Thread: Things the average American takes for granted- but you can't in England

Originally Posted by smitty

same in local/county/national government for us.plus better pensions than in private sector.

The benefits are better but the pay isn't. That is why my hubby is a federal employee. Great benefits.

i'm self employed... i'd rather have the cash!!!!

Self employed is good if you can manage it. Here it seems the government makes it hard for people to be self employed and not pay taxes through the wazoo.

Do any of you find the language in the UK streets is shocking? When we travel in the US it is very refreshing to experience once more the friendliness and politeness of shop staff etc and horrid to return to the UK and have curse words reverberating in the air (on public transport, in the streets, in the shops, on the tv and radio, from children, just everywhere).

We have just returned from a Caribbean cruise on the Oceana and were amused to see Americans flocking to the KFC, Subway, McDonald's etc on the various islands. Mind you, I don't frequent such establishments and the only thing I have ever eaten in a McDonalds is the whippy icecream, so who am I to judge?

When I travel I like to eat native foods to the area.

Are you saying that there are more people on your side of the pond that curse? Or maybe you don't recognize all of our cursewords. Actually, I have found most people here will try not to curse in front of a lady.

Originally Posted by Mystery Gal

When I travel I like to eat native foods to the area.

Are you saying that there are more people on your side of the pond that curse? Or maybe you don't recognize all of our cursewords. Actually, I have found most people here will try not to curse in front of a lady.

most americans are much more polite in public. in private?????

Originally Posted by smitty

most americans are much more polite in public. in private?????

Yes, I too like to try the native food. Except in the States the portions are too large for me!

And yes, I am saying that in public more Brits use more cuss words than the American in public. We have relatives in America, I know how many cuss words they use at home! Which are actually fewer than their UK cousins. But I don't hear the same number of curses on American tv as we get on British screens. It's just that everytime we return home our spirits drop as we get bombarded with the f-word from all sides. When I was a child (I am in my sixties) I rarely heard swear words, and never even heard the f-word (am I allowed to call it that?) until I was eighteen! Now toddlers use them. Out of the mouths of babes...

Also my American grandchildren are taught to say please and thank you and you're welcome, whereas my British grandchildren seem to struggle with the concept of politeness.

We don't curse much at home or away from home. Okay if I get hurt I may say something not so nice. Also, I have found that people that live in the New England area curse more then the ones in the western states. Also, here in New England there are a lot more people that smoke and party a lot. In the western states they tend to be more health oriented on a whole. They drink but not every weekend all weekend like they do here. People tend to use the f word here in New England more then in other parts of the country too.

Do you find that in areas around there? Are they different in the cities then the country?

And remember that American broadcast TV is still regulated by the FCC and the stations can (and do!) get fined for too much profanity. Now if you go to cable channels you will hear a lot of cussing (especially on Southpark, if that is your thing)

Nicegal, "Whippy"? Never heard that word before! How are you using it?

Originally Posted by nealberk

And remember that American broadcast TV is still regulated by the FCC and the stations can (and do!) get fined for too much profanity. Now if you go to cable channels you will hear a lot of cussing (especially on Southpark, if that is your thing)

Nicegal, "Whippy"? Never heard that word before! How are you using it?

Neal I am guessing she means the soft serve ice cream.