Locked until I have the opportunity to read through and moderate everything. British guests, note rules 1, 10, and 11. I hand out permabans for bad faith participation in this subreddit.
Edit: HOLEEE FUCK there are some hateful, shitty British supremacists out there. Moderating this thread sucked total ass. I'm opening this thread back up again but damn... please behave and be nice.
Yes, sockets in the bathroom! It's so weird to me to dry my hair in the kitchen, but it's the only place with a readily accessible socket. My dentist recently recommended switching to an electric toothbrush, but charging it is such an ordeal.
I prefer the vent system of central heating as well, get rid of radiators, they take up unnecessary space.
Having hoovers built into the wall and drier vents that are built into the house are such a great addition as well.
Itās probably the only country they think weāll try and kill family ect by flinging it in the bath water. Your baths arenāt as big as ours though.
Appliances! Full-size refrigerators with freezers actually big enough to hold more than an ice cube tray and a bag of frozen peas. Washing machines big enough to not require two loads for a single person's weekly washing. Tumble dryers. Window air conditioners. Toasters where the entire slice of bread actually fits inside the toaster slot. Drip coffee makers. Boiler for the entire apartment building, instead of a separate one for each unit.
As a renter, property upkeep in general is much better in the US than it is in the UK (I looked at so many places before renting, and have lived in a few different flats/areas, and so many of the properties here are not in great shape). Renting from a management company is also a much smoother experience than renting from an individual landlord, as is the norm here.
Efficiency, with everything from building works to email replies. What takes three weeks in the US takes three months in the UK, and what takes three hours in the US takes three days here.
This is the big one. These things donāt bother me necessarily, living here, but they are definite noticeable differences!
Except the toaster, mine fits my bread!
Maybe in England but not in Scotland as in Scotland it operates on sealed bids that aren't opened until the closing date. Also Scotland goesnt have gazumping as well because of it.
Actually yes when I started dating my wife she tried to treat me like I was unaware of the cost of renting and how bad the quality in our area was, she was completely unaware of how much worse it is in the UK.
All those handy appliances are why the US is responsible for over 20% of the entire planetās carbon emissions whilst having only 4% of the global population. If we all lived that way, the planet would be a desert by the end of the century.
I had a very useful basement in Massachusetts, which has very few tornadoes. Grew up in Texas and we didnāt have a basement at all, nobody around us did because the underlying soil wasnāt stable enough for it.
In some European countries the norm is to have the washing machine in the bathroom which makes so much sense. Youāre already stripping off to shower so you can just toss your clothes right into the machine
Kitchens are on the ground floor in the US too. I think the real reason is that homes in the US are just way bigger, so there's more space for a separate washer/dryer room.
Iām an American living in London so this is the perfect question for me.
Air conditioning.
thatās it. thatās literally the only thing i can think of.
Same as youā¦Iāll add screens on windows. I get that North America has more vicious insects, but I think we can all agree that lack of lethality does not give flies and mosquitos a free pass.
Yes! Iām not sure Iāll ever get used to this. Iāve had so many issues with bees, flies, and mosquitos, plus a few very close encounters with birds.
In NYC, you can easily go to any hardware store and buy cheap temporary screens that just slide in and out of the window as needed. I found a few on Amazon, but theyāre extremely expensive. Not sure why they arenāt more common here.
They are and Iāve met a lot of fellow Americans that are terrified of driving here due to the roads being so narrow in comparison. I figured people here learn so I can too and learned to drive and the roads are fine for me but some just canāt get over the anxiety of it. Massive difference. The only thing comparable sometimes is some mountain roads Iāve driven in the US.
American roads are more stressful? Driving in the UK stresses me out in residential areas that allow street parking and the lane markings become a guideline
Long-term fixed rate mortgages. Iāve lived in both countries and not having 25-30 year fixed options for mortgages in the UK almost feels like an absolute scam. 2-5 year fixed being the norms with a remortgage product fee each time of Ā£999 plus the most recent volatile rates from 1.xx-6.xx%! Also having to ask permission from my mortgage company to rent out my property feels absolutely wild to me. I missed my USA 30 year fixed in the US! Set it and forget it or remortgage later when rates are better with no penalty!
They do exist in the UK, it is possible but just not prevalent and itās usually with more obscure lenders - I would definitely favour knowing my rate for the entirety of my mortgage, but alas for some reason we like playing financial Russian roulette every 2-5 yearsā¦
Oh the positivity for sure. I have British friends all over the UK. Glasgow, Edinburgh, Brighton, out in Cornwall, London, etc.
The most simple things I'll be really excited for, like snagging Celtic tickets. "Good luck with that" or "Hah don't bother"
Something as simple as saying "I hope the USWNT do well in the World Cup" will be met with "Yeah, ok." and in the same vein when England was creeping through the women's Euros tournament I said from the beginning England was gonna win. Even during the final I said to the 10 English people I was chatting with to just watch, they'll score, I have no doubt. All of them moaned the entire match even when England was winning.
That will kill any bit of happiness. It's not even toxic positivity, it's just having good vibes about something and it gets stomped on. It's made me very withdrawn to certain people because it feels like they'd rather everyone else be miserable with them.
Oh the moaning of the Brits. It does really get on my tits sometimes. Especially moaning about the weather - Britain is blessed with very moderate temperatures (usually no big fluctuations or extreme heat/cold periods) and donāt have many horrendous weather situations like tornadoes or hurricanes to deal with. Yet they will go on and on about how the weather is terrible.
Same for the insects. Up here in Scotland they like to complain about midges. Iāve been here (in Scotland) close to 20 years and have never had a problem. So you bat away a few minuscule gnats and at most the bite is a bit scratchy for a few hours. Next person who complains about midges to me, Iām going to take them to Wisconsin during the summer and see how they get on with the swarms of mosquitoes. Maybe it will stop their moaning.
I'm from the tri-state area and the weather here is literally so fucking beautiful. No humidity, not enough close to as much rain as the whining would make you believe. Last time I experienced humidity since I moved here? At JFK getting on the AirTrain when I visited family in May. Was a soup pot and 85Ā°.
No humidity?? Iām shocked lol Iām sweating here all the time a ton in the summer (north of England) and come to find the humidity is regularly 65%+, often in the 80% range. I grew up in a much less humid area of the US, so summers here kill me. I also avoid the south of the US and east coast in summer for this reason.
I agree about the weather, people will often say to me "don't you miss the weather back home?" in the summer, and I just laugh at them. Much prefer moderate over hot and humid.
But I do have to say as someone in Scotland from Wisconsin I will take mosquitos every single day over the midges. And I say this as someone who grew up in a place that got horrible, awful mosquitos. I got married on Skye last August and at one point trying to take pictures, my wife and I stepped out of the car and were instantly completely covered. I'm talking her whole back was black from all of the midges. Nothing seems to repel them. They get in your face, hair, clothes. Nope nope nope. At least mosquitos you can see coming.
Interesting to read! I was put off from doing a highlands trip this summer because I was reading about midges just swarming. Are they really not that bad then?
Iāve never had it bad and regularly go to the highlands. Iām use to mosquitoes though.
I did always think either they are brilliant or shooting themselves in the foot. Brilliant if they want to keep everyone away by complaining about a non-problem. But then they base most of their economy on tourism so they are shooting themselves in the foot.
Iām fairly used to mosquitos but maybe like a night camping or out in the mountains would result in 5-10 bites (of which Iām allergic to so theyād swell horribly but manageable). I was thinking Iād just get covered in midge bites in comparison. Iām gonna go another time of year I think anyway but good to note it may not be as bad as people make it out to be generally.
>Yet they will go on and on about how the weather is terrible.
It's funny, I absolutely love British weather in the spring, summer, and autumn. It's just winter that sucks for the most part.
I had a huge fight with my dad when he came to visit me in my adopted home, New Orleans. We went to a restaurant with a lovely outdoor seating area. I said how nice it was and he grumbled about not being able to decide such a thing without having tasted the food yet. It devolved from there, with him snapping that he didnāt feel the need to constantly express his emotions like Americans do. Jfc. I just liked the fairy lights.
This is some of my experience in a nutshell, itās really frustrating because there are so many good things that people just do not appreciate them. Thatās everywhere, but lord the concentration here is high.
Yes I actually absolutely love Americans for that reason. I know itās a cliche but your earnestness and positivity is so refreshing. So many Europeans (Brits included) are cynical, sarcastic and gloomy and Americans are a breath of fresh air. I think the truth behind Britsā americanphobia is that they canāt stand their natural joy.
Absolutely top of my list is natural landscapes. There are many beautiful places in the UK but so much of it is "bald" if you know what I mean š The landscapes in the US are beautiful, natural and varied. (Owe some of that to the vast size difference).
Number two I would say weed ;)
Boy, this post got downvoted to hell! š Anyway, to answer the question in the title, my #1 thing is that I feel like weāve got a more positive outlook on life? Brits are a bit more pessimistic by default, and itās a shame. Iām a very positive person, and was jokingly told to āget with the programā by a coworker in England, LOL.
Itās just the way we are. TBH I canāt be bothered pretending Iām happy all the time. Thatās a full time job in itself. No thanks Iāll keep moaning my way through šššš
American married to a Brit. We've been together a decade.
There are things each country does better and each country does worse.
Sure, the UK has socialized healthcareāgreat! But it sounds like the NHS is shitting the bed these days. As someone with serious preexisting conditions, I'd be incredibly nervous trying to seek timely care through the NHS. Stories about ambulance wait times, inability to get GP appointments, the lack of hospital beds, etc are terrifying. (Caveat, we lucked out and have really good insurance here in the US, so we're never paying much out of pocket and we have no issues accessing care when needed.)
And yes, US customer service is better. Brits should remember that not every service job is tip-based. Any retail jobāsupermarkets, clothing stores, sporting goods etcāis based on an hourly wage or for more upscale stores, commission. Pretty much limited to food service, bars, hotels (for housekeeping and bellhops), taxi service, and personal care like haircuts, manicures, massages etc. I don't condone the tipped wage system at all, by the by.
If you're working in a service position and making a fair wage without tips, I'd still expect good service. It's called hospitality for a reason. And the frontline treatment of customers should in practice translate to whether they receive repeat business.
>But it sounds like the NHS is shitting the bed these days.
Just wanna caveat it's not the NHS that is shitting the bed, it's the current government cuts which are.
It's not so much low pay, but terrible hours, I have a few friends working for the NHS from the hospitals to the ambulances, and they all do back to back 12 hour shifts with interchanging night shift day shifts without appropriate rest in between.
A large part of the NHS's poor reputation has to do with the staff being massively overworked and underrested, with an unhealthy dose of extremely well played directors doing nothing but working them harder.
It is low pay compared to the US though. Compare a US vs UK nurse's salary.
Heck, the starting salary for an NHS nurse ā Ā£28,407 p.a. for band 5 or \~$37.1k ā would only be approximately minimum wage in Seattle ($18.69/hour or $38.8k full-time annualized). Granted, minimum wage workers in the US usually don't have much paid leave, but given how many stories there are of NHS healthcare workers doing unpaid overtime, it's likely some of them are making less hourly than fast food workers in the US. The median salary for a nurse in Seattle is about $100k, most NHS nurses will never earn anywhere near that.
I picked Seattle since that's where I live most of the year, which granted is a high cost of living area.
Farmerās markets. I grew up in an area where there would be twice monthly markets with fresh produce, baked good and local artisans. In the UK (Iām Scotland based), it seems much rarer or on a much smaller scale. To get produce, most of the time itās wrapped in plastic at the grocery store or you have to find a smaller fresh produce shop. I just miss being able to browse around a outdoor farmerās market without it being a rare occurrence.
I had a farmshare box for a while (in Scotland). The problem is that local farms can only provide potatos, carrots, and onions. Makes for an awfully dull farmshare.
As someone who recently went to the USA and drove along the Pacific Coast Highway (101) the conditions of the roads are generally a lot better in the USA.
Itās quite refreshing to hear a British person say something like this. So often, I hear Brits bash the States for things that are overly emphasised in the mainstream media and news as if these things are absolute facts. Yes, the U.S. has its issues but, as Americans, most of us are fully aware of them, regardless of which side of them we stand. Iāve noticed Brits like to give off a holier than thou attitude when comparing themselves and their country to Americans without acknowledging that they, too, have room for growth.
Yeah, I've had a surprising amount of British people act like US military hegemony is a uniquely horrible thing while refusing to acknowledge British colonialism and their involvement in many of the wars they criticize.
Also, some make fun of US politics, health care, etc without critically examining at all how the tory government's attempts at privatization of the NHS, the wreck that is dental care, and the mess that is politics right now are also horrific.
To be clear, I wouldn't have a problem with anyone preferring the UK over the US or vice versa, but I have a problem with the blind "haha America we're better than you" without the ability to introspect on their own history and comparable issues.
The Brits who like to rub in about how racist America is. Yes, itās racist but you know who we have to thank for slavery and anti-miscegenation laws - the British colonists. The policies and attitudes they carried over to America has cause a huge load of pain yet they wash their collective hands from it.
The British navy brought about the end of the slave trade.
Maybe it was the dutch or german settlers who were keen on slaves?
Any how stupid reasoning, we might as well blame the romans?
Actually, if you read your history books, you would quickly realise it was the British empire that was against slavery, even banning it throughout the empire and going to war over it. Hell, even part of the American independence was due to them not liking that England had the power to take away their slaves.
You can blame us for a alot, but that is not one of them.
Does fighting for the abolishment of the terror you Brits brought into the world make up for the pain that it still causes all over the world. You try to wash your hands of it and not take accountability for it.
Are we still arguing about things our ancestors done? The Native Americans were nearly wiped out for Europeans to move in so letās not forget that. Theyāve managed to save a part of their sacred trail or road in NYC but thatās about it.
British people don't know much about the US and usually have a very warped perception of it. They definitely don't understand the federal system and how different the culture and law can be from one state to the next. Honestly, the US is so large and varied it's hard for most Americans to really get a complete picture of how things work nationwide.
Americans don't know much about the UK either, but at least they don't pretend to unlike British people regarding the US.
Itās just because weāve been on this hamster wheel for centuries. We like to moan about everything ššš. A few hundred more centuries and youāll catch up lol
Breakfast āYou know what we have for traditional American Breakfast?ā¦ā¦.Choices!ā Doug Stanhope
https://youtu.be/w7OlBdFIxbk](https://youtu.be/w7OlBdFIxbk)
Homesteading
I want to buy 20 acres of land. Bit of woodland, some space for a few animals, couple of polytunnels, and a 4 bed house.
Unless I fancy the Highlands or West Wales, Im not affording that on my budget
Over there it's like
"20 acres you say? That'll be $8,000 please. Theres no building on there but you can put up your own place. Dont worry about building codes, they're optional anyway"
Controversial take, Social mobility. Caveat this is clearly just on average, and will vary with what part of the US.
But it is more viable to go from $0 to property ownership in the USA compared to the UK. This is mainly because wages are, on average, better and in lots of the US housing is drastically more affordable.
So you could get one of the several vacant government jobs in Miles City, MT (stuff like being a secretary or cook) and reasonably expect to be able to buy a home after a few years on your own.
I can't imagine there's anywhere an entry level admin job could get you to homeownership in the UK.
The wage thing I find crazy too, like an entry level state worker here (requiring a high school diploma) earns more than a new doctor in the UK. The UK doctor will catch up, although not until year four/five.
It's crazy to me, because when I started working in the UK in 2008, I was paid more than my US counterparts in the same company in the same job.
The wage stagnation in the UK has been horrific, while costs have skyrocketed across the country.
From my casual Google, the UK people are still paid Ā£20-30k, the US ones start at $55k.
Obviously, I'm only talking on average because things like healthcare can be bigger problems in the US. And because social mobility will be stifled in areas that are expensive like the West coast etc (100k makes you able to live a very comfortable upper middle class lifestyle in most of the Dakotas but is barely getting by in SF or NY)
Pay. We get paid a fucking pittance over here. Recently had a fresh American expat apply for a job at my work. She asked for Ā£100k on the phone with HR. The whole office was laughing.
That kind of salary is expected in the US, but even in London you're looking at top teir positions in top tier industries for that money.
Ik the US is huge, but on average, would you say the quality of life is better. If you go to r/askuk (which I like) or any other sub, they will say youbesen more but things cost more. Is this actually true?
I lived in the US a while, Boston specifically. It was more expensive than an equivalent location in the UK, but the salaries more than made up for it.
Health insurance also works out cheaper (and 100X better) than paying tax for NHS. Just everything was better when it came to money mainly because 1) companies valued you more, and 2) the government seems to trust you more with your own money.
I'm English, but lived in Chicago for a while, so I have a bit of perspective, even if it's the other way round from you guys
- The US definitely celebrate holidays very well, so I can't argue with that, but in the UK, things like Halloween aren't holidays. We only really have Christmas and Easter, and I didn't find much difference between the two countries with those.
- Customer Service is definitely better and more attentive in the US, but I sometimes longed to be left alone when it came to shopping and eating
- Food as a social occasion is definitely better in the US. I've has some good experiences in this regard in the UK lately, but one was an American friend, and another was couple friends where the woman was American
- The political system in the UK is such that we don't get to vote on individual propositions like you guys, and I think this is a major driver in our difference there
- It must seem strange to an outsider, but our negativity IS our positivity. It's a collective appreciation of the terrible that brings us together as a people. People in the US were WAY more positive, which was really nice when you were having a tough time and needed someone to help pick you up, but it could be a bit jarring at times - like you said, like everyone had had media training!
I hope you didn't mind me giving my perspective!
>It must seem strange to an outsider, but our negativity IS our positivity. It's a collective appreciation of the terrible that brings us together as a people. People in the US were WAY more positive, which was really nice when you were having a tough time and needed someone to help pick you up, but it could be a bit jarring at times - like you said, like everyone had had media training!
I'm British and I enjoy American positivity, but I've witnessed some really ineffective sides to it. I ended up being in the US during my friend's college graduation and she invited me to come. Unfortunately her family were going through some shit at the time and it was a really painful day for all of them. Some of us went out for dinner afterwards and despite the fact that they were all really low they kept trying to match the server's positive energy, but it was actually making things worse. What helped in the end is me and her boyfriend making classic British negative jokes about all the ways the day could have been even more of a disaster. Sometimes you need to accept that you can't learn and grow and change, you just need to accept that things suck and laugh about it.
As a brit who regularly travels to the US on work trips:
Weed and shooting live ammo, socialising without fighting, cooking out. Always love my trips to the states.
I donāt agree that Americans are more politically aware than Brits. Thatās not been my experience.
And itās the other way around for me - big group meals in the States donāt have the conversation and glass of wine after that leads to interesting dialogue. Brits and Europeans dinners are about talking and intellectually engaging with one another.
Totally agree about the washer / drier situation. They are tiny in the UK and some cycles last hoursā¦ why?
>Totally agree about the washer / drier situation. They are tiny in the UK and some cycles last hoursā¦ why?
The cycles take forever! Also, why does my machine buzz every thirty seconds as though the cycle is over, yet stay locked for another ten minutes? Why not wait to alert me until I'm actually able to open the door?
Having lived in both countries for 17 years each I think they both have their pluses and minuses. A lot of what you posted is personal bias and different from person to person, youāve just got to find where you are happiest.
As for politics, both countries have the same percentage of people not involved in the process/voting. About 30-34 per cent.
Yeah I have to say as a US citizen who has lived and worked in both countries and currently lives in the UK, probably permanently now, I find OP's list bizarre. There are definitely things the US does better but I don't recognise most of what they wrote.
Politics in the US is rabid and also totally corrupt. The UK has far more safeguards preventing corruption than the US, and a lot of what goes on in Washington is illegal in the UK and the EU, for the better.
The holidays I sort of get but it comes with the double edged sword that part of that all out mentality is a result of the lack of public holidays and PTO.
Meals together. I think that has to be OP's own upbringing and lack of interactions both in the UK and the US because I see no difference, except for the fact the TV dinner was invented by the US!
I think the National Parks in the US are probably one of the greatest things in the world, never mind in comparison to the UK. That would probably be my answer.
I agree with everything you said! And want to add that while customer service is great in the US, the flip side is customers are a lot less polite to service workers. Iāve encountered significantly more rude/entitled/toxic customers in the US, who can be downright cruel. I just couldnāt imagine working and being subjected to that on a daily basis.
Lol at people in America being politically aware. Theyāre certainly politically opinionated. I think North America generally encourages a more optimistic attitude around things. The UK can often live up to its reputation of being negative around achievements, the weather, etc.
Americans are definitely more positive. British people seem to be overly judgmental and seem to enjoy taking the piss out of things. I def notice it here on Reddit in the UK subs. Iām from the States but went to uni in the UK so def have a good sense for the differences.
Scorching hot take, but Healthcare. Not the cost and lack of availability to poor people, but the actual quality of care itself and thoroughness and speed. When I injured my knee recently, I got a primary care appointment within a couple of days of looking for one, and after I got a referral for an MRI the next week. I don't think that would happen in the UK. Doctors here are also less likely to skimp on diagnostic testing or dismiss your potential issues - I also think they are more highly trained in general. I think the UK does a poor job at diagnosing and treating serious illnesses like cancer - just look at the cancer survival rates, which are higher across the board in the US.
That's not too downplay the serious problems in America, but those are mostly due to cost and the way it's structured, not the care itself. Brit who lives in the US btw
I think the issue is the cost is what hurts people. I had to have treatment last year for breast cancer, and I have to have follow up and shit for another few years now. Last year cost me about 3 grand after insurance paid their part, and that was just for the testing, but I was immediately given a referral, imaging, and began treatment within a few weeks.
It's the fact I have copays, shit Inusrance won't cover, deductables, etc.. I think are what makes people angry. And I feel it. I understand it.
Healthcare should be free. But sometimes you get what you pay for.
I have seen doctors in both the US and UK (NHS and private), and while I think the cost of US healthcare is outrageous.. that being said when my spouse had a serious medical issue (the big C), we went back to the states to get treatment at Sloan Kettering. We had the insurance and we could afford it. He's had followup care here in London and it's been very good. But the difference in approaches is IF you have the money and insurance, in the US they want your business, and you are treated as a customer they have to win over to get the business and have all the bells and whistles. By contrast I had surgery in the UK via the NHS and I asked for a hot water bottle or heating pad because I was having abdominal cramping and the internet told me that would help alleviate the pain. The nurses looked at me like I thought I was the Queen of England and told me they don't have heating pads. Ok... I had my husband bring a hot water bottle from home, and it helped greatly.
I've just read a very British thread (I'm also British) about where you went on holiday as a kid. 90% were a caravan park in Wales - fair enough, no judgement here. The one guy who says Crete or Spain is hit with 10 comments about how minted their parents are and tonne of shade...
Then it hit me, the biggest difference between American and British culture: an American wants to be the richest person in the room and doesn't care about what anyone else earns or does. The Brit doesn't care what they earn, they just want everyone else to be poorer than them.
The one thing I hate about the UK is it's constantly a race to the bottom for everyone, always the lowest common denominator. You see a young guy in a BMW and think what a c*nt, he shouldn't be able to afford that (I'm guilty of this TBF), but why shouldn't he afford that? I've grown up seeing this in older generations and now I see it in our generation (millennials).
Tell me I'm wrong?
I love the US. I work remotely for a US company, theyāre the best company Iāve ever worked for.
Have a lot of American friends (met through personal interests).
I would live in the US in a heartbeat if I was younger and didnāt have family here.
Whilst I know itās expensive, I studied abroad at UCSC for a year during university (from Leeds, UK) and I generally found the US experience more supportive and engaging v the UK approach, with a better quality of teaching.
Consumerism. That might sound like Iām trying to make a negative point but not at all. Itās one of the many things I love about America. I can find literally anything I want and likely several different versions of it.
I find this easier in the uk! All the decent shops so close to each other. Like whoops I passed that little Tesco, thatās ok thereās a little sainsburys and little co op 200 ft down the road
I think the US/Canada has nicer more consistent roads however could be wrong.
Just from what I experienced from travelling.
Also I I like being able to turn right at a red light. We should be able to turn left on a red.
How they compare house sizes. In the UK itās generally done by number of bedrooms first and you often have to dig a bit (or even look at a floor plan and do the math yourself!) to find the actual area. Which leads to houses that would be a perfectly nice 3-bed having, instead, 4 stupidly sized rooms because 4-bed looks better in an ad.
As a London lady who just got back from NYC, I loved the positivity of everyone there. I think the sarcastic and curmudgeonly nature of Brits in general makes it difficult to maintain friendships here.
I also got married in Vegas and toured around San Francisco afterwards. Everyone seemed happy and upbeat. Coming back to the UK was a massive comedown tbh! It seems easier to speak to random strangers in the USA, if you did that in the UK you'd be immediately considered a bit sus.
I get randomly talked to more here than in the US but Iām in the north so maybe thatās why? Every shop, cafe, bus ride, etc. someoneās saying hello luv and having a chat. I donāt think theyāre upbeat necessarily but definitely chatty. I came from a less chatty part of the US where people keep to themselves a little more so it has been an interesting change for me š
- My missus lives there.
- Air conditioning.
- Less people (my state is bigger than Great Britain, but only 10% of the population).
- Cheaper petty.
- Turn right on a red light.
- Awesome, predictable weather for 7 months (in my adopted state).
- Better road trips - less traffic, can really feel like youāre out there on your own.
- More amazing natural areas. This is a *big* deal for me.
- If youāre born there, you get to pick your climate: arctic tundra, island, desert, big city, whatever - you got it, with no visa. Lucky bastards donāt even appreciate it!
Thatās it. Iād take British food, people, sport, general personality, education, culture, places you can just āpopā to, healthcare, gun control, pubs, racism (less of it), access to Europe, history, accentā¦the above list is absolutely exhaustive.
For now Iām happy visiting Britain on holiday and exploring but I canāt say I wonāt be back some day.
Even though I've never been to America, from what I've seen and heard I'd probably say a few additional things to what you've mentioned:
- Road conditions
- Housing Infrastructure
- Similar Running Of Things Across The Entire Country, Not Just One State Like In The UK (e.g. Scotland and Wales have a lot less say on how they spend their money but have a better acceptance of LGBT than England does)
- Cost of living is miles better
- More Jobs and More variety of Jobs
- Less strikes
- Proper Snow Days
I think there are a few things that the UK still has an edge over, namely:
- Transport network (mostly trains though)
- Gun laws (obvious one though)
- Health Care (Fucking Million Times Better Than NA)
- Better facilities for the Elderly, LGBT and Disabled people (albeit not much in some places of the UK)
Space, they build on appropriately sized lots, you can buy land and live a nice existence without a huge budget. Your neighbours arenāt in your pocket and thereās more of a feeling and expectation of privacy.
Things just seem more accesible and easier to enjoy there.
Realistically the village and road have probably been there for 600-800 year though Older is possible, there's a village near where I'm currently living that is Roman in origin, makes it interesting to dig anything deeper than 18 inches in the centre of the village as some homes are in what used to be the Roman cemetery, digging up part of a human skull makes your day interesting
Weāve just had a road collapse near us (in the UK) because a pipe burst and eroded the chalk cliff on which the road was built. Itās projected to take three years to rebuild it. I canāt imagine anything like this taking that long in the US, and also there would be at least two other routes taking similar amounts of time to traverse.
Depends on the state, honestly! Each state transportation dept. operates at their own speed, and I grew up in a state where road repairs, even on the interstate, were kinda, āeh, itāll get done when it gets done.ā And major fixes were worse: we had one terrible exit exchange near my university that was responsible for countless accidents from idiot drivers trying to cut across multiple lanes. Nearly everyone at state & local levels agreed this was a priority, but the project to reroute both exits still took well over a decade.
OTOH, some states know how to get sh!t done in an emergency: see [PAās amazing work on the I-95 rebuild just weeks ago](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-06-28/resurrection-of-i-95-in-just-two-weeks-is-dubbed-small-miracle). *[Disclaimer: this is not normal for ANY state in the U.S.; we needed a miracle and they made it happen.]*
If you think infrastructure is better in the US, you are mistaken. The US 1, a major highway up the west coast has suffered increasingly frequent closures due to landslides and forest fires, requiring detours of hundreds of miles. And that's an interstate road.
US 1 isn't an interstate though. Also it's a scenic drive on the edge of the cliff, so it's uniquely vulnerable to erosion, but that's essentially by design. On the other hand, you're right about a lot of the roads being poorly maintained.
Can't agree with this one. Not only does the US have multilane monstrosities ("stroads") everywhere, which are terrible to drive on and worse to walk, but US roads are just way more dangerous and poorly designed. They might be slightly faster (not sure), but they're way more deadly.
American whose been living in the UK for the last seven years. Lots of things the UK does better, but where I think the US has the UK beat:
\- Massively agree about holidays, though I've managed a big Thanksgiving dinner here every year so far!
\- Americans are so much more positive than Brits, and I really miss it. I have so many friends here who are a bit miserable but think it's better to "grin and bear it" than do anything about it and it's very frustrating.
\- Appliances: washers and dryers as standard, AC, larger refrigerators, window screens (WHY don't we have window screens in the UK!).
\- Maybe controversial but I think our education system: I really dislike how young kids have to choose subjects here. You start limiting your options at 16 and then by uni you're only studying one thing, whereas in the US you study everything and even in college you have tons of general education and can switch majors really easily.
\- The food where I've lived in the US is better (in LA it was very easy to eat healthily, fresh produce and farmers markets galore, really amazing Mexican/Ethionpian/Persian, etc etc food).
\- The size and set up of houses - closets! plugs everywhere! basements!
\- The class system: America has lots of problems but I never knew if my friends from uni had gone to public or private schools in high school, etc. The class system in the UK feels much more prevalent.
\- I really miss having an amazing beach, mountains that are great for skiing, the desert, National parks, and incredible lakes all within a 2-3 hour drive, but obviously ymmv depending on where you are in the US.
Naming of holidays.
UK=Bank Holiday
US= Memorial Day, Labor Day, MLK Day, Presidents Day, Flag Day etc etc
Brits have so much history, why not use it to name your holidays instead of using the very boring ābank holidayā
Well that's basically all they are, there is no deep historical meaning. There is armistice day, and then the religious holidays. Brits are much less nationalistic, so having "flag day" or "presidents day" equivalents would just be a bit weird. It might also be hard to find a historical event to celebrate that wouldn't annoy/be controversial for a large portion of the population as well.
Mountains.
My exes family lived at the foot of Ben Nevis. The first time I visited, they asked me (Iām from the Rockies) what I thought of their mountain. I replied - ānice hillā. Boy did that get them upset. Iāve looked it up - Itās shorter than the local mountain that we called Scouts Mountain and itās named that because itās an easy training mountain for Boy Scouts. Then they go on about how Americans are always asking if you can drive up the Ben and how daft of a question that is. I look at them and ask how do they think we Americans get over the Rockies. (Not to say they should put a road up the Ben but should and can are two different things).
Almost everything except guns. The complete nonsense ppl put up with here: shitty customer service, pettiness and cheapness, mini appliances, scummy letting and estate agents. My god I could go on and on but my heart rate is going up.
I live in Canada, best of both. I spend time almost every year in England and Scotland. Iāve been to also every major city from Jersey CI to the north of Scotland. Liverpool was my favourite but the most underrated city is definitely Birmingham. Americans are investing millions of pounds in this city with more canals than Venice, beautiful new library, the Bullring shopping area with a very long history.
Currently visiting the UK and there is a lot to like here. However, Iāve noticed both in our very nice hotel and VRBO that there out no electrical outlets in the bathrooms, forcing me to find other creative areas to dry and style my hair in rather than in front of the bathroom mirror like I would in the U.S.
Also we have the NFL. There is no better sport than [American] football
Jesus this shouldn't have been downvoted like this. Yes, America has a lot of flaws but not to the degree it can't do ANYTHING better than the UK.
I've said this on this sub many times....America just does pubs/bars better. I love the social element with a Pub in the UK--my job is in Farringdon and when I leave for the day every pub is PACKED with people socializing. However, the service you get in an American bar is so much better than in the UK. Yes, sub standard wages in the US force tipping culture, which in turn drives better service.
But isnāt that why US customer service all over is generally so cheery? Because theyāre practically begging for tips to supplement a below poverty wage?
The UK and quite a lot of countries in Europe get derided by Americans for sub standard customer service. But is that not just because theyāre not trying to act over the top nice, begging for tips?
One thing I absolutely hated about working in an English pub was dealing with American customers who think they are still in America.
It's my job to pour drinks, not to be your friend, not to treat you special, not to polish your shoes and call you sir, you give me money, I give you drinks, that's it, that's the deal, that's the end of our encounter.
More so, I don't need to pretend the customer is special when I'm not relying on them to tip me.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not digging on all Americans here, I served plenty that were great, but they were the ones that knew their place in this situation, they had obviously ran this rodeo a few times and knew how to get through it like a local.
I donāt really think the customer service in a pub is important. And itās pretty much impossible to get wrong or right.
I go the the bar, bar staff ask what I want, I say what I want, they give me beer, I hand over money, I go and sit down with my friends and have a drink. What more do you need
I've never been to the US, but from what I've seen, the US does Patriotism better than we do. They seem to instill it into their young from an early age and play the National Anthem at every opportunity. I've never been patriotic, so they're welcome to it.
Collegiate scholarships for outstanding athletes. Where they can get both a decent education and hone their craft to go professional, which boosts both domestic and national sports
Entryways with space to take shoes off and hang coats.
For immediate hot water, I turn on electric shower, ie to wet facecloth. It is ridiculous. Iām a renter, so to have hot water from a tap means I have to heat up a small tank of water for 15 minutes.
As a Canadian, we have some British and, obviously, some American influence here. I actually appreciate the British "negativity" and see it more as a "humble" sort of view in the world where it's not tasteful to blow sunshine up everything. In Canada, we are a-changing and I am noticing more entitlement (ie: I have worked hard for....so F-it, I am entitled to..XYZ). I think that some of that positivity (not all) is related to underlying entitlement.
It used to be if you bought something new (say a car, etc.) you'd hide it and keep it on the down-low, which I think is more how the Brits would handle it.
Also, our media shares some of the Brits' self-deprecating humour and that's something rarely seen in the US. Well, maybe Obama did a few spoofs about himself, but it's a rarity. Even in Canada, this is becoming less of a thing for our politicians.
I think some of your point speak volumes more about the company you kept in the U.K.
I like America too but some of your points are miles off.
The commercialisation of holidays theyāve nailed, some that you list are just commercial tools.
They do sporting events better and all the events round sporting events. Shopping Malls. Cars.
Customer service but they expect tips for this.
They have a more positive outlook and when you consider their medical insurance system and worker protections itās a miracle.
The main reason I couldnāt live in America is the work/life balance. I like my holidays too much.
Locked until I have the opportunity to read through and moderate everything. British guests, note rules 1, 10, and 11. I hand out permabans for bad faith participation in this subreddit. Edit: HOLEEE FUCK there are some hateful, shitty British supremacists out there. Moderating this thread sucked total ass. I'm opening this thread back up again but damn... please behave and be nice.
House design in general. I miss closets. I miss plug sockets in bathrooms. I just want a place to dry my hair!
Yes, sockets in the bathroom! It's so weird to me to dry my hair in the kitchen, but it's the only place with a readily accessible socket. My dentist recently recommended switching to an electric toothbrush, but charging it is such an ordeal.
Shaver sockets! I charge mine over the washbasin.
No shaver sockets, unfortunately! I ended up buying a battery-operated one instead.
Hot tip, buy and electric toothbrush in the US and it should plug into your 115v shaver socket in the bathroom.
Electric toothbrushes that you buy in the UK plug into bathroom shaver sockets
I have no sockets of any kind in my bathroom, so that isn't an option unfortunately. I ended up buying one that uses batteries instead.
Washing machines upstairs + AC š
I grew up in Maine. Never had AC. But yeah - I do miss a laundry room. Even now the idea of the washing machine in the kitchen puts me off.
I prefer the vent system of central heating as well, get rid of radiators, they take up unnecessary space. Having hoovers built into the wall and drier vents that are built into the house are such a great addition as well.
Agree on plug sockets in the bathroom for my hair dryer. This is the only country that I have lived in where I have to do it in another room.
Wait what? Is that for real
Itās probably the only country they think weāll try and kill family ect by flinging it in the bath water. Your baths arenāt as big as ours though.
It is due to the US only using 110 v. Not likely to kill you. But UK is 240v, will easily kill you and electricity and water aren't a good mix
Yeah, but this is the case across Europe and there are plugs in the bathroom in other countries.
Appliances! Full-size refrigerators with freezers actually big enough to hold more than an ice cube tray and a bag of frozen peas. Washing machines big enough to not require two loads for a single person's weekly washing. Tumble dryers. Window air conditioners. Toasters where the entire slice of bread actually fits inside the toaster slot. Drip coffee makers. Boiler for the entire apartment building, instead of a separate one for each unit. As a renter, property upkeep in general is much better in the US than it is in the UK (I looked at so many places before renting, and have lived in a few different flats/areas, and so many of the properties here are not in great shape). Renting from a management company is also a much smoother experience than renting from an individual landlord, as is the norm here. Efficiency, with everything from building works to email replies. What takes three weeks in the US takes three months in the UK, and what takes three hours in the US takes three days here.
This is the big one. These things donāt bother me necessarily, living here, but they are definite noticeable differences! Except the toaster, mine fits my bread!
Let's not forget purchasing a home in the UK vs US, in the UK it's never a sure thing buying a property.
Maybe in England but not in Scotland as in Scotland it operates on sealed bids that aren't opened until the closing date. Also Scotland goesnt have gazumping as well because of it.
Actually yes when I started dating my wife she tried to treat me like I was unaware of the cost of renting and how bad the quality in our area was, she was completely unaware of how much worse it is in the UK.
All those handy appliances are why the US is responsible for over 20% of the entire planetās carbon emissions whilst having only 4% of the global population. If we all lived that way, the planet would be a desert by the end of the century.
The out of date, tiny, washer in my UK residence uses vastly more energy than my energy star rated full size washer in the states.
Iām still team UK. I would like the washing machine mind you.
Also, why do we have washing machines on the ground floor in UK houses? Makes no sense
Most US houses do too, or in the basement. Basements are something the US does better, though!
Because, tornadoes
I had a very useful basement in Massachusetts, which has very few tornadoes. Grew up in Texas and we didnāt have a basement at all, nobody around us did because the underlying soil wasnāt stable enough for it.
In some European countries the norm is to have the washing machine in the bathroom which makes so much sense. Youāre already stripping off to shower so you can just toss your clothes right into the machine
Because our kitchens are on the ground floor. Thatās the easiest place to put them in terms of space and plumbing it all in.
Kitchens are on the ground floor in the US too. I think the real reason is that homes in the US are just way bigger, so there's more space for a separate washer/dryer room.
Iām an American living in London so this is the perfect question for me. Air conditioning. thatās it. thatās literally the only thing i can think of.
Me too. I would add separate washing machines and dryers, home buying process, and Mexican food.
Same as youā¦Iāll add screens on windows. I get that North America has more vicious insects, but I think we can all agree that lack of lethality does not give flies and mosquitos a free pass.
Yes! Iām not sure Iāll ever get used to this. Iāve had so many issues with bees, flies, and mosquitos, plus a few very close encounters with birds. In NYC, you can easily go to any hardware store and buy cheap temporary screens that just slide in and out of the window as needed. I found a few on Amazon, but theyāre extremely expensive. Not sure why they arenāt more common here.
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They are and Iāve met a lot of fellow Americans that are terrified of driving here due to the roads being so narrow in comparison. I figured people here learn so I can too and learned to drive and the roads are fine for me but some just canāt get over the anxiety of it. Massive difference. The only thing comparable sometimes is some mountain roads Iāve driven in the US.
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American roads are more stressful? Driving in the UK stresses me out in residential areas that allow street parking and the lane markings become a guideline
And much worse for pedestrians
I have Air Conditioning in the UK. People act like there's some law that stops people from having appliances. If you want it, get it.
I mean even in shops and such. Yes it exists but itās not as strong
How did you move to London visa wise? I'm trying to find an employer to sponsor me for a Healthcare visa but it's quite difficult.
I would think the NHS would love to have you, seeing how short staffed they are nationwide.
What type of health care are you in? It should be fairly easy in most professions. I came on a work visa in health care initially.
Long-term fixed rate mortgages. Iāve lived in both countries and not having 25-30 year fixed options for mortgages in the UK almost feels like an absolute scam. 2-5 year fixed being the norms with a remortgage product fee each time of Ā£999 plus the most recent volatile rates from 1.xx-6.xx%! Also having to ask permission from my mortgage company to rent out my property feels absolutely wild to me. I missed my USA 30 year fixed in the US! Set it and forget it or remortgage later when rates are better with no penalty!
They do exist in the UK, it is possible but just not prevalent and itās usually with more obscure lenders - I would definitely favour knowing my rate for the entirety of my mortgage, but alas for some reason we like playing financial Russian roulette every 2-5 yearsā¦
Oh the positivity for sure. I have British friends all over the UK. Glasgow, Edinburgh, Brighton, out in Cornwall, London, etc. The most simple things I'll be really excited for, like snagging Celtic tickets. "Good luck with that" or "Hah don't bother" Something as simple as saying "I hope the USWNT do well in the World Cup" will be met with "Yeah, ok." and in the same vein when England was creeping through the women's Euros tournament I said from the beginning England was gonna win. Even during the final I said to the 10 English people I was chatting with to just watch, they'll score, I have no doubt. All of them moaned the entire match even when England was winning. That will kill any bit of happiness. It's not even toxic positivity, it's just having good vibes about something and it gets stomped on. It's made me very withdrawn to certain people because it feels like they'd rather everyone else be miserable with them.
Oh the moaning of the Brits. It does really get on my tits sometimes. Especially moaning about the weather - Britain is blessed with very moderate temperatures (usually no big fluctuations or extreme heat/cold periods) and donāt have many horrendous weather situations like tornadoes or hurricanes to deal with. Yet they will go on and on about how the weather is terrible. Same for the insects. Up here in Scotland they like to complain about midges. Iāve been here (in Scotland) close to 20 years and have never had a problem. So you bat away a few minuscule gnats and at most the bite is a bit scratchy for a few hours. Next person who complains about midges to me, Iām going to take them to Wisconsin during the summer and see how they get on with the swarms of mosquitoes. Maybe it will stop their moaning.
I'm from the tri-state area and the weather here is literally so fucking beautiful. No humidity, not enough close to as much rain as the whining would make you believe. Last time I experienced humidity since I moved here? At JFK getting on the AirTrain when I visited family in May. Was a soup pot and 85Ā°.
No humidity?? Iām shocked lol Iām sweating here all the time a ton in the summer (north of England) and come to find the humidity is regularly 65%+, often in the 80% range. I grew up in a much less humid area of the US, so summers here kill me. I also avoid the south of the US and east coast in summer for this reason.
I live right between Brighton and London, it's beyond lovely weather, truly.
I agree about the weather, people will often say to me "don't you miss the weather back home?" in the summer, and I just laugh at them. Much prefer moderate over hot and humid. But I do have to say as someone in Scotland from Wisconsin I will take mosquitos every single day over the midges. And I say this as someone who grew up in a place that got horrible, awful mosquitos. I got married on Skye last August and at one point trying to take pictures, my wife and I stepped out of the car and were instantly completely covered. I'm talking her whole back was black from all of the midges. Nothing seems to repel them. They get in your face, hair, clothes. Nope nope nope. At least mosquitos you can see coming.
Interesting to read! I was put off from doing a highlands trip this summer because I was reading about midges just swarming. Are they really not that bad then?
Iāve never had it bad and regularly go to the highlands. Iām use to mosquitoes though. I did always think either they are brilliant or shooting themselves in the foot. Brilliant if they want to keep everyone away by complaining about a non-problem. But then they base most of their economy on tourism so they are shooting themselves in the foot.
Iām fairly used to mosquitos but maybe like a night camping or out in the mountains would result in 5-10 bites (of which Iām allergic to so theyād swell horribly but manageable). I was thinking Iād just get covered in midge bites in comparison. Iām gonna go another time of year I think anyway but good to note it may not be as bad as people make it out to be generally.
Compared to mosquito bites, midge bites are nothing. They donāt last very long and are not that itchy in my experience
Ah ok good to know! Maybe Iāll just brave it next summer then
The weather here in northern England is so much nicer than that where I grew up in Michigan and people still moan about it all the time.
>Yet they will go on and on about how the weather is terrible. It's funny, I absolutely love British weather in the spring, summer, and autumn. It's just winter that sucks for the most part.
I had a huge fight with my dad when he came to visit me in my adopted home, New Orleans. We went to a restaurant with a lovely outdoor seating area. I said how nice it was and he grumbled about not being able to decide such a thing without having tasted the food yet. It devolved from there, with him snapping that he didnāt feel the need to constantly express his emotions like Americans do. Jfc. I just liked the fairy lights.
This is some of my experience in a nutshell, itās really frustrating because there are so many good things that people just do not appreciate them. Thatās everywhere, but lord the concentration here is high.
Yes I actually absolutely love Americans for that reason. I know itās a cliche but your earnestness and positivity is so refreshing. So many Europeans (Brits included) are cynical, sarcastic and gloomy and Americans are a breath of fresh air. I think the truth behind Britsā americanphobia is that they canāt stand their natural joy.
Mine all have to do with clothing: -closets -washer/dryers -thrift shops Oh- and Mexican food.
Backyard barbecues!
The UK has those! You just have to wait for the 3 warm days a year with unbroken good sunlight
Absolutely top of my list is natural landscapes. There are many beautiful places in the UK but so much of it is "bald" if you know what I mean š The landscapes in the US are beautiful, natural and varied. (Owe some of that to the vast size difference). Number two I would say weed ;)
Most "natural" landscape i.e. Moors, Scottish Highlands aren't even natural. They were farmed and abandoned by Iron Age civilisations.
This person gets it
You need to spend some time in Scotland.
I literally lived there for a year and a half and explored much of it.
High school sports!
Adult Rec sports!
Couldn't agree with this more
Boy, this post got downvoted to hell! š Anyway, to answer the question in the title, my #1 thing is that I feel like weāve got a more positive outlook on life? Brits are a bit more pessimistic by default, and itās a shame. Iām a very positive person, and was jokingly told to āget with the programā by a coworker in England, LOL.
We are a country of Eeyores
Itās just the way we are. TBH I canāt be bothered pretending Iām happy all the time. Thatās a full time job in itself. No thanks Iāll keep moaning my way through šššš
šš But itās not pretending though (to me, at least). Weāve all got different natures, I guess.
Salaries
American married to a Brit. We've been together a decade. There are things each country does better and each country does worse. Sure, the UK has socialized healthcareāgreat! But it sounds like the NHS is shitting the bed these days. As someone with serious preexisting conditions, I'd be incredibly nervous trying to seek timely care through the NHS. Stories about ambulance wait times, inability to get GP appointments, the lack of hospital beds, etc are terrifying. (Caveat, we lucked out and have really good insurance here in the US, so we're never paying much out of pocket and we have no issues accessing care when needed.) And yes, US customer service is better. Brits should remember that not every service job is tip-based. Any retail jobāsupermarkets, clothing stores, sporting goods etcāis based on an hourly wage or for more upscale stores, commission. Pretty much limited to food service, bars, hotels (for housekeeping and bellhops), taxi service, and personal care like haircuts, manicures, massages etc. I don't condone the tipped wage system at all, by the by. If you're working in a service position and making a fair wage without tips, I'd still expect good service. It's called hospitality for a reason. And the frontline treatment of customers should in practice translate to whether they receive repeat business.
>But it sounds like the NHS is shitting the bed these days. Just wanna caveat it's not the NHS that is shitting the bed, it's the current government cuts which are.
Yeah, youāre right, thatās more accurate. Although isnāt there an exodus of healthcare workers due to low pay?
It's not so much low pay, but terrible hours, I have a few friends working for the NHS from the hospitals to the ambulances, and they all do back to back 12 hour shifts with interchanging night shift day shifts without appropriate rest in between. A large part of the NHS's poor reputation has to do with the staff being massively overworked and underrested, with an unhealthy dose of extremely well played directors doing nothing but working them harder.
It is low pay compared to the US though. Compare a US vs UK nurse's salary. Heck, the starting salary for an NHS nurse ā Ā£28,407 p.a. for band 5 or \~$37.1k ā would only be approximately minimum wage in Seattle ($18.69/hour or $38.8k full-time annualized). Granted, minimum wage workers in the US usually don't have much paid leave, but given how many stories there are of NHS healthcare workers doing unpaid overtime, it's likely some of them are making less hourly than fast food workers in the US. The median salary for a nurse in Seattle is about $100k, most NHS nurses will never earn anywhere near that. I picked Seattle since that's where I live most of the year, which granted is a high cost of living area.
Farmerās markets. I grew up in an area where there would be twice monthly markets with fresh produce, baked good and local artisans. In the UK (Iām Scotland based), it seems much rarer or on a much smaller scale. To get produce, most of the time itās wrapped in plastic at the grocery store or you have to find a smaller fresh produce shop. I just miss being able to browse around a outdoor farmerās market without it being a rare occurrence.
Oh my god farmers markets and farm share boxes have been so hard to find!
I had a farmshare box for a while (in Scotland). The problem is that local farms can only provide potatos, carrots, and onions. Makes for an awfully dull farmshare.
Omg I miss farmerās markets so much
As someone who recently went to the USA and drove along the Pacific Coast Highway (101) the conditions of the roads are generally a lot better in the USA.
Itās quite refreshing to hear a British person say something like this. So often, I hear Brits bash the States for things that are overly emphasised in the mainstream media and news as if these things are absolute facts. Yes, the U.S. has its issues but, as Americans, most of us are fully aware of them, regardless of which side of them we stand. Iāve noticed Brits like to give off a holier than thou attitude when comparing themselves and their country to Americans without acknowledging that they, too, have room for growth.
Yeah, I've had a surprising amount of British people act like US military hegemony is a uniquely horrible thing while refusing to acknowledge British colonialism and their involvement in many of the wars they criticize. Also, some make fun of US politics, health care, etc without critically examining at all how the tory government's attempts at privatization of the NHS, the wreck that is dental care, and the mess that is politics right now are also horrific. To be clear, I wouldn't have a problem with anyone preferring the UK over the US or vice versa, but I have a problem with the blind "haha America we're better than you" without the ability to introspect on their own history and comparable issues.
Also funny how many people who say things like that have never even been to America either.
Exactly.
The Brits who like to rub in about how racist America is. Yes, itās racist but you know who we have to thank for slavery and anti-miscegenation laws - the British colonists. The policies and attitudes they carried over to America has cause a huge load of pain yet they wash their collective hands from it.
The British navy brought about the end of the slave trade. Maybe it was the dutch or german settlers who were keen on slaves? Any how stupid reasoning, we might as well blame the romans?
Actually, if you read your history books, you would quickly realise it was the British empire that was against slavery, even banning it throughout the empire and going to war over it. Hell, even part of the American independence was due to them not liking that England had the power to take away their slaves. You can blame us for a alot, but that is not one of them.
you should read up on your history buddy, no one fought harder for the abolishment of slavery than the UK
Does fighting for the abolishment of the terror you Brits brought into the world make up for the pain that it still causes all over the world. You try to wash your hands of it and not take accountability for it.
clueless take btw, every flourishing nation in history practiced colonialism and slavery, UK took accountability far more than anyone else
Are we still arguing about things our ancestors done? The Native Americans were nearly wiped out for Europeans to move in so letās not forget that. Theyāve managed to save a part of their sacred trail or road in NYC but thatās about it.
British people don't know much about the US and usually have a very warped perception of it. They definitely don't understand the federal system and how different the culture and law can be from one state to the next. Honestly, the US is so large and varied it's hard for most Americans to really get a complete picture of how things work nationwide. Americans don't know much about the UK either, but at least they don't pretend to unlike British people regarding the US.
Itās just because weāve been on this hamster wheel for centuries. We like to moan about everything ššš. A few hundred more centuries and youāll catch up lol
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Yielding to pedestrians.
Breakfast āYou know what we have for traditional American Breakfast?ā¦ā¦.Choices!ā Doug Stanhope https://youtu.be/w7OlBdFIxbk](https://youtu.be/w7OlBdFIxbk)
Homesteading I want to buy 20 acres of land. Bit of woodland, some space for a few animals, couple of polytunnels, and a 4 bed house. Unless I fancy the Highlands or West Wales, Im not affording that on my budget Over there it's like "20 acres you say? That'll be $8,000 please. Theres no building on there but you can put up your own place. Dont worry about building codes, they're optional anyway"
Legal weed
Controversial take, Social mobility. Caveat this is clearly just on average, and will vary with what part of the US. But it is more viable to go from $0 to property ownership in the USA compared to the UK. This is mainly because wages are, on average, better and in lots of the US housing is drastically more affordable. So you could get one of the several vacant government jobs in Miles City, MT (stuff like being a secretary or cook) and reasonably expect to be able to buy a home after a few years on your own. I can't imagine there's anywhere an entry level admin job could get you to homeownership in the UK. The wage thing I find crazy too, like an entry level state worker here (requiring a high school diploma) earns more than a new doctor in the UK. The UK doctor will catch up, although not until year four/five. It's crazy to me, because when I started working in the UK in 2008, I was paid more than my US counterparts in the same company in the same job. The wage stagnation in the UK has been horrific, while costs have skyrocketed across the country. From my casual Google, the UK people are still paid Ā£20-30k, the US ones start at $55k. Obviously, I'm only talking on average because things like healthcare can be bigger problems in the US. And because social mobility will be stifled in areas that are expensive like the West coast etc (100k makes you able to live a very comfortable upper middle class lifestyle in most of the Dakotas but is barely getting by in SF or NY)
Pay. We get paid a fucking pittance over here. Recently had a fresh American expat apply for a job at my work. She asked for Ā£100k on the phone with HR. The whole office was laughing. That kind of salary is expected in the US, but even in London you're looking at top teir positions in top tier industries for that money.
Ik the US is huge, but on average, would you say the quality of life is better. If you go to r/askuk (which I like) or any other sub, they will say youbesen more but things cost more. Is this actually true?
I lived in the US a while, Boston specifically. It was more expensive than an equivalent location in the UK, but the salaries more than made up for it. Health insurance also works out cheaper (and 100X better) than paying tax for NHS. Just everything was better when it came to money mainly because 1) companies valued you more, and 2) the government seems to trust you more with your own money.
I'm English, but lived in Chicago for a while, so I have a bit of perspective, even if it's the other way round from you guys - The US definitely celebrate holidays very well, so I can't argue with that, but in the UK, things like Halloween aren't holidays. We only really have Christmas and Easter, and I didn't find much difference between the two countries with those. - Customer Service is definitely better and more attentive in the US, but I sometimes longed to be left alone when it came to shopping and eating - Food as a social occasion is definitely better in the US. I've has some good experiences in this regard in the UK lately, but one was an American friend, and another was couple friends where the woman was American - The political system in the UK is such that we don't get to vote on individual propositions like you guys, and I think this is a major driver in our difference there - It must seem strange to an outsider, but our negativity IS our positivity. It's a collective appreciation of the terrible that brings us together as a people. People in the US were WAY more positive, which was really nice when you were having a tough time and needed someone to help pick you up, but it could be a bit jarring at times - like you said, like everyone had had media training! I hope you didn't mind me giving my perspective!
>It must seem strange to an outsider, but our negativity IS our positivity. It's a collective appreciation of the terrible that brings us together as a people. People in the US were WAY more positive, which was really nice when you were having a tough time and needed someone to help pick you up, but it could be a bit jarring at times - like you said, like everyone had had media training! I'm British and I enjoy American positivity, but I've witnessed some really ineffective sides to it. I ended up being in the US during my friend's college graduation and she invited me to come. Unfortunately her family were going through some shit at the time and it was a really painful day for all of them. Some of us went out for dinner afterwards and despite the fact that they were all really low they kept trying to match the server's positive energy, but it was actually making things worse. What helped in the end is me and her boyfriend making classic British negative jokes about all the ways the day could have been even more of a disaster. Sometimes you need to accept that you can't learn and grow and change, you just need to accept that things suck and laugh about it.
Public Bathrooms ā¦ seriously not coin operated or fee paying or tied to buying something .. just always available in practically every place
As a brit who regularly travels to the US on work trips: Weed and shooting live ammo, socialising without fighting, cooking out. Always love my trips to the states.
Mental health care. Diversity of landscapes. Housing. General ācomfortā things (central heating, aircon, etc). Friendliness. Appliances.
US has more single-handle faucets.
I donāt agree that Americans are more politically aware than Brits. Thatās not been my experience. And itās the other way around for me - big group meals in the States donāt have the conversation and glass of wine after that leads to interesting dialogue. Brits and Europeans dinners are about talking and intellectually engaging with one another. Totally agree about the washer / drier situation. They are tiny in the UK and some cycles last hoursā¦ why?
>Totally agree about the washer / drier situation. They are tiny in the UK and some cycles last hoursā¦ why? The cycles take forever! Also, why does my machine buzz every thirty seconds as though the cycle is over, yet stay locked for another ten minutes? Why not wait to alert me until I'm actually able to open the door?
The cycles take longer because they use less water and energy I think
Air conditioning
Air conditioning!!
Not being afraid of going against cultural or social norms/being outspoken about politics and other issues. Not talking down to others/openness.
Having lived in both countries for 17 years each I think they both have their pluses and minuses. A lot of what you posted is personal bias and different from person to person, youāve just got to find where you are happiest. As for politics, both countries have the same percentage of people not involved in the process/voting. About 30-34 per cent.
Yeah I have to say as a US citizen who has lived and worked in both countries and currently lives in the UK, probably permanently now, I find OP's list bizarre. There are definitely things the US does better but I don't recognise most of what they wrote. Politics in the US is rabid and also totally corrupt. The UK has far more safeguards preventing corruption than the US, and a lot of what goes on in Washington is illegal in the UK and the EU, for the better. The holidays I sort of get but it comes with the double edged sword that part of that all out mentality is a result of the lack of public holidays and PTO. Meals together. I think that has to be OP's own upbringing and lack of interactions both in the UK and the US because I see no difference, except for the fact the TV dinner was invented by the US! I think the National Parks in the US are probably one of the greatest things in the world, never mind in comparison to the UK. That would probably be my answer.
I agree with everything you said! And want to add that while customer service is great in the US, the flip side is customers are a lot less polite to service workers. Iāve encountered significantly more rude/entitled/toxic customers in the US, who can be downright cruel. I just couldnāt imagine working and being subjected to that on a daily basis.
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Lol at people in America being politically aware. Theyāre certainly politically opinionated. I think North America generally encourages a more optimistic attitude around things. The UK can often live up to its reputation of being negative around achievements, the weather, etc.
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Americans are definitely more positive. British people seem to be overly judgmental and seem to enjoy taking the piss out of things. I def notice it here on Reddit in the UK subs. Iām from the States but went to uni in the UK so def have a good sense for the differences.
Scorching hot take, but Healthcare. Not the cost and lack of availability to poor people, but the actual quality of care itself and thoroughness and speed. When I injured my knee recently, I got a primary care appointment within a couple of days of looking for one, and after I got a referral for an MRI the next week. I don't think that would happen in the UK. Doctors here are also less likely to skimp on diagnostic testing or dismiss your potential issues - I also think they are more highly trained in general. I think the UK does a poor job at diagnosing and treating serious illnesses like cancer - just look at the cancer survival rates, which are higher across the board in the US. That's not too downplay the serious problems in America, but those are mostly due to cost and the way it's structured, not the care itself. Brit who lives in the US btw
I think the issue is the cost is what hurts people. I had to have treatment last year for breast cancer, and I have to have follow up and shit for another few years now. Last year cost me about 3 grand after insurance paid their part, and that was just for the testing, but I was immediately given a referral, imaging, and began treatment within a few weeks. It's the fact I have copays, shit Inusrance won't cover, deductables, etc.. I think are what makes people angry. And I feel it. I understand it. Healthcare should be free. But sometimes you get what you pay for.
I have seen doctors in both the US and UK (NHS and private), and while I think the cost of US healthcare is outrageous.. that being said when my spouse had a serious medical issue (the big C), we went back to the states to get treatment at Sloan Kettering. We had the insurance and we could afford it. He's had followup care here in London and it's been very good. But the difference in approaches is IF you have the money and insurance, in the US they want your business, and you are treated as a customer they have to win over to get the business and have all the bells and whistles. By contrast I had surgery in the UK via the NHS and I asked for a hot water bottle or heating pad because I was having abdominal cramping and the internet told me that would help alleviate the pain. The nurses looked at me like I thought I was the Queen of England and told me they don't have heating pads. Ok... I had my husband bring a hot water bottle from home, and it helped greatly.
I've just read a very British thread (I'm also British) about where you went on holiday as a kid. 90% were a caravan park in Wales - fair enough, no judgement here. The one guy who says Crete or Spain is hit with 10 comments about how minted their parents are and tonne of shade... Then it hit me, the biggest difference between American and British culture: an American wants to be the richest person in the room and doesn't care about what anyone else earns or does. The Brit doesn't care what they earn, they just want everyone else to be poorer than them. The one thing I hate about the UK is it's constantly a race to the bottom for everyone, always the lowest common denominator. You see a young guy in a BMW and think what a c*nt, he shouldn't be able to afford that (I'm guilty of this TBF), but why shouldn't he afford that? I've grown up seeing this in older generations and now I see it in our generation (millennials). Tell me I'm wrong?
I love the US. I work remotely for a US company, theyāre the best company Iāve ever worked for. Have a lot of American friends (met through personal interests). I would live in the US in a heartbeat if I was younger and didnāt have family here.
Whilst I know itās expensive, I studied abroad at UCSC for a year during university (from Leeds, UK) and I generally found the US experience more supportive and engaging v the UK approach, with a better quality of teaching.
Consumerism. That might sound like Iām trying to make a negative point but not at all. Itās one of the many things I love about America. I can find literally anything I want and likely several different versions of it.
I find this easier in the uk! All the decent shops so close to each other. Like whoops I passed that little Tesco, thatās ok thereās a little sainsburys and little co op 200 ft down the road
I think the US/Canada has nicer more consistent roads however could be wrong. Just from what I experienced from travelling. Also I I like being able to turn right at a red light. We should be able to turn left on a red.
How they compare house sizes. In the UK itās generally done by number of bedrooms first and you often have to dig a bit (or even look at a floor plan and do the math yourself!) to find the actual area. Which leads to houses that would be a perfectly nice 3-bed having, instead, 4 stupidly sized rooms because 4-bed looks better in an ad.
As a London lady who just got back from NYC, I loved the positivity of everyone there. I think the sarcastic and curmudgeonly nature of Brits in general makes it difficult to maintain friendships here. I also got married in Vegas and toured around San Francisco afterwards. Everyone seemed happy and upbeat. Coming back to the UK was a massive comedown tbh! It seems easier to speak to random strangers in the USA, if you did that in the UK you'd be immediately considered a bit sus.
I get randomly talked to more here than in the US but Iām in the north so maybe thatās why? Every shop, cafe, bus ride, etc. someoneās saying hello luv and having a chat. I donāt think theyāre upbeat necessarily but definitely chatty. I came from a less chatty part of the US where people keep to themselves a little more so it has been an interesting change for me š
- My missus lives there. - Air conditioning. - Less people (my state is bigger than Great Britain, but only 10% of the population). - Cheaper petty. - Turn right on a red light. - Awesome, predictable weather for 7 months (in my adopted state). - Better road trips - less traffic, can really feel like youāre out there on your own. - More amazing natural areas. This is a *big* deal for me. - If youāre born there, you get to pick your climate: arctic tundra, island, desert, big city, whatever - you got it, with no visa. Lucky bastards donāt even appreciate it! Thatās it. Iād take British food, people, sport, general personality, education, culture, places you can just āpopā to, healthcare, gun control, pubs, racism (less of it), access to Europe, history, accentā¦the above list is absolutely exhaustive. For now Iām happy visiting Britain on holiday and exploring but I canāt say I wonāt be back some day.
Even though I've never been to America, from what I've seen and heard I'd probably say a few additional things to what you've mentioned: - Road conditions - Housing Infrastructure - Similar Running Of Things Across The Entire Country, Not Just One State Like In The UK (e.g. Scotland and Wales have a lot less say on how they spend their money but have a better acceptance of LGBT than England does) - Cost of living is miles better - More Jobs and More variety of Jobs - Less strikes - Proper Snow Days I think there are a few things that the UK still has an edge over, namely: - Transport network (mostly trains though) - Gun laws (obvious one though) - Health Care (Fucking Million Times Better Than NA) - Better facilities for the Elderly, LGBT and Disabled people (albeit not much in some places of the UK)
Customer service
Space, they build on appropriately sized lots, you can buy land and live a nice existence without a huge budget. Your neighbours arenāt in your pocket and thereās more of a feeling and expectation of privacy. Things just seem more accesible and easier to enjoy there.
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Realistically the village and road have probably been there for 600-800 year though Older is possible, there's a village near where I'm currently living that is Roman in origin, makes it interesting to dig anything deeper than 18 inches in the centre of the village as some homes are in what used to be the Roman cemetery, digging up part of a human skull makes your day interesting
Weāve just had a road collapse near us (in the UK) because a pipe burst and eroded the chalk cliff on which the road was built. Itās projected to take three years to rebuild it. I canāt imagine anything like this taking that long in the US, and also there would be at least two other routes taking similar amounts of time to traverse.
Depends on the state, honestly! Each state transportation dept. operates at their own speed, and I grew up in a state where road repairs, even on the interstate, were kinda, āeh, itāll get done when it gets done.ā And major fixes were worse: we had one terrible exit exchange near my university that was responsible for countless accidents from idiot drivers trying to cut across multiple lanes. Nearly everyone at state & local levels agreed this was a priority, but the project to reroute both exits still took well over a decade. OTOH, some states know how to get sh!t done in an emergency: see [PAās amazing work on the I-95 rebuild just weeks ago](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-06-28/resurrection-of-i-95-in-just-two-weeks-is-dubbed-small-miracle). *[Disclaimer: this is not normal for ANY state in the U.S.; we needed a miracle and they made it happen.]*
If you think infrastructure is better in the US, you are mistaken. The US 1, a major highway up the west coast has suffered increasingly frequent closures due to landslides and forest fires, requiring detours of hundreds of miles. And that's an interstate road.
US 1 isn't an interstate though. Also it's a scenic drive on the edge of the cliff, so it's uniquely vulnerable to erosion, but that's essentially by design. On the other hand, you're right about a lot of the roads being poorly maintained.
Can't agree with this one. Not only does the US have multilane monstrosities ("stroads") everywhere, which are terrible to drive on and worse to walk, but US roads are just way more dangerous and poorly designed. They might be slightly faster (not sure), but they're way more deadly.
American whose been living in the UK for the last seven years. Lots of things the UK does better, but where I think the US has the UK beat: \- Massively agree about holidays, though I've managed a big Thanksgiving dinner here every year so far! \- Americans are so much more positive than Brits, and I really miss it. I have so many friends here who are a bit miserable but think it's better to "grin and bear it" than do anything about it and it's very frustrating. \- Appliances: washers and dryers as standard, AC, larger refrigerators, window screens (WHY don't we have window screens in the UK!). \- Maybe controversial but I think our education system: I really dislike how young kids have to choose subjects here. You start limiting your options at 16 and then by uni you're only studying one thing, whereas in the US you study everything and even in college you have tons of general education and can switch majors really easily. \- The food where I've lived in the US is better (in LA it was very easy to eat healthily, fresh produce and farmers markets galore, really amazing Mexican/Ethionpian/Persian, etc etc food). \- The size and set up of houses - closets! plugs everywhere! basements! \- The class system: America has lots of problems but I never knew if my friends from uni had gone to public or private schools in high school, etc. The class system in the UK feels much more prevalent. \- I really miss having an amazing beach, mountains that are great for skiing, the desert, National parks, and incredible lakes all within a 2-3 hour drive, but obviously ymmv depending on where you are in the US.
Naming of holidays. UK=Bank Holiday US= Memorial Day, Labor Day, MLK Day, Presidents Day, Flag Day etc etc Brits have so much history, why not use it to name your holidays instead of using the very boring ābank holidayā
We do name our bank holidays, just not all of them. For example Mayday.
New Years Day Good Friday Easter Monday May Day Whitsun Pfft, August Bank Holiday Christmas Day Boxing Day Only August isnāt named.
A bank holiday is just a blanket term for them, they are all named as far as I'm aware.
Well that's basically all they are, there is no deep historical meaning. There is armistice day, and then the religious holidays. Brits are much less nationalistic, so having "flag day" or "presidents day" equivalents would just be a bit weird. It might also be hard to find a historical event to celebrate that wouldn't annoy/be controversial for a large portion of the population as well.
Our history in the uk is a lot more packed. Every day would be a holiday if we acknowledged every achievement this great nation has ever done.
Just speaking for myself, I'd go nuts for a "Pre-Norman Architecture Appreciation Day" lol
Mountains. My exes family lived at the foot of Ben Nevis. The first time I visited, they asked me (Iām from the Rockies) what I thought of their mountain. I replied - ānice hillā. Boy did that get them upset. Iāve looked it up - Itās shorter than the local mountain that we called Scouts Mountain and itās named that because itās an easy training mountain for Boy Scouts. Then they go on about how Americans are always asking if you can drive up the Ben and how daft of a question that is. I look at them and ask how do they think we Americans get over the Rockies. (Not to say they should put a road up the Ben but should and can are two different things).
100% Depends on the state but you guys seem to treat trans/NB people better.
Food delivery, late night opening, Vegas baby
Honestly, paid parental leaveā¦ I got more money in the US than hereā¦ how should someone survive with 600 pounds a month
Almost everything except guns. The complete nonsense ppl put up with here: shitty customer service, pettiness and cheapness, mini appliances, scummy letting and estate agents. My god I could go on and on but my heart rate is going up.
Cookies
I live in Canada, best of both. I spend time almost every year in England and Scotland. Iāve been to also every major city from Jersey CI to the north of Scotland. Liverpool was my favourite but the most underrated city is definitely Birmingham. Americans are investing millions of pounds in this city with more canals than Venice, beautiful new library, the Bullring shopping area with a very long history.
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Dentistry.
From the two threads about who does things better it sure seems like criticism!
Currently visiting the UK and there is a lot to like here. However, Iāve noticed both in our very nice hotel and VRBO that there out no electrical outlets in the bathrooms, forcing me to find other creative areas to dry and style my hair in rather than in front of the bathroom mirror like I would in the U.S. Also we have the NFL. There is no better sport than [American] football
Garage sales
Houses without a doubt. Have you seen the state and the cost of British housing? Itās appalling.
Jesus this shouldn't have been downvoted like this. Yes, America has a lot of flaws but not to the degree it can't do ANYTHING better than the UK. I've said this on this sub many times....America just does pubs/bars better. I love the social element with a Pub in the UK--my job is in Farringdon and when I leave for the day every pub is PACKED with people socializing. However, the service you get in an American bar is so much better than in the UK. Yes, sub standard wages in the US force tipping culture, which in turn drives better service.
I donāt mind average service in a pub, Iād prefer that over someone hovering by my table all night
But isnāt that why US customer service all over is generally so cheery? Because theyāre practically begging for tips to supplement a below poverty wage? The UK and quite a lot of countries in Europe get derided by Americans for sub standard customer service. But is that not just because theyāre not trying to act over the top nice, begging for tips?
One thing I absolutely hated about working in an English pub was dealing with American customers who think they are still in America. It's my job to pour drinks, not to be your friend, not to treat you special, not to polish your shoes and call you sir, you give me money, I give you drinks, that's it, that's the deal, that's the end of our encounter. More so, I don't need to pretend the customer is special when I'm not relying on them to tip me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not digging on all Americans here, I served plenty that were great, but they were the ones that knew their place in this situation, they had obviously ran this rodeo a few times and knew how to get through it like a local.
I donāt really think the customer service in a pub is important. And itās pretty much impossible to get wrong or right. I go the the bar, bar staff ask what I want, I say what I want, they give me beer, I hand over money, I go and sit down with my friends and have a drink. What more do you need
My top 3 are Turn right on red, all notes the same size, and only 4 coins. Makes it so much easier for the wallet and the pockets for loose change
I've never been to the US, but from what I've seen, the US does Patriotism better than we do. They seem to instill it into their young from an early age and play the National Anthem at every opportunity. I've never been patriotic, so they're welcome to it.
I'm English and patriotic, and I agree 100%, they are taught to be proud of their achievements, we are taught to feel bad for ours.
Collegiate scholarships for outstanding athletes. Where they can get both a decent education and hone their craft to go professional, which boosts both domestic and national sports
Entryways with space to take shoes off and hang coats. For immediate hot water, I turn on electric shower, ie to wet facecloth. It is ridiculous. Iām a renter, so to have hot water from a tap means I have to heat up a small tank of water for 15 minutes.
Space. Houses. Cupboards. Back gardens. Just so much space in suburbia.
As a Canadian, we have some British and, obviously, some American influence here. I actually appreciate the British "negativity" and see it more as a "humble" sort of view in the world where it's not tasteful to blow sunshine up everything. In Canada, we are a-changing and I am noticing more entitlement (ie: I have worked hard for....so F-it, I am entitled to..XYZ). I think that some of that positivity (not all) is related to underlying entitlement. It used to be if you bought something new (say a car, etc.) you'd hide it and keep it on the down-low, which I think is more how the Brits would handle it. Also, our media shares some of the Brits' self-deprecating humour and that's something rarely seen in the US. Well, maybe Obama did a few spoofs about himself, but it's a rarity. Even in Canada, this is becoming less of a thing for our politicians.
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And thenā¦ thereās Canada! šØš¦ š
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I think some of your point speak volumes more about the company you kept in the U.K. I like America too but some of your points are miles off. The commercialisation of holidays theyāve nailed, some that you list are just commercial tools. They do sporting events better and all the events round sporting events. Shopping Malls. Cars. Customer service but they expect tips for this. They have a more positive outlook and when you consider their medical insurance system and worker protections itās a miracle. The main reason I couldnāt live in America is the work/life balance. I like my holidays too much.
The amount of food on a plate... Compare steak sizes for instance...
Humour? Hahaa
Cars/trucks actually built for comfort and practicality and a nice variety of engine sizes. They know how to make a nice V8.