What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
Dec 12th 2016, 6:03 pm
#16
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 10,005
Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
So much of the typical British food is just not available here unless you go to specific importers and pay 3-4 times more than the UK cost.
Want Marmite on toast? No chance of that. Ploughman's lunch? Can't get the pickle or the right cheese. Mr Kipling's mini pies? Nope. Swiss roll? There's a small chance. Prawn cocktail crisps? Beef? Smokey Bacon? Cheese and onion? None of those.
But try not to moan, there are a million new things to try that are just as unhealthy and weird-sounding even if they don't fill the nostalgia hole.
Want Marmite on toast? No chance of that. Ploughman's lunch? Can't get the pickle or the right cheese. Mr Kipling's mini pies? Nope. Swiss roll? There's a small chance. Prawn cocktail crisps? Beef? Smokey Bacon? Cheese and onion? None of those.
But try not to moan, there are a million new things to try that are just as unhealthy and weird-sounding even if they don't fill the nostalgia hole.
Dec 12th 2016, 6:06 pm
#17
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 10,005
Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
For me, it was the drive everywhere mentality. Back in the UK, I'd drive to/from work, but I'd *always* walk everywhere else, be it to Waitrose, Starbucks, gym or just to have a look in the shops.
In the USA's defense though, things are way more spread out, outside of urban areas though
(in our town for example, its a good 8-10 mins drive to the nearest grocery store).
When I am in Manhattan, I still like to walk all over instead of taking the subway (unless its snowing/raining) - and still get puzzled looks from friends/family.
When I announced to friends/colleagues/family back in the UK that I was moving to the USA, I got a mixed response. 50% were jealous and wanted loads of pics of NYC.etc .etc .etc, the other 50% were shall we say less than enthusiastic.
In the USA's defense though, things are way more spread out, outside of urban areas though
(in our town for example, its a good 8-10 mins drive to the nearest grocery store).When I am in Manhattan, I still like to walk all over instead of taking the subway (unless its snowing/raining) - and still get puzzled looks from friends/family.
When I announced to friends/colleagues/family back in the UK that I was moving to the USA, I got a mixed response. 50% were jealous and wanted loads of pics of NYC.etc .etc .etc, the other 50% were shall we say less than enthusiastic.
Dec 12th 2016, 6:42 pm
#18
Banned
Joined: Dec 2015
Location: california
Posts: 6,035
Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
Total strangers actually smiled and said "hey how you doing today"?
Empty streets in the burbs. People go everywhere in cars. No one seems to walk
Empty streets in the burbs. People go everywhere in cars. No one seems to walk
Dec 12th 2016, 9:20 pm
#20
Turning into a PA gal!
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: State College PA, finally!
Posts: 3,563
Dec 12th 2016, 9:49 pm
#21
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
The impact of the pervasive driving culture can be unexpected. Mrs P still doesn't understand why I park in one place and then visit multiple shops built around one large carpark, rather than driving around the carpark to park outside each shop. 
Dec 12th 2016, 9:53 pm
#22
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Joined: Oct 2009
Location: HH, New Jersey
Posts: 997
Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
Definitely dealing with medical insurance
Dec 13th 2016, 12:58 am
#23
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Joined: Apr 2014
Location: Lauren's Co. SC by way of Palmetto, Florida
Posts: 3,265
Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
My observations are limited to the SE (edit: ta Pulaski for pointing out my error) US and probably don't apply to many areas in the US.
1) Lack of historical stuff, Americans like to knock down their older buildings (which are still very youthful in European terms) and build the latest fad.
2) Casual racism is rife.
3) Considering it's supposed to be a world leader in technology many things are stuck in the 50's, banking and top loading washing machines spring to mind, mobile phone coverage can vary considerably when you leave your home State.
4) The education system is an underfunded mess (in Florida at any rate).
5) The gap between the haves and have-nots is screamingly noticeable. My wife and I bring in what would be considered a healthy amount in the UK, well in excess of the US poverty threshold and yet we only seem to be getting by.
6) Health insurance, WT chuffin' F... The cost of our pitiful coverage, via the county education board, has just increased... by 400 bucks... a month. I still have to stump up 60 bucks if I want to visit a doctor (and again when he sends me off to any number of specialists) and we're not even covered when we go out of State...
7) And the most surprising of all... over 325 million citizens to choose from, 18 months of presidential candidate selection, which entirely takes over all media coverage, and look who they pick to lead the country for the next four years...
EDIT: On the plus side, my local Publix supermarket has a small ethnic section dedicated to English muck like Jammy dodgers, orange squash, proper builder's teas, Marmite, kippers and other delights
1) Lack of historical stuff, Americans like to knock down their older buildings (which are still very youthful in European terms) and build the latest fad.
2) Casual racism is rife.
3) Considering it's supposed to be a world leader in technology many things are stuck in the 50's, banking and top loading washing machines spring to mind, mobile phone coverage can vary considerably when you leave your home State.
4) The education system is an underfunded mess (in Florida at any rate).
5) The gap between the haves and have-nots is screamingly noticeable. My wife and I bring in what would be considered a healthy amount in the UK, well in excess of the US poverty threshold and yet we only seem to be getting by.
6) Health insurance, WT chuffin' F... The cost of our pitiful coverage, via the county education board, has just increased... by 400 bucks... a month. I still have to stump up 60 bucks if I want to visit a doctor (and again when he sends me off to any number of specialists) and we're not even covered when we go out of State...
7) And the most surprising of all... over 325 million citizens to choose from, 18 months of presidential candidate selection, which entirely takes over all media coverage, and look who they pick to lead the country for the next four years...
EDIT: On the plus side, my local Publix supermarket has a small ethnic section dedicated to English muck like Jammy dodgers, orange squash, proper builder's teas, Marmite, kippers and other delights
Last edited by zzrmark; Dec 13th 2016 at 2:31 am. Reason: grammatical corrections
Dec 13th 2016, 1:20 am
#24
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
Dec 13th 2016, 2:01 am
#25
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Joined: Feb 2015
Location: New Jersey, USA
Posts: 565
Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
I'd say hunt around! Our local Stop'n'shop has about a quarter of an aisle dedicated to Brit products... which is interesting as I'm 90% sure I'm the only Brit in town (but feel the love all the same), and they stock Marmite, Hob Nobs and a few other stuff (Quavers!!!!!). The price isn't significantly more expensive than US products.
Dec 13th 2016, 2:15 am
#26
BE Practitioner (Level 2)
Joined: Aug 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,403
Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
I've been here for two years, now and on the whole it has been a very positive move for me and my family.
The one thing I struggle with is the sense of humour.
I just realized that it's been a long time since I've had a very good laugh with someone.
No banter, no dry delivery, no riffing back-and-forth.
I miss it.
The one thing I struggle with is the sense of humour.
I just realized that it's been a long time since I've had a very good laugh with someone.
No banter, no dry delivery, no riffing back-and-forth.
I miss it.
Dec 13th 2016, 3:31 am
#27
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Joined: Mar 2015
Location: NC, USA (ex Yorkshire)
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Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
Dec 13th 2016, 4:19 am
#28
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Joined: Jun 2011
Location: PNW
Posts: 214
Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
I'm always torn between just walking as I would have in the UK or trying to fit in and driving 100 yards or less.
Dec 13th 2016, 4:24 am
#29
BE Practitioner (Level 2)
Joined: Aug 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,403
Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
Part of my annual mandatory training at work includes an afternoon dedicated to: 'Surviving an Active Shooter Event'.
Dec 13th 2016, 5:31 am
#30
Banned
Joined: Dec 2015
Location: california
Posts: 6,035
Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
I came here in the fall. I like to walk . They thought I was mad when I took walks lasting around 2-3 hours. I thought I was walking in a city of the dead. When July came I went native. The only creatures out in 40.C heat were stray dogs and mail carriers
Last edited by dc koop; Dec 13th 2016 at 5:35 am.
