.

**gnome** · February-28-12, 01:16 PM

SBF: welcome to the forum, I look forward to meeting and extend an invitation to our yearly picnic on Belle Isle. The exact date has not been set, but it is a very relaxed affair and everyone is welcome to attend.

http://commonwealthclubmi.com/

I googled "british social clubs, michigan" and the above site popped up. Can't vouch for the group, but I would assume the folks there could provide you with some insights about living in the area.

From peeking at your posts, it sounds like you'll be the British Counsul here; that makes you somewhat of a bigwig even if you don't agree, hence, I would not recommend a motorcycle as your primary transport as you may need to attend events and riding up on a bike would be awkward for the valet parkers.

Also, as you may need to travel to Chicago [[5 hrs away) or Cleveland [[3 hrs away) you could find yourself fatigued after such long travels. A motorbike as secondary transport would be fine, and I may have a line on Vincent Black Shadow if you are interested.

I am a bit confused if you or your betters will be choosing your lodgings. If you will be working out of your residence, I could suggest a couple of live/work places that feature office space on the first floor and the residence on the second. If you will not have any professional visitors, I guess it doesn't matter, but on the off chance someone will stop in, a separate space conveys a professional environment.

Again, welcome to our world. I pray you find the beer to your liking.

**Meddle** · February-28-12, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by Slartibarfast

The company is sending me to the Detroit head office for 6 months and whilst there i'll be sent all over the place doing training and the like before they decide where to put me permanently.

Originally Posted by Slartibarfast

No idea where i'm staying, my contract says "Will be housed in Detroit in a self-contained appartment for the period of your training [[6 months)." So not a clue where i'll get put. After the training it'll be up to me and hopefully i'll have an idea of where would be good place to put myself,.

Originally Posted by Slartibarfast

Well, not sure how best to describe this, i don't really have an office in Detroit and i'm pretty much left to my own devices. My 'Head Office' is in Washington [[British Embassy) and my regional one is in Chicago [[British Consulate). My office is whatever appartment they put me in.

My job is to assist any British Nationals in Michigan State and also Toledo and Cleveland areas if they need it. With regards to any medical emergency they may have, to help with repatriation, to help in dealings with local or national law enforcement and god knows what else.

From my brief it seems that especially in the summer months i may well be spending a lot of time travelling into the Forests to help get accident prone Brits glued back together again then sent home.

OK, I'm confused. You mention Embassys and Consulates, so wouldn't that mean you'll be working for Downing Street more or less? Yet you mention a company.

Also, there is a consulate office in Detroit [[or there was. This may be old info)
Detroit — British Honorary Consulate

» Details and comment forum for the Honorary Consulate of the United Kingdom in Detroit
Address Butzel Long
150 West Jefferson, Suite 900
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone local: [[313) 225.7000
international: +1.313.225.7000

**Django** · February-28-12, 08:50 PM

Dear Gnome:
Vincent Black Shadow. Vehicle of choice of Hunter S. Thompson. Very hard to come by.

**gazhekwe** · February-28-12, 09:29 PM

Then there was Richard Thompson and the 1952 Vincent Black Lightning.

**gnome** · February-28-12, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by Django

Dear Gnome:
Vincent Black Shadow. Vehicle of choice of Hunter S. Thompson. Very hard to come by.

Most perspicacious.

**Detroit Stylin** · March-03-12, 09:49 PM

Also...from what I have learned from some Brits i know in order to make your transition easier here...

1. if you are a smoker...dont ask for a fag....

2. when you go in a tall building use the elevator dont ask for a lift....

More survival American English coming soon...