ExBritFL

I'm not sure if a similar post is on this forum, but I thought it would be interesting to start a discussion on the differences between the two countries from the perspective of those who've spent significant time living in both places.

Well, I'll get it started with what I've found to be the positive and negative differences from my time living in the UK and my last three years in the USA - my findings are based on living in Florida (which I know doesn't represent the US as a whole) and also include opnions from other Ex Pats that I know...

(Please note - this is not intended to offend anyone from either the US or the UK and is purely based on opinion).

USA:

Positives
-Areas and roads are generally alot cleaner than the UK
-Lower crime rates
-Easily accesible airlines for internal travel
-Houses are alot more spacious
-Portion sizes more generous when eating out
-Milder winters
-Cheaper Petrol / Gas
-More varied culture due to the larger size of the country

Negatives
- Policiticians seem to be more interested in achieving a "celebrity status" rather than getting stuck in and tackling current issues
-Generally, people are more "friendly", however they lack real substance
-Additives in foods aren't as tightly controlled as they are in the UK
-Use of corn syrup in virtually all food products
-Fashion is a bit dated
-Almost all shops are confined to strip malls
-Huge majority of American's don't have passports
-TV programming not very good
-People aren't really concerned as much about protecting the environment ie) the majority of vehicles seen on the roads are SUV's and trucks
-Cost of living considerably higher than the UK
-Rare to see products that are manufactured in the US
-Can't walk to local shop for a pint of milk / paper. Have to drive to get virtually everywhere

UK:

Positives
-Nothing compares to a good old Sunday Roast down the pub!
-Quality of food is substantially better, seems as if there is more attention paid to where the food is sourced from
-Cost of insurances are significantly lower
-BBC!
-Government seem to be actually doing something about trying to lower the national debt burden (even to the dismay of some)
-Beautiful quaint villages that can't be matched
-The history
-Better public transit system
-Less rampant consumerism


Negatives
-Increasing immigration issues - especially from the EU
-VAT rate is out of control
-Gun crime on the increase
-The roads and pavements seem to be more infested with litter

md95065

Yes, lots of them ...

ExBritFL

Oh well, here's another one!

scrubbedexpat097

So it's a list for USA and UK but on each list what is positive and what is negative. For example, you may be saying "Nothing compares to a good old Sunday Roast down the Pub" as a negative finding........

ExBritFL

Edited, just for you!!

goldenstate31

I think the SUV thing, is typical of Florida. In CA the cars (that I noticed) were mostly, toyota (prius) or Honda (accord).
Florida its those 8 liter, gas guzzling trucks and 4 x 4's

ian-mstm

Okay... I'll bite. Let's see... what's different between them.

They are two totally separate countries; everything is different; nothing is the same; both have good points and bad points; and neither of them is quite like Canada!

Ian

ExBritFL

Very true - noticed that myself!

AmerLisa

Sounds like a good sum up to me.....

scrubbedexpat097

But I think that should be a negative.

The positive would be:


Nothing compares to a good old Sunday Roast cooked at home by your
other half/mum with apple crumble and custard to follow and then a nice cup of tea before you take a lazy Sunday afternoon nap.

lansbury

yes often what is rare is use of the search facilities on the forum.

One is populated by people who are British who have got the country much how they like it, one is populated by Americans who have done their own thing.

Also the same, is people moving from one to the other finding it necessary to compare the two. My wife did that when she moved from the US to the UK. Futile exercise, in all the time these sort of posts have appeared on BE not once can I recall it making any difference to the quality of US bread and sausages.

ExBritFL

I do use the search facilities actually, but I failed to find a post titled like this one. I see nothing wrong with comparing the differences between the two countries who both have their merits and pitfalls.

The aim of this thread, was to invite opinions from people who want to participate in discussion and share their experiences. It was not intended to make a difference to the quality of US foodstuffs - but thanks for your comments nonetheless.

AdobePinon

To be fair, half the stuff on your list only applies to the part of the country you were in.

ExBritFL

True, but I did clarify that in my thread at the beginning:

"...my findings are based on living in Florida (which I know doesn't represent the US as a whole) ..."

Bob

The shit stuff is shit, the good stuff is good....for both countries.

The winters truly suck jumbo tron sized buffalo balls in New England after a few years of putting up with it