gardnma

Typical Californian, obsessed with age.

Lord Lionheart

I live in LA, so I know what you mean. The game playing, brown nosing, strategising is quite sickening at times. I just had a run-in recently with a guy at my company. I had helped out for three months, he was new in town and to the industry. First chance he got to stab me in the back, he took it. He was quite forthright that he was 'just working it'. No loyalty.
I guess the higher the financial rewards the more competitive the higher level you get. You better look at real estate in LA if you are moving here, the good parts are on a par with London prices.
Depends what you want out of life, there is good and bad here like everywhere.

Moving?

Yes, as gardnma said it was very erm... succinct!

What is the general view of Americans in your opinion of how free they think they are compared to the rest of the world? As I said, most that I have had contact with think the US is free and we are controlled by the monarchy! They think if things are "bad" in the US then they are much worse elsewhere. This is why I refer to it as hype and the American propoganda machine... that they are the best in every way. Is this the general view from having lived there?

I know many Americans don't think Bush has done the country any favours. And what about the Consitution. I have spoken to some who agree that it doesn't really mean anything anymore - and with Bush's infamous statement about it just being a piece of paper...

Again, thanks very much for all your insights. Much appreciated.

Moving?

Yes... everyone and everything seems more competitive... I remember another story... In the LA company I work for (UK side) two people working at the same place got married. They had to work closely before getting married and still did after... but once they were married, they were moved to different ends of the building so they weren't together! The whole atmosphere was just different.

Do you find any problems / prejudices not being "American" (by birth)? I'm wondering if I'd have any problems in that area? When I was met at the airport one time by the company I worked for, the driver wasn't at all talkative but asked me if I'd been there before. I said yes and asked if he'd been to UK. He said he had been overnight when he was in the army and couldn't wait to get out of there! "That's nice," I thought! I haven't had any real problems though from people because I'm a Brit, and often have got better results on the phone with customer services than my American friends due to my accent!

Anyway, I do enjoy visiting the US, but I know that living there is something completely different and that some (like you lionheart) find it home and stick with it, but others return "home". I'm waiting to see which path I'll take!

jen_andreson

I think that most Americans grow up thinking that they are free, that is free to make their own decisions and 'be all that they can be'. They compare themselves to regime countries in which people are ruled by dictators, cannot vote, etc. They do not readily compare themselves to other Western nations, and do not consider the many rules and regulations to be infringements upon their freedom, which means they do think they have more freedoms than they actual do. Some people like it this way--they don't want people to be free to drink in parks or free to take drugs, do any of those 'bad' things.

I've never had anyone say to me that we are controlled by the Monarchy. Many people ask me what I think of the Monarchy, what are their responsibilities, but most people I've been in contact with understand that we have a Prime Minister. People are surprised when I tell them that we don't vote on a zillion issue, as they do in the US. I think to many that's another idea of freedom--freedom to vote on public smoking, gay marriage, etc.

As for the Constitution and state constitutions, I think many people take it/them too literally and others don't have as clue as to what it means. For example, some people are very clear about not wanting any amendments to it, others want to amend it to no end, and others just want to be able to buy guns because of the right to bear arms.

gemini

The Economist just published a new "Democracy Index," in which it ranks 167 countries around the world according to their degree of democracy.
http://www.economist.com/media/pdf/D...EX_2007_v3.pdf

The US ranked #17 and the UK ranked #23

Poppy girl

Most Americans love the Brits as we do them I hope, but there is a definate competitve feel in the work place here in the US its very bitchy and back stabbing, from a womans point of view you never really know who your true friends are for example my assistant GM would stab you in the back as quick as look at you to make himself look good to the CEO this has happened alot over here,one up manship and other fellow co-workers have admitted that it is how it is here dog eat dog so to speak, I am becoming harder but I was always trained to work as a team but unfortunately its me me me.

I admire the american attitude of work hard but don't kill yourself doing it.

Its like anywhere you have to adjust or get your butt out lol.

Moving?

Hi Gemini... Yes, I'm not trying to make the US out as bad and the UK as the best... I know the UK has it's problems too. What I'm finding is how Americans see themselves compared to the rest of the world... I'm sure many would have expected the US to be #1 and surprised to see it at #17.

I hope you didn't take offence at my question or points I've made?

jen_andreson

I've never had any problems with not being American. Most people are friendly and nice and ask lots of questions about what it's like to be British.

I worked for the same company in the UK as I do here, and it's very different.

Our UK company (now owned by the US parent company) is very structured: one MD, 4 directors, 30 managers, 200 or so others. Everyone's role is very clearly defined, salary increases are 3% a year but frozen for the last 2 years, bonuses are based on whole company performance and have been non-existant for 3 years. Very team oriented. Promotions are based on need--when one director leaves one manager moves up, and then someone is promoted to manager. We also had lots of rules: no working from home, no ipods during work hours (for anyone) and completely open plan to faciliate group learning/teamword. We had a shorter working week and more hols time.

In the US, we have a President, about 20 Executive VPs, 10 or so Senior VPs, VPs, many directors and managers, and about 500 or so others. It's very top heavy, and people are promoted regularly. There is a very clear path and nothing stopping anyone from climbing the ladder and becoming a VP. Salaries and bonuses on individual performance based. As a result, it is very intense, but there are also others who are happy with where they are, work 'normal' hours and are content. I work part-time, from home most days, and am quite happy being out of the rat race. I love the company but am happy not to be in that environment all day. I prefer to have time with my children and I also prefer being in control of my bonuses, increases, progression. I also negotiated extra hols time, as that was more important to be than negotiating salary.

TRPardoe

The whole country is hung up on the concept of it being the "free-est" country in the World.

I think this started back in the days of mass European immigration. The places they were leaving were so bad, in comparison, that the USA appeared like paradise and was certainly relatively free. The original concept is now institutionalised.

Most Americans, of course, have never experienced life outside the US and so have no idea of what freedoms are available elsewhere.

Rodney you plonker

It's all bollocks mate. Its just another way of life, some things better, some things worse and it's all a matter of opinion.

I have been called a communist out here because we have a health care system and can't carry guns. They haven't got a f*****g clue at times. Some Americans are really brainwashed.

Some of them might be referring to freedom of speech in advertising, things like that. But freedom in general........ Bollocks

elfman

I see that if ranked by civil liberties alone the USA would come dead last out of the "full democracies" by quite some way.
And the UK would also be near the bottom of the list.

Mallory

I've worked in the US for many years. Americans love the British, and anything British. It has opened up many doors for me, and is very handy at interview time! You rarely negatives about Britain.

For an American to go to Britain and work. Well, that's another kettle of fish isn't it? Do British people love Americans? Would being American open doors for you? Would it increase your chances at interview time? Is there any anti-Americanism in Britain? How nice are the British to Americans? Ask yourself these questions.

Rodney you plonker

Your average American has never left their own country, this leads them to believe that watching Fox news qualifies them to dissect the rest of the worlds affairs accurately. Bollocks Bollocks Bollocks.

Old William

Free to be utterly paranoid. At everything and everyone.