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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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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.

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

I live in America and I frequently spend more money to buy fresh produce and cook my own fresh meals than my roommates who stick to prepackaged meals like ramen and microwavable or frozen meals.

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

Yes home grown apples are the best . Not imported small overpriced disappointment

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

not less expensive, look at the exchange rate when you went there. 1.40 amaerican is 1 pound

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

What is scary is that Britain is negotiating more imports from America, exactly in WHAT?

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

Will not be in food of any description because of the way they treat the stuff, unless they make special regulations for their British exports, would be illegal.

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

Agreed. When visiting Aussie in the 80's, I noticed how "more natural" the fruits and veggies looked and smelled compared to the US. Is as if the US polishes and manipulates what we are to buy to make it more attractive (and potentially less nutritious).

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

The U$ has "food deserts", areas of overwhelming poverty where people have practically no access at all to fresh foods, only manufactured products available at "quickie marts".

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

Where in the US? I find it hard to believe that the UK has better and less expensive produce than, for example, California, since so much is farmed *in* California.

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

You would think so but as an ex-Californian that moved to the Midwest where we were warned that fresh fruit and veggies were hard to get it's the same price and same selection which is to say all bad.

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

No, they have not. In Germany you basicly get bunny (rabbit) food.

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Starbelly Eleven
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3 years ago

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I was completely surprised by the lack of vegetables in the UK. We were certainly not served any in restaurants. It was all haggis and potatoes. The veggies in the U.S. are amazing, frankly, and I don't know where this person shops, but JFC, so untrue.

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

I don't believe you are portraying this accurately. Firstly, Haggis is very much a food from one part of the UK and you clearly chose to eat that and the potatoes. Due to the UK having a multicultural and diverse range of foods you would have had far more options or you chose to eat in a crappy little cafe.

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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
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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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