Is the US still a dream worth pursuing?
Oct 4th 2009, 6:32 pm
#32
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Re: Is the US still a dream worth pursuing?
A BBC TV North American Editor by the name of Justin Webb states:
" I think there is a kind of lazy assumption that America is like Britain, only slightly bigger. And when it turns out not to be we get annoyed with [Americans]. I think if you take America to be a truly foreign country – which it is, and hugely different culturally – and respect its right to be different and enjoy looking at the differences (and don't get so upset about them), then I think you can really enjoy America and Americans."
" I think there is a kind of lazy assumption that America is like Britain, only slightly bigger. And when it turns out not to be we get annoyed with [Americans]. I think if you take America to be a truly foreign country – which it is, and hugely different culturally – and respect its right to be different and enjoy looking at the differences (and don't get so upset about them), then I think you can really enjoy America and Americans."
Oct 4th 2009, 6:52 pm
#33
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Re: Is the US still a dream worth pursuing?
I think for the housing, yes, the majority of houses in the US are not brick built, hence the cheapness. But that doesn't take away from the fact that you can get a house with more facilities (yes, like the 2/3 car garage etc) for less than in the UK, dependent on the area of course.
As I said, both countries have their good bits & bad bits. You just have to try to take advantage of the good bits where you can. And you also have to bear in mind that many of the old views of the US aren't true today...but then again, many of the things that made UK so great years ago no longer exist. Half a dozen of one & 6 of another.
For the time being I'd rather live here......whether that statement is true in 5 years time is another matter. If I'd been aware (my own fault) of a lot of things that only transpired before we moved to the states, I don't think I would have come, we would have moved somewhere else in europe instead. But then again, the beauty of hindsight is that it's 20/20. And then again, I wouldn't have experienced what I have for the past 7 years
As I said, both countries have their good bits & bad bits. You just have to try to take advantage of the good bits where you can. And you also have to bear in mind that many of the old views of the US aren't true today...but then again, many of the things that made UK so great years ago no longer exist. Half a dozen of one & 6 of another.
For the time being I'd rather live here......whether that statement is true in 5 years time is another matter. If I'd been aware (my own fault) of a lot of things that only transpired before we moved to the states, I don't think I would have come, we would have moved somewhere else in europe instead. But then again, the beauty of hindsight is that it's 20/20. And then again, I wouldn't have experienced what I have for the past 7 years
Oct 4th 2009, 7:18 pm
#34
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Re: Is the US still a dream worth pursuing?
Both my mil and my husband's aunt have and have done it for years. My husband's aunt works for Tescos, she was not allowed to take time off for our wedding, 10 years ago because it wasn't already booked. My mil is a nurse, her holidays have to be booked a year in advance, it has been that way since I've known her, 12 years now.
One manufacturing company I worked for released it's vacation calendar on Jan 1st each year and the accounts offices were total chaos for a few days with everyone trying to book their whole allocation for the year. Especailly those with children, and those that wanted time off near the holidays.
Oct 4th 2009, 7:52 pm
#36
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Re: Is the US still a dream worth pursuing?
Oct 4th 2009, 8:26 pm
#37
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Re: Is the US still a dream worth pursuing?
I'm a newbie here, but thought I'd put in my 2 cents.......I was brought up abroad as a kiddie and ended up back in the UK to do higher & further education and hated living there as it seemed so expensive and depressing than other countries. Then finally got my dream to move to the states and lived in Northern Cal for 7 years and realized the states is not all it's cracked up to be. Even moving to PA isn't great, but it beats N Cal!!!
Every country has it's ups & downs. US is definitely cheaper to live and a better standard of living than the UK, but it doesn't have the culture or history. It doesn't have free healthcare, workers rights and a lot of things are more complicated.....taxes etc. But, we have cheap flights, cheap housing, cheap cars. It's all a trade off as far as I'm concerned.
I guess the grass is always greener. Just keep the Cadbury's choccie coming ... can't beat a good old whinge with a fellow Brit though!
Every country has it's ups & downs. US is definitely cheaper to live and a better standard of living than the UK, but it doesn't have the culture or history. It doesn't have free healthcare, workers rights and a lot of things are more complicated.....taxes etc. But, we have cheap flights, cheap housing, cheap cars. It's all a trade off as far as I'm concerned.
I guess the grass is always greener. Just keep the Cadbury's choccie coming ... can't beat a good old whinge with a fellow Brit though!
Oct 4th 2009, 10:14 pm
#38
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Re: Is the US still a dream worth pursuing?
Everything's relative. I happen to have 4 weeks of vacation and my husband has five ... a far cry from what many in the US have I realize. Ironically that's better than I did when my employer was French. There's always an exception to the rule ...
Oct 4th 2009, 10:33 pm
#39
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Re: Is the US still a dream worth pursuing?
wow what job do you have with 4 weeks vacation? 
Oct 5th 2009, 12:30 am
#40
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Re: Is the US still a dream worth pursuing?
Both my mil and my husband's aunt have and have done it for years. My husband's aunt works for Tescos, she was not allowed to take time off for our wedding, 10 years ago because it wasn't already booked. My mil is a nurse, her holidays have to be booked a year in advance, it has been that way since I've known her, 12 years now.
Not that old chestnut again.
I go back to the UK often and I have never, ever heard of this.
Oct 5th 2009, 12:34 am
#41
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Re: Is the US still a dream worth pursuing?
I think it's more related to the industry than the country.
sheesh.
Oct 5th 2009, 12:35 am
#42
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Oct 5th 2009, 12:35 am
#43
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Re: Is the US still a dream worth pursuing?
What industry...working in a shop and a hospital? The only time I've heard of it is when she brings up the subject.
Sheesh back at ya.
Oct 5th 2009, 12:40 am
#44
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Re: Is the US still a dream worth pursuing?
The industry I'm thinking of is retail, which does dovetail with what she said.
I conclude that it very likely goes on in both countries. Some people have to schedule (with the employer) when their vacation time from work will be, at the beginning of the year.
What's the policy in your industry?
Oct 5th 2009, 12:43 am
#45
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Re: Is the US still a dream worth pursuing?
I realize what Lisa wrote; I'm informing her that it also takes place in the US -if indeed it does take place in the UK. Since it's likely industry-specific, maybe someone who hasn't worked in a shop doesn't know about it.
The industry I'm thinking of is retail, which does dovetail with what she said.
I conclude that it very likely goes on in both countries. Some people have to schedule (with the employer) when their vacation time from work will be, at the beginning of the year.
What's the policy in your industry?
The industry I'm thinking of is retail, which does dovetail with what she said.
I conclude that it very likely goes on in both countries. Some people have to schedule (with the employer) when their vacation time from work will be, at the beginning of the year.
What's the policy in your industry?
