American Who Has Lived In The UK Shares 10 Differences That Make Them Look Like Night And Day
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.
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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.
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.
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.
Cops that seem like servants not lunatic power trippers (most can't "accidentally" kill you cuz not packing)
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.
"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."
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."
Modern and plentiful public transit
I live in NY. Public transit here is actually pretty good, but people who have't tried it in other states still complain.
Public right of way walking paths all over the place.
And an extensive, countrywide, footpath system with historic rights of way (look up UK Ramblers Association, you'll be amazed !!)
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."
Free ATMs everywhere. Banks aren't making loot preying on the poors with fees like USA
10 dollar prescription drugs.
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.
THIS ! Just under £10 at the moment for a prescription, I think. In Canada, you had to (not sure what it's like now) pay the whole cost of the prescription. Now that I'm 60, they're free !!! (And birth control pills are free in the U.K. too !)
Pretty much any birth control is free in the UK (there are 15 options). You can go to a family planning clinic and get given handfuls of free condoms.
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This is what I was shocked about too! I lived in the UK for a while and it was amazing that not only are medications so inexpensive....but they give you even more options to pay less if you qualify. The cap I remember was 12 pounds, that was the most you would pay!
If you have certain medical conditions then you are exempt from from paying for prescriptions, that includes for the particular condition and any other prescriptions unrelated to that condition . You get issued a card to show you are exempt, that's also free!
Yep, if you need 10 for the course or 100 for the course, same price. And drug adverts for anything other than over the counter flu remedies or headache tablets are not a thing.
In BC, Canada, we have Fair Pharmacare, so if you're low-income you're pretty much covered. And if you're not, you're likely covered by your employment health care plan.
In BC, Canada, we have Fair Pharmacare - if you're low income, it's pretty much covered
I live in America and I paid $530 for a prescription that keeps me from getting debilitating pain and cysts that could rupture and kill me...
I get my prescriptions for $6.60 as long as they are on the PBS and I have my health care card (low income earner) otherwise the maximum I would pay is $41.30 because of the PBS safety net, but usually my meds full cost is $15each but coz of the heath care card I get it cheaper.
Yes, but the poster is specifically pointing these things out to non Brits....
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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.
Here's what people said about the comparison
Us Brits, as a whole, are very hard on ourselves. It's so nice to read something positive about our country.
Take this, then: my husband and I visited London in 2018 and loved it there. The people were friendly, the public transport was outstanding, we saw many nice museums and even took a hiking trip one day. We only stayed for eight days but Britain was nice to us. On a more cultural level, I also deeply love Red Dwarf series, IT Crowd, Monty Python's, Black Books, Les Miserables (the musical), CI5 the Professionals (the original series), plenty of books, and number of things I can't list off the top of my head because they are so many. You have a lot of good going on on those islands.
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That is nice about UK. But I would say that these things are pretty much the standard all over EU, even in the more poor countries (like mine) in eastern EU. It is sad that that many americans relate the universal health care for example, with Communism and socialism.
Canada has univeral health care, too. The USA seems to be an outlier in a number of ways. That said, a poll from 2019 showed that over 60% of Americans are in favour of univeral health care.
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I'm proud to be British. We whinge a lot about our government and how 'f****d up' we are.... but seriously could be so much worse and I for one am grateful for what we do have.
I'm Czech. Even Boris Johnson seems like a reasonable guy here...
Load More Replies... Very proud of our services and beliefs. Often wondered where Americans get the idea they are somehow the civilised worlds’ “dream”
It is more of a historical thing, but times change, and nowadays.... both the world situation and the reputation of the USA has changed. But I understand wanting to keep the glory alive. Speaking in general, btw. Haven't been to the USA. This is an observation as an outsider. However, I believe that, with all its downsides, it must be a better place than it seems right now.
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In France too, NHS is free, pharmacy too, ATM too... The exception among western countries is not the UK, but USA, which seem so poor on certain things...
"I know EU gives you s**t" Well this is rich. Nationalist UK voters wanted "freedom" so they have it. Expecting that leaving the EU will bring no negative consequences was foolish. It's not the EU who is "giving s**t", it's uneducated Britons who brought s**t on themselves.
Quite the opposite, it was more a case of the educated brits voted to remain, the uneducated, the boomers, and the xenophobic, to leave.
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People who aren't in America, is it common for people to not want to wear masks? I don't mean complaining about them, I mean refusing to, saying it's their right, and saying all of this is fake.
That's just a U.S thing. That place is full of morons.
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I am really eager to leave the USA for good...I know the UK is the right place. I can't wait to get out of this garbage dump.
Me too, but trying to get the visas to work and live seem insurmountable.
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So reading these comments , I find that US comments are very defensive and I think the over the top nationalism doesn’t always allow their citizens to be introspective an any real issues that they do have. Now the article itself isn’t real flattering but it’s just an opinion. Take it as food for thought and don’t let yourself do a knee jerk reaction because “USA USA USA”. I’m sure there are plenty of good things to be positive about, but don’t be blinded by patriotism.
this site is pretty liberal. You’re not gonna get the USA USA crowd here too often.
Load More Replies... Americans are told from birth that America affords its citizens the highest standard of living in the world, and most of us believe it.
Australians, again another county brainwashed by the governmenttot keep people away from what was their ancestors homeland. British people do not whine any more than other countries and if you mean better weather where half the country is taken by bush fires, wildlife burned to death, men who gain great pleasure from shooting and torturing animals etc regularly, forget it,
Even my shithole southamerican country has these things (fruit/veggies and sadly alcohol as well) is REALLY CHEAP. "The greatest country in the world" is a joke, and thus not even worth being laughed at...
The only thing I can think of is... Chick-fil-A. And they're homophobes, so I can't even enjoy that.
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It seems like SUCH an INSURMOUNTABLE task to change things here in the US that we think we might just leave for real.
I love how almost all the comments made by Americans are down voted, then ones made by Britain's are upvoted. :)
I think that’s a little simplistic and disingenuous. The upvotes tend to be for socially conscious posts, the downvotes for social negativity and defensiveness. You can choose where you sit not based on nationality,
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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. cancer free
People have been complaining in Canada as well a lot recently too and that same argument has been thrown out. Here’s the thing though: America and Canada should not be setting the bar low and saying at least we aren’t as bad as the “third world”. Just do better. The fact there are worse off countries isn’t a license to continue to suck.
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Because they believe a myth. "In terms of opportunity, the United States remains an attractive place for immigrants. Intelligence and hard work are still seen as a path to success no matter who one is. This idea has always been a myth, but there have always been mythical figures to substantiate it." So picking a country by believing propaganda. That's hardly something to be proud of.
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House prices are high because the building regulations demand a lot. The minimum standards are greater than the US. Not knocking, just a fact. Land costs more because there is less buildable land - the UK is a very rugged island so a lot can't be built on and it's also a tiny island so there's not a lot to go round. So yes property is costly. Dingy though? No, you're just reaching for an insult.
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Yet we manage our services on a far lower GDP per capita than the US. That means we manage better social care, for less money. You’re right, there is no comparison.
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I’m afraid the US has a very, very long way to go to restore any form of respect from the majority of the rest of the world. Trump, as your representative, took everything we quietly disapproved of, disliked and disdained about America and magnified it to a global stage. He highlighted social deficiencies, amplified social divisiveness and gave permission for open global dissent. We all have a very, very valid opinion.
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Beer is cellar temperature, the cellars are cold and the right temp for beer. Flavours are more intense at the right temperature. Afternoon tea is a loved tradition so no idea why you found it hard to find somewhere to eat unless you were trying to eat dinner in the afternoon (bit weird) but even then you'd have had plenty of options though probably more the fast food options of big macs and the like. Roads = we're an old country, driving = far less accidents per 100k than US. Weather = all the seasons in one day and we like the challenge. Royals = rubbish more people are not interested than are (and they are mostly the older end of the population) and last because it's not least dental care - currently 4th worldwide below Denmark, Germany and Finland. US is 9th. Glad you hated it though as obviously you won't be back. Other US citizens are very welcome - personally I've always found them lovely and enjoyed my time in the states.
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"Please allow your next list to be the opposite material." You mean how people don't have guns and as a result the UK doesn't have at least 40 000 people dead each year because of gun violence? Or how in the UK no unarmed black person was shot by the police? Or how a big part of the country wasn't left without electricity in freezing temperatures? That sort of thing?
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Might have been bad in the 1970s... no longer. Look at world countries ranked, dental care is well above the US.
Load More Replies... Us Brits, as a whole, are very hard on ourselves. It's so nice to read something positive about our country.
Take this, then: my husband and I visited London in 2018 and loved it there. The people were friendly, the public transport was outstanding, we saw many nice museums and even took a hiking trip one day. We only stayed for eight days but Britain was nice to us. On a more cultural level, I also deeply love Red Dwarf series, IT Crowd, Monty Python's, Black Books, Les Miserables (the musical), CI5 the Professionals (the original series), plenty of books, and number of things I can't list off the top of my head because they are so many. You have a lot of good going on on those islands.
Load More Replies... That is nice about UK. But I would say that these things are pretty much the standard all over EU, even in the more poor countries (like mine) in eastern EU. It is sad that that many americans relate the universal health care for example, with Communism and socialism.
Canada has univeral health care, too. The USA seems to be an outlier in a number of ways. That said, a poll from 2019 showed that over 60% of Americans are in favour of univeral health care.
Load More Replies... I'm proud to be British. We whinge a lot about our government and how 'f****d up' we are.... but seriously could be so much worse and I for one am grateful for what we do have.
I'm Czech. Even Boris Johnson seems like a reasonable guy here...
Load More Replies... Very proud of our services and beliefs. Often wondered where Americans get the idea they are somehow the civilised worlds’ “dream”
It is more of a historical thing, but times change, and nowadays.... both the world situation and the reputation of the USA has changed. But I understand wanting to keep the glory alive. Speaking in general, btw. Haven't been to the USA. This is an observation as an outsider. However, I believe that, with all its downsides, it must be a better place than it seems right now.
Load More Replies... In France too, NHS is free, pharmacy too, ATM too... The exception among western countries is not the UK, but USA, which seem so poor on certain things...
"I know EU gives you s**t" Well this is rich. Nationalist UK voters wanted "freedom" so they have it. Expecting that leaving the EU will bring no negative consequences was foolish. It's not the EU who is "giving s**t", it's uneducated Britons who brought s**t on themselves.
Quite the opposite, it was more a case of the educated brits voted to remain, the uneducated, the boomers, and the xenophobic, to leave.
Load More Replies... People who aren't in America, is it common for people to not want to wear masks? I don't mean complaining about them, I mean refusing to, saying it's their right, and saying all of this is fake.
That's just a U.S thing. That place is full of morons.
Load More Replies... I am really eager to leave the USA for good...I know the UK is the right place. I can't wait to get out of this garbage dump.
Me too, but trying to get the visas to work and live seem insurmountable.
Load More Replies... So reading these comments , I find that US comments are very defensive and I think the over the top nationalism doesn’t always allow their citizens to be introspective an any real issues that they do have. Now the article itself isn’t real flattering but it’s just an opinion. Take it as food for thought and don’t let yourself do a knee jerk reaction because “USA USA USA”. I’m sure there are plenty of good things to be positive about, but don’t be blinded by patriotism.
this site is pretty liberal. You’re not gonna get the USA USA crowd here too often.
Load More Replies... Americans are told from birth that America affords its citizens the highest standard of living in the world, and most of us believe it.
Australians, again another county brainwashed by the governmenttot keep people away from what was their ancestors homeland. British people do not whine any more than other countries and if you mean better weather where half the country is taken by bush fires, wildlife burned to death, men who gain great pleasure from shooting and torturing animals etc regularly, forget it,
Even my shithole southamerican country has these things (fruit/veggies and sadly alcohol as well) is REALLY CHEAP. "The greatest country in the world" is a joke, and thus not even worth being laughed at...
The only thing I can think of is... Chick-fil-A. And they're homophobes, so I can't even enjoy that.
Load More Replies... It seems like SUCH an INSURMOUNTABLE task to change things here in the US that we think we might just leave for real.
I love how almost all the comments made by Americans are down voted, then ones made by Britain's are upvoted. :)
I think that’s a little simplistic and disingenuous. The upvotes tend to be for socially conscious posts, the downvotes for social negativity and defensiveness. You can choose where you sit not based on nationality,
Load More Replies... 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. cancer free
People have been complaining in Canada as well a lot recently too and that same argument has been thrown out. Here’s the thing though: America and Canada should not be setting the bar low and saying at least we aren’t as bad as the “third world”. Just do better. The fact there are worse off countries isn’t a license to continue to suck.
Load More Replies... Because they believe a myth. "In terms of opportunity, the United States remains an attractive place for immigrants. Intelligence and hard work are still seen as a path to success no matter who one is. This idea has always been a myth, but there have always been mythical figures to substantiate it." So picking a country by believing propaganda. That's hardly something to be proud of.
Load More Replies... House prices are high because the building regulations demand a lot. The minimum standards are greater than the US. Not knocking, just a fact. Land costs more because there is less buildable land - the UK is a very rugged island so a lot can't be built on and it's also a tiny island so there's not a lot to go round. So yes property is costly. Dingy though? No, you're just reaching for an insult.
Load More Replies... Yet we manage our services on a far lower GDP per capita than the US. That means we manage better social care, for less money. You’re right, there is no comparison.
Load More Replies... I’m afraid the US has a very, very long way to go to restore any form of respect from the majority of the rest of the world. Trump, as your representative, took everything we quietly disapproved of, disliked and disdained about America and magnified it to a global stage. He highlighted social deficiencies, amplified social divisiveness and gave permission for open global dissent. We all have a very, very valid opinion.
Load More Replies... Beer is cellar temperature, the cellars are cold and the right temp for beer. Flavours are more intense at the right temperature. Afternoon tea is a loved tradition so no idea why you found it hard to find somewhere to eat unless you were trying to eat dinner in the afternoon (bit weird) but even then you'd have had plenty of options though probably more the fast food options of big macs and the like. Roads = we're an old country, driving = far less accidents per 100k than US. Weather = all the seasons in one day and we like the challenge. Royals = rubbish more people are not interested than are (and they are mostly the older end of the population) and last because it's not least dental care - currently 4th worldwide below Denmark, Germany and Finland. US is 9th. Glad you hated it though as obviously you won't be back. Other US citizens are very welcome - personally I've always found them lovely and enjoyed my time in the states.
Load More Replies... "Please allow your next list to be the opposite material." You mean how people don't have guns and as a result the UK doesn't have at least 40 000 people dead each year because of gun violence? Or how in the UK no unarmed black person was shot by the police? Or how a big part of the country wasn't left without electricity in freezing temperatures? That sort of thing?
Load More Replies... Might have been bad in the 1970s... no longer. Look at world countries ranked, dental care is well above the US.
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