What parts of English culture will you/do you miss?

[Protocol417 161]

Woodchuck is too sweet for me, and Angry Orchard (depending on the type) is too watery. I like dry ciders like Strongbow (Sam Smith's is my favorite), but most places in my area serve Angry Orchard now. Oh, well, anything is better than Magners.

Even as the USC, I "miss" the NHS, the scenery, the layout of towns (that great mix of residential and commercial), all the free or low-cost things to do (that don't involve shopping, driving two hours, or paying $15 to park), those decaying touristy piers, the history, carveries, and little things like pasties or a good cream tea that only costs a few quid (I swear, I'm under 40... I just think there's something very calming and relaxing about a good cream tea).

[Pooky 3,830]

Woodchuck and Angry Orchard are found in New England and are decent. Not as good as Thatcher's Gold though!

They're barely passable.

My favourite has to be Weston's Great Western Revival, on tap.

[Yorkshirelass 1]

I tell you - head west! Every brew pub here has a great selection of ciders, as do many of the restaurants. i have never been so spoilt for choice.

They're barely passable.

My favourite has to be Weston's Great Western Revival, on tap.

[kafine 0]

Pubs.

There doesn't seem to be much in the way of places to go out and sit down and socialise (or be by yourself with a book) with a beverage. Unless you like dive bars or nightclubs. The only "pubs" I've seen around have been novelty themed restaurants.

The irish places get the closest but as someone else said; the drinking culture is not the same. Here I can go and have a locally made cider at a bright and airy pub at lunchtime and the people at the next table will be a pair of old ladies stopping for half a shandy on their way home from church and I'll feel perfectly safe. In the US, drinking does not seem to be for everyone.

American people even seem to think it's odd that I drink at all. It's like, naughty. Not what nice girls like me do. Even if offered wine at dinner (which happens rarely!) the hosts look surprised if I accept.

They don't really do cafés either. I never thought of us as having a café culture in Wales untill suddenly, the only place to stop for coffee is a drive-thu Starbucks.

I also miss the viability of walking around. I feel very isolated where we live in the US after living in a suburbanised village where everything is within walking distance and there are pavements!! One does not walk along the main road by our US house, one is expected to drive so pedestrian safety hasn't really been considered. So as a non-driver it's like living on an island connected to other islands only by metro lines.

Tea. Sorry but I think the tea manufacturers are stiffing Americans. I bought some Twinings in the US and it was completely different. It's the dust out of the bottom of the machines, not the leaves. What I would expect if I bought the cheapet, nastiest off-brand stuff in the UK.

My fiance found a place to order my favourite tea to be imported, at some great expense. Part of what sealed the deal, tbh XD

[catie-b 2]

My new favourite thread. It's been almost 6 months and I miss home terribly, the little things I took for granted. I'm having a hard time finding anywhere that sells British stuff here in Colorado, although recently I learned about "Willy's Emporium" in Colorado Springs and have yet to persuade hubs to drive me down there (about 2.5 hours away and still waiting for EAD or I'd drive there myself!).

I miss Corrie and British TV in general, and really want to try out Hola! But living out in the country with my hubs and his parents for now while we save for a down payment, so SUPER SLOW internet and a 4gb download limit shared by everyone I definitely miss my unlimited 15 quid a month mobile! And laptop keyboards with a pound symbol, ha.

[Cam54 84]

Im missing everything at the moment, i miss being able to be antisocial lol in England u can easily go shopping n not have to talk to anyone, here theyre all over you all the time. I miss being able to walk places! I live in California which is a particularly expensive state so i miss the cheapness of England. I also miss social gatherings that don't include alcohol, drinking seems to be a bigger part of culture here than im used to. its all homesickness but its hard to get out of the everythings different and therefore ####### mindset

[lost_at_sea 995]

My new favourite thread. It's been almost 6 months and I miss home terribly, the little things I took for granted. I'm having a hard time finding anywhere that sells British stuff here in Colorado, although recently I learned about "Willy's Emporium" in Colorado Springs and have yet to persuade hubs to drive me down there (about 2.5 hours away and still waiting for EAD or I'd drive there myself!).

I miss Corrie and British TV in general, and really want to try out Hola! But living out in the country with my hubs and his parents for now while we save for a down payment, so SUPER SLOW internet and a 4gb download limit shared by everyone I definitely miss my unlimited 15 quid a month mobile! And laptop keyboards with a pound symbol, ha.

Im missing everything at the moment, i miss being able to be antisocial lol in England u can easily go shopping n not have to talk to anyone, here theyre all over you all the time. I miss being able to walk places! I live in California which is a particularly expensive state so i miss the cheapness of England. I also miss social gatherings that don't include alcohol, drinking seems to be a bigger part of culture here than im used to. its all homesickness but its hard to get out of the everythings different and therefore ####### mindset

If you think it'll cheer you up and you want to splurge a little (it's pricier than buying back home), you can buy quite a lot of British food on Amazon.com (I just ordered a 12 pack of Heinz Baked Beans) until you can get down to the Emporium.

Although, to be honest, the IRL British food shops are just as expensive as buying on Amazon or one of the other websites (there's loads, like http://www.britishcornershop.co.uk/), since they're all charging for your fancy shmancy "important" British delicacies. I actually save buying any British stuff that I miss as a treat - it seems more fun and in the spirit of things to embrace all the America novelty foods.

I kind of feel like I ought to start some sort of British-food care packages to send to newbie immigrants. Like Graze boxes for HP sauce.

I'm sorry you guys are missing home, though. It'll get much easier when you've got your EAD and can work and stuff, so you can feel more normal.

Edited February 12, 2014 by lost_at_sea

[cee-gee 20]

I know I'm Canadian, but I have Aussie citizenship as well; and have spent quite a few years in England.

I miss proper spelling, boxing day, real chocolate (although I'm sure you wouldn't feel that Canada has 'real' chocolate- but uk chocolate is more readily available), hp sauce, kinder surprise (I would always have one on Christmas).

I tell you - head west! Every brew pub here has a great selection of ciders, as do many of the restaurants. i have never been so spoilt for choice.

I couldn't agree more! In Canada, you have the same selection as the uk (more or less), and was shocked when I travelled south on holiday last year- Nothing was available. Seattle isn't as bad though.

[mitchanme 18]

I thought it was rough living in Canada and missing stuff from Scotland, but at least in the US I won't be always looking for it...good curry, coffee that comes in a press, awesome marmalade, Baxters beetroot and redcurrant jelly, having all the shops you could possibly need in walking distance of each other, trains....Hubby to be asked me "what's curry?"

[cee-gee 20]

Maybe you just weren't looking in the right spot...

[Dianna. 5]

Asides from the obvious - family and friends, I miss what was my local chippy. I have tried some "fish and chips" here but they don't even come close. I miss WKD Blue, Gregg's pasties and real chocolate!

It was also nice knowing the NHS was there if I needed it or I could see a doctor if I wanted to. The medical prices are extortionate here and insurance can be pricey.

I liked how VAT was included in the price tag and you just pay the price that you see on the label. Here taxes are added to the final price.

Pavements and public transport. I lived in London and to be in a small town where you have to drive everywhere is a bit isolating but I plan on taking lessons here soon.

Fresher food. I feel that the food here has more chemicals. The milk and especially the bread!

A good comfort is that the local Walmart here has started to sell imported British PJ Tips

[stevensane 10]

I'm from Newcastle, but have been living in Bethnal Green, London, for almost 4 years now. My fiancée lives in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, which is very similar to Bethnal Green, just instead of Bangladeshi stuff they have Polish and Columbian stuff. So for me it won't be as much missing the UK, but continuing to miss Newcastle which I already miss in Bethnal Green. Can't get good fish and chips in London, so I only get it when I go back to Newcastle. The difference in Brooklyn is just that good fish and chips will be much further away!

I never really use it, but I can imagine missing the NHS, as people have already noted.

I imagine I will also miss the amount of annual leave I will get when I get a job. I currently get 27 paid days a year, and then another 7-10 days at Christmas, depending on the calendar (I work at a university). I'm anticipating getting about 10 days a year in the US. Anyone else have any experience with this?

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

Asides from the obvious - family and friends, I miss what was my local chippy. I have tried some "fish and chips" here but they don't even come close. I miss WKD Blue, Gregg's pasties and real chocolate!

It was also nice knowing the NHS was there if I needed it or I could see a doctor if I wanted to. The medical prices are extortionate here and insurance can be pricey.

I liked how VAT was included in the price tag and you just pay the price that you see on the label. Here taxes are added to the final price.

Pavements and public transport. I lived in London and to be in a small town where you have to drive everywhere is a bit isolating but I plan on taking lessons here soon.

Fresher food. I feel that the food here has more chemicals. The milk and especially the bread!

A good comfort is that the local Walmart here has started to sell imported British PJ Tips

I'm sorry but I find the idea of someone missing Greggs hilarious!

US bread is just soooo wrong, yuck!

[Dianna. 5]

I'm sorry but I find the idea of someone missing Greggs hilarious!

US bread is just soooo wrong, yuck!

LoL, I thought the pasties were tasty! it's not at the top of the list though

Have you tried Merita bread? It's the best one I have found so far. You can taste the chemicals in the Sunbeam!!

[Cam54 84]

I used to work in greggs last year haha, haaaated it, quit after 2 months.

I miss it not being that big of a deal to not have a degree!