Living in the USA Vs UK

originally posted by: Glassbender777
I haved lived in both the UK and the US. Really there are a lot of things different, but a lot are the same. The ease of movement in the UK is so much better, Trains, Buses, etc.... Here in the US, it is not as easy to get to from place to place and a lot of that has to do with how vast the region of the US is. As far as Guns go, I have always had guns, well not in the UK, but here in the US and to be able to throw your shotgun or rifle in the back of the truck, drive a little bit, and be away from everyone, and one with nature, is so rewarding I wouldnt trade that for anything. I love the UK and the heritage, but something always draws me back to the US. Just the freedom that you feel over here, you have the ability to just take off, and if you don't want to be found or just want to get away from people, it can be done with ease.

Well said Glass!

People either get it or they don't. The USA is a world apart from the UK. People will wake up one day or not at all.
The issue Americans have with UK folks in general is they try and proclaim that their very liberalism, their very lack OF rights is a source of empowerment! That was from what Americans told me personally when I first arrived.

Even on the work crews we would have two factions. The ones who liked Americans and those who didn't. You can probably guess which one I gravitated to.

Yeah the UK heritage is a fine thing. Even for a few of the gomps on this thread! LOL
Yet you know, if someone was to spirit them away to the US for a month, totally immerse them in the culture and the lifestyle I think there'd be a few converts.

You know another thing? Nearly all Brits who never touched a gun, tended to be scared of them even, soon changed their minds over guns when they got on the range!

That's the sign of someone being woken up from the clouds of media brainwashing.

originally posted by: WatchRider

originally posted by: MrConspiracy
One thing the UK has that the US doesn't is GOOD history and heritage.

My aunt used to own a big manor house that had rooms/sections dating back to 12/1300's - That feeling of being in a part of OLD British history is amazing.

The British countryside and landscape is actually beautiful. There's so much untouched landscape that calling the country Urban is a bit misleading. We have built up areas and old villages surrounded by acres upon acres of untouched landscape. It's really about exploring the country rather than looking at just London (Like many outsiders do)

The US as we know it today is still a young country. Big... Powerful... But young. It hasn't got the deep routed history the UK does. It doesn't have the prestige Britain has developed over thousands of years. I'm extremely proud to be from a country of such historical importance.

Freedom - We have just as much as the US i'd say. And it's much easier to hop over and live in other countries in the EU! Hahaha

The bad :

We'ere a smaller country - of course. And we're horrendously expensive to live in. We are also losing our Identity slowly but surely. We've allowed too many immigrants in, allowed too many other cultures and faiths (mainly Muslims) to dictate the country's faith. Multiculturalism hasn't worked - it's that simple. (Before anyone goes up in arms - I'm far from Racist and have many friends of varying cultures) I'm just concerned about this countries roots being forgotten so not to offend "others" - Disgusting. I think we DO care too much about other people rather than caring for our own.

I hope one day Britain remembers what we once were and we go back to our roots. Stop letting other cultures replace our own. Live amongst? Sure! I'm all for it! If they want to live here they MUST respect who we are and what we (used to) stand for. It's not a matter of offending anyone - It's a matter of maintaining out country and culture.

Worthy words, worthy of a wordy response...

The UK has a rigid class-system, the USA does not. In fact in the USA the middle-class paradigm was, until recently, the rule rather than the exception. You have low-middle and upper-middle-class. People tend to own their own land (reinforces a status of being a land-owner not a tenant).

In the UK most are lucky if they own their own house and an allotment to grow some veg. The rest tend to wealthy. The few middle-class folks are being dwarfed by the income-divide.

Unless you speak fluent German, French etc just hoping over to the EU countries is a bit like stepping sideways. The same issues that assail the UK are trending on the mainland. If anything the UK should have forged links with the USA and Scandinavia more than France and Germany etc.
Fuel in the UK is NOT subsidized nor given tax-relief (unlike the USA). It is sold on the common market (thanks for that Thatcher). Norway for example had a savings account they put a percentage of their oil revenues into.
Also, try working overseas in the EU, it's near-impossible unless you speak the local tongue. British people, like many USA folks don't learn foreign languages easily. It's not in our psyche like the French or Germans, or Scandis etc.

The UK, unless a seismic shift in politics occurs will keep on trending towards mediocrity and non-European culturement. That's a fact now. There is no such thing as integration, it doesn't work. The USA have realized that now since the symbolic moves of 1965.

The USA is not much better on culturement BUT will Balkanize instead and harden depending on your location there.
Also, a foreigner enjoys more tolerance in the UK than an ancestral native. In fact they are actually a protected minority compared to Britons.

To put it bluntly the Britons are suck in a trap. If they go quietly into the night they fade away from history. If they make a big noise via going back to their roots they get yelled at for being nationalist and heretics to the church of multiculturalism.

In the USA this doesn't fly. I've had Americans tell me point blank they left their home state because of the multicultural death cult. Brits don't have that luxury, they have nowhere to run to.

You make a lot of valid points. The UK has a lot of problems - Living here it's hard to miss them.

However... We own our own house. We have no mortgage and have a garden in which (if we chose to) could grow vegetables. We live 10-15 minutes away from the city. I think people have a misguided view on what the UK is like. Have you ever visited? Away from the cities/London? Look at NYC, Chicago etc. They are HUGE cities where, if a visitor from abroad came, they would believe the same as what you stated about the UK - No gardens, not owning a house etc etc. You need to look OUTSIDE of what you know as the UK - It's not just London haha.

Oil (although prices fallen recently) is ridiculous. As is food. I never stated the UK wasn't a tough place to live. It's fantasy island - where you pay more for the same as, let's say, the US. We're an expensive place to live.

Governments are corrupt and ignorant the world over - Our government is no different. We won't see a change unless we revolt - And lets face it... "Don't make a scene, we're British" .... But regardless of what happens I think it's misguided to say that the UK will fade out of History. the UK is the US's heritage. It's empire's influence still shows to this day. We are basically the home of the modern world - Nobody can forget that.

To an extent we've lost who we once were. However there are areas in the UK where you can go and forget how over run with different cultures and how lost this country is in some ways. It's those areas that prove the UK is still a beautiful land. We're not just an island full of build up cities - Remember our green and pleasant lands - They still exist!

PS - I don't want a gun. What do you use yours for?

a reply to: WatchRider

At least we can cross the street wherever we want lol.
So free aren't you lol.

originally posted by: boymonkey74
a reply to: WatchRider

At least we can cross the street wherever we want lol.
So free aren't you lol.

Wow! Where do you think I live in the USA Monkey? The Bronx? Cromptom? Dearborn? Brooklyn? Ferguson? NOPE!

I live in the Mid-West, Rockies and North West of the USA. I can tell you for nothing I can cross the road just fine and the police near me are elected not paid city-workers.

a reply to: WatchRider

Then just accept the places are different.
We don't want nor need guns, we have as many freedoms as you and at the end of the day different cultures.
Stop attempting to bait others on ats please.
Also stop calling charlie a troll becuase you didn't like his post and or couldn't answer it.

Here's a video from a typically uncouth American with some swear words

originally posted by: MrConspiracy

originally posted by: WatchRider

originally posted by: MrConspiracy
One thing the UK has that the US doesn't is GOOD history and heritage.

My aunt used to own a big manor house that had rooms/sections dating back to 12/1300's - That feeling of being in a part of OLD British history is amazing.

The British countryside and landscape is actually beautiful. There's so much untouched landscape that calling the country Urban is a bit misleading. We have built up areas and old villages surrounded by acres upon acres of untouched landscape. It's really about exploring the country rather than looking at just London (Like many outsiders do)

The US as we know it today is still a young country. Big... Powerful... But young. It hasn't got the deep routed history the UK does. It doesn't have the prestige Britain has developed over thousands of years. I'm extremely proud to be from a country of such historical importance.

Freedom - We have just as much as the US i'd say. And it's much easier to hop over and live in other countries in the EU! Hahaha

The bad :

We'ere a smaller country - of course. And we're horrendously expensive to live in. We are also losing our Identity slowly but surely. We've allowed too many immigrants in, allowed too many other cultures and faiths (mainly Muslims) to dictate the country's faith. Multiculturalism hasn't worked - it's that simple. (Before anyone goes up in arms - I'm far from Racist and have many friends of varying cultures) I'm just concerned about this countries roots being forgotten so not to offend "others" - Disgusting. I think we DO care too much about other people rather than caring for our own.

I hope one day Britain remembers what we once were and we go back to our roots. Stop letting other cultures replace our own. Live amongst? Sure! I'm all for it! If they want to live here they MUST respect who we are and what we (used to) stand for. It's not a matter of offending anyone - It's a matter of maintaining out country and culture.

Worthy words, worthy of a wordy response...

The UK has a rigid class-system, the USA does not. In fact in the USA the middle-class paradigm was, until recently, the rule rather than the exception. You have low-middle and upper-middle-class. People tend to own their own land (reinforces a status of being a land-owner not a tenant).

In the UK most are lucky if they own their own house and an allotment to grow some veg. The rest tend to wealthy. The few middle-class folks are being dwarfed by the income-divide.

Unless you speak fluent German, French etc just hoping over to the EU countries is a bit like stepping sideways. The same issues that assail the UK are trending on the mainland. If anything the UK should have forged links with the USA and Scandinavia more than France and Germany etc.
Fuel in the UK is NOT subsidized nor given tax-relief (unlike the USA). It is sold on the common market (thanks for that Thatcher). Norway for example had a savings account they put a percentage of their oil revenues into.
Also, try working overseas in the EU, it's near-impossible unless you speak the local tongue. British people, like many USA folks don't learn foreign languages easily. It's not in our psyche like the French or Germans, or Scandis etc.

The UK, unless a seismic shift in politics occurs will keep on trending towards mediocrity and non-European culturement. That's a fact now. There is no such thing as integration, it doesn't work. The USA have realized that now since the symbolic moves of 1965.

The USA is not much better on culturement BUT will Balkanize instead and harden depending on your location there.
Also, a foreigner enjoys more tolerance in the UK than an ancestral native. In fact they are actually a protected minority compared to Britons.

To put it bluntly the Britons are suck in a trap. If they go quietly into the night they fade away from history. If they make a big noise via going back to their roots they get yelled at for being nationalist and heretics to the church of multiculturalism.

In the USA this doesn't fly. I've had Americans tell me point blank they left their home state because of the multicultural death cult. Brits don't have that luxury, they have nowhere to run to.

You make a lot of valid points. The UK has a lot of problems - Living here it's hard to miss them.

However... We own our own house. We have no mortgage and have a garden in which (if we chose to) could grow vegetables. We live 10-15 minutes away from the city. I think people have a misguided view on what the UK is like. Have you ever visited? Away from the cities/London? Look at NYC, Chicago etc. They are HUGE cities where, if a visitor from abroad came, they would believe the same as what you stated about the UK - No gardens, not owning a house etc etc. You need to look OUTSIDE of what you know as the UK - It's not just London haha.

Mr C, I actually was raised and born in the UK. I've lived in most cities, even the Scottish ones. I make the comparison of the urban-centric stance as that is what largely defines the UK nowadays now unfortunately. We haven't been an agricultural / pastoral society since pre 1900)

Oil (although prices fallen recently) is ridiculous. As is food. I never stated the UK wasn't a tough place to live. It's fantasy island - where you pay more for the same as, let's say, the US. We're an expensive place to live.

i agree. I was paying $3.50 six months ago. Now it's about $2.00 a gallon.

Governments are corrupt and ignorant the world over - Our government is no different. We won't see a change unless we revolt - And lets face it... "Don't make a scene, we're British"

.... But regardless of what happens I think it's misguided to say that the UK will fade out of History. the UK is the US's heritage. It's empire's influence still shows to this day. We are basically the home of the modern world - Nobody can forget that.

It's not a question of forgetting, it's a fact of being submerged in another societies culture. Just look at ancient Egypt, Greece etc. Much, much different and changed since then due to invasions, foreign population moving in, locals moving out etc.

To an extent we've lost who we once were. However there are areas in the UK where you can go and forget how over run with different cultures and how lost this country is in some ways. It's those areas that prove the UK is still a beautiful land. We're not just an island full of build up cities - Remember our green and pleasant lands - They still exist!

Well yeah that's true to a point, but those cities soon fill up and spill over into the lush and pleasant lands...

PS - I don't want a gun. What do you use yours for?

Here's why:

a reply to: WatchRider

If you knew anything about Britain, or what it means to be British, you would know that we look after our own. Do not question CharlieSpears loyalty to, or citizenry of these isles. He's one of us, one of ours, and gets the same respect as the rest of us.

DOUBLE POST ...

STOP !!!

Get on topic or there will be post bans to follow.

Fellow ATSers are NOT the topic.

Well, to loosely quote that saying attributed to Oscar Wilde, “England and America are divided by a common language”.

I am English and have had the opportunity to spend time in the US, and my brother currently lives there.

Living in the US is very different from the UK and the differences range from pub/bar etiquette right through to how people drive (badly in America), and a lack of decent chocolate and Indian food in America. However, a little anecdote that perhaps hints at the cultural difference.

My brother met a black American work colleague in Birmingham UK, I think, at some work conference. His work colleague was astonished by the way he was treated as “an equal” revealing a sorry truth that in the US there remains a divide between different racial groups. Not saying the UK is perfect, but…

Also, Britons whining about the NHS is habitual and most Britons have not experienced other countries healthcare, notably the US. Brits don’t know how good we have got some things.

Regards

a reply to: TrueBrit
Your views are both admirable and shows you to be dangerous.

My quick rebuttal would be '.338' or perhaps 'claymore' (modern version). The equation is flat out different in an environment with 300 million weapons in civilian control. 23 million vets. Little old ladies with wad-cutters taking out would-be robbers in convenience stores-a much more common occurrence than both our medias acknowledge- a different strategy is required.

One may look forward to regaling peers in the halls of Valhalla, I prefer a coffee and cigarette admiring the sunrise the following day.....

Bless the difference between the two nations!

Bless the honest assessment of flaws in both. Bless the friendly banter that allows both sides to be entertained by these discussions.

Bless both nations.

Let's see.......

Here in the US, I can go see the Grand Canyon.......Various places in Washington D.C.......climb the Rockies.....visit the Painted Desert......Hoover Dam......and more places than I can list here.

Y'all in the UK would have to come here for that.

However, if I want to see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the London Bridge, travel up to Scotland where a LOT of my family roots are from.....I can't do that here in the US, I'll have to come visit the UK.

Both places have rich history, amazing sites, and all sorts of different cultures to experience.

Is one place better to live in than another?

Heck, I've lived all around the world, literally, and I can tell you I loved each place. Each has it's differences.

Whether or not anyone feels that one place is better than another is really nonsense in my opinion, simply because every place on the Earth is different from somewhere else.

You may like that different place, or you may not. A different place may have a different standard of living, one YOU may not be used to, but those that live there may be used to it, and to them it is just fine.

I lived in Italy for 4 years and felt right at home.

Trying to say one place is better than another is really a subjective opinion when you think about it.

Instead of trying to prove one place is better than another, why not instead learn about the other place? Share in culture, history, way of life and just generally try to be polite and nice about how others live where they do?

The temples I saw in Bangkok floored, amazed and put me in awe. The food and places I saw in South Korea were amazing. The Roman ruins I explored in Italy gave me a huge sense of what ancient is. The majestic view from Brenner's Pass up in Austria still is burned into my memory.

Learning how to say "Thank you", "Please", etc in other people's language was humbling.

And here at home, there are some amazing places, people and ways of life that are so different that it can be like traveling to another country.

Instead of practicing "one up manship" y'all should be instead sharing things, asking questions, complimenting each other.

But keep going on and trying to fruitlessly "prove" that one places is better than another.

Because in reality? That's nonsense. Every place is different. Every place has a different culture and way of life. Different governments, and different ways of just living.

Deleted : REPLY was posted as comment. Sorry!

a reply to: TrueBrit

We don't look after our own. That's the one biggest setback us Brits have. We've let every other culture take over and let foreigners come over, take our jobs and send their wages back home.

Here's a prime example. I went to the Job Centre once. Sat and waited for a meeting regarding a graduate internship scheme. As I waited (for longer than I anticipated) I saw a man who was well dressed (I'm guessing he had been made redundant recently) come to sign on for Job Seekers Allowance. He sat and went through all the jobs he'd applied for and went through the ringer (must have been there 20+ minutes) before being allowed to actually sign for his JSA. At the same time (ish) a man came to sign on also. He was from another country and could not speak a word (and I mean not a WORD) of English. The person he was dealing with rang up a translator and within 5 minutes I saw him sign on and walk away.

A man who couldn't speak English was allowed JSA with much more ease than a well dressed, english speaking man who had applied for numerous jobs from what I heard.

I'm a Brit so I feel I can say this. We don't look after our own as much as we should. Just so we don't offend anyone who isn't "us"

a reply to: MrConspiracy

That's not what I mean.

I mean, at street level, between any two of us that have the slightest thing alike in life, even down no matter what creed we may be, at the thin end of the wedge, in real life, person to person, we look after one another.

The problem is that no matter who gets into government around here, they never enact policies that reflect the moral and ethical beliefs, such as that golden principle, of the whole mass of the people, when they come to legislate. I am not going to try and deny that the UK has its troubles, but the reality is that WE the REAL people of Britain,no matter what they believe, no matter where they might issue from, DO look after one another.