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Imgur user Chimichanga007 is from the United States. They've lived in California, Chicago, NYC, have driven across the country 5 or 6 times, and have also stayed in Jersey and Connecticut... But they liked the UK most of all!

Recently, the Imgurian had the opportunity to spend some time in London, between Kilburn and Queens Park stations, and they absolutely loved it. In fact, Chimichanga007 even made a post on the platform when they got back, comparing the two countries. In their opinion, the US doesn't even come close.

#1

American Who Has Lived In The UK Shares 10 Differences That Make Them Look Like Night And Day Went to the ER and i got emotional because they treated me like a human being and i wouldn't go into debt. (Getting emotional makes them embarrassed tho so don't recommend)

Feeling that's hard to explain but imagine you know that everyone you know, your neighbours, random strangers, kids, moms, grannys, everyone you see everyday is covered and can go free to a doctor or ER, taking care of each other.

Chimichanga007 , JC Gellidon Report

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lisdaglish_1 avatar
Lis Daglish
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually feel very proud that some of my taxes go to pay for the NHS (National Health Service), they provide a fantastic service, and I remember to be grateful and thankful every time I need to use them.

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Sophia Mitrokostas, who grew up in the United States but eventually moved to the United Kingdom where she now lives with her husband, thinks that a lot of things that are common in the US aren't so common in the UK, such as celebrating Halloween, going on trips to enjoy the fall foliage, and tipping bartenders. You can see the cultural differences in everyday life too.

"The first time my husband and I ate together at an American restaurant, he was alarmed when the server took his credit card away to swipe it after the meal," Mitrokostas wrote on INSIDER. "He was also totally perplexed by the need to sign a receipt, which apparently isn't the norm in the UK."

In UK restaurants, the server typically brings the entire card machine to your table, and with their supervision, you insert your card and follow on-screen prompts before grabbing your receipt and leaving.

#2

American Who Has Lived In The UK Shares 10 Differences That Make Them Look Like Night And Day Cops that seem like servants not lunatic power trippers (most can't "accidentally" kill you cuz not packing)

Chimichanga007 , King's Church International Report

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Roxy Eastland
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

British police don't want to carry guns (I have family that have been in the force). They know full well how much less likely they are to get shot this way, for a start.

lisa-warndorff avatar
I want cake
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it the same in the UK as where I live, that each fired bullet comes with masses of paperwork? Most cops here don't want to shoot their guns, if they even have one, because it means hours of desk work to justify each shot.

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Haunting Spirit
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They don't panic because they are trained to not be (as in the rest of Europe). In the US the training of cops is to suppress instead of de-escalating.

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Samantha Comerford
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We all teach our children to say hello to police officers, because they are there to help you . All police officers I’ve come into contact stop and chat with our small children and teens . I love our police force

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Lindakay Bailey Robertson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I haven't met a police officer that had lunatic power trips, and most not only won't "accidentally" kill you cuz but also do not want you to get into trouble in the first place.

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our cops carry guns but they are rarely used (average of 4 per year). We don’t have the mentality to shoot first then ask questions, shoot to kill or have the fear that every person maybe packing. Plus every time a police kills someone there is a mandatory coronial inquest.

shane-harris42 avatar
YouDontLikeMe?
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is there a worldwide belief that all US cops are killers in uniform? I understand that there is a poor portrayal of cops in the US, but having been one it is painful to read these threads. Agreed that there have been several bad situations involving bad cops, but the majority of them will stop everything they are doing to help your grandma carry in groceries, or put a chain back on your sons bike. It sickens me that our media has aided in developing this negativity towards us cops... and that some awful people have been given a badge... and worse a gun in the states. But they aren't all bad, MOST are wonderful people with a job to keep the communities safe while dealing with people who feel they can't trust them. It creates a volition atmosphere where the cop is on guard at every encounter

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Vicky Zar
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Prisons in Europe are better too. In Germany, we rehabilitate. Watch this video. It is SO informative! https://youtu.be/wtV5ev6813I

barbara_skolly avatar
Barbara Skolly
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree with YouDon'tLikeMe? There are hundreds of thousands of officers in North America and only a small bunch cause the negative attention meanwhile the other over 99% are just doing their job keeping their hands and noses clean trying to help others

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Suzanne Haigh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

UK trains the police before they are let loose on the public, don't think this happens in the US

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Smith Larry
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here is my story. greatful My wife was diagnosed with a cancer, ( before i learnt of Rick Simpsons oil / RSO ) the hospital said to do chemotherapy and radiotherapy.. she did.. and went through a lot.. but no cure, after a while the doctors said the cancer was spreading and we could look for alternatives.. i searched the internet and found out about the oil.. asked a lot of questions.. watched the videos etc.. we made the oil our selves but it couldn't just work out we were doing more harm than good and the cancer was still there spreading, i searched more on the internet i found a testimony on how a lady got the oil via an email, ricksimpsoncannabisoil96@gmail.com immediately copied the email: i wrote to this very email ricksimpsoncannabisoil96@gmail.com and in an hour later i got a reply back asking me some few questions, and enlightened me on how to get the oil in the next 48hours, i placed my order and in the next 48hours the medication oil got to us.

officialilluminati66 avatar
Smith Larry
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here is my story. greatful My wife was diagnosed with a cancer, ( before i learnt of Rick Simpsons oil / RSO ) the hospital said to do chemotherapy and radiotherapy.. she did.. and went through a lot.. but no cure, after a while the doctors said the cancer was spreading and we could look for alternatives.. i searched the internet and found out about the oil.. asked alot of questions.. watched the videos etc.. we made the oil our selves but it couldn't just work out we were doing more harm than good and the cancer was still there spreading, i searched more on the internet i found a testimony on how a lady got the oil via an email, ricksimpsoncannabisoil96@gmail.com immediately copied the email: i wrote to this very email ricksimpsoncannabisoil96@gmail.com and in an hour later i got a reply back asking me some few questions, and enlightened me on how to get the oil in the next 48hours, i placed my order and in the next 48hours the medication oil got to us. immediately

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Doggo Froggo
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3 years ago

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Carrie de Luka
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry? Do you mean UK police? You get the odd bad apple in every barrel of course. No system is perfect and bad people who are wrong for the job slip through but generally speaking no. You might have had some bad experiences but you should not let that taint how you see the overall police services in the UK.

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Requiem
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3 years ago

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They have specialized cops with guns and carbines, so stop being an idiot

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Ruth Mayfly
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, but those are only deployed under very specific conditions. You will not find them just walking or driving around the streets, stopping traffic or responding to your average 999 call.

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Requiem
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3 years ago

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They have specialized cops with guns and carbines. How do you think they deal with the terrorist attacks there? Get out of your safe space

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"My husband [also] finds it strange to tip bartenders and buy your own drinks at a bar," Mitrokostas continued. "The UK is famed for its pub culture, or the socializing and social drinking that happens in its many cozy bars and pubs. Although buying a round of drinks is an optional act of generosity in the US, it's standard practice in the UK. Members of a group will rotate who is responsible for each round, and skipping your turn is seen as rude."

#3

American Who Has Lived In The UK Shares 10 Differences That Make Them Look Like Night And Day Tons of paid holiday at every job.

Chimichanga007 , Jonathan Borba Report

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Nianudd
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had 7 and a half weeks last year. I'm a supervisor in a supermarket. My sister, who lives in America and has a much higher status/paying job than me, got 2 weeks

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#4

American Who Has Lived In The UK Shares 10 Differences That Make Them Look Like Night And Day Less expensive and better quality fresh veg and meat

Chimichanga007 , Alexandr Podvalny Report

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lenka
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's frightening about this, is Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia all have better quality fruit and vegetables at lower prices than the UK. It's hard to imagine just how bad the US must actually be?

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Lyndsey Reid, who moved from the UK to the US, also experienced a cultural shock after crossing the Atlantic. "The UK and the US may share a common language, but the cultural differences can make the two places feel as if they're worlds apart," Reid explained on Business Insider.

"The biggest culture shock came when I entered the workforce. It's well-documented that the American office culture is pretty different from the way we work in the UK, in part fueled by the notion of the American dream, that unwavering belief that anyone can be successful if they're determined and willing to work hard. And it seems that an all-work-and-no-play mentality has bred a workplace underpinned by a sense of fear that you're never quite working hard enough."

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#5

American Who Has Lived In The UK Shares 10 Differences That Make Them Look Like Night And Day Modern and plentiful public transit

Chimichanga007 , Jed Dela Cruz Report

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Perfumista Perfumista
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in NY. Public transit here is actually pretty good, but people who have't tried it in other states still complain.

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#6

American Who Has Lived In The UK Shares 10 Differences That Make Them Look Like Night And Day Public right of way walking paths all over the place.

Chimichanga007 , Gina Santangelo Report

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Hugh Cookson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And an extensive, countrywide, footpath system with historic rights of way (look up UK Ramblers Association, you'll be amazed !!)

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Reid said that nowhere was this quite as obvious — to her at least — as Americans' attitudes toward vacation days. "In the UK, almost all full-time workers are legally entitled to at least 28 days of paid vacation a year. Most employers will include the eight bank and public holidays into that figure, leaving the average British worker with about 20 days of vacation," Reid explained. "At my previous job, I had 25 days of vacation, eight paid bank holidays, a day off for my birthday, and the opportunity to buy an additional five days off. We worked hard. But we were given adequate time away from the office to rest, reset, and rejuvenate."

#7

American Who Has Lived In The UK Shares 10 Differences That Make Them Look Like Night And Day Free ATMs everywhere. Banks aren't making loot preying on the poors with fees like USA

Chimichanga007 , Timeo Buehrer Report

#8

American Who Has Lived In The UK Shares 10 Differences That Make Them Look Like Night And Day 10 dollar prescription drugs.

Chimichanga007 , Sharon McCutcheon Report

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Robert T
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not sure what is charged to non-residents, but all prescription medicine has a flat charge of £10. Some things can be bought over the counter, so it is not worth getting a prescription for say paracetemol or ibuprofen. If you need more than about a dozen prescriptions a year, then it is cheaper to buy a pre-payment certificate - this costs just over £100 and covers as many prescriptions as you need - and can be obtained free for some medical conditions or for people on low income. Prescription charges are free for over 60's. One important one that Americans will hardly believe is that diabetics get free prescriptions - yes, all insulin, needles, pens, test kits, everything is free. Only a few things like modern blood glucose sensors are not free, but even that is changing for people with diabetes that is not well controlled.

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So you can imagine Reid's horror when she was offered her first job in the States and found out her paid time off was an accrued total of 10 days — "a measly two weeks, including vacation and sick days." The worst part, she said, was that the employer seemed to think that was generous, prefacing the section about PTO with: "We know how hard you work and recognize the importance of providing you with time for rest and relaxation."

As for Chimichanga007, they said the immigration process was quite difficult, and they went through a lot to get to the UK, but they plan to return when everything with the world goes back to normal.

#9

American Who Has Lived In The UK Shares 10 Differences That Make Them Look Like Night And Day Workers take their breaks religiously (Tea time:D)

Chimichanga007 , Loverna Journey Report

#10

American Who Has Lived In The UK Shares 10 Differences That Make Them Look Like Night And Day OTC drugs way cheaper.

Chimichanga007 , Myriam Zilles Report

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James016
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pennies for a packet of paracetamol. We do get the same drug branded and marketed numerous ways and prices differently, they all have the same product licence number so do the same thing.

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