John Lewis is UNDOUBTABLY some of the best customer service I’ve ever had, went in there (almost a decade ago now) with my parents looking for a sewing machine for my 16th birthday. Neither my parents nor I had any clue which one was most suited to my GCSE textiles needs. The lady who was working that department was on break, and nobody else knew enough to help us. And instead of a “oh come back in an hour” or some sales pitch from someone less knowledgeable we got a “sorry for the wait, here’s a free voucher for you all to have tea and cakes in the cafe” My parents ended up spending less than £100 on the sewing machine, they didn’t try to upsell us. Just good advice from great staff. And as a kid whose family didn’t have a tonne of money, and didn’t normally get treated to cake while out and about, the whole experience was a HUGE treat for me. LOVE John Lewis
Late comment on the monarchy: I think it is good to have a head of state that is NOT political. We have been extremely fortunate with our current Queen. Even at age 95 she still works hard for the country. The monarchy is not a burden on the economy. It is to a significant extent self-financing, AND brings in a lot of money via tourists. Most Brits have a high regard for the Queen, although no longer as deferential as the Victorians were.
It is very sobering for the Prime Minister to have a weekly meeting with the Queen. She has met heads of state of many countries, over many decades: Prime Ministers are comparatively short-lived. Prime Ministers say she does give good advice out of her experience. During WW2, Elizabeth served in the ATS (women’s army) and learned how to service and fix automobile engines…
I agree that it’s good to have a head of state who is not head of government (if nothing else, to act as referee if there are constitutional disputes). But while I respect the Queen (for instance, she was in the army in the Second World War) I think that head of state should not be hereditary. In fact I think that no jobs at all should be hereditary: everyone should be free to choose what role they adopt in life.
We should not be uncomfortable being criticised as a country, its good to have a mirror as it were, held up to us, we are not perfect no country is but we aren't that bad either. Love your content
We also shouldn't be made to feel like we are responsible for the actions of our ancestors. Like many countries, our past is full of violence. That's just what happens when a nation conqueors, and for better or worse it's why our lives are the way they are. Most countries have learned from these mistakes, but still people try to point score over who has the worst past, rather than try to change the countries that still very much live in societies rife with violence, corruption, misogony etc.
@@thedarksiderebel yes not trying to say this is all Indians because Indians are lovely people but some Indians especially on quora seem to want to bash modern day British citizens for the colonisation period and also have wished death upon us because of it
What are you talking about. We are the best in the world. At everything. America Canada Australia and New Zealand will have to fight it out for second place. Of all the people in the world there is not another group of people that have done more to lift up humanity that the Brits. God save the Queen.
@@pauljohnson1664 what he’s trying to say is that even the best countries have their flaws and so by extension no country is going to be perfect because they have flaws there are bad things that have come out of Britain like the famines in Ireland and India and stealing from India but there have also been good things Beatles and more music, science etc I will never stop being proud of what we have achieved but I will also never forgot that even a good country has its flaws
As a Brit, my favourite thing is Tea drinking. Hear me out. Doesn't matter what calamity you are facing, a quick call to mum/dad/best friend will always be met with 'come over for a cup of tea and a chat'. And then 99% of everything is solved upon the first sip, followed by your beginning of telling said loved one/best friend the full scoop. Doesn't matter if your dog died, you broke a bone, awkward relationship decision or simply feel down. This above all things, our ability to come together over a simple hot bevvy is just magical. I've lived in the US for 4 years now, and there is nothing close. And I miss having the ability to look down/sad, and have my dear old mom know and click the kettle on and say 'Cuppa tea and chat?'.
The Blitz spirit is still there, it just needs something to activate it. I cannot disagree with any you have mentioned. I have some additions. 1...There are no wild creatures here that will kill you. 2...Tax is included in the price. 3...Give Way signs, not Stop. 4...No Jaywalking fines. You can reach the coast, in any direction, within 24 hours. Bear in mind, as you are now a British citizen it gives you the right to criticise the UK. :)
@@peckelhaze6934 I think we saw a bit of that Blitz mentality during Covid. We were all in it together unlike some other countries which seemed to be divided by it.
In our street in Manchester during the first strict lockdown we organised a whole street Whatsapp group to help each other out. We organised shopping for each other, doing errands for each other, passing on information, lending each other things etc etc. It's still going strong.
Great video, thank you. I am a British expat living in Australia. I had forgotten a lot of the good things about the UK, thank you for reminding me. I feel homesick now.
One of my favorite things about the UK is the dedication to queuing up and taking it seriously!!! I've always been a strong proponent of no line cutting, in the US, but rarely do others feel the same, here. I like a good queue. 😄
its funny while driving sometimes in the uk there will be a 2 lane road towards traffic lights and everyone will que in the lane that has the most cars in it!! the only ones that will go round to the front are the ones that are in a rush and need to be somewhere yesterday..
Related to walking, the UK has rights to roam enshrined in law, with an extensive network of Public Footpaths everywhere which I personally am extremely grateful for as I make use of them as often as I can.
@@pinknylon1121 Farmers have a nasty habit of blocking rights of way in my area and the local authorities appear unable to do anything about it for reasons best known to themselves. One law for them and another for us starts a lot lower down the ladder than politicians and the wealthy.
I love our sense of the “absurdity” - we seem to have this “in built” love of all things daft and nonsensical…. Can you imagine people in other countries all thinking that BoatyMcBoatface would be a great name for a research ship and VOTING for that name? 😂 and although Boaty didn’t actually ‘win’ - one of the little support boats was given that wonderful moniker! (And calling a ship Sir David Attenborough is also a wonderful thing to do too) and that WE can laugh at OURSELVES because, well, we ARE funny!
As an aviation enthusiast who has a retired airline pilot father, BA air crew are very, very highly regarded. They are supremely well trained and professional.
Loved the shout-out for Northern Ireland here. My mum was from Derry so it has a special place in my personal memories and heart. PS Eire is the same. In fact, the whole Island of Ireland is beautiful and the people are wonderful [in my experience].
Well said. Our built environment vs that of the US is also worth a mention. It's a shame us Brits often don't recognise all the blessings you listed and tend to talk ourselves down.
Well when I lived there, I was 16 when I left Scotland to come to Australia, it was winter. Winter nights were so clear and stargazing became a big thing. The NHS, as child I had Asthma, from about 5yrs old. My parents could call a doctor in the middle of the night and he'd be there in minutes, or so it seemed. An ambulance if my attacks were bad and I required hospitalisation for two weeks. Then there was the back up services, the nurse that would call round every week and most of all family and friends. You wouldn't have run to a neighbours house in Florida at 3:00am to get help but my mother did as she needed someone to look after my brother and later my sister. I do miss the place but then I look out the window at blue skies and sunshine and 35C and it all goes away.
I am British born and bred, but equally I am a Yorkshire lass, born and bred and I am really proud of both these things. One thing that really makes me proud is that our amazingly mixed cultural population can be so patriotic, without having the flag permanently on display or putting our hands on our hearts and speaking a vow of loyalty to our flag - we are loyal to our country and people and to a non-political head of state, who, on her 21st birthday dedicated her life and duty to her people around the world, to her country and Commonwealth, for her lifetime, be it long or short - I have yet to hear any politician anywhere in the world make such a vow - and carry it out! I have only visited London for one week and it was a long time ago, a good visit - but I don't like cities! I don't know if you have been to Yorkshire but if not, you should - I think you will love it - but give yourself plenty of time because we have over 3 million acres for you to explore including over 100 miles of coastline. We have Dales and Moors, rivers and canals and wonderful historic town, villages and cities, amazing restaurants, vineyards, galleries, museums, Minsters including York - you must visit York, so much of our history has grown from there! And then there are our former industrial towns and cities that were the ground-breakers of the Industrial revolution - that provided the coal, the steel, the fabrics and fibres that were the forerunners of what we take for granted today. Then there are the people - we are caring of our own, welcoming to strangers who do not judge us and have enough different accents to make your hair curl - but if you haven't already, come and see for yourself! Tha'll be reyt! Oh, 'n if tis winter, bring tha big coit! 😊😎
@@tracywhittaker822 Oh yes - definitely the big coat! But may be anything more than a pullover or cardie - something woven not knitted! My Gran said 'the big light' meaning the main light in a room instead of a lower cost/power table lamp or desk light - she grew up with candles and oil lamps, followed by gas the electricity!😎
I LOVE YORKSHIRE...............visit annually from Oz.........the places, the varied accents, the warmth of the people, the scenery, the history ......one could go on and on......I JUST LOVE YORKSHIRE period.
I too loved the British Museum, the National Gallery, The Tate but my favourite Museum was always the V&A! You need to check their showing because they have such a huge collection that what is on show is changed regularly...I don't know if this still happens but I caught several "free" lunchtime concerts at St Martin's in the Field...Awesome!!!
As a Brit it's great that you brought to mind many things good about Britain that most of us take for granted. Your video really made me think how lucky we are to be able to travel easily to most parts of the country, and to go to so many European countries so quickly, if we can afford it that is. The history of Britain is also something many people take for granted, or don't even bother to learn about. Too bad, they miss out on so much.
I love ordering a cuppa and cucumber sandwich at Victoria station. I love aura soma. I love the takeout shops. I love fish n chips. I love hot tea with milk. I love mcvities biscuits. I love that when I looked unsure if it was considered bad manners to dip my biscuit my friend gave me the ultimate approval and said, “the Queen dips.” I love the underground and the map of the underground!
I think that you are starting to realise that the monarchy is part of the British identity. Great summary. There are so many things to love. I hope to get back there soon.
Thanks for bringing back childhood memories. I worked on Bonner's grocery stall in the Oxford covered market when I was a 13 year old as a Saturday job.
My goodness! What an honest, genuine splurge! You are clearly a cultural sponge! I’m biased, I obviously love the UK. I think it has a unique balance of many ‘Western’ cultures. We are funky! We are not perfect, but I love that about the UK. Great video, thank you for posting. X
The food, surely. Fish 'n' chips at the coast, a good pub lunch with a pint of ale, etc., etc. I could go on for 10 minutes about just the great food the UK has to offer.
Without wanting to get into a discussion about the best fish and chips - let's agree you don't have to travel far in the UK to find good fish and chips! - I'll say that The Brown Room in Filey serves incredibly good fish and chips. Sitting on a quayside in the summer is the preferable eating location, but The Brown Room has a delightful dining room, too, which was a blessing when I visited last weekend when the rain was torrential.
@joshbrailsford Stotesburys on the Isle of Wight for me. It's in Newport right in the middle, so not by the coast, but the best I've ever had. I need to go back there 😂
You set yourself a target of 10 minutes, and then talk off the top of your head in a controlled and rational way. That takes some doing. Congratulations.
You can't beat walking on a misty morning along the Litter strewn streets of a Northern town ,with the boarded up windows ,and empty Factories on the edge of town .into the the Pound land experience LOVELY .£ 1 .
Those people who say London isn't the UK are talking bollocks, it might be very cosmopolitan but remains a leader in what the UK will become. When you move further from the West End you leave the tourists and encounter British culture, still mostly white British but London is a good reflection on modern Britain and the progress it has made regarding diversity.
Nah, that's just a nationalist myth perpetuated by a dying, defeatist, inbred ruling class. In reality we're all just a bunch of humourless bastards, waiting grimly for the end to come.
I think a good resumé of everything you're stating is that - Even though Britain is no larger than the average North American state, it has huge variety in such a small compact area. And you can travel to mainland Europe in the same amount of time as you would to cross the stateline of, say, your home state to your neighbouring state. And you don't need to take a plane.
You missed out our MUSIC !! 60years of blinding vibes from iconic bands and artists,and our theatre district in the west end. No other buzz like it,and i've been to NY and Broadway.
Food. History. Historic buildings, castles Houses, palaces etc. Pubs, beer, larger etc. Friendliness. Scenery, coast, countryside, rolling hills, mountains and lakes And so on.
@@alanthomson1227Ha ha. Yeah. the larger the better. Though for me it's a nice large Merlot. room temperature mind. At my age I find that larger beers encourage too many visits to the little boys room.
Staying light until close to 10pm is something I love about being here but I've always been intrigued about longer days up in Scandinavia where I believe they have very little darkness during the summer.
Great video, I really love how the UK has touched you heart so much, its a special place, regardless of its many problems. I've travelled throughout the US and loved all the states, and the people, however my takeaway (to borrow a US term) is that in the US you are either successful or not, there appears (to me) not much of a middle ground, whereas in the UK I think not being successful doesn't make you feel excluded somewhat.. but I guess that's just my opinion. I've been busy so missed some of your videos, much catch-up.
The Art, Music Culture Culture in general, Architecture, History,Science, Humour and People are just a few that spring to mind. I could go on - but that would be bragging :>) All the best to you and yours. Rab
Cool , you forgot about the PUBS ! Trying visting Northumberland beuatiful unspoilt beaches . Lindisfarne , Bamburgh Castle . Alnwick castle and many more . Gorgeous countryside well worth a visit .
Our markets are great in the country towns especially the farmers markets. You can buy freshly picked local produce, veg fresh eggs home made jam and even meat. All at a price that is as good if not cheaper than the supermarkets.
Well done. We brits spend too much time belittling ourselves and little or no time extolling our virtues. In the bed the best places to be are the ones we feel safest in and the people around us protected. We have failed in many things, we brits, but our secret I think is, is that people, all people, even the ones you don't like, matter.
Well done you got stacks in, with just 10 mins. I think this country would be better if we could be guaranteed a month in summer of constant sunshine and an England, Scotland, Wales and Irish football teams that won more competitions. Great watch, thank you.👍
Another nice video for your channel. You did very well at speaking spontaneously for so long (maybe you are a fan of 'Just A Minute' on Radio 4), and it was an interesting sometimes surprising list, especially the compliments for the English Summer. I liked when you referred to theatre in New York and almost said 'West End' automatically rather than 'Broadway'. Now London is getting back to normal again, it is good to see on the Tube so many ads for new shows and exhibitions.
They do celebrate pancake day in America,but in a different way. It is on shrove Tuesday before lent and was just before fasting so all the things they were not allowed to eat were used up. We in the UK call it pancake day because it uses eggs and milk, the principle ingredients, but other foods would be consumed or they would spoil (namely dairy products). In the US the same festival is celebrated in the form of Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) where all the dairy would be eaten and you would eat so much you felt fat on shrove Tuesday.......Mardi Gras
I was so glad to say that you loved Scotland, which is the best part of the Uk of course, but then you said Crieff. I actually live about 6 miles from Crieff, and just love the area, especially if you go just north or west of Crieff into the mountains. So, you have good taste, I will say that. 😉
You've said you don't like hiking but you really need to check out Derbyshire and Dovedale. If the weather is good you can do it in trainers. Stay in Hartington and walk from there. Alternatively stay in Buxton - check whats on at the Opera House (not just Operas !). Like the video by the way.
You seem to have missed out the North East of England? Northumberland, Durham and North Yorkshire? Lots of history, castles, super beaches and the natives are friendly too. I hope you come and visit us soon. First street in the world to be lit with electric light! The birth of the railways. Greggs! so much more!
If you haven't yet visited York, you've missed the 'northern jewel' which is the best destination the UK has for visitors wanting a full-on British experience. Give yourself a minimum of 2 full days (sleep there for 3 nights) to have the time to walk to all the attractions. Jorvik Viking Exhibition, York Minster, the medieval city walls, the Shambles, National Railway Museum, these are just the beginning of a long list. Founded in 71 AD, its history dates from the Roman occupation.
Two sides to every coin😉.. I truly love our tiny Island and utterly refuse to be negative about it because I have lived abroad a few times in my life and fully appreciate how lucky we are here in " Blighty "....What I miss about North America is the Space..Vast country & states that just blow your mind with the scenery & the lovely people you meet. Had a few run in's with rude people but you can get that anywhere in the world. p.s Channel 4 is public funded just like the BBC, except it receives money directly from the treasury wherein the BBC tries to enforce a undemocratic tax on you every year to watch it.
@@harrybarrow6222 And how lucky we are our current government is now starting to rectifying this undemocratic tax and bringing BBC studio's ( unaccountable arm of the BBC with assets of £3.9billion ) to heel. The sooner this BBC farce stops the better for all of us.
How is Channel 4 funded? Unlike the BBC, Channel 4 receives no public funding. It is funded entirely by its own commercial activities. Most of our income comes from advertising revenue. You can find out more about advertising sales on Channel 4's dedicated advertising sales website. Channel 4's financial statements are set out in our Annual Report, which is available online.
You forgot the absurd TIPPING epidemic in the U.S.A. Wherever you go TIPPING is EXPECTED @ at least an extra 20%. It seems like as soon as you step out of your house there is someone holding their hands out for money. People begging at traffic lights walking between cars for money with scrawled out messages on cardboard sheets. My overnight stay in the Heart of Florida hospital for “observation” only cost me $34,600 for absolutely nothing, I even had to go and ask for food.
You should go beyond Cornwall to the Scilly isles, only a short boat or helicopter trip. They seem to have a micro climate that really can be tropical.
Britain is a compact country. You are never further from the sea than about 60 miles. You can drive (or travel by train) between any two points in a day.
One or two tips on your personal interests - British biscuits are famous but the quality / ingredients varies. In London, try Fortnum and Mason in Piccadilly (where the Queen does her shopping). Some of the best biscuits I have tasted were direct from the local factories when cycling across the country. And that brings me very conveniently to the next point - get yourself an E-scooter, put it in the train, and you can still go for your walks - except that you can go so much further. You like Scotland and you also like long summer days. Try Scotland as near as possible to June 21. I went walking on deserted sand beaches at 11pm. Europe? - yes, try Dover castle - you can see the coast of France with the naked eye. With binoculars, you can see folks houses.! Then take the ferry across which is much cheaper than the tunnel, and many times more interesting, including on-board dinner with views to die for.
If you like a good cookie, you should try Ben's Cookies. Those things are like huge delicious cake-cookies and they are my favorite! There's one in Reading and one in Covent Garden, check it out! Great vid, really made me homesick as a fellow expat now living in Canada. One of the things i miss the most is the London west end. High quality theater is just not as available even in a city like Toronto
I live near Crieff and it’s a fine town but next time visit Inverness, it’s fantastic and is the 2nd happiest place to live in the U.K. behind Harrogate.
Feeling a bit crap with everything that is going on with the world at the minute, feel especially awful at how unaccomodating our government seem to be towards those poor people fleeing war.... and so when this popped up in my suggested videos I clicked. And so, thank you Kayln for 10 minutes of pure joy. You reminded me that not everything is bad in this country, and the days are getting longer- yay! Maybe you should do some regional specials- things you love about Wales, Cornwall, NIreland etc. I would watch those!
I think the lockdown togetherness thing is definitely a holdover of 'Blitz Spirit'. During the war, the perception was that it was that the survival of the nation was at state. So we put our heads down and got to work as the only thing you can do in severe situations is get on with it and eventually the work and dedication put in will bear fruit.
The Bahamas is a lot closer than Georgia. Cuba is closer too. Perhaps even Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti. There are other national cultures near the USA.
Don't forget the Pixies and Unicorns, best spotted on a Friday night ,after starting at noon on Thursday last week, walking sideways, 🚶♂️, and backwards three step past midnight. You will see 👀 the Pixies . But they like it better if you adress Thom Sargeant.
Channel Four was created to offer something different,something the public would watch.The channel is a non profit channel and it does make some great TV.The worry now is that the channel will be sold and put on the stock market, like British gas,BT and British Airways. The Goverment as always sold the shares at a low price,who gains the most?
I would much rather be told what people who have experienced other cultures, such as you, don't like about the UK. I know that there are many things to like, but the best way of making the country better is to learn from those with a wide range of viewpoints. A robust democracy such as the UK should welcome constructive advice and guidance.
@@johntoffee2566 I have travelled to the USA, sometimes staying for extended periods, more than 150 times starting back when they were still digging up orchards in Silicon Valley. In my experience, comparing the USA and UK: The USA has a far more positive attitude to solving problems than the UK. The USA is way ahead of the UK when it comes to charity towards people in need within their community. The USA is respectful to members of their armed services when compared with us. They also provide much better support for veterans. The USA is generally better organised at executing administrative tasks. Then there is the standard observation that the UK is not even close to the USA when it comes to customer service. There is no reason why we can't improve in those regards, just as the USA could adopt UK behaviours where they improve quality of life.
John Lewis is UNDOUBTABLY some of the best customer service I’ve ever had, went in there (almost a decade ago now) with my parents looking for a sewing machine for my 16th birthday. Neither my parents nor I had any clue which one was most suited to my GCSE textiles needs. The lady who was working that department was on break, and nobody else knew enough to help us. And instead of a “oh come back in an hour” or some sales pitch from someone less knowledgeable we got a “sorry for the wait, here’s a free voucher for you all to have tea and cakes in the cafe”
My parents ended up spending less than £100 on the sewing machine, they didn’t try to upsell us. Just good advice from great staff. And as a kid whose family didn’t have a tonne of money, and didn’t normally get treated to cake while out and about, the whole experience was a HUGE treat for me. LOVE John Lewis
Late comment on the monarchy: I think it is good to have a head of state that is NOT political.
We have been extremely fortunate with our current Queen. Even at age 95 she still works hard for the country.
The monarchy is not a burden on the economy. It is to a significant extent self-financing, AND brings in a lot of money via tourists.
Most Brits have a high regard for the Queen, although no longer as deferential as the Victorians were.
It is very sobering for the Prime Minister to have a weekly meeting with the Queen.
She has met heads of state of many countries, over many decades: Prime Ministers are comparatively short-lived.
Prime Ministers say she does give good advice out of her experience.
During WW2, Elizabeth served in the ATS (women’s army) and learned how to service and fix automobile engines…
Praying for her with Covid. It sucks that Charles gave it to her.
Not all presidents are political like France, Russia and US. Many are ceremonial like Ireland and Germany.
I agree that it’s good to have a head of state who is not head of government (if nothing else, to act as referee if there are constitutional disputes). But while I respect the Queen (for instance, she was in the army in the Second World War) I think that head of state should not be hereditary. In fact I think that no jobs at all should be hereditary: everyone should be free to choose what role they adopt in life.
@@crowbar9566
Even the ceremonial presidents have a political background.
We should not be uncomfortable being criticised as a country, its good to have a mirror as it were, held up to us, we are not perfect no country is but we aren't that bad either. Love your content
We also shouldn't be made to feel like we are responsible for the actions of our ancestors. Like many countries, our past is full of violence. That's just what happens when a nation conqueors, and for better or worse it's why our lives are the way they are. Most countries have learned from these mistakes, but still people try to point score over who has the worst past, rather than try to change the countries that still very much live in societies rife with violence, corruption, misogony etc.
@@thedarksiderebel yes not trying to say this is all Indians because Indians are lovely people but some Indians especially on quora seem to want to bash modern day British citizens for the colonisation period and also have wished death upon us because of it
What are you talking about. We are the best in the world. At everything. America Canada Australia and New Zealand will have to fight it out for second place. Of all the people in the world there is not another group of people that have done more to lift up humanity that the Brits. God save the Queen.
@@pauljohnson1664 what he’s trying to say is that even the best countries have their flaws and so by extension no country is going to be perfect because they have flaws there are bad things that have come out of Britain like the famines in Ireland and India and stealing from India but there have also been good things
Beatles and more music, science etc
I will never stop being proud of what we have achieved but I will also never forgot that even a good country has its flaws
Brits are self deprecating, Americans as a rule CANNOT bear to have themselves or their backward country criticised.
I loved the atmosphere in pubs in the uk,especially the ones deep in the country,loads of local ciders,ales & beers,& local delicious foods.
As a Brit, my favourite thing is Tea drinking. Hear me out. Doesn't matter what calamity you are facing, a quick call to mum/dad/best friend will always be met with 'come over for a cup of tea and a chat'. And then 99% of everything is solved upon the first sip, followed by your beginning of telling said loved one/best friend the full scoop. Doesn't matter if your dog died, you broke a bone, awkward relationship decision or simply feel down. This above all things, our ability to come together over a simple hot bevvy is just magical. I've lived in the US for 4 years now, and there is nothing close. And I miss having the ability to look down/sad, and have my dear old mom know and click the kettle on and say 'Cuppa tea and chat?'.
Yes a cuppa! It’s the beautiful glue that sticks up together
The Blitz spirit is still there, it just needs something to activate it. I cannot disagree with any you have mentioned. I have some additions. 1...There are no wild creatures here that will kill you. 2...Tax is included in the price. 3...Give Way signs, not Stop. 4...No Jaywalking fines. You can reach the coast, in any direction, within 24 hours. Bear in mind, as you are now a British citizen it gives you the right to criticise the UK. :)
Are you walking lol no where in the UK is more than 75 miles from the sea
@@BobbieRockyBuster1415 You get the general idea.
But it is always dangerous for a non-native to criticise a country.
@@harrybarrow6222 yes it's not advisable.
@@peckelhaze6934 I think we saw a bit of that Blitz mentality during Covid. We were all in it together unlike some other countries which seemed to be divided by it.
In our street in Manchester during the first strict lockdown we organised a whole street Whatsapp group to help each other out. We organised shopping for each other, doing errands for each other, passing on information, lending each other things etc etc. It's still going strong.
I lived in Mcr for many years so that was good to hear. Do you mind saying what area you live in?
Oh, that's wonderful!
Great video, thank you. I am a British expat living in Australia. I had forgotten a lot of the good things about the UK, thank you for reminding me. I feel homesick now.
I always say that the beautiful Spring weather ,flowers and general foliage growth is our reward for living through the dark winters
as someone from Northern Ireland I appreciate your kind words and am glad you enjoyed yourself here!
One of my favorite things about the UK is the dedication to queuing up and taking it seriously!!! I've always been a strong proponent of no line cutting, in the US, but rarely do others feel the same, here. I like a good queue. 😄
It’s good to have manners.
its funny while driving sometimes in the uk there will be a 2 lane road towards traffic lights and everyone will que in the lane that has the most cars in it!! the only ones that will go round to the front are the ones that are in a rush and need to be somewhere yesterday..
Brits have developed queuing into a fine art, or possibly a national sport.
Related to walking, the UK has rights to roam enshrined in law, with an extensive network of Public Footpaths everywhere which I personally am extremely grateful for as I make use of them as often as I can.
These rights are currently under threat, so make sure you speak up for them
there are countries where you can't just roam around?
@@pinknylon1121 Farmers have a nasty habit of blocking rights of way in my area and the local authorities appear unable to do anything about it for reasons best known to themselves. One law for them and another for us starts a lot lower down the ladder than politicians and the wealthy.
Scotland has a right to roam
I love our sense of the “absurdity” - we seem to have this “in built” love of all things daft and nonsensical…. Can you imagine people in other countries all thinking that BoatyMcBoatface would be a great name for a research ship and VOTING for that name? 😂 and although Boaty didn’t actually ‘win’ - one of the little support boats was given that wonderful moniker! (And calling a ship Sir David Attenborough is also a wonderful thing to do too) and that WE can laugh at OURSELVES because, well, we ARE funny!
Also that time the British public got RATM to the Christmas number one because we were tired of X Factor winners getting it
Either 'our sense of the absurd' or, 'our sense of absurdity'.
(Oh dear, the worst sort of Englishman: sniffy and pedantic).
I thought the Boaty name was pathetically childish and symptomatic of the infantilising of modern society.
Don’t forget the names of the two new gritters in Doncaster, David Plowie and Gritsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Anti-Slip Machiney
@@leedsman54 ....Please don't invite me to your next party.
As an aviation enthusiast who has a retired airline pilot father, BA air crew are very, very highly regarded. They are supremely well trained and professional.
You forgot how much variation you get for a relatively small country. Accents, architecture scenery
The thing about variety, or variation if you like, is there is so much of it. It can't all get a mention.
Loved the shout-out for Northern Ireland here. My mum was from Derry so it has a special place in my personal memories and heart. PS Eire is the same. In fact, the whole Island of Ireland is beautiful and the people are wonderful [in my experience].
Well said. Our built environment vs that of the US is also worth a mention. It's a shame us Brits often don't recognise all the blessings you listed and tend to talk ourselves down.
that's odd because when yer yankee in the u.k. yer subjected to endless lectures about all the many ways that the u.k. is superior to the u.s.
@@alexandercortes5013 I've never done that because it ain't true. Neither place is superior - they're just very different.
@@jamesgilbart2672 yeah very true but as human beings we like to think that we and ours are 'better than".
Well when I lived there, I was 16 when I left Scotland to come to Australia, it was winter. Winter nights were so clear and stargazing became a big thing. The NHS, as child I had Asthma, from about 5yrs old. My parents could call a doctor in the middle of the night and he'd be there in minutes, or so it seemed. An ambulance if my attacks were bad and I required hospitalisation for two weeks. Then there was the back up services, the nurse that would call round every week and most of all family and friends. You wouldn't have run to a neighbours house in Florida at 3:00am to get help but my mother did as she needed someone to look after my brother and later my sister. I do miss the place but then I look out the window at blue skies and sunshine and 35C and it all goes away.
I am British born and bred, but equally I am a Yorkshire lass, born and bred and I am really proud of both these things. One thing that really makes me proud is that our amazingly mixed cultural population can be so patriotic, without having the flag permanently on display or putting our hands on our hearts and speaking a vow of loyalty to our flag - we are loyal to our country and people and to a non-political head of state, who, on her 21st birthday dedicated her life and duty to her people around the world, to her country and Commonwealth, for her lifetime, be it long or short - I have yet to hear any politician anywhere in the world make such a vow - and carry it out!
I have only visited London for one week and it was a long time ago, a good visit - but I don't like cities!
I don't know if you have been to Yorkshire but if not, you should - I think you will love it - but give yourself plenty of time because we have over 3 million acres for you to explore including over 100 miles of coastline. We have Dales and Moors, rivers and canals and wonderful historic town, villages and cities, amazing restaurants, vineyards, galleries, museums, Minsters including York - you must visit York, so much of our history has grown from there! And then there are our former industrial towns and cities that were the ground-breakers of the Industrial revolution - that provided the coal, the steel, the fabrics and fibres that were the forerunners of what we take for granted today.
Then there are the people - we are caring of our own, welcoming to strangers who do not judge us and have enough different accents to make your hair curl - but if you haven't already, come and see for yourself! Tha'll be reyt! Oh, 'n if tis winter, bring tha big coit! 😊😎
To translate.. That's your big coat 🤣🤣🤣 I'm from North Yorkshire and still don't know if that is a northern expression like big light 😊
@@tracywhittaker822 Oh yes - definitely the big coat! But may be anything more than a pullover or cardie - something woven not knitted! My Gran said 'the big light' meaning the main light in a room instead of a lower cost/power table lamp or desk light - she grew up with candles and oil lamps, followed by gas the electricity!😎
I LOVE YORKSHIRE...............visit annually from Oz.........the places, the varied accents, the warmth of the people, the scenery, the history ......one could go on and on......I JUST LOVE YORKSHIRE period.
I love going to National Trust places. It is amazing to have an organization that looks after heritage places for the people to enjoy.
I too loved the British Museum, the National Gallery, The Tate but my favourite Museum was always the V&A! You need to check their showing because they have such a huge collection that what is on show is changed regularly...I don't know if this still happens but I caught several "free" lunchtime concerts at St Martin's in the Field...Awesome!!!
As a Brit it's great that you brought to mind many things good about Britain that most of us take for granted. Your video really made me think how lucky we are to be able to travel easily to most parts of the country, and to go to so many European countries so quickly, if we can afford it that is. The history of Britain is also something many people take for granted, or don't even bother to learn about. Too bad, they miss out on so much.
Yay, Hula Hoops! One of my favourites too. Have you tried pickled onion flavour Monster Munch??? Awesome!
I love ordering a cuppa and cucumber sandwich at Victoria station.
I love aura soma. I love the takeout shops. I love fish n chips. I love hot tea with milk. I love mcvities biscuits. I love that when I looked unsure if it was considered bad manners to dip my biscuit my friend gave me the ultimate approval and said, “the Queen dips.”
I love the underground and the map of the underground!
another poet. i like poems.
I think that you are starting to realise that the monarchy is part of the British identity. Great summary. There are so many things to love. I hope to get back there soon.
Thanks for bringing back childhood memories. I worked on Bonner's grocery stall in the Oxford covered market when I was a 13 year old as a Saturday job.
My goodness! What an honest, genuine splurge! You are clearly a cultural sponge! I’m biased, I obviously love the UK. I think it has a unique balance of many ‘Western’ cultures. We are funky! We are not perfect, but I love that about the UK. Great video, thank you for posting. X
Thanks so much for watching!
The food, surely. Fish 'n' chips at the coast, a good pub lunch with a pint of ale, etc., etc. I could go on for 10 minutes about just the great food the UK has to offer.
Seagulls stealing others chips.
Aye, that does happen sometimes, doesn't it! 😅
West Bay in Dorset for the best ever 'sitting on the quayside and eating out of paper' fish and chips! My mouth drools at even the thought of it!
Without wanting to get into a discussion about the best fish and chips - let's agree you don't have to travel far in the UK to find good fish and chips! - I'll say that The Brown Room in Filey serves incredibly good fish and chips. Sitting on a quayside in the summer is the preferable eating location, but The Brown Room has a delightful dining room, too, which was a blessing when I visited last weekend when the rain was torrential.
@joshbrailsford
Stotesburys on the Isle of Wight for me. It's in Newport right in the middle, so not by the coast, but the best I've ever had. I need to go back there 😂
Sitting in a pub by an open fire while it is cold and dark outside (3pm in winter).
Here's one back atcha: I love the way you guys gave us Rock n Roll. Cheers.
You set yourself a target of 10 minutes, and then talk off the top of your head in a controlled and rational way. That takes some doing. Congratulations.
I like being a island , the sea is nice the NHS is great too , its pretty safe as a country
succinct. powerful words. you are a poet
You can't beat walking on a misty morning along the Litter strewn streets of a Northern town ,with the boarded up windows ,and empty Factories on the edge of town .into the the Pound land experience LOVELY .£ 1 .
Those people who say London isn't the UK are talking bollocks, it might be very cosmopolitan but remains a leader in what the UK will become.
When you move further from the West End you leave the tourists and encounter British culture, still mostly white British but London is a good reflection on modern Britain and the progress it has made regarding diversity.
You would love some of the ancient stone circles. Well worth a visit.
I’m not British, but one of my favourite things about the UK is British humour.
Nah, that's just a nationalist myth perpetuated by a dying, defeatist, inbred ruling class. In reality we're all just a bunch of humourless bastards, waiting grimly for the end to come.
@@RichWoods23 Ne'er a truer word was spoken!
I think a good resumé of everything you're stating is that -
Even though Britain is no larger than the average North American state, it has huge variety in such a small compact area.
And you can travel to mainland Europe in the same amount of time as you would to cross the stateline of, say, your home state to your neighbouring state.
And you don't need to take a plane.
Happy that you love the UK it is not perfect but its good to hear from people who move here love your videos please continue to make them 😅 😅
You missed out our MUSIC !!
60years of blinding vibes from iconic bands and artists,and our theatre district in the west end.
No other buzz like it,and i've been to NY and Broadway.
Food.
History.
Historic buildings, castles Houses, palaces etc.
Pubs, beer, larger etc.
Friendliness.
Scenery, coast, countryside, rolling hills, mountains and lakes
And so on.
And Welsh women.
Lovely they are.
Grand canyon
The great lakes
Niagra falls
Yosemite national park
The Keys
Hawaii
I too love a larger beer , the smaller ones are shite .
@@alanthomson1227Ha ha. Yeah. the larger the better. Though for me it's a nice large Merlot. room temperature mind. At my age I find that larger beers encourage too many visits to the little boys room.
Staying light until close to 10pm is something I love about being here but I've always been intrigued about longer days up in Scandinavia where I believe they have very little darkness during the summer.
Just subscribed to your channel and Love it so happy you love the UK and become on of us.
Great video, I really love how the UK has touched you heart so much, its a special place, regardless of its many problems. I've travelled throughout the US and loved all the states, and the people, however my takeaway (to borrow a US term) is that in the US you are either successful or not, there appears (to me) not much of a middle ground, whereas in the UK I think not being successful doesn't make you feel excluded somewhat.. but I guess that's just my opinion. I've been busy so missed some of your videos, much catch-up.
The Art, Music Culture Culture in general, Architecture, History,Science, Humour and People are just a few that spring to mind. I could go on - but that would be bragging :>) All the best to you and yours. Rab
Cool , you forgot about the PUBS !
Trying visting Northumberland beuatiful unspoilt beaches . Lindisfarne , Bamburgh Castle . Alnwick castle and many more . Gorgeous countryside well worth a visit .
Our markets are great in the country towns especially the farmers markets. You can buy freshly picked local produce, veg fresh eggs home made jam and even meat. All at a price that is as good if not cheaper than the supermarkets.
Ulster people would not have to try hard to be hospitable compared to where you are living. I write as a Cornishman (if you know where that is.
As she specifically mentions Cornwall as a place she loves, then I suspect she can find it on a map...
Well done. We brits spend too much time belittling ourselves and little or no time extolling our virtues. In the bed the best places to be are the ones we feel safest in and the people around us protected. We have failed in many things, we brits, but our secret I think is, is that people, all people, even the ones you don't like, matter.
The British Museum is older than the US; you can visit every day for a year and still not see it all, but it’s worth a try because it’s free to enter.
Well done you got stacks in, with just 10 mins. I think this country would be better if we could be guaranteed a month in summer of constant sunshine and an England, Scotland, Wales and Irish football teams that won more competitions. Great watch, thank you.👍
Another nice video for your channel. You did very well at speaking spontaneously for so long (maybe you are a fan of 'Just A Minute' on Radio 4), and it was an interesting sometimes surprising list, especially the compliments for the English Summer. I liked when you referred to theatre in New York and almost said 'West End' automatically rather than 'Broadway'. Now London is getting back to normal again, it is good to see on the Tube so many ads for new shows and exhibitions.
They do celebrate pancake day in America,but in a different way. It is on shrove Tuesday before lent and was just before fasting so all the things they were not allowed to eat were used up.
We in the UK call it pancake day because it uses eggs and milk, the principle ingredients, but other foods would be consumed or they would spoil (namely dairy products).
In the US the same festival is celebrated in the form of Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) where all the dairy would be eaten and you would eat so much you felt fat on shrove Tuesday.......Mardi Gras
I was so glad to say that you loved Scotland, which is the best part of the Uk of course, but then you said Crieff. I actually live about 6 miles from Crieff, and just love the area, especially if you go just north or west of Crieff into the mountains. So, you have good taste, I will say that. 😉
You've said you don't like hiking but you really need to check out Derbyshire and Dovedale. If the weather is good you can do it in trainers. Stay in Hartington and walk from there. Alternatively stay in Buxton - check whats on at the Opera House (not just Operas !). Like the video by the way.
Really good video. Your thoughts on sweets?!😆
When I lived in Perth, my local pub did a fun cycle to Crieff. Did not go well. Lovely wee place though.
You seem to have missed out the North East of England? Northumberland, Durham and North Yorkshire? Lots of history, castles, super beaches and the natives are friendly too. I hope you come and visit us soon. First street in the world to be lit with electric light! The birth of the railways. Greggs! so much more!
If you haven't yet visited York, you've missed the 'northern jewel' which is the best destination the UK has for visitors wanting a full-on British experience. Give yourself a minimum of 2 full days (sleep there for 3 nights) to have the time to walk to all the attractions. Jorvik Viking Exhibition, York Minster, the medieval city walls, the Shambles, National Railway Museum, these are just the beginning of a long list. Founded in 71 AD, its history dates from the Roman occupation.
Two sides to every coin😉.. I truly love our tiny Island and utterly refuse to be negative about it because I have lived abroad a few times in my life and fully appreciate how lucky we are here in " Blighty "....What I miss about North America is the Space..Vast country & states that just blow your mind with the scenery & the lovely people you meet. Had a few run in's with rude people but you can get that anywhere in the world. p.s Channel 4 is public funded just like the BBC, except it receives money directly from the treasury wherein the BBC tries to enforce a undemocratic tax on you every year to watch it.
The “undemocratic tax” was imposed by a government, not by the BBC itself
@@harrybarrow6222 And how lucky we are our current government is now starting to rectifying this undemocratic tax and bringing BBC studio's ( unaccountable arm of the BBC with assets of £3.9billion ) to heel. The sooner this BBC farce stops the better for all of us.
How is Channel 4 funded?
Unlike the BBC, Channel 4 receives no public funding. It is funded entirely by its own commercial activities.
Most of our income comes from advertising revenue. You can find out more about advertising sales on Channel 4's dedicated advertising sales website.
Channel 4's financial statements are set out in our Annual Report, which is available online.
A good selection of random likes about the UK. You should explore the Cotswolds, great scenery, villages, etc. and accessible from London.
Well done babe, good job and respect to you 🙏
Sadly i am old enough to remember when channel 4 first came on the air. The show was Countdown.
And later that night The Paul Hogan Show. Brilliant.
You forgot the absurd TIPPING epidemic in the U.S.A. Wherever you go TIPPING is EXPECTED @ at least an extra 20%. It seems like as soon as you step out of your house there is someone holding their hands out for money. People begging at traffic lights walking between cars for money with scrawled out messages on cardboard sheets. My overnight stay in the Heart of Florida hospital for “observation” only cost me $34,600 for absolutely nothing, I even had to go and ask for food.
You should go beyond Cornwall to the Scilly isles, only a short boat or helicopter trip. They seem to have a micro climate that really can be tropical.
Will be going to North Wales in July. Really looking forward to it. First time
Britain is a compact country.
You are never further from the sea than about 60 miles.
You can drive (or travel by train) between any two points in a day.
great upload, just found you, love you, subbed instantly :)
I was in NI about 1990.
Great place other than when a bottle was thrown at me with "Brits Out" shouts.
I'm sure it's much better now though.
One or two tips on your personal interests -
British biscuits are famous but the quality / ingredients varies.
In London, try Fortnum and Mason in Piccadilly (where the Queen does her shopping).
Some of the best biscuits I have tasted were direct from the local factories when cycling across the country.
And that brings me very conveniently to the next point - get yourself an E-scooter, put it in the train, and you can still go for your walks - except that you can go so much further.
You like Scotland and you also like long summer days.
Try Scotland as near as possible to June 21. I went walking on deserted sand beaches at 11pm.
Europe? - yes, try Dover castle - you can see the coast of France with the naked eye.
With binoculars, you can see folks houses.!
Then take the ferry across which is much cheaper than the tunnel, and many times more interesting, including on-board dinner with views to die for.
Vacation is important to prevent burn-out and maintain performance levels in work.
Love your love! I’m with you!
You should visit the Peak District in derbyshire😍😊I’m biased being from chesterfield.Easter here is usually has good weather.good show again 👍
Engaging and entertaining. At least I didn't hear the word "boring" said about anything here in the UK. How
polite is that?! Thank you.
Always like your content it's honest and even if you don't like something your being open about it
You picked the right pronunciation for Conwy! Da iawn ti! 🏴🏴🏴
I lived and worked with the US Forces in Germany and after one trip to UK a Lady said
"if they say have a nice day the mean it"
If you like a good cookie, you should try Ben's Cookies. Those things are like huge delicious cake-cookies and they are my favorite! There's one in Reading and one in Covent Garden, check it out!
Great vid, really made me homesick as a fellow expat now living in Canada. One of the things i miss the most is the London west end. High quality theater is just not as available even in a city like Toronto
I live near Crieff and it’s a fine town but next time visit Inverness, it’s fantastic and is the 2nd happiest place to live in the U.K. behind Harrogate.
Feeling a bit crap with everything that is going on with the world at the minute, feel especially awful at how unaccomodating our government seem to be towards those poor people fleeing war.... and so when this popped up in my suggested videos I clicked. And so, thank you Kayln for 10 minutes of pure joy. You reminded me that not everything is bad in this country, and the days are getting longer- yay! Maybe you should do some regional specials- things you love about Wales, Cornwall, NIreland etc. I would watch those!
Because you are in it, Sweetheart, you brighten up our rainy days and Sundays ... 😘
I think the lockdown togetherness thing is definitely a holdover of 'Blitz Spirit'. During the war, the perception was that it was that the survival of the nation was at state.
So we put our heads down and got to work as the only thing you can do in severe situations is get on with it and eventually the work and dedication put in will bear fruit.
The Bahamas is a lot closer than Georgia. Cuba is closer too. Perhaps even Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti. There are other national cultures near the USA.
It’s fascinating seeing how ‘foreigners’ see our country, and how they describe that to their compatriots.
Never been to the UK, but you sure know how to make me want to go there. 😅
British tv adverts are often humorous and entertaining.
I love your website.
Don't forget the Pixies and Unicorns, best spotted on a Friday night ,after starting at noon on Thursday last week, walking sideways, 🚶♂️, and backwards three step past midnight. You will see 👀 the Pixies . But they like it better if you adress Thom Sargeant.
I think, dont quote me on this, but i think, asda is owned by a company called metro, which is a division of Walmart 👍
I’m a Brit/American too. I love both countries
Channel Four was created to offer something different,something the public would watch.The channel is a non profit channel and it does make some great TV.The worry now is that the channel will be sold and put on the stock market, like British gas,BT and British Airways. The Goverment as always sold the shares at a low price,who gains the most?
Love your channel. You are an honorary Brit xx
I would much rather be told what people who have experienced other cultures, such as you, don't like about the UK. I know that there are many things to like, but the best way of making the country better is to learn from those with a wide range of viewpoints. A robust democracy such as the UK should welcome constructive advice and guidance.
There is already too much negativity it's nice too see positivity
@@paulsmith2016 I stayed in the UK because I like many aspects of life here, but also recognise that is plenty for us to learn from the USA.
@@glynnwright1699 Yeah, like don't vote in an ultra right wing crazy guy with mad blonde hair as your leader, oops to late. Lesson learned? Doubt it.
@@johntoffee2566 I have travelled to the USA, sometimes staying for extended periods, more than 150 times starting back when they were still digging up orchards in Silicon Valley.
In my experience, comparing the USA and UK:
The USA has a far more positive attitude to solving problems than the UK.
The USA is way ahead of the UK when it comes to charity towards people in need within their community.
The USA is respectful to members of their armed services when compared with us. They also provide much better support for veterans.
The USA is generally better organised at executing administrative tasks.
Then there is the standard observation that the UK is not even close to the USA when it comes to customer service.
There is no reason why we can't improve in those regards, just as the USA could adopt UK behaviours where they improve quality of life.
@@glynnwright1699 You seem like a very sensible person. Well done.
I like to here a person's perspective of Britain, who wasn't born here .you get a new understanding of your country.
That was outstanding!
If you get a chance visit charmouth Dorset,the Jurassic coast,stunning unspoilt countryside tiny villages,and endless fossils.
plus, maybe ...
Pubs!
Humour
Coastal paths
V&A
Regional accents every 50 miles
Non West End Theatre
National Trust
Stoicism
Music scene
etc :)
2 minutes in and I'm already enjoying it
It is Conwy. Well done! Da Iawn ti.
she knows the UK well, i respect that
Wow your brave,never mind the sharks,the waters so so cold❄