The concept of the TV Licence goes back to the first day's of radio. It was a private venture, and the BBC made its money through the sale of Wireless sets. When the BBC was nationalised it became the licence fee, which later became the TV licence.
Rule of thumb in Europe - you get paid less for less spending power, eg smaller flats, meal portions, space, privacy, spending options, convenience culture etc but you get back in return more leisure time, health, healthcare, public transport, services, social support, social mix, culture, arts, entertainment, history etc. Free museums, good food, fashions etc. So make the most of the latter, otherwise you'll effectively lose out. However, avoid the tradition of class divide, especially in the UK - what used to be very forefront in our history but now quite underhand. As a foreigner you'll thankfully dodge that aspect, often judged on the strength and source of one's UK accent and occupying entirely different social cultures. Also -and this is hard to admit - a North American accent, whethe US or Canadian - makes you an automatic celeb in the eyes of many, who'll try hard to cover up that their smitten. Despite all the garish problems Stateside, unavoidably we were all brought up on North American media. Canada's oft seen as a version of the US but with Euro-style, progressive society -best of both worlds.
Yes, the pay-to-spend ratio takes a bit of adjusting, but so far we've been able to fit in a couple of trips here and there while figuring out what we can do for free and the best spots to eat that don't break the bank. The amount of culture and entertainment means we never run out of things to do, which is ideal! Definitely taking advantage of that. Thank you for sharing some of your insights! Interesting read :)
When I bought my first flat I purchased a king size bed, mattress and bedding from a certain Swedish furniture store. A few years later I bought new sheets from a local outlet and was surprised to find they were too small, apparently Swedish bed sizes are slightly different from UK ones too. Fast forward a few years and I decide to buy a new mattress. I can't be bothered to get one from said Swedish store so I buy one in a local shop. Consequently my mattress is now 3-4 inches smaller than my bed frame but at least my sheets now fit properly. On my last visit to the Swedish store to stock up on Elk sausages and Meatballs I found out they now offer all their beds in UK and Swedish sizes.
What a confusing state of affairs LOL! We thought about buying a new bed frame to fit our UK King sized mattress from a certain Swedish store... in the end we have our mattress on a double frame. Hangs off the edges by a minimal amount, but it works! #renting
Great video Michelle. The 'toilet' reference made me laugh. As a keen runner and cyclist, I think the need for a lot of walking in London is a positive thing and had many health benefits. I am a car lover too especially sports cars but would hate to have to rely on cars all the time like in parts of the US where it's impossible to walk anywhere in some places.
Toilet joke for the win 😂 Eric shares your love of cars… we don’t miss the faff of car ownership, but it’s really nice to get out on an open stretch of road for a drive! Couldn’t imagine owning one here!
Seems weird that you go to the toilet to have a rest. Makes a lot more sense to have a rest perhaps in your bedroom where you can lie down on a bed or at least a living room where you can sit on a sofa. And bathroom? How many times has there actually been a bath there?
English in other countries have their own way of saying things and it’s often logical if you know why. For example in India, English speaking Indians will say “let’s go to the hotel” and mean “. Let’s go to the restaurant”. As they say ‘when in Rome do as the Romans do’.
The TV license is not for "turning on" or generally watching TV. It is required only if one watches live broadcasts or BBC iplayer. It goes back to the days when the BBC was the only broadcaster and needed to be funded. There used to be a radio license too! Actually you are from America, you are North American.
This is an interesting point you bring up. We were told (not by any authority, however) that even to watch Netflix, or another streaming service on a television we would need a TV license - do you know if this is true? ''American'' in North America specifically & commonly refers to our neighbours to the south. North American - proudly, YES!
Bathroom doesn’t make sense if you’re not going to take a bath. 😁 You can buy “proper” King sized beds but as you say it will depend, obviously, on how much space you have. I’ve used one for years but I live just outside Greater London and don’t have a space problem. If you live outside a major city you will need a car for sure. In the central area, forget it.
All of the truths! I can't believe I'm saying this... but now, I completely get it... if you're not taking a bath, why say I'm going to the bathroom? LOL Are my Canadian ways changing?!
@@ACanadianAbroadMichelle well done you're Defo getting to be a Anglophile 😅 Measure the beds and mattress because some makes can differ even if it's only a tad Bedding wise buy the mattress covers the same but when buying the duvet and the duvet cover go one size above , ie double = king-size ( it saves all the " you have my bedding " etc etc etc ) 😂😂
Thanks for a lovely informative blog.😊 you seem to be at easy in front of the camera. in a passed life..... have you had some training in the media or just a natural at it....Ha-ha.
Thank you Lee! This is a (recently) acquired skill I can assure you! I seem to feel more comfortable with each episode - but there are still some days I find it to be a bit of a struggle. Glad you enjoyed the episode!
I apologise for our inability to detect the Canadian accent: the difference between your voice and the 'general' American accent is... subtle to our ears. Try saying 'eh' more and make reference to poutine on a regular basis. Some of us will get it. I have come across beds in the UK called a 'Queen' size. It's not consistent though.
Toilet means toilet. ToiletS means the public restroom. Try and think of it like the wonderful French, that makes swearing sound like a type of flower - eg eau de toilette
What would you add to the list of London culture shocks? Have some insight into why things are the way that they are in London and UK - share below!
The concept of the TV Licence goes back to the first day's of radio. It was a private venture, and the BBC made its money through the sale of Wireless sets. When the BBC was nationalised it became the licence fee, which later became the TV licence.
Thank you for sharing this!
Rule of thumb in Europe - you get paid less for less spending power, eg smaller flats, meal portions, space, privacy, spending options, convenience culture etc but you get back in return more leisure time, health, healthcare, public transport, services, social support, social mix, culture, arts, entertainment, history etc. Free museums, good food, fashions etc. So make the most of the latter, otherwise you'll effectively lose out. However, avoid the tradition of class divide, especially in the UK - what used to be very forefront in our history but now quite underhand. As a foreigner you'll thankfully dodge that aspect, often judged on the strength and source of one's UK accent and occupying entirely different social cultures. Also -and this is hard to admit - a North American accent, whethe US or Canadian - makes you an automatic celeb in the eyes of many, who'll try hard to cover up that their smitten. Despite all the garish problems Stateside, unavoidably we were all brought up on North American media. Canada's oft seen as a version of the US but with Euro-style, progressive society -best of both worlds.
Yes, the pay-to-spend ratio takes a bit of adjusting, but so far we've been able to fit in a couple of trips here and there while figuring out what we can do for free and the best spots to eat that don't break the bank. The amount of culture and entertainment means we never run out of things to do, which is ideal! Definitely taking advantage of that. Thank you for sharing some of your insights! Interesting read :)
When I bought my first flat I purchased a king size bed, mattress and bedding from a certain Swedish furniture store. A few years later I bought new sheets from a local outlet and was surprised to find they were too small, apparently Swedish bed sizes are slightly different from UK ones too. Fast forward a few years and I decide to buy a new mattress. I can't be bothered to get one from said Swedish store so I buy one in a local shop. Consequently my mattress is now 3-4 inches smaller than my bed frame but at least my sheets now fit properly. On my last visit to the Swedish store to stock up on Elk sausages and Meatballs I found out they now offer all their beds in UK and Swedish sizes.
What a confusing state of affairs LOL! We thought about buying a new bed frame to fit our UK King sized mattress from a certain Swedish store... in the end we have our mattress on a double frame. Hangs off the edges by a minimal amount, but it works! #renting
Great video - from a Londoner!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
@@ACanadianAbroadMichelle I like the accent (doesn’t naturally sound Canadian to be honest) and the vids always look fresh and nice graphics too!
If you are now n Ealing, I hope you are taking advantage of Southall. Fantastic food and a great place to walk.
TBH I've been to Southall only once! I need to spend some more time venturing west!
@@ACanadianAbroadMichelle Hounslow has some good food too!
Great video Michelle. The 'toilet' reference made me laugh. As a keen runner and cyclist, I think the need for a lot of walking in London is a positive thing and had many health benefits. I am a car lover too especially sports cars but would hate to have to rely on cars all the time like in parts of the US where it's impossible to walk anywhere in some places.
Toilet joke for the win 😂 Eric shares your love of cars… we don’t miss the faff of car ownership, but it’s really nice to get out on an open stretch of road for a drive! Couldn’t imagine owning one here!
Seems weird that you go to the toilet to have a rest. Makes a lot more sense to have a rest perhaps in your bedroom where you can lie down on a bed or at least a living room where you can sit on a sofa.
And bathroom? How many times has there actually been a bath there?
I LOVE this! Logical. I readily say toilet now without even thinking about it 😂
English in other countries have their own way of saying things and it’s often logical if you know why. For example in India, English speaking Indians will say “let’s go to the hotel” and mean “. Let’s go to the restaurant”. As they say ‘when in Rome do as the Romans do’.
The TV license is not for "turning on" or generally watching TV. It is required only if one watches live broadcasts or BBC iplayer. It goes back to the days when the BBC was the only broadcaster and needed to be funded. There used to be a radio license too! Actually you are from America, you are North American.
This is an interesting point you bring up. We were told (not by any authority, however) that even to watch Netflix, or another streaming service on a television we would need a TV license - do you know if this is true? ''American'' in North America specifically & commonly refers to our neighbours to the south. North American - proudly, YES!
Bathroom doesn’t make sense if you’re not going to take a bath. 😁 You can buy “proper” King sized beds but as you say it will depend, obviously, on how much space you have. I’ve used one for years but I live just outside Greater London and don’t have a space problem. If you live outside a major city you will need a car for sure. In the central area, forget it.
All of the truths! I can't believe I'm saying this... but now, I completely get it... if you're not taking a bath, why say I'm going to the bathroom? LOL Are my Canadian ways changing?!
@@ACanadianAbroadMichelle well done you're Defo getting to be a Anglophile 😅
Measure the beds and mattress because some makes can differ even if it's only a tad
Bedding wise buy the mattress covers the same but when buying the duvet and the duvet cover go one size above , ie double = king-size ( it saves all the " you have my bedding " etc etc etc ) 😂😂
Thanks for a lovely informative blog.😊
you seem to be at easy in front of the camera.
in a passed life..... have you had some training in the media or just a natural at it....Ha-ha.
Thank you Lee! This is a (recently) acquired skill I can assure you! I seem to feel more comfortable with each episode - but there are still some days I find it to be a bit of a struggle. Glad you enjoyed the episode!
Ah but “toilet” is also a euphemism. It actually means to wash etc.
... MIND BLOWN!
@@ACanadianAbroadMichelle The ball cock was invented by the Venerable Thomas Crapper. Say no more.
I apologise for our inability to detect the Canadian accent: the difference between your voice and the 'general' American accent is... subtle to our ears.
Try saying 'eh' more and make reference to poutine on a regular basis. Some of us will get it.
I have come across beds in the UK called a 'Queen' size. It's not consistent though.
Hey John! Thank you for the laugh; I'll try to remember to throw in more Canadian-isms in my daily vocabulary.
How many "rest rooms" have a bath in? - none I would hazard. Toilet is at least appropriate!
Agreed. Even when I’m in Canada, I now say toilet - it just makes more sense lol
Toilet means toilet. ToiletS means the public restroom. Try and think of it like the wonderful French, that makes swearing sound like a type of flower - eg eau de toilette
😂 Love this explanation! Got it - toiletS
English accents are uk accents.
I doubt the Welsh and Scots would agree!
I suppose calling it the toilet is a bit more ladylike than the other all to common name ... the BOG!! Haha!!
I don’t know how I haven’t come across BOG yet! 😂
Think English weather?
It’s not so bad 😊
Favourite season?
Toilet? You mean bog? Or if u want to be polite I say I’m going to visit an old friend!
BOG!? Gosh I don’t think I’ll be trying that one out haha! I’ll be listening out for that one for sure 😂
@@ACanadianAbroadMichelle dragging me down with you - and then there’s always ‘the Lav’ to fall back on!!