Easier for Brits to adjust?

[mustang-sally 8]

When I mention to people that I am moving to the States, I get all sort of comments. The main one is - Oh, you will have nice weather.

Well no I won't, I'm moving to Wisconsin, the winters are -15C and the summers are 30+. Why do Brits seem to assume that you are moving to the States, you are moving to Florida? The USA is a big place, it would be like if you say you are moving to Europe that everyone assumes you are moving to Greece or Spain.

The other thing I get is people not realising how big everything is in the USA. My friend thought Wisconsin was the size of Lincolnshire, one or two hours drive from top to bottom. She couldn't believe it when I told her that many of the States are bigger than the whole of the UK.

We in the UK seem to have no perceptive of size. I look at things and places that are maybe a 3 hour drive from where I will be living and write them off as being too far away when really they are quite close on the whole scale of it all.

[ric 0]

And it's weird when people can't understand a fairly mild English accent (Devonshire, but not broad), because I never have any problems understanding any of Mark's family but they often ask me to repeat things - maybe they don't listen as carefully as I do!

Neil is from Newcastle and no one understand him. He gets blank stares or people just laugh like they think he said a joke or something. We had a waitress last week fake all sorts of accents because she thought he was faking his

That happens to Pete a lot, he's from Manchester. He was just here and we went to my company Christmas party and he had to repeat himself four times before the barmaid understood that he wanted a beer and not a bea-ah. (She really said that back to him. a Bee-ah?) He was a good sport, but I think that'll just be the start of many.

He then got a Bud and then whispers in my ear. "What do I do with this? It tastes like cat pee."

Poor thing underestimated how bad American beer can be.

[Amby 490]

Neil says beer is like cat pee too! They're soul mates!

[Lou Lou 1]

Hi, this is my perspective as an American whose fiance is moving to Texas in April. FYI, I'm currently in England for the holidays so we have both experienced each other's worlds to a good extent.

What I think you will like:

Everything in America is 1/2 price! (and you make about the same average wages). Sarah loves getting her hair and nails done twice as much. Gym memberships, cars, houses, restaurants, even Starbucks are much cheaper.

Everything is convenient - more brands to choose from at the supermarket (many have "international" aisles with British brands as well), you don't even have to get out of your car for the pharmacy, bank, dry cleaning and a coffee.

It's sunny most of the time, puts you in a all-around good mood

Our cars are automatic mostly, one less thing for you to worry about while you are learning how to drive on the wrong side of the road!

Service - you will get water, chips and salsa or bread as soon as you sit down at your table in a restaurant. They will keep coming back and ask if you want more tea/water/soda. Your check comes promptly. Why? Because they are working for mostly tips, more incentive to be attentive to you, and get you on your way for the next customers

Space - since we have a lot more of it, houses are bigger, rooms are bigger, cars are bigger, roads are wider, everything is more spread out

You will be fascinated a little things, like white picket fences, school buses, American trucks (lorries), cheerleaders, traffic signs, learning our slang (your bonnet and boot or our hood and trunk)

What you won't like:

You and your accent will be a novelty to everyone you meet, sometimes they will patronize you...."what do you mean you don't have BASEBALL in England? EVERYONE has baseball!" Americans like to assume that you have everything we have.

It can get HOT. I mean unimaginably HOT in the summer, depending on where you are at.

It's going to piss you off that frequently Americans think that we are the best at everthing and rule the world although most Americans don't even know where Phoenix, Arizona is.

Lack of national health service (insurance is all privatized in the US but most employers offer insurance as a perk of employment)

You may feel starved of heritage and ancient history like 1,000 year old cathedrals. We think that anything that is 100+ years old is really, really old

Apart from that, she feels that everything is really a plus and is very much looking forward to her April journey to Dallas and our June 7 wedding!

Most of what you said is true, for non metro areas. Things are not half price in NYC, LA, Chicago or other metro areas. Nor can you drive thru places. It's only sunny all the time in Southern areas.

I'm curious how she will feel about all of that after living here for a year. It's very different.

I agree. I was raising my eyebrows at the list of 'likes' cos in fact hardly any of it is true where I live in VT, and quite frankly I'm relieved about that too.

[Lou Lou 1]

I'm moving to Wisconsin, the winters are -15C

A lot of WI gets a helluvalot colder than that! Not sure where you're gonna be tho...

For example, our high tomorrow in VT is -15C (it's -17C right now) with a night low of -20C plus windchill and this is only the start of the cold for January. I thought WI is as cold as VT, easily, but maybe someone in WI can verfiy that?! We can gets weeks of -20C and it is hell!

[no name 1]

Hi, this is my perspective as an American whose fiance is moving to Texas in April. FYI, I'm currently in England for the holidays so we have both experienced each other's worlds to a good extent.

What I think you will like:

Everything in America is 1/2 price! (and you make about the same average wages). Sarah loves getting her hair and nails done twice as much. Gym memberships, cars, houses, restaurants, even Starbucks are much cheaper.

Everything is convenient - more brands to choose from at the supermarket (many have "international" aisles with British brands as well), you don't even have to get out of your car for the pharmacy, bank, dry cleaning and a coffee.

It's sunny most of the time, puts you in a all-around good mood

Our cars are automatic mostly, one less thing for you to worry about while you are learning how to drive on the wrong side of the road!

Service - you will get water, chips and salsa or bread as soon as you sit down at your table in a restaurant. They will keep coming back and ask if you want more tea/water/soda. Your check comes promptly. Why? Because they are working for mostly tips, more incentive to be attentive to you, and get you on your way for the next customers

Space - since we have a lot more of it, houses are bigger, rooms are bigger, cars are bigger, roads are wider, everything is more spread out

You will be fascinated a little things, like white picket fences, school buses, American trucks (lorries), cheerleaders, traffic signs, learning our slang (your bonnet and boot or our hood and trunk)

What you won't like:

You and your accent will be a novelty to everyone you meet, sometimes they will patronize you...."what do you mean you don't have BASEBALL in England? EVERYONE has baseball!" Americans like to assume that you have everything we have.

It can get HOT. I mean unimaginably HOT in the summer, depending on where you are at.

It's going to piss you off that frequently Americans think that we are the best at everthing and rule the world although most Americans don't even know where Phoenix, Arizona is.

Lack of national health service (insurance is all privatized in the US but most employers offer insurance as a perk of employment)

You may feel starved of heritage and ancient history like 1,000 year old cathedrals. We think that anything that is 100+ years old is really, really old

Apart from that, she feels that everything is really a plus and is very much looking forward to her April journey to Dallas and our June 7 wedding!

Most of what you said is true, for non metro areas. Things are not half price in NYC, LA, Chicago or other metro areas. Nor can you drive thru places. It's only sunny all the time in Southern areas.

I'm curious how she will feel about all of that after living here for a year. It's very different.

I agree. I was raising my eyebrows at the list of 'likes' cos in fact hardly any of it is true where I live in VT, and quite frankly I'm relieved about that too.

Yeah, not to mention wider people & crappy waitress service can happen in any city.

This post is coming from a USC whose fiance is not here yet. I doubt the 'charm' of it all remains after a year+ of LIVING here, not visiting.

Edited January 3, 2008 by devilette

[snowfrostedlashes 0]

Really HOT summers are something I won't like... I was already in Kansas during July and it was so hot outside that just walking from the car to the supermarket across the parking lot resulted in my proclaiming I was going to melt! I don't think it helps that everywhere you go has air-conditioning going to the extent that you feel cold and wish you'd brought a cardigan with you. I'm also not looking forward to more creepy crawlies about the place!

On the plus side I do like snow and it snows every winter where Mark is, whereas I live on the south-west coast and hardly ever see snow - and even when it does snow here it doesn't usually snow enough or settle for long enough that I get to build a snowman or anything fun like that.

I think the larger scale of things is a bit disconcerting. It takes a bit of internal re-adjustment getting used to the idea that you can't walk everywhere - having said that, I used to walk six miles a day to get to and from work and Mark finds that shocking!

[Matt and Sarah 0]

Hi, this is my perspective as an American whose fiance is moving to Texas in April. FYI, I'm currently in England for the holidays so we have both experienced each other's worlds to a good extent.

What I think you will like:

Everything in America is 1/2 price! (and you make about the same average wages). Sarah loves getting her hair and nails done twice as much. Gym memberships, cars, houses, restaurants, even Starbucks are much cheaper.

Everything is convenient - more brands to choose from at the supermarket (many have "international" aisles with British brands as well), you don't even have to get out of your car for the pharmacy, bank, dry cleaning and a coffee.

It's sunny most of the time, puts you in a all-around good mood

Our cars are automatic mostly, one less thing for you to worry about while you are learning how to drive on the wrong side of the road!

Service - you will get water, chips and salsa or bread as soon as you sit down at your table in a restaurant. They will keep coming back and ask if you want more tea/water/soda. Your check comes promptly. Why? Because they are working for mostly tips, more incentive to be attentive to you, and get you on your way for the next customers

Space - since we have a lot more of it, houses are bigger, rooms are bigger, cars are bigger, roads are wider, everything is more spread out

You will be fascinated a little things, like white picket fences, school buses, American trucks (lorries), cheerleaders, traffic signs, learning our slang (your bonnet and boot or our hood and trunk)

What you won't like:

You and your accent will be a novelty to everyone you meet, sometimes they will patronize you...."what do you mean you don't have BASEBALL in England? EVERYONE has baseball!" Americans like to assume that you have everything we have.

It can get HOT. I mean unimaginably HOT in the summer, depending on where you are at.

It's going to piss you off that frequently Americans think that we are the best at everthing and rule the world although most Americans don't even know where Phoenix, Arizona is.

Lack of national health service (insurance is all privatized in the US but most employers offer insurance as a perk of employment)

You may feel starved of heritage and ancient history like 1,000 year old cathedrals. We think that anything that is 100+ years old is really, really old

Apart from that, she feels that everything is really a plus and is very much looking forward to her April journey to Dallas and our June 7 wedding!

Most of what you said is true, for non metro areas. Things are not half price in NYC, LA, Chicago or other metro areas. Nor can you drive thru places. It's only sunny all the time in Southern areas.

I'm curious how she will feel about all of that after living here for a year. It's very different.

I agree. I was raising my eyebrows at the list of 'likes' cos in fact hardly any of it is true where I live in VT, and quite frankly I'm relieved about that too.

I'm sorry, let me edit for those in NYC and Northeast -

Everything in NYC is overpriced...$8 for a beer?

Traffic is a nighmare, can't get anywhere, even at midnight

Bring your umbrella

Service at restaurants...um, what service? By the way, nobody is REALLY a waiter/waitress, they are all actors

Space - no space, there's 10 million people on a tiny little island paying $2,000/mo rent for a 400 square foot closet apartment

You will be fascinated by the little things, like the lovely aroma of trash day (everyday), jack hammers at 3am, taxis honking at 4am, nobody saying "sorry" or "excuse me"

Yep, you're right. None of my pluses are your pluses. My bad.

[Sister Fracas 5]

Well I think I can give hubster's experience. He has said many times that if we had lived in the middle of nowheresville with no public transportation and not much to do, he might not have adjusted so well. He's a big music fan and loves that in a big city (Chicago) he can see anything his little heart desires. We don't have a car, nor do we need one....public transportation is ok and we definitely have sidewalks for getting around. Having just been back to the UK, he does appreciate the cost of things here now that he's not going through the exchange rate in his head as he buys something. He's made a great group of friends and likes his job and the people he works with. He has a favorite ex-pat pub for watching footie that we can't get at home, but we can get a lot with our cable provider, so that's not really an issue. He downloads his favorite Brit TV programs and listens to BBC Radio for his Jonathan Ross, Mark Radcliffe, etc. As far as beer, he's found tons of good micro-brewery beer. He's a beer freak, so I believe this when he tells me he's not missing anything....that and he can get any beer from just about anywhere if he wants it. He often says that the US shouldn't be defined by Budwiser just as the UK should be defined by Carling. *shrug* There's a lot of good beer out there if you look for it. Just don't look to the mass-producers. As far as food, we have an Indian community near us, so he gets his curries, and we occasionally buy British bacon or sausages for a treat...but thankfully he's not picky about that. He loves his crisps and can get Walkers or Monster Munch....but he brought back two cases of Seabrooks crisps after the holidays....the nutter....so I think he's set for crisps until he goes back in the summer! LOL He still gets confused over tipping, but he's coming to terms with the fact that things are just different....no sense getting bent outta shape about it. I guess that's pretty much his attitude and that's why adjustment HAS been pretty smooth for him...he doesn't dwell on the differences. He just chuckles sometimes....like the time he was on the phone and the person he was talking to asked if he'd like a Spanish translator... ....he's from Yorkshire (AYUP), not Mexico! LOL

[k4j 0]

I can remember my first visit to PA, The lady behind the counter in Burger King wasnt understanding me saying Burger and was thinking I was saying Bagel? She repeatedly told me they don't serve Bagels past 10am. My SO had to jump in at that point.

I did however get some of those free mini has browns this time which was a nice touch .

And you can get Cadburys in Walmart...in PA at least. Its made by hersheys.

Ive found sites online that bulk sell stuff from England, I even managed to get some christmas crackers (Very British right?) online, since I couldnt take any on the plane due to the bangers in them.

Im still kind of sad to see they sell SPAM in the USA though, I thought maybe id see the end of that stuff...

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

Still not sure how Darren will adjust to the summers in FL...he came for a visit the week of the 4th of July, and he just about melted...and the temp. is pretty much melting heat from Memorial Day (end of May) sometimes to early October...

[Krikit 1,165]

And you can get Cadburys in Walmart...in PA at least. Its made by hersheys.

Ive found sites online that bulk sell stuff from England, I even managed to get some christmas crackers (Very British right?) online, since I couldnt take any on the plane due to the bangers in them.

Im still kind of sad to see they sell SPAM in the USA though, I thought maybe id see the end of that stuff...

Hershey's chocolate is horrible. You'll be able to find Christmas crackers in some of the stores. They're becoming more common here now. And Spam? Well....

[gwenneh 7]

Yes, Hershey's tastes...a bit like dirt, when eaten straight.

However, reese's peanut butter cups, etc...those are still pretty good!

[k4j 0]

I really don't taste so much difference between hersheys version of cadburys chocolate and ours here.

Its pricey though

[*JG* 2]

If you like "real" bacon and a good curry, you will have a tougher time adjusting! They are in short supply here in the US.

You must not be looking in the right place. We had to search; but we managed to find good curry at a local farmer's market spice shop.