When you talk about distance a friend from the UK told me a joke once. The difference between the UK and the US is that Brits think 100 miles is a long way and Americans think 100 years is a long time.
That is the truth. It always amazes me when I'm watching a documentary and some guy is telling the history about his house in the UK. It turns out to have been built in like the 1600s and it is still livable. I think to myself "Christ that is older than my whole country."
Not in Rhode Island. Our small state takes about an hour driving from corner to corner. Half hour drive to Warwick? Fuhget it, we’re not going. Also just realizing that in our magical small state we measure how much time it takes to get somewhere, not miles.
I had a British couple I played an MMO with at one point who were going to visit NYC for 3 days or something along those lines. They mentioned at one point that they were thinking about driving down to see the Grand Canyon, I started laughing, then explained to them that it was a 30+ hour drive one way. They really didn't understand how massive the US is in comparison.
Got the same thing from an Australian couple visiting California; they planned to drive from SF to Sacramento-tour a Railroad museum, then go to Yosemite-tour the park) and head to LA (IN THE SAME DAY)...we had to have a sit down and talk it through...I rather dashed their plans, but....
I’ve lived in the US for 18 years, and I’ve made many of the same observations. On the topic of size, I love that throughout this massive country, you can go pretty much anywhere by car, use the same language, use the same currency, and yet experience such a multitude of geography and culture. There is no better place on Earth for my favorite type of vacation: The road trip.
My friend who works at a steel cable manufacturing plant here in California. It's actually a company from Japan. He said that the engineers are rotated in from Japan every four or five years. He said that the engineers will drive on road trips for their vacations. Instead of flying to Disney World they would drive. He said the engineers told him they do this because they may not get another change like this to be able to see the US.
And despite our reputation, the more intelligent among us are glad to have you in our country and share your culture with us, regardless of what your culture may be. Please do not allow the closed minded people here to intimdate you. I sincerely believe that the majority of us celebrate different cultures and are truly interested in learning. At least I really hope that is true. Otherwise, we may as well all move to North Korea. (No offense to North Koreans, I'm certain that you are wonderful humans. Your government is horrible though. We actually are concerned about you and would like you to know that we don't hate you or want to destroy your country. We really are nice people overall.)
@@davevanvlerah5167 You are so right on the mark. I was born and raised here in the USA - Pacific Northwest to be specific. One thing that I would say, however, is that it is not just the more intelligent among us but you could qualify that even further by saying those raised to respect others - whether you are intelligent or not! I cannot even tell you what my parents would have done to me in punishment if they knew I was disrespectful!!
If you're interested in the road trip you should look into the cannonball run if you haven't already. people actually do set cannonball records over here. Imagine from New York to California in under 26 hours.
If you watch some of these, it's clear that the folks who do them are generally interested in the United States (its probably why they visited to begin with). I don't think I've ever seen a "what I've learned in america" hating on Americans.
I moved to the US about a month before you did from Australia. I think you reflect my observations pretty closely. One thing that deserves mentioning is Americans kindness and generosity. Many would literally give you the shirt off their back. The other thing I find fascinating is their absolute unbounded optimism, it is very infectious.
The truth is we have to be kind and optimistic. Our country is so big and the federal government has so much control. The whole nation is kinda in bad shape. If we didnt counter that with a sense of duty to fellow man and some hope for the future, I dont think many of is would get on.
@@maxonmendel5757 Hi max.... I'd say we've BEEN that way because our religious ancestors passed it along and it's how we were once all raised. Sadly we're losing our religion and it shows. Cheers🌞
@@LiamMill that is true. However based on my experience with the massive amount Californians moving to my city here in Texas, Californians seem to be very rude and bad drivers compared to most people here. I also work at a tourist Mall and I meet people from around the world everyday, mostly from out of state and we got a lot of Californians and most of them that I meet, seem to be rude and very obnoxious compared to most of the other people that we get from the states. Maybe it's just a cultural thing, I don't know that's just my experience. But of course I have met some good nice people form California, sadly it's just the majority that I meet that are rude.
@Jane Ryan-Douglas you sound like a butthurt new yorker lol......and before you flip out i've been to new york city and can say with certainty that many nyc people are rude. Especially behind the wheel or on a bicycle. They talk to each other in a way that would get you punched in the face at the least and shot at the worst in most other parts of the country. Having said that, I understand nyc isnt representative of ALL of new york state, and I did have a good time while I was there, so i'm not hating.
The Great Lakes region is known for its four seasons: Early Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and (this one is called differently by different people) Mosquito/Tornado/Roadwork
Correction: Mosquito/Tornado/Roadwork/and OMG, who left the Sauna on?! My cousins from Tucson refuse to come to the Midwest in the summer. The heat + humidity eats them alive!
Yep, from Michigan here and the winter is 3 seasons long and painfully cold but... When the summer comes its only a week into the 100 degree heat that I start Begging for the snow to return. =P
It's often fun to explain to Europeans that the distance between Los Angeles California and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is FARTHER than the distance between Lisbon Portugal and Moscow Russia.
Robert Ainsworth years ago I shared a table in a cafe while in London. Just before we finished they told me they were visiting family in Boston the next summer and wondered if they could drop by and visit for lunch one afternoon. It made me sad to explain that as I live near Kansas City that would be impractical.
Yeah. I am making a trip from Pittsburgh to Charlotte this Saturday to hopefully see my beloved Pittsburgh Panthers shock the world in the ACC Championship game and I will have to leave at 6AM just to make sure I can get there in time for an 8PM kickoff.
Exactly this....so many of my international friends think that the US is small...they want to go see Disneyland (in California) and the Statue of Liberty in New York in a two day span,when they finally get told that both are on opposite coasts and a five day drive or five hour plane flight ...suddenly it dawns in them that the US is huge
My father was on a business trip to s small city, in northern England, just sound of the Scottish boarder. While they he was talking with the some of the skill trades in the plant and they asked where in the U.S. was from, and he said Toledo Ohio. They asked were that was, he said about 60 miles south of Detroit and about 300 miles east of Chicago. Then then asked how far from Dallas was that (it was the late 1980's, and Dallas was a famous TV show at the time), and when he said about 2000 miles, they could not comprehend of two cities in the same nation being 2000 miles apart. Later he realized that 2000 from this small city would be in Turkey!
Thank you for including how massive America is. As someone from the state of Michigan, I had a very difficult time when I spent a month in Ireland explaining that I couldn't just pop over to California or Texas. It's almost the same cost for a flight to those states as it is to Ireland.
taninhawk, yeeees! I was born and raised in Oregon. Oregon is not even remotely the largest state in the U.S, and yet all of the U.K. can fit inside of Oregon with room to spare. I've visited Washington and California on many occasions, but have barely travelled within my own state. I've been to South America once when I was a baby for a family emergency. (My grandfather was there and suffered an aneurism, and I was too little to be away from Mom, so she took me with her to help my grandfather recover.) I used to know someone who spent an entire Summer with his best friend traveling to all 48 continental states, living out of a van. He is one of the few people I knew that had been to nearly all 50.
LMAO pop over to Texas LOL I live in Ohio so I understand completely yeah that's that's a very very very long plane ride really can't even consider a car trip I mean you're talking like what a week
Samee,I used to live in New York but now I live in Georgia and i have this friend from England and when I told him i'd only been to a few states and have never been to Cali he was shocked😂 Sorry but I don't have that type of money to travel even within my own country😂
"Too polite.." ding ding ding!! There it is. I've been hearing that from most Europeans in general for decades. I've spent a many year in Germany, Belgium, and Italy with a couple of visits to various places in the UK. I hear that about us Americans all the time. What's funny is, our neighbors to the north, Canada has the Stereotype amongst most Americans to be more polite than we are.
which is funny because even though Canadians of-course know their stereotype I feel like in my personal experience and my interaction with Canadians and their opinion is that America is actually even nice then them.
These same people meet a traveling American, and go into the encounter expecting them to rude; it's a self fulfilling prophecy. Treat someone as if you expect them to be rude, and they probably won't like it; I don't know about you, but I don't make any effort to be nice people while they're shitting on me.
@@damienk7311 right? I kick em in the goolies then take their wallet and phone. Teach em a good lesson about talking crap in kicking distance. If I'm feeling really mean I'll huck their shoes on a roof or over a power line. That'll teach em to talk to people.
The thing about the portion sizes is really interesting because it comes from this... I don't know what else to call it other than a "hospitality culture" we have here. If you go to a restaurant, nobody is going to be making sure you finish the entire meal, if you don't the server will just go and grab you a box so you can take the rest home for a snack later. You fill up your cup before you head out so you don't get thirsty on your drive home. There's an emphasis on giving your guests more than they need and being good hosts that extends to our restaurants and service industries. That's also why the servers are expected to ask how your food is and check up on you from time to time - a good host ensures that their guests are enjoying themselves and aren't lacking in anything.
Let's also not forget that waitresses/waiters/servers often work for minimum wage, and tipping is expected or even included on the actual food bill. They therefore have a strong incentive to be helpful and courteous. Not saying they wouldn't be otherwise, but in this society bad reviews can put a restaurant out of business.
@ See the problem with society is that they think people like us are assholes, when its really society that's at fault. See, I want to insult people on the internet and call them names but not explain why they are at fault but everyone around me seems to think I'm a jerk! Gosh how society can be so blind to the great such as you and I.
As an American of mostly English heritage my heart hurts every time I see a British person insult America, which seems to be all the time online. Hearing you say such nice things is a breath of fresh air. I hope to visit England one day!
@TheRenaissanceman65 I don't know, saying that Britain is more like Continental Europe because it's closer is like saying I'm more like my next door neighbor than my cousin from Illinois because we live closer. True, I might share more day-to-day habits with my neighbor--such as shopping at the same stores--but ultimately I'm going to have a stronger bond with my cousin because of our shared blood and background.
Brits actually see America in a very positive light because we're such close ally's and so culturally linked. The Brits that hate America are really in the minority of the minority like maybe 0.5%of Brits at most hate America and everything to do with it. In fact I would say America would be in the top 5 countries for practically every Brit. It would be a pleasure for any and all Americans to come and visit the uk and you will truly be welcomed don't worry about the minority of minority of Brits who have a dislike of America because I highly doubt you would ever come across one.
bonecanoe86 Not saying who's right or wrong, but I can relate to your feeling in some ways. While growing up, my mother was a huge Anglophile although I don't think she put a great deal of thought into that fact itself. We always read Dickens and Jane Austen and Thomas Hardy and Winnie the Pooh and Beatrix Potter and we knew Miss Marple and Inspsector Clousseau, and we watched the Prisoner and The Avengers and The Man from Uncle and Alfred Hitchcock and so on. Of course we had American cultural icons around too, but in retrospect we really did feel a special connection to British people. I think my Mother's connection was stronger still because she was older than most of my friends parents and she grew up especially following Madeleine Carroll and Robert Donat, Merle Oberon, Michael Redgrave, Laurence Oilivier, Margaret Lockwood, etc. She generally loved her trips to the UK that she was able to enjoy after retiring too. Unfortunately she became internet savvy in her last years, and I believe it was very disappointing for her to find out how many Brits were so openly hateful towards anything or anyone American. She'd always loved all things Brits and assumed they would probably find something to like about her too, but instead learned that most often she was simply judged by Brits she met online as an ignorant, fat, uneducated, warmongering racist who was simply beneath all Brits... basically she felt hated and disappointed. Of course she was basically positive and understood that "theyre not all like that" but I know it bothered her. That's why I honestly think it's probably better to stay away from internet types IF one if actually affected by this type of thing. People online are always much meaner than people in person, no matter where they're from.
@@ellengregory8002 Yeah similarly my family are all Anglophiles, including me to a large extent. More than half of my favorite bands are English, I was a big Harry Potter fan as a kid, and I used to watch British shows. Even today there's almost always a British accent coming out of the TV in my parents' living room. I have a theory as to why so many British are hostile towards Americans: The British have been so heavily attacked and demonized by the media, pop culture, and education system both globally and within their own country that they lash out in frustration at the one people who have been demonized even more than they and are thus the only "acceptable targets": the Americans.
I think a reason many Americans don’t hold passports is because our own country is so large that traveling domestically makes sense, in the United states The geography changes rapidly throughout the country from Beaches to mountains to deserts to huge redwood forests beautiful farmland wide open sky’s. There’s so much of America to explore that I don’t wanna leave the country until I’ve seen at least every state in the country I live in but I would like to go to Amsterdam more than somewhere like California lol
Exactly. The whole "most Americans don't own a passport" screed has always been an unfair criticism designed to play up the whole loud, blundering, provincial American stereotype. People never really grasp the sheer size of the US. It takes six and a half hours to just fly from NYC to L.A. By contrast it takes just over four hours to fly from London to Moscow. It never occurs to most people that the reach of American territory (not including military bases) makes it possible to travel from the Arctic Circle to the Caribbean and from New England to the middle and south Pacific Ocean and everywhere in between without any special paperwork. Heck, it was only within the last decade or so that air travel to Mexico or Canada started requiring a passport...ground travel is remains less stringent.
TheRenaissanceman65 working on getting my passport so I can go to Amsterdam in Seattle and concert next year that’ll be my first time ever leave in the country let alone leave in the state of North Carolina in the United States but the US is so large that I’ve only been to three states out of 50 already our country is huge and there is so much to see and the landscapes differ from mile to like to mile
the thing with waitresses/waiters being really polite in restaurants is this: quite a bit of their paycheck comes from tips. if they're more polite and doting, they typically get more tips. so they are very polite and friendly.
I'm probably the odd man out in this, but all I want the waiter/waitress to do is take my order, come back with the food, and get the order correct and return promptly. If I could have the check come out with the food, that would be ideal. I'm not there to talk to the waiter.
I think our entire culture you are expected to be upbeat, smile and polite if you want to keep your job, no matter what area you work in unless you work for yourself.
captainphoenix If they would just eliminate the "mandatory" tipping system and make it "voluntary", the servers wouldn't be so hungry (literally and figuratively). Nobody needs to be asked 4 times during the course of their meal if everything is going okay. Plus servers deserve to be paid minimum wage by their employer. It is so much more pleasant to eat out in Europe where they leave you alone to enjoy the food and the company.
If you want to get a sense of how big America is then drive up the West coast. And after you are done driving for over a week straight look back and realize that you only covered 3 states... I gave up on that trip when I was an hour north of San Francisco and realized I still had to drive another 6.5 hours non-stop just to hit the Oregon border.
Ah yes, the Mid-west! Where conversing about the weather isn't just for mere small talk, but mutual astonishment that the human body is able to withstand such extremes.
And it is as much a part of proper conversation etiquette to ask about the weather as it is to ask “how are you?” because it’s basically an extension of the same question. lol
With regards to American directness and politeness i think it's important to keep in mind that polite means different things in different cultures. In much of America, particularly in the Southwest, indirectness can be considered impolite. It can read as passive aggressive or disingenuous.
There's also the unfortunately common "I have to smile no matter how abusive you get because otherwise I'll be fired" polite in stores and restaurants. I can only hope that it isn't enforced as much in other countries.
At 4:00 he's talking about how hellish the winters are. I'm sitting here in Minneapolis where the projected temp is supposed to hit around -50 w/windchill this evening. Made me chuckle.
Detroit it went from a foot and a half of snow and -40 to 50 and then it rained and then the whole city was covered in ice 😂 definition of Michigan weather if u don’t like it now just wait 5 minutes
Chicago can get some brutal windchill off the lake though, I was in Winnipeg for nearly 3 years where its regularly -25 to - 40 Celsius with wind chill on top but if no wind you can actually walk around in just a hoodie at those temps.
Two Wyomians commenting? I think that statistically we can say we've heard from the whole state. LOL And it is a beautiful state btw. I would move there in a heartbeat if someone offered me a job.
I've been living in the US for my entire life, and it's good to see us not getting a bad rap for once, yeah, politically things are tense, but we try to treat eachother right
it's interesting if you think about it- our politics are tense largely due to the MASSIVE difference we have in our regions here. people live so differently and are so different in terms of culture, geography, ethnicity etc, that we think very differently, as our life experiences based on our growing up are very different. imagine how different a rural appalachian is from a Hawaiian from a New Yorker from an Alaskan- it makes for different perceptions and understand of the world, of how the world works. We are all Americans but man oh man what it means to be American is so very different for all of us.
On the topic of politeness, I've been living in the UK for several months now (I'm a grad student here) and I've actually been quite shocked at how UN-polite people can be in situations where Americans are sometimes over-polite. For example, I've noticed that people say "excuse me" but they don't wait for you to move out of the way! Was totally bizarre the first couple of times it happened. Anyhow, this is really good content, keep up the good work!
The US is happy to have you! Your channel is a source of entertainment and education to this bi-continental couple. Here's to many more years! Cheers xxx
Also, our research shows that it could cost upwards of near £20,000 from initial visa to ILR in the UK. I know others (a US/UK spousal immigration group) that has cost much more, but that's average.
"It's forever going to be an adventure..." The vastness of the country is one of the main reasons that many Americans don't travel abroad. It is much cheaper to drive to another region of the country with a family than to fly every across an ocean. And there are so many sights to see in America that it might take many years or even a lifetime to see them all.
Tips for those visiting Tulsa, Oklahoma: 1). We don’t ride horses to work 2). Eye contact is always followed by a greeting 3). That greeting might very well turn into a thirty minute conversation 4). You must ask about a place called Cherry Street. Eat at every restaurant there. Especially Andolinis Pizzeria 5). And also ask for our brewery here named Marshall’s. Top beer! 6). The gathering place. Just ask ANYBODY about it. 7). Our river needs work but walk down Riverside drive. Definitely during our fall season 8). Hit me up if you are visiting. I’ll be more than happy to show you around. It’s a hidden gem surrounded by flat plains in the middle of nowhere
As an Arkansan from Fayetteville, I often am treated, from my own experience, pretty rudely when I travel to Tulsa. I might just be imagining it but people seem more friendly in Texas and Louisiana than Oklahoma. Just my experience though. Have made some great friends from Oklahoma, but overall y’all seem a bit on the anti Arkie bandwagon, but I could be wrong.
@@klaytonbowen5646 Eureka Springs is an absolute hidden gem. We live in northern Oklahoma and head over there on many breaks or 3 day weekends. Always something cool going on, people are unbelievably friendly, so many quirky and great shops downtown. Would HIGHLY reccomend to anybody nearby!
In many ways the states act like individual countries rather than simply districts of a larger country, though the union is more robust than say the EU. This I think is what many Europeans get wrong about the US - there isn't one single "American" culture(They mostly think all Americans are Texans :P). Rather, there are MANY cultures here - perhaps just as many as in the whole of Europe.
LOL, well Texas was it's on country for a brief time lol. But we went bankrupt and that's why we wanted to join the union. Plus a lot of Texas immigrants were originally from the union.
We were individual countries before the constitution and, in a lot of ways, even afterwards. The word State means country. If you think of it in that context, issues like states rights and the electoral college make a lot more sense.
Technically, that is exactly how America is supposed to be, and was, officially, until the Civil War in the 1860s. I won’t get into the causes of the war, but the effect was unification of the states under a strong federal government, which is exactly the opposite of what the founders wanted.
For another perspective, I grew up in Idaho and this was the first time I realized that it was a regional term unique to us. Never really thought about it.
PaleBear We say it here in the mountains of East Tennessee too. That’s what we call groundhogs. Skunks are polecats, crows are caw birds, red squirrels are boomers and so on.
@@PotatoeSnow Really? Cuz I've lived in Idaho for half my life and that's all we call the ground squirrels. There is no specification. Maybe it's an Ada County thing?
My German professor in College was a native of Germany. She told us once of a conversation she had with her parents about driving across the state of Washington, and how long it took (roughly the same distance and amount of time as it is to cross the whole of Germany). Her folks were shocked!
we have the same problem in Maryland in the spring. my sister's birthday is March 13th and one year it was 90 degrees on her birthday and the very next year there was 2 feet of snow on the ground. this past February (I think) we had a nasty windstorm, a high of 80, a high of 45, and 2 inches of rain all in the same week!!
About the portion sizes in restaurants, in most places with large portion sizes you're very much expected to take some home to reheat later. In my experience at least here in the south, it's a hospitality thing. If you're invited to someone's home to eat, if there isn't more than enough food it's embarrassing for the host, as if they can't afford to provide enough food. There's supposed to be extra or it's considered a little rude.
@@firewisplet8275 What? That's just culturally how it is here... Why do you have to be so rude about the manners and etiquette of a certain people to the point you think you can tell someone elaborating on them that they need a therapist?
brownjatt21 I tried some “Authentic New York Pizza” while on vacation in NYC, and it was very similar to the gas station pizza down the road from me, in Maine.
@@gabe-a-ghoul691 haha most of it is overhyped definitely but I've had some good stuff there can't lie. Going in 2 weeks again. That gas station/ truck stop Pizza is the best thing on the planet when it's that time though ooooweeee.
In the U.S., the best public transit is pretty much limited to larger cities. If one lives in suburbs, and definitely not rural areas, cars are a must.
Indiana! Totally right about the weather... it was 90 degrees for months, I was so excited for the Fall weather, but we seemed to skip that this year and go straight to 30 degree Winter weather -_-
Well, it wasn't then but it's a misnomer now. It's just one of those quaint accidents of history, like that spot in the rug where the dog pooped that keeps coming back no matter how many times you scrub it.
Fellow Indiana resident here, It’s called the Mid-West because it’s the middle of the Western Hemisphere, much like the Middle East or Mid-East is the middle of the Eastern Hemisphere.
I live north of Seattle and I always thought of the Midwest as East of the Rockies and West of the Mississippi. So I always thought of Indiana as East.
The US is the culture capitol of the world lol. The vast majority of globally popular movies, tv shows, and music come from here. People are just jelly
When we order food in the Restaurant...we ALWAYS ask for a "doggy bag". Sometimes we just split one meal. I know in Europe doggy bags are frowned upon. Not sure how the British feel about them. BUT...in the USA the meals are just too large to eat in one setting. And if you split your meal in half it cuts down the the average cost because you have a meal for TWO nights instead of ONE.
Badguy 1 "...if you split your meal in have it cuts down on the average cost...." Absolutely. I always get two to three meals from one visit to a restaurant. Thank heaven for doggy bags!
BADGUY 1 - I live in the UK (have done for decades now) and we have takeaway boxes in restaurants, they are boxes for leftover food made from cardboard (we don’t have doggy bags), they’re very common here.
We mostly don't have actual bags here any more either. If you ask for a doggy bag they usually bring you a "to go box" (more common term in California than "takeaway box"), usually of Styrofoam but often now of some other kind of plastic since somebody decided that Styrofoam wasn't good for the environment.
Doggy bags used to be frowned on here. I read where a couple asked for a doggie bag for their steaks. The snotty manager loudly told the waiter to put all the restaurant scraps in a bag. The wife said they only wanted theirs. The manager said, in front of everybody, that the couple had an extremely picky dog. The wife replied, Yes, and he is going to be very disappointed that we ate here.
People who've lived in a certain intense climate for all of their lives (and who are highly adapted to it) will naturally feel inclined to stay in it, whether it be hot or cold. Outliers exist of course, but it's not as though they feel at odds with it.
As a Finn, my guess would be the familiar landscape and climate, not too much people yapping around, and probably most importantly, plenty of job opportunities in the wood industry, a field many had experience from back home.
Nowadays the largest concentration of Finnish people in the USA is in Lake Worth, Florida, about 30 minutes from where I live. Times have changed I guess :D
I think I heard Americas weight issue discribed best as this; America is a dichotomy with some of the most fattest and some of the fittest with far fewer in betweens. Plus alot of the weight issues are regional.
Violent Kisses During my first time visiting Britain,April 1985, while in high school, my school mates and I were impressed with how slim the general population was with an overweight person a rarity. Over time that has changed. But the same can be said of America. Growing up in the 70's we were a lot thinner. Part of that is we had more physical activity and portion sizes were smaller.
I think its mostly culture and how your are raised. Ive noticed the more rural you get people may not care about themselves as much in that way. While living in the city, people were much more aware of how food effected them. Also income is a big player. People more wealthy are known to take care of themselves better. Some of that being because they can and thei jobs usually being client based where how you look matters.
I've spent some time in the UK and I noticed quite a few "big boned" women there also. Many were not just heavier, but taller than average also. In the US, you see quite a few women (especially of certain ethnic persuasions) that are, shall we say, "pear shaped".
A friend of my dad's from Italy visited eastern Oregon as his first trip to America, and eventually after hours of driving through the beautiful desert towards some tiny town he looked out the window and just said "big" with a bit of awe in his voice. And it is. Even having grown up in it, it still seems big.
Most of the bad things about America said by Brits were said by people who never visited here, and by Brits who were offended by one or two Americans they met in a pub in London. As it always is, stereotypes fade when people really get to know each other.
I'm from the south but moved away years ago. I'm american and I just wanna say thank you for these videos. You give ppl the truth about america. I just enjoy your videos and again thank you 👏
Dear sir, thank you, thank you, thank you! Your video has been in my feed for several days, but I was reluctant to click on it as I feared another video telling us how awful we are. What a pleasant surprise. I don’t pretend we’re perfect, but America is my home and I love it. I’ve travelled extensively through Western Europe and found every place I visited there wonderful as well (as a Yorkshireman some generations removed, I truly love York, and London is magnificent). In many cases I believe you find what you’re looking for. I try to look for the best. If you ever decide you’d like to visit my home region of the Lower Mississippi Valley (Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi), I’d be happy to help you plan your adventure. Blessings to you and yours.
British man living in Chicago: -20C is not entirely fit for humans Average person in the northern half of Canada: Its only -20, lets get some work done before it gets cold.
i’m from california (don’t call me a liberal, i’m more republican than i am democrat) and like 90°F is warm, 80-70°F is fresh/perfect weather, 60-50°F is cold cold, like we need a jacket or two, and anything below 50° literally freezing
I lived in Utah and now live in Seattle, Washington. 70-80°F is perfect temperature, 90+°F is hot, 40-60°F is a bit chilly but bearable, and anything less than 40°F is cold and wear many layers.
Good observations. People are people whereever you go. You will find all of us. The loud, the rude, the mean, the obnoxious on the flip side, the quiet, the polite, the generous and outgoing. All of us can be any of those and none of those at any given time. Welcome to the US.
I’m from a small town that neighbors Anderson and your description of our weather is spot on. The classic colloquialism is “if you don’t like the weather, wait ten minutes.” My employer sent an email in the summer saying not to be outside for more than 5 minutes due to extreme heat and we had multiple emails last winter saying not to be outside for more than 5 minutes or risk hypothermia. Our weather is so bonkers!
Thank you for always being so respectful in the representation of Americans. I'm an English teacher abroad, and I find it difficult to explain the diversity in cultures, because all my students care about is southern California. I'm from the Midwest 😫
I once dated a woman that came to the USA from Australia. She was in the country for maybe three months by the time we met, and she was initially terrified at the idea of commitment to me after being together for about six months when I asked her to become exclusive with me because she was under the impression that American men kept their women like dogs. Freedom to run around in the dog park, but had better return when called the first time, and kept as pretty much slaves in the bedroom. I just gave her this extremely confused blank look and she asked me, in all seriousness, if this was true. I just asked her what the fuck she was going on about.
It's always interesting to hear a new accent here in the US. Someone will speak to you, and you have to stop and take a couple of beats while you mentally decipher their accent and figure out just what they asked of you. When I was in my early 20s I visited New Orleans for the first time. I was not aware that during the Great Depression a lot of migration from New York City, mainly Brooklyn, happened in New Orleans. I was shocked to find a lot of people talking with a Brooklyn accent but with a Cajun and southern twang to it. It was so utterly bizarre.
That’s a good point a lot of people don’t think about; how people moving from one place to another really impacts the accent. I grew up in Tennessee and people, well, were always so condescendingly happily surprised to find that out, because I don’t “have that accent.” It’s like they’re shocked I have all my teeth and haven’t brought up four wheelin’ and huntin’ or downin some whiskey. It’s interesting, what we assume of people based off of the accent. To this day I’m thankful my Mom was on the radio and news, so I grew up listening to her sort of... accentless voice. Except on voicemails, lol. I can do an impersonation that is SPOT on, and it’s because it’s THE news anchor accent. “Hi, this is Lila Evans. I’m not here to take your call *pause* but, if you’d leave your name, number, and a brief message, I’d be happy to get back to you as soon as I can! Thanks for calling! *radio chuckle, click* Bless that woman so I don’t have to deal with people assuming I have no education or brain in general, founding aallll those assumptions on a super country accent. It’s tied with a Jersey accent as being the one assumed to be the least intelligent. As in, even more vapid than VALLEY GIRL. Goodness.
@@SunflowerSpotlight I'm from a small european country, and what you describe happens to lots of children here: growing up without speaking their local dialects. They all sound like small newsreaders from the neighbouring bigger country (people watch the tv channels from them because they have way more channels, and films are dubbed in their almost accent free "tv speaking") It makes me sad for them. A somewhat famous writer in the german speaking parts of Europe (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe) once said "the only thing that really connects you with your area of origin is your dialect". And in my opinion this "no accent thing" sadly kills a bit of language heritage (and diversity/variety of a language). People here have their share of prejudice too when it comes to the language, but they know that the dialects are no indication for intelligence.
@@nirfz I've lived up and down the East Coast (of America) and I don't really have a specific accent. Its more of the standard Mid West but now it's developing into a slight sounthern quality because I've lived in the south for quite awhile. You will develop one the longer you stay in one place, it just takes a while. That aside, everyone has their own take on it. My father and mother have spent most of their lives in the south but don't have southern accents because both sets of their parents didn't approve of speaking improper English and focused on enunciation. That can effect how you sound.
There's an Irish women who visits a family member where I work. When I first told her I loved her accent she said. "Oh, do I still have one?" She and her accent are simply lovely! We NYers can sound like alley cats......
i think the size of America is something that many Europeans really struggle with. i mean, of course i know they can generally, logically follow that like the average American, I drive an hour one way most days of the week to get to my university (and my job, i work on campus), but they can't really wrap their minds around the idea that it isn't by choice or that is actually not just normal, but expected. or that i chose that university because it is that closest to my parent's home. if i didn't have a car or just said "you know what i don't want to drive a minimum of 2 hrs everyday", i wouldn't be able to pursue a higher education, and jobs i should be the best candidate for would turn me down. hell the closest community college is still 30 minutes away and I just got done arguing with a bunch of UKers that 20 minutes one way is totally a reasonable amount of time to expect someone to have had travelled regularly. and hell, if I refused to travel 20 minutes daily one way, I wouldn't be able to find work, since the majority of businesses are on the other side of town. and it's hella special to live in an area where public transit is available in anyway but name. i mean the public transit where i live is pretty consistent, but it is unreliable (time schedule wise) and goes to sleep between 10:30 pm and 6 am. you get stuck at the buss stop at 11 pm with nothing but a transit pass and you' re just SOL until 6 am.
Corvette Dude oh please Canada is barely bigger then the United States. Like by a few hundred square miles. Plus most of it is an unpopulated barren waist land.
I was working in Grimsby back in 2006 at a refinery there. I was talking about pickup trucks with two petroleum engineers and the conversation meandered over to the idea of driving long distances. I told our host Ian that I'd, multiple times, driven more than a 1000 miles in a single day in the states. He informed me that if I attempted that starting in the UK, I'd end up in Ukraine.
Your insights are interesting to me, as a lifelong Hoosier. (except for time in the Navy, and one year of university) I grew up in Evansville, eventually landed in Indy, and now live in Martinsville. Happy to have you here.
Ten Years, bit of a new Comer, now that I've been here 55 years, since 1963, During the JFK Presidency. So I've seen quite a lot o history. Some good, some not so good, but always getting forward. I too was astonished by the food portions, Still am as a matter of fact, but thankfully, American Restaurants, offer "Doggy Bags" as they were called, bac then. But most Restaurants and Diners, will hand out boxes to take your left overs home. Obviously, not to feed the dog. My Immigration Process, was much simpler, although I had to travel to Glasgow from Edinburgh for one Interview. I also had a Sponsor here in my Brother in Law. Once the paperwork and interviews, where concluded, not all that long, I was able to leave, as soon as I wanted, Two weeks in fact. Obviously different standards now. I was amazed, when I was applying for my Citizenship and taking Classes, much of it, was already known to me, But others from other regions had a wait of years, I arrived on a Thursday, and had a job, and working on the Following Monday. Thanks to my Brother in law. Wages were lower than I expected, starting at $1.75 an hour. However gas was 24 cents a gallon. Which included, having my tires checked, windshield washed, and oil and other fluids checked. My first Apartment, fully furnished was $75,00 a month. I found Americans very friendly, polite and always eager to help out. I also was helped by a new friend, to get another job, working in a Test Lab, and got into Aerospace Testing. In all those years, I was unemployed or a total of six months, in 1970 after the end of the Moon Landings. So my move to the States, was definitely a good one, for me. Been lucky enough to visit about twenty States, some short Trips, others a bit longer. OMG. just looked up, what seems to be my Biography I do enjoy your slant on living here in the U.S. Looking forward to part two.
John Bissett Thank you for sharing your story. It was interesting. As an American, I'm glad you decided to stay in the U.S. Do you ever miss Scotland? Have you been back at all? My father's parents were from Glasgow.
@@christinedorman3383 Thanks for your comments, Yes I do get a little homesick at times. Especially after watching TH-cam channels from Edinburgh and Scotland. I don't miss the weather though, although many parts of the U.S. are colder. I haven't been back in a long time, 1999, was my last trip, after 9/11, and restrictions on flying got stricter and I older, I more or less stopped going. Just kept on touch, via Emails, videos and pics and a few phone calls. I love being an American, and much of my accent has gone, until I meet up with a fellow Scot or Brit. Then it comes out so easily, lol The great thing is, in America. is that I can view British Movies and TV shows and keep in ouch, so to speak. There have been a few moments, that stick in my mind. becoming an America Citizen. I actually got my Papers, before my Citizen Class was finished, However the teacher, took us to Culver City Council meeting. I was shocked, when the Mayor called out my name, and congratulated me, on becoming a Citizen, and got a round of applause. I was very touched by that. The Ceremony for new Citizens like myself was held at the large Auditorium in down Town Los Angeles, lots of dignitaries an Orchestra and choir and Speeches. a Fabulous evening for us all. While I was working in an Aerospace Test Lab on one of the early Mars Landings, a NASA rep, came by for our signatures, for those who had worked on the Project. and it was mounted on the Spacecraft. Of course it was all miniaturized, seeing how many thousands had worked on it. But just the thought of my signature on another Planet, Mars, was mind blowing. You cannot help. but to love a Country that does those sort of things for its people. I've been very fortunate, America is a place where dreams can come true. Both my Countries have been very good to me, Scotland for my upbringing and Education, and America, for opening its doors and giving me many opportunities, to succeed. I hope one day, you can visit the homeland where your Grandparents grew up. I'm sure you'll get a warm welcome.
@@elizabethd2916 Thank you, so am I. I'd like to be a Siir, but all I got from her Majesty was a British Army Veterans, Badge Very pretty, but no Knighthood. But at Least a fellow Edinburgh citizen got one, Sean Connery. So I'll let Sean have the Glory. lol
@@johnbisset4504 How very cool about the mayor and about the signatures, You have such wonderful memories. Have you considered writing them into an article and getting them published in a magazine or journal? I'm sure lots of people would enjoy reading them. In regards to Scotland, I so want to get there and see it! Maybe one if these years.
I think a lot of the reason that we Americans are loud abroad is that we get loud (situationally, as you say) when we're excited, and we're excited to be there! For many of us, we have to travel a long way to get out of this country.
One big difference I’ve noticed is that Americans refer to distance in the time it takes to get there as opposed to how far it is. In the UK when asked how far something is you’d get a response like “20 kilometers”, but if you asked the same thing in America they’d tell you “15 minutes”
I use to rely on public transportation in the suburbs of Minneapolis. It's not that great. An hour between buses departing and I had to be home by 8 otherwise I'd have to take an Uber. I finally met the requirements by the state for me to get a drivers license. Since I'm 17 there's a lot of requirements and thing you need to go to get one. Unless you live in the big cities or just outside public transportation isn't great.
as far as portion sizes go, it's assumed that you intend to share or take food home. no one rationally thinks you're going to eat a burrito the length of your arm in one sitting (baring some special circumstance). you paid for food, and most places want to make sure that you get the food you paid for, so the sizes became larger as per hospitality custom as others have mentioned, because they want you to remember how good it was when you have it for lunch tomorrow so you're more likely to come back, and because giving food is a big thing just about anywhere. it's a thing to expect your friends and family to say "i can't finish this, do you want it?". hell my family, when there's money and we're all together, will do a restaurant crawl where we all decide on one thing at one restaurant, split it, and move onto the next.
That is categorically not true. The vast majority of people ordering in any kind of restaurant in the US eat the whole meal themselves or discard the remainder.
You are spot on. I grew up as a military kid. Each of our moves were within the US. Every time we moved to a different state it felt like a different country. The food, the language, the culture were all big adjustments for me. Then when I was comfortable we'd move again. We drove for each move, so I traveled down the east coast to Florida, across the south and southwest up to San Francisco and flew to Hawaii. Across the northern US to Boston and then diagonally down route 66 to CA. Each so different from the other. Even Americans feel the differences.
TheCriminalViolin Xavier Rodriguez You guys are both wrong. The United States claimed sovereignty on July 4, 1776, but its sovereignty became undisputed in 1783 when the war ended and Britain gave up its American claims. 1789 is in no way when the country "started", but it was the year in which the first president was elected. Before then the country was loosely held together by the Articles of Confederation, but the US was definitely still a sovereign state.
@@gamerfortynine Are you serious?! The Indians fought each other for land ALL THE TIME. Most tribes had borders and their own laws, all independent from each other.
I've been to England a few times. Birmingham, Colchester, and Northumberland. I particularly enjoyed listening to the Geordie accent while staying in Berwick-upon-Tweed, and took the opportunity to explore an ancient castle on the coast (had to wait for low tide first). Although the food portions were noticeably smaller, it was all very good (the beer was to die for). The people were friendly, and the atmosphere and history were fantastic. All of my ancestors that I am aware of came over from the U.K. and Ireland, including several on the Mayflower. Cheers!
Well Said. Come to London circa 2018 and you might have a Cultural shock though..lol In my youth from 1960 it was 98% White/British indigenous. By 2016 only one birth in ten in Inner London was to that same group...
Same as most large American cities, and they don't want to assimilate. Liberals here tell them that they don't have to. Caucasians of European heritage are just about in the minority now. Diversity for diversity's sake.
Sadly. Easy Maths in England. The average White or Jewish or Chinese Family has 2 children which is around 130 progeny in 6 generations ( 2x22x2x2x2 ) while The Black and Asian and Muslim families average over 4 children per household which is ( 4x4x4x4x4x4 ) which is over SIXTEEN THOUSAND offspring in the same period and that gap widens with every future generation...@ @@19580822
If ur not from the US, here are some tips. Think of the states as their own countries but they arnt countries. They are sections of the main country. Basically, visiting different states is the same as going to different countries in europe. Definitely get a car if ur going to places that are considered the suburbs or country sides. Especially if you are in the midwest or visit Texas. Texas is huge. Don't underestimate its size. EVERYTHINGS BIGGER IN TEXAS as they say.
@@ireaddekkerIt would also be the lowest two spots in population. Total population of Alaska is less than any of the Texas major cities. Still, I'd love to visit it sometime. Definitely one of the harder ones to just pop on up there for a visit.
I stumbled across this channel today. What a joy! I've spent a few weeks in the UK on business, mostly London, mostly 3-5 days at a time, and I love the place. I am glad to see the sentiment returned.
I very much enjoy the impressions of a British person in America without all the smug pompous attitude of 'Joel & Lia', which they think is funny while many people here call that 'being an ass'. Also, most of us don't own passports or visit other countries for two connected reasons, both having to do with the size of our country. It's so big that we have far more to do in our own country then most people do, far more places to go and space to explore. Also, its not only big but also very removed from every country other than our neighbors, In England you can get to many countries fairly quickly and easily while it costs us a fortune in air fare and a lot of time to visit anywhere other than our nearest neighboring country.
It's also why other than Spanish, most Americans don't study languages besides English. In Europe they need to, they're so much closer to a lot of other countries so it makes more sense.
Good rule of thumb for cars: If you don't regularly hear the city mentioned outside of the US, you'll probably need a car. Or just always assume you need on. Major cities have good transit - within that city. If you want to go to a neighboring city, you'll need a car. (Unless you want to try taking a Greyhound or maybe a train, but it may be cheaper to just rent a car, and certainly faster.) Also, note on our trains - our (US) trains are mainly for transporting goods - coal, lumber, other raw materials, aircraft parts, misc, etc. Passengers on trains are more of an afterthought, or way to expand revenue. The trains are SLOOOOOOOW, and I doubt our rail infrastructure matches anything in the UK or EU. (I took the train from Indianapolis to Chicago and back. On the return trip, we had to do about 30mph the whole way because some signal somewhere on the line was stuck at "caution"). I will say, it IS more scenic, and less stressful than driving. And some routes can be cheap (or run specials), comparable to or less than driving, when you figure in gas. It's more of a slow-pace activity, than it is actual transit.
We had to either fly from Nebraska to Philadelphia and spend the night in a hotel, ($$$), or take the train and get there in time. Two day trip on the train. We opted for the train as we were not wealthy by any means because my husband was a US Army soldier. We were PCSing (permanent change of duty station) to Turkey. Our daughter was eight and I think she met everyone in that train. In fact she turned eight during our trip and the porters all came and sang happy birthday to her. Fun trip. It was 1980 and we traveled past three mile island.
I took the train/subway between philadelphia and nyc that was fast. San Antonio tx is improving it's public transport but it has a long way to go to replace having a car
As an American, I very much appreciate your videos. I've learned a lot about my own culture and language from listening to your videos. I'm glad to have you here with us
Many of we Americans do not travel overseas because our country is so massive and still very rural. There is so much here that we tend to be preoccupied with our country vs looking outward to the rest of the world. Which is probably not a good thing when it comes to understanding other countries and cultures.
I am terrified of flying so I won't be going overseas in this lifetime. With so much internal variety regarding climate, scenery, terrain, and local food culture, and, thanks to so many diverse immigrants bringing the world's cultures to us, there isn't a strong desire to travel for a different experience.
@@msr1116 I do know the definition of the words I use but can you clarify your comment from before? Sincerity and sarcasm are difficult to know through simple text
Thank you for giving one of the most honest opinions I've seen lately of what people from other countries think of America. Thanks also for realizing how different people in different parts of our country are. It disheartens me when people spend two weeks in NYC or LA then think they know all the people of United States, sorta like me spending time in Spain and thinking I know how everyone in Europe is. Thanks again.
Towns by the Canadian border (Ely, International Falls) have a different climate than Red River Valley towns (Moorhead, Detroit Lakes) which are different from the Cities. You can have 40 below in Embarrass, 20 below in Moorhead (but 30 mph winds) and 0 in St Paul.
Not to mention you guys have that dry heat. I'd rather sit in 100 degree Arizona weather than 80 degree South Texas weather. The humidity in the closest city to me is %97; its "cold" outside and im sweating!
It does get over 100. But his point was the extreme temperatures in both directions in the Midwest. -20 in winter and over 100 in summer with high humidity
You hit another home run with this one, Laurence. One thing I want to add to your comments about the size of this country, coupled with the one about the variations in accent, etc., is that we also have the 2 unattached oddballs--Alaska and Hawaii. At the risk of sounding haughty, where else in the world can you find a country with territory in the Arctic (northern Alaska), the tropics (Hawaii), the subtropics (the southernmost states in the SE (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas), mountains, desert, huge cities and places where you can be 50+ miles from the nearest road or the nearest town? It's amazing!
Yes, do a part B. As an American fan of yours, (subscriber), I find it fascinating what you have observed. As for the free refills on soda pop, that might be a regional thing in some parts of the country. It's not true in many of the restaurants I go to in New England and when I lived in San Diego, I don't think it was true there either. I usually just get water in restaurants now, but once in a while I do order an alcoholic drink which costs mucho dinero and does NOT come with free refills, of course.
I travel all over the country and the lack of free refills is so rare that I can't remember the places (by places I'm talking about establishments, not cities or states) that don''t do it.
It is VERY common all over the US, especially in the fast-food (which is an oxymoron if I've ever heard one) chains. And is also a large contributor to our national obesity problem! Sugar, sugar, sugar!
8:00 And there are a bunch of places that call it a Woodchuck. 8:50 Around Texas, it's called a Coke. The conversation goes like: "I'll take a large Coke" "What kind of Coke?" "A Sprite"...
That's weird. Texas native, but we called everything Dr. Pepper, at least in the DFW area. Then again, Dr. Pepper ball park was near by so maybe that's why.
That's fucking retarded... I know that's a bit vulgar but Coke is it's own soda, so calling other sodas "coke" makes no sense, because it's not fucking coke....
@@thetwogamers1532 Post-its, hoovers, selotape, blu-tac, velcro, heroin, google; all of these are specific brand names which become synonymous with the product being marketed under them. It's a common phenomenon and not "fucking retarded". It's human nature to apply labels to things.
The BBC dispelled a lot of the American stereotypes. Not that obesity isn't a concern but we aren't the most obese nation in the world. Egypt I believe has the highest obesity level.
@@Atlas-pn6jv nah, we're pretty sincere out here, too. I'm originally from Florida and moved to NC and was suspicious at first why everyone was being so nice cuz no one does that in Florida. But after living here for 3 years, they genuinely are very nice people. The passive aggressive thing only happens when you tick them off.
I enjoy the teasing tones of my region. I noticed it the other day when someone from Kansas asked me why I was being so mean. I simply told them that it's a good way to gauge someone. If they cannot take the quipping then they are very dry witted That or they're just boorish.
I live in the Midwest and I have to say that everyone you meet has the most passive aggressive tone you will ever hear. I am at least sincere with my hatred of everyone!
It is interesting to hear your comments about the USA. I've been to the UK only once, back in 1964. Owing to the way we were treated by everyone we met, we never returned. On the other hand, we were welcomed with open arms in Belgium, France, Germany, etc. I couldn't tell you what the issue in the UK was if I tried. I attributed it to a national prejudice against foreigners. I do hope that I was mistaken. English people I have since met have been delightful.
As an American that has lived in the UK I have to say that has not been my experience at all. Waiters and waitresses in large inexpensive eateries are generally ruder than in the US, but people as a whole I found to be charming and welcoming. It just takes a little longer to get past the formal exterior that is generally present on meeting. They have a longer slope to good conversation, but once you get there it is worth it. If you go to a smaller establishment, the type owned by a proprietor that is onsite working, they will generally engage you in conversation and take good care of you. There is a cultural politeness that is balanced with a bit of wit that I found delightful. But I love dry humor. When I was staying in a small town, I would tend to return to the same coffeeshop/restaurant several times a week and get to know the people. They open up and see your patronage as respect for what they are producing, both in terms of food and atmosphere. I think giving respect gets you respect, same with appreciation. Many, if not most, of those people have opened up and shared, candidly transparently in a way that is not found as easily in the US. The thing that makes the English appear hard at times, cuts both ways. They have a certain humility, by that I mean a personal circumspect honesty, which is really refreshing if you can invest the time to see it bloom. I should mention that on two separate extended stays in England events transpired that stimulated some rather spirited conversations (Brexit vote and the last Presidential election). Being in country for both meant that people who knew me wondered how I was reacting. So there was a lot of good-natured ribbing on both sides. I found the English people to be very honest as a rule, and as a group they have accepted rules of propriety that remind of some of the better qualities of the American South and New England, which probably should be no surprise as those areas were populated primarily by the English.
@Matthew Chenault, I find that so peculiar. People I know in France and Germany generally like Americans and - if they visit the USA - are quite impressed. One thing I hear often is that Americans are approachable and willing to help. A friend of mine who teaches English in France took a group of children to the UK and vowed he would never do so again. He then went to Ireland and found that the people a) like children and b) treat them as part of the family. He also wanted to try to bring a group here to New England where he found everyone delightful.
@Matthew Chenault I would disagree the Brits are kinda hostile because back in WW2 the American soldier's when to the UK and France and hooked up with all the women.
yarmo28 We get a lot of foreign exchange students from Spain, France and Germany coming here to California to learn English. They all told me they came to the US to study because Americans are much nicer than the English. Wow, the Continentals really don’t like the English...
I spent 12 years in the UK, in Oxfordshire -- Henley-on-Thames. Of course, it was lovely. I acquired dual citizenship whilst there and will always look kindly on my new, adopted country. That said, it's good to hear you say kind things about the US and I, myself, am happy to be back again, at least until I get the urge for another grand adventure. Enjoy yours here!
Admittedly I am "only" 64 and have lived in Inner and Outer London all my life but I,honestly, thought Henley-On-Thames was in SURREY !!!!!!!!! not "near the tripoint of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire" . .....every day is a school day..lol
I stayed, for about 10 months over 3 visits in Oxfordshire, the Enysham/Witney area and loved it. It makes me appreciate how much we as Americans owe to our English forefathers. That isn't idle talk on my part. The DNA tests said that I am about 98% British Isles, and my families of origin are from the American South. But there is something very like coming home to mother when I visit England.
I moved from Scotland to VERY Western North Carolina (The South) and it's actually not been too bad culture wise as the area was heavily influenced by Scottish and Irish culture. I found the public transport frustrating too, here in the country there is none and also not really any sidewalks to walk. The cost of living isn't too bad, however apartments at the moment are ranging from $500 for 1bed 1bath to $1000 for 2bed 1bath and starting wages at regular jobs are roughly $10-$11 an hr. I love it here though :)
that area is very liveable..the biggest cities, really are rather ghettoized- divided and segregated into rich people and poor- and the cost of living is insane to live in such an overpopulated region.
@@sasquatchhunter86 We don't want you here in California. It's expensive because we charge extra for Stupid. It's a "nanny state" because we don't want (most) people to pour battery acid on their breakfast cereal when the bottle was labelled "milk".
Another wonderful video. So much I could comment on but I'll limit my comments to two areas: accents and stereotypes. As a U.S.-born person, I hate when non-Americans on TH-cam or television put on an "American" accent that is flat and boring or sounds like they are imitating Uncle Cornball who has an IQ of 2. There are so many fascinating accents in the U.S. and some of them are even musical. In regards to stereotypes, you did such a spot on job, Mr. Brown, that all I'll say is thank you.
Even some of the best actors sound like they're putting on a fake accent when they're playing an American character. The only ones I've ever heard who were convincing were Gary Oldman in the Dark Knight movies, and Gillian Anderson in The X-Files, but apparently she spent a few years in Michigan when she was a kid, so that probably helped her out a bit. But listen to someone like the redhead from Game of Thrones in the X-Men and it's almost painful to listen to.
@@SunflowerSpotlight I both understand and am sorry for your hurt. As a native Floridian, I also can relate to your issue with the heat. I keep trying to get out of Florida and, for various reasons, keep ending up back here. Florida's a great place and I love it but I hate the heat and humidity. I love seasons (especially autumn) and snow. Anyway, I'm glad that you have found a place where you feel at home. By the way, the North Carolina and Alabama accents are two of my favorites and are among the things I was thinking of when I said some American accents are quite musical. That said, anyone who can't hear the difference between the two needs to get his / her hearing checked!
One of the most unique accents I have heard here was on Harkers Island off the coast of North Carolina. It is almost like a southern/ Northumbrian/Yorkshire accent. I have never heard anything like it. I asked the gentleman if he was British and he replied he was born and raised on same said island.
@@SunflowerSpotlight I think Tennessee is one of most beautiful states. Especially over towards the eastern part. I would move there in minute! And the sweet tea, oh my!!
I’m glad you’ve enjoyed your time here, even though the last 12 years have been pretty rough at times. I think videos like this are valuable for Americans as we sometimes take “normal” things for granted and don’t realize what other countries do or don’t have.
Housing prices vary so damn much. A lot of people I know got out of San Francisco before I did, but I got out this year. People scattered all over the place. A former coworker of mine paid $27K, all cash, for a house in Indianapolis and he made a good case for me doing the same. But he would have been the only person I know there. I ended up in Oregon (which I had visited so damn many times it was already my 2nd home) and my brother and I bought a house for $275K. You can't buy a closet in the S.F. Bay Area for that. It's a mess.
Oklahoma has fluctuating weather 98% of the time. Sometimes, I swear, you can have all four seasons in one day. I don't mind it though. It's kind of nice, once you get used to it.
Live in Chula? I mean, people who pay excruciatingly high rent can't complain when they have options. I get it - you don't want the commute. That's called "opportunity cost", and we all have to deal with it. I'm not getting on your case exclusively. People who bitch about paying a ton of money to live in San Fran, London, or New York can deal with an hour commute to lower their living costs substantially, yet they choose not to.
When you talk about distance a friend from the UK told me a joke once. The difference between the UK and the US is that Brits think 100 miles is a long way and Americans think 100 years is a long time.
Here in the US, we call 100 miles a quick trip to a friends house.
@@dumdum7786 Mother: Take your bike and be back before dark!
That is the truth. It always amazes me when I'm watching a documentary and some guy is telling the history about his house in the UK. It turns out to have been built in like the 1600s and it is still livable. I think to myself "Christ that is older than my whole country."
Not in Rhode Island. Our small state takes about an hour driving from corner to corner. Half hour drive to Warwick? Fuhget it, we’re not going. Also just realizing that in our magical small state we measure how much time it takes to get somewhere, not miles.
@@macmittens16 Michigan also measures distance by time.
So rare to hear someone talk about my country without trashing us. Thanks for that.
Is it that bad? I love Americans
@@EvilStreaks Crazy amounts of hate out there for the US.
@@aeronomer8389 ^^^^ yup
Aero Nomer lmao facts
how about not naming a country after the whole continent?
I had a British couple I played an MMO with at one point who were going to visit NYC for 3 days or something along those lines. They mentioned at one point that they were thinking about driving down to see the Grand Canyon, I started laughing, then explained to them that it was a 30+ hour drive one way.
They really didn't understand how massive the US is in comparison.
kutark from what I’ve heard that’s a fairly common thing for people visiting the US for the first time.
More like 3 or 4 full days of driving.
Good thing its relatively cheap to fly to somewhere in america from a america. Its not like super cheap but its cheap when you think of time saved
Got the same thing from an Australian couple visiting California; they planned to drive from SF to Sacramento-tour a Railroad museum, then go to Yosemite-tour the park) and head to LA (IN THE SAME DAY)...we had to have a sit down and talk it through...I rather dashed their plans, but....
@@tammievawter9477 H-How does an AUSTRALIAN make that mistake?... They live in a Country damned near as large as the lower 48!!
I’ve lived in the US for 18 years, and I’ve made many of the same observations. On the topic of size, I love that throughout this massive country, you can go pretty much anywhere by car, use the same language, use the same currency, and yet experience such a multitude of geography and culture. There is no better place on Earth for my favorite type of vacation: The road trip.
My friend who works at a steel cable manufacturing plant here in California. It's actually a company from Japan. He said that the engineers are rotated in from Japan every four or five years. He said that the engineers will drive on road trips for their vacations. Instead of flying to Disney World they would drive. He said the engineers told him they do this because they may not get another change like this to be able to see the US.
And despite our reputation, the more intelligent among us are glad to have you in our country and share your culture with us, regardless of what your culture may be. Please do not allow the closed minded people here to intimdate you. I sincerely believe that the majority of us celebrate different cultures and are truly interested in learning. At least I really hope that is true. Otherwise, we may as well all move to North Korea. (No offense to North Koreans, I'm certain that you are wonderful humans. Your government is horrible though. We actually are concerned about you and would like you to know that we don't hate you or want to destroy your country. We really are nice people overall.)
@@davevanvlerah5167 You are so right on the mark. I was born and raised here in the USA - Pacific Northwest to be specific. One thing that I would say, however, is that it is not just the more intelligent among us but you could qualify that even further by saying those raised to respect others - whether you are intelligent or not! I cannot even tell you what my parents would have done to me in punishment if they knew I was disrespectful!!
@@leal536 Excellent point.
If you're interested in the road trip you should look into the cannonball run if you haven't already.
people actually do set cannonball records over here. Imagine from New York to California in under 26 hours.
An America "what I learned" video thats actually educational and not just condescending? I love it!
If you watch some of these, it's clear that the folks who do them are generally interested in the United States (its probably why they visited to begin with). I don't think I've ever seen a "what I've learned in america" hating on Americans.
"tHeY'rE sO lOuD"
Not all of us...
@@Redbikemaster just me
I hope Boris Johnson moves to the USA and becomes the President!
I moved to the US about a month before you did from Australia. I think you reflect my observations pretty closely. One thing that deserves mentioning is Americans kindness and generosity. Many would literally give you the shirt off their back. The other thing I find fascinating is their absolute unbounded optimism, it is very infectious.
The truth is we have to be kind and optimistic. Our country is so big and the federal government has so much control. The whole nation is kinda in bad shape. If we didnt counter that with a sense of duty to fellow man and some hope for the future, I dont think many of is would get on.
@@maxonmendel5757
Hi max.... I'd say we've BEEN that way because our religious ancestors passed it along and it's how we were once all raised. Sadly we're losing our religion and it shows. Cheers🌞
@@sonshine5038 you onna them 'Jesus freaks' or somethin? I got somethin to say to you
THANK YOU and happy to have you!
@@maxonmendel5757
You're STILL a kid.
THAT SHOWS!! 🌞
Thank goodness you finally told the world we are polite people. Everyone thinks we are rude
The rudest people I've ever met came from California, New York, DC.
@@LiamMill that is true. However based on my experience with the massive amount Californians moving to my city here in Texas, Californians seem to be very rude and bad drivers compared to most people here. I also work at a tourist Mall and I meet people from around the world everyday, mostly from out of state and we got a lot of Californians and most of them that I meet, seem to be rude and very obnoxious compared to most of the other people that we get from the states. Maybe it's just a cultural thing, I don't know that's just my experience. But of course I have met some good nice people form California, sadly it's just the majority that I meet that are rude.
@@gen.washington1893 Every Southerner who visits New York City complains that New Yorkers are rude and abrupt.
@Jane Ryan-Douglas you sound like a butthurt new yorker lol......and before you flip out i've been to new york city and can say with certainty that many nyc people are rude. Especially behind the wheel or on a bicycle. They talk to each other in a way that would get you punched in the face at the least and shot at the worst in most other parts of the country. Having said that, I understand nyc isnt representative of ALL of new york state, and I did have a good time while I was there, so i'm not hating.
They do?
The Great Lakes region is known for its four seasons: Early Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and (this one is called differently by different people) Mosquito/Tornado/Roadwork
Correction: Mosquito/Tornado/Roadwork/and OMG, who left the Sauna on?! My cousins from Tucson refuse to come to the Midwest in the summer. The heat + humidity eats them alive!
Yep, from Michigan here and the winter is 3 seasons long and painfully cold but... When the summer comes its only a week into the 100 degree heat that I start Begging for the snow to return. =P
@@DeKrampus more like the bugs. So many bugs.
orange barrel season and old man driving rv season is getting worse n worse!
And in the south we have our own Four Seasons bearable, really hot and miserable, hot but I'm not going to die, and then not so hot
It's often fun to explain to Europeans that the distance between Los Angeles California and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is FARTHER than the distance between Lisbon Portugal and Moscow Russia.
Robert Ainsworth years ago I shared a table in a cafe while in London. Just before we finished they told me they were visiting family in Boston the next summer and wondered if they could drop by and visit for lunch one afternoon. It made me sad to explain that as I live near Kansas City that would be impractical.
@@michaelbrennan6123 Yeah, that's about a three day drive.
Yeah. I am making a trip from Pittsburgh to Charlotte this Saturday to hopefully see my beloved Pittsburgh Panthers shock the world in the ACC Championship game and I will have to leave at 6AM just to make sure I can get there in time for an 8PM kickoff.
Exactly this....so many of my international friends think that the US is small...they want to go see Disneyland (in California) and the Statue of Liberty in New York in a two day span,when they finally get told that both are on opposite coasts and a five day drive or five hour plane flight ...suddenly it dawns in them that the US is huge
My father was on a business trip to s small city, in northern England, just sound of the Scottish boarder. While they he was talking with the some of the skill trades in the plant and they asked where in the U.S. was from, and he said Toledo Ohio. They asked were that was, he said about 60 miles south of Detroit and about 300 miles east of Chicago. Then then asked how far from Dallas was that (it was the late 1980's, and Dallas was a famous TV show at the time), and when he said about 2000 miles, they could not comprehend of two cities in the same nation being 2000 miles apart. Later he realized that 2000 from this small city would be in Turkey!
Thank you for including how massive America is. As someone from the state of Michigan, I had a very difficult time when I spent a month in Ireland explaining that I couldn't just pop over to California or Texas. It's almost the same cost for a flight to those states as it is to Ireland.
taninhawk, yeeees! I was born and raised in Oregon. Oregon is not even remotely the largest state in the U.S, and yet all of the U.K. can fit inside of Oregon with room to spare.
I've visited Washington and California on many occasions, but have barely travelled within my own state. I've been to South America once when I was a baby for a family emergency. (My grandfather was there and suffered an aneurism, and I was too little to be away from Mom, so she took me with her to help my grandfather recover.)
I used to know someone who spent an entire Summer with his best friend traveling to all 48 continental states, living out of a van. He is one of the few people I knew that had been to nearly all 50.
taninhawk I live in Kansas and would literally go bankrupt if I tried to get a flight to Florida lmao
@@ye1451 that's why the Midwestern motto is "drive, not fly"
Because driving costs just as much as a plane ticket. Lol
LMAO pop over to Texas LOL I live in Ohio so I understand completely yeah that's that's a very very very long plane ride really can't even consider a car trip I mean you're talking like what a week
Samee,I used to live in New York but now I live in Georgia and i have this friend from England and when I told him i'd only been to a few states and have never been to Cali he was shocked😂 Sorry but I don't have that type of money to travel even within my own country😂
many women in America judge their date on their politeness to a waiter in a restaurant. just a tip there folks
Yep, I judge everyone by how they treat people in customer service occupations.
@@jenbur6021 Damn straight! If you discover that a person kicks down, you don't need to know anything else.
Are you rude to waiters?
It's a indicator of your wallet size.
@@anthonylawson2275 It is?
"Too polite.." ding ding ding!! There it is. I've been hearing that from most Europeans in general for decades. I've spent a many year in Germany, Belgium, and Italy with a couple of visits to various places in the UK. I hear that about us Americans all the time. What's funny is, our neighbors to the north, Canada has the Stereotype amongst most Americans to be more polite than we are.
which is funny because even though Canadians of-course know their stereotype I feel like in my personal experience and my interaction with Canadians and their opinion is that America is actually even nice then them.
These same people meet a traveling American, and go into the encounter expecting them to rude; it's a self fulfilling prophecy.
Treat someone as if you expect them to be rude, and they probably won't like it; I don't know about you, but I don't make any effort to be nice people while they're shitting on me.
@@damienk7311 right? I kick em in the goolies then take their wallet and phone. Teach em a good lesson about talking crap in kicking distance. If I'm feeling really mean I'll huck their shoes on a roof or over a power line. That'll teach em to talk to people.
@Sheldon Robertson
Conquer the world?! LOL, what are you talking aboat?
I also lived in Belgium for a year. We Americans are seen as very polite but also more straightforward to them.
The thing about the portion sizes is really interesting because it comes from this... I don't know what else to call it other than a "hospitality culture" we have here. If you go to a restaurant, nobody is going to be making sure you finish the entire meal, if you don't the server will just go and grab you a box so you can take the rest home for a snack later. You fill up your cup before you head out so you don't get thirsty on your drive home. There's an emphasis on giving your guests more than they need and being good hosts that extends to our restaurants and service industries. That's also why the servers are expected to ask how your food is and check up on you from time to time - a good host ensures that their guests are enjoying themselves and aren't lacking in anything.
PupCake1025 Well put
Let's also not forget that waitresses/waiters/servers often work for minimum wage, and tipping is expected or even included on the actual food bill. They therefore have a strong incentive to be helpful and courteous. Not saying they wouldn't be otherwise, but in this society bad reviews can put a restaurant out of business.
Jesus wept you people are dumber than rocks.
@ See the problem with society is that they think people like us are assholes, when its really society that's at fault. See, I want to insult people on the internet and call them names but not explain why they are at fault but everyone around me seems to think I'm a jerk! Gosh how society can be so blind to the great such as you and I.
@@snortist1256 Don't worry about him, he's a just a dirty, drunk, bog-hopping, mick.
As an American of mostly English heritage my heart hurts every time I see a British person insult America, which seems to be all the time online. Hearing you say such nice things is a breath of fresh air. I hope to visit England one day!
@TheRenaissanceman65 I don't know, saying that Britain is more like Continental Europe because it's closer is like saying I'm more like my next door neighbor than my cousin from Illinois because we live closer. True, I might share more day-to-day habits with my neighbor--such as shopping at the same stores--but ultimately I'm going to have a stronger bond with my cousin because of our shared blood and background.
Brits actually see America in a very positive light because we're such close ally's and so culturally linked. The Brits that hate America are really in the minority of the minority like maybe 0.5%of Brits at most hate America and everything to do with it. In fact I would say America would be in the top 5 countries for practically every Brit. It would be a pleasure for any and all Americans to come and visit the uk and you will truly be welcomed don't worry about the minority of minority of Brits who have a dislike of America because I highly doubt you would ever come across one.
Fuck off!
bonecanoe86
Not saying who's right or wrong, but I can relate to your feeling in some ways. While growing up, my mother was a huge Anglophile although I don't think she put a great deal of thought into that fact itself. We always read Dickens and Jane Austen and Thomas Hardy and Winnie the Pooh and Beatrix Potter and we knew Miss Marple and Inspsector Clousseau, and we watched the Prisoner and The Avengers and The Man from Uncle and Alfred Hitchcock and so on. Of course we had American cultural icons around too, but in retrospect we really did feel a special connection to British people. I think my Mother's connection was stronger still because she was older than most of my friends parents and she grew up especially following Madeleine Carroll and Robert Donat, Merle Oberon, Michael Redgrave, Laurence Oilivier, Margaret Lockwood, etc. She generally loved her trips to the UK that she was able to enjoy after retiring too. Unfortunately she became internet savvy in her last years, and I believe it was very disappointing for her to find out how many Brits were so openly hateful towards anything or anyone American. She'd always loved all things Brits and assumed they would probably find something to like about her too, but instead learned that most often she was simply judged by Brits she met online as an ignorant, fat, uneducated, warmongering racist who was simply beneath all Brits... basically she felt hated and disappointed. Of course she was basically positive and understood that "theyre not all like that" but I know it bothered her.
That's why I honestly think it's probably better to stay away from internet types IF one if actually affected by this type of thing. People online are always much meaner than people in person, no matter where they're from.
@@ellengregory8002 Yeah similarly my family are all Anglophiles, including me to a large extent. More than half of my favorite bands are English, I was a big Harry Potter fan as a kid, and I used to watch British shows. Even today there's almost always a British accent coming out of the TV in my parents' living room.
I have a theory as to why so many British are hostile towards Americans: The British have been so heavily attacked and demonized by the media, pop culture, and education system both globally and within their own country that they lash out in frustration at the one people who have been demonized even more than they and are thus the only "acceptable targets": the Americans.
I think a reason many Americans don’t hold passports is because our own country is so large that traveling domestically makes sense, in the United states The geography changes rapidly throughout the country from Beaches to mountains to deserts to huge redwood forests beautiful farmland wide open sky’s. There’s so much of America to explore that I don’t wanna leave the country until I’ve seen at least every state in the country I live in but I would like to go to Amsterdam more than somewhere like California lol
Exactly. The whole "most Americans don't own a passport" screed has always been an unfair criticism designed to play up the whole loud, blundering, provincial American stereotype.
People never really grasp the sheer size of the US. It takes six and a half hours to just fly from NYC to L.A. By contrast it takes just over four hours to fly from London to Moscow. It never occurs to most people that the reach of American territory (not including military bases) makes it possible to travel from the Arctic Circle to the Caribbean and from New England to the middle and south Pacific Ocean and everywhere in between without any special paperwork. Heck, it was only within the last decade or so that air travel to Mexico or Canada started requiring a passport...ground travel is remains less stringent.
Genghis Pecan totally agree you were able to explain it much more elegantly then I can LOL but I think we’re on the same page here 👍🏼
TheRenaissanceman65 working on getting my passport so I can go to Amsterdam in Seattle and concert next year that’ll be my first time ever leave in the country let alone leave in the state of North Carolina in the United States but the US is so large that I’ve only been to three states out of 50 already our country is huge and there is so much to see and the landscapes differ from mile to like to mile
Its also thousands of dollars for a US citizen to go anywhere that isn't Canada or Mexico for a week or two.
@@SuperPremiumDeluxe not really you can get almost anywhere in the world for less than $1000
the thing with waitresses/waiters being really polite in restaurants is this: quite a bit of their paycheck comes from tips. if they're more polite and doting, they typically get more tips. so they are very polite and friendly.
I like waitstaff to check 2x at my table for extra drinks and check
I'm probably the odd man out in this, but all I want the waiter/waitress to do is take my order, come back with the food, and get the order correct and return promptly. If I could have the check come out with the food, that would be ideal. I'm not there to talk to the waiter.
I think our entire culture you are expected to be upbeat, smile and polite if you want to keep your job, no matter what area you work in unless you work for yourself.
Sherry Drake I couldn’t have said it better myself. Add that to “firing at will” (uniquely American), and there you have it.
captainphoenix If they would just eliminate the "mandatory" tipping system and make it "voluntary", the servers wouldn't be so hungry (literally and figuratively). Nobody needs to be asked 4 times during the course of their meal if everything is going okay. Plus servers deserve to be paid minimum wage by their employer. It is so much more pleasant to eat out in Europe where they leave you alone to enjoy the food and the company.
If you want to get a sense of how big America is then drive up the West coast. And after you are done driving for over a week straight look back and realize that you only covered 3 states...
I gave up on that trip when I was an hour north of San Francisco and realized I still had to drive another 6.5 hours non-stop just to hit the Oregon border.
Took us like 16 hours just driving to Sacramento from Seattle
I drove from Portland Oregon to near san Diego and it took me 14 hours speeding.
Why would I want to drive to California when it takes 2 hours to get to Tacoma?
@@chellebelle534 "Speeding" is an understatement here...
jdhalvo 😄
Ah yes, the Mid-west! Where conversing about the weather isn't just for mere small talk, but mutual astonishment that the human body is able to withstand such extremes.
And it is as much a part of proper conversation etiquette to ask about the weather as it is to ask “how are you?” because it’s basically an extension of the same question. lol
You both are so correct.
It wouldn't be so bad if it wernt for the wind
It’s also for knowing if you need your jacket, coat, winter coat, or arctic explorer rated winter gear.
My grandfather used to say there are two seasons in Chicago, July and winter!
In the Midwest if you don't like the weather, wait an hour it'll change.
With regards to American directness and politeness i think it's important to keep in mind that polite means different things in different cultures. In much of America, particularly in the Southwest, indirectness can be considered impolite. It can read as passive aggressive or disingenuous.
Also the playfulness of a few regions in the south, we can make you think we are being very nice while we laugh at you for agreeing
Southerners have mastered the art of polite passive aggressiveness lol, "Oh, bless your heart!" 99% of the time means, "lol your a fuckin idiot"
There's also the unfortunately common "I have to smile no matter how abusive you get because otherwise I'll be fired" polite in stores and restaurants. I can only hope that it isn't enforced as much in other countries.
"Interesting" also means, "I vehemently disagree."
@@emmawaters8380 Every time my old neighbor says something incredibly rude about someone she follows it up with a "bless their heart".
At 4:00 he's talking about how hellish the winters are. I'm sitting here in Minneapolis where the projected temp is supposed to hit around -50 w/windchill this evening. Made me chuckle.
And today it was back up to 32... lol love the midwest
Detroit it went from a foot and a half of snow and -40 to 50 and then it rained and then the whole city was covered in ice 😂 definition of Michigan weather if u don’t like it now just wait 5 minutes
Chicago can get some brutal windchill off the lake though, I was in Winnipeg for nearly 3 years where its regularly -25 to - 40 Celsius with wind chill on top but if no wind you can actually walk around in just a hoodie at those temps.
lol i live in chicago i feel that
BaalAdvocate I know I’m a month late but same
Your English is pretty good for a forienger.
Robot Bjorn Dude. (Please be Trollin’) He’s from England? You know, where English is from and people from England are called the English?
Lol
lmao
I think you mean *AMERICAN* ?
Robot Bjorn lel
Greetings from one of the non-bovine residents of Wyoming
😂😂😂😂
Greetings my fellow Wyomingite👐 what part are you from?
Two Wyomians commenting? I think that statistically we can say we've heard from the whole state. LOL And it is a beautiful state btw. I would move there in a heartbeat if someone offered me a job.
Hehehe!
@Heidi Marchant: Cheyenne, by the airport
I've been living in the US for my entire life, and it's good to see us not getting a bad rap for once, yeah, politically things are tense, but we try to treat eachother right
@IAmaPersion Or the one school trip they made for a few days to DC or the like when they were 16.
IAmaPersion or encounters they’ve had with American tourists in Europe.
JoAnne Middaugh American tourist in Europe most of the time are some rich pricks. So not an average person living in America.
it's interesting if you think about it- our politics are tense largely due to the MASSIVE difference we have in our regions here. people live so differently and are so different in terms of culture, geography, ethnicity etc, that we think very differently, as our life experiences based on our growing up are very different. imagine how different a rural appalachian is from a Hawaiian from a New Yorker from an Alaskan- it makes for different perceptions and understand of the world, of how the world works. We are all Americans but man oh man what it means to be American is so very different for all of us.
MAGA
On the topic of politeness, I've been living in the UK for several months now (I'm a grad student here) and I've actually been quite shocked at how UN-polite people can be in situations where Americans are sometimes over-polite. For example, I've noticed that people say "excuse me" but they don't wait for you to move out of the way! Was totally bizarre the first couple of times it happened. Anyhow, this is really good content, keep up the good work!
Edit: you WILL need a car.
Especially in the Midwest.
Not in the larger east coast cities...
Unless you live in a big city and never plan to leave it, otherwise yes you’ll need a car.
Do you just not believe in laws
@@JohnJFebreeze what are you on about?
As a person who has only lived in the US, I really appreciate hearing what a person who hasn't grown up here thinks. Awesome video. :-D
The US is happy to have you! Your channel is a source of entertainment and education to this bi-continental couple. Here's to many more years! Cheers xxx
Also, our research shows that it could cost upwards of near £20,000 from initial visa to ILR in the UK. I know others (a US/UK spousal immigration group) that has cost much more, but that's average.
"It's forever going to be an adventure..."
The vastness of the country is one of the main reasons that many Americans don't travel abroad. It is much cheaper to drive to another region of the country with a family than to fly every across an ocean. And there are so many sights to see in America that it might take many years or even a lifetime to see them all.
Tips for those visiting Tulsa, Oklahoma:
1). We don’t ride horses to work
2). Eye contact is always followed by a greeting
3). That greeting might very well turn into a thirty minute conversation
4). You must ask about a place called Cherry Street. Eat at every restaurant there. Especially Andolinis Pizzeria
5). And also ask for our brewery here named Marshall’s. Top beer!
6). The gathering place. Just ask ANYBODY about it.
7). Our river needs work but walk down Riverside drive. Definitely during our fall season
8). Hit me up if you are visiting. I’ll be more than happy to show you around. It’s a hidden gem surrounded by flat plains in the middle of nowhere
Sounds like a lot of *not Texas* to me
:D this is so nice
NW Arkansas better😉 jk I’m from fayetteville so I go to Tulsa for the apple store. But have you ever been to eureka springs Arkansas? THATS a gem!
As an Arkansan from Fayetteville, I often am treated, from my own experience, pretty rudely when I travel to Tulsa. I might just be imagining it but people seem more friendly in Texas and Louisiana than Oklahoma. Just my experience though. Have made some great friends from Oklahoma, but overall y’all seem a bit on the anti Arkie bandwagon, but I could be wrong.
@@klaytonbowen5646 Eureka Springs is an absolute hidden gem. We live in northern Oklahoma and head over there on many breaks or 3 day weekends. Always something cool going on, people are unbelievably friendly, so many quirky and great shops downtown. Would HIGHLY reccomend to anybody nearby!
In many ways the states act like individual countries rather than simply districts of a larger country, though the union is more robust than say the EU. This I think is what many Europeans get wrong about the US - there isn't one single "American" culture(They mostly think all Americans are Texans :P). Rather, there are MANY cultures here - perhaps just as many as in the whole of Europe.
Very true! Thanks for posting this.
LOL, well Texas was it's on country for a brief time lol. But we went bankrupt and that's why we wanted to join the union. Plus a lot of Texas immigrants were originally from the union.
We were individual countries before the constitution and, in a lot of ways, even afterwards. The word State means country. If you think of it in that context, issues like states rights and the electoral college make a lot more sense.
Technically, that is exactly how America is supposed to be, and was, officially, until the Civil War in the 1860s. I won’t get into the causes of the war, but the effect was unification of the states under a strong federal government, which is exactly the opposite of what the founders wanted.
Fortunately we still have the EC and Senate to at least give us some tie to those days.
For some reason I bursted out laughing when I heard "Whistle Pig." I live in the US, and I've never heard of such of a thing!
For another perspective, I grew up in Idaho and this was the first time I realized that it was a regional term unique to us. Never really thought about it.
PaleBear We say it here in the mountains of East Tennessee too. That’s what we call groundhogs. Skunks are polecats, crows are caw birds, red squirrels are boomers and so on.
@@smileychess
I didn't know until I searched it up and couldn't find what I was looking for. Had to look on Fish and Game for the specific species lol
@@PotatoeSnow
Really? Cuz I've lived in Idaho for half my life and that's all we call the ground squirrels. There is no specification. Maybe it's an Ada County thing?
@@PotatoeSnow
So it sounds like it's a localized thing then.
My German professor in College was a native of Germany. She told us once of a conversation she had with her parents about driving across the state of Washington, and how long it took (roughly the same distance and amount of time as it is to cross the whole of Germany). Her folks were shocked!
As we say in Illinois, if you don't like the weather give it 10 minutes.
72 in the day, 34 in the night.
we have the same problem in Maryland in the spring. my sister's birthday is March 13th and one year it was 90 degrees on her birthday and the very next year there was 2 feet of snow on the ground. this past February (I think) we had a nasty windstorm, a high of 80, a high of 45, and 2 inches of rain all in the same week!!
Same in Michigan. It was 30, then the next day it was low 60, then the next day it was mid 30s. It's crazy.
Yup, native Illinoisian. "Dress in Layers" is the 11th Commandment.
Same here in Nor Cal
Thanks for all the compliments of our wonderful country. As a first generation American I'm very proud to be American.
We're proud to have you!
About the portion sizes in restaurants, in most places with large portion sizes you're very much expected to take some home to reheat later. In my experience at least here in the south, it's a hospitality thing. If you're invited to someone's home to eat, if there isn't more than enough food it's embarrassing for the host, as if they can't afford to provide enough food. There's supposed to be extra or it's considered a little rude.
I can get you a therapist, man. I feel bad for whoever has to put up with you.
Yes. When I have guests over, I always have a backup plan for if it looks like I'm running out of food to serve them.
@@firewisplet8275 What? That's just culturally how it is here... Why do you have to be so rude about the manners and etiquette of a certain people to the point you think you can tell someone elaborating on them that they need a therapist?
@@coreywest9597 They've since edited their comment. The original said some nasty stuff
@@firewisplet8275 oh alright, sorry for the misunderstanding
Side joke: How can you tell if someone is from New York? Wait 30 seconds and he'll tell you
"You call this pizza? We got better stuff on the sidewalk in NYC"
@@LeglessWonder lmaoooo them and Jersey folk always gotta bring up the pizza
I think your estimate of 30 seconds is a little heavy. My experience is that they own with that little nugget.
brownjatt21 I tried some “Authentic New York Pizza” while on vacation in NYC, and it was very similar to the gas station pizza down the road from me, in Maine.
@@gabe-a-ghoul691 haha most of it is overhyped definitely but I've had some good stuff there can't lie. Going in 2 weeks again. That gas station/ truck stop Pizza is the best thing on the planet when it's that time though ooooweeee.
In the U.S., the best public transit is pretty much limited to larger cities. If one lives in suburbs, and definitely not rural areas, cars are a must.
except the west coast.
NYC metro suburbs have okay mass transit. The busses sucks
Indiana! Totally right about the weather... it was 90 degrees for months, I was so excited for the Fall weather, but we seemed to skip that this year and go straight to 30 degree Winter weather -_-
That lake effect bites the skin.
i lived there when i was younger i loved the thunder storms you get out there
Unfortunately I think we have lost spring and fall forever in Indiana - I really miss having 2 and a half months of fall weather.
That's totally true.....Indiana weather is nuts!
Growing up here I experienced the wonders of ice storm and thunder snow. But I love my state and I'll be a Hoosier for life.
MidWest is not a misnomer. The term was developed when the USA ended before you got to the Rocky Mountains.
Well, it wasn't then but it's a misnomer now. It's just one of those quaint accidents of history, like that spot in the rug where the dog pooped that keeps coming back no matter how many times you scrub it.
Fellow Indiana resident here, It’s called the Mid-West because it’s the middle of the Western Hemisphere, much like the Middle East or Mid-East is the middle of the Eastern Hemisphere.
Indiana is back east. The perspective has changed in 200 years.
I live north of Seattle and I always thought of the Midwest as East of the Rockies and West of the Mississippi. So I always thought of Indiana as East.
Yeah but its said and it is not the middle of the country or on the west coast so for people that don't know the history of the country get confused
Whenever someone says "The US has no culture." I'm just going to refer them to this video.
If anybody says a country doesn't have a culture that means that they don't have a good grasp on what culture means.
Alyssa Hansen America has a business culture that is more focused on good people
The Apathetic Ape
I’m making some in the laboratory at this very moment.
@@g0679 That took me way too long to get.
The US is the culture capitol of the world lol. The vast majority of globally popular movies, tv shows, and music come from here. People are just jelly
When we order food in the Restaurant...we ALWAYS ask for a "doggy bag". Sometimes we just split one meal. I know in Europe doggy bags are frowned upon. Not sure how the British feel about them. BUT...in the USA the meals are just too large to eat in one setting. And if you split your meal in half it cuts down the the average cost because you have a meal for TWO nights instead of ONE.
Better bang for your buck.
Badguy 1 "...if you split your meal in have it cuts down on the average cost...." Absolutely. I always get two to three meals from one visit to a restaurant. Thank heaven for doggy bags!
BADGUY 1 - I live in the UK (have done for decades now) and we have takeaway boxes in restaurants, they are boxes for leftover food made from cardboard (we don’t have doggy bags), they’re very common here.
We mostly don't have actual bags here any more either. If you ask for a doggy bag they usually bring you a "to go box" (more common term in California than "takeaway box"), usually of Styrofoam but often now of some other kind of plastic since somebody decided that Styrofoam wasn't good for the environment.
Doggy bags used to be frowned on here. I read where a couple asked for a doggie bag for their steaks. The snotty manager loudly told the waiter to put all the restaurant scraps in a bag. The wife said they only wanted theirs. The manager said, in front of everybody, that the couple had an extremely picky dog. The wife replied, Yes, and he is going to be very disappointed that we ate here.
I'm still boggled by the fact that Scandinavians immigrated here and decided to settle in the bitter cold north. Like, did they not want a reprieve?
People who've lived in a certain intense climate for all of their lives (and who are highly adapted to it) will naturally feel inclined to stay in it, whether it be hot or cold. Outliers exist of course, but it's not as though they feel at odds with it.
There is a pretty sizable Scandinavian population in Texas. Most have assimilated into the Texas culture after three or four generations, though.
@@RealVikingsWearKilts Don't you mean the Yeehaw Oil Tarnation culture?
As a Finn, my guess would be the familiar landscape and climate, not too much people yapping around, and probably most importantly, plenty of job opportunities in the wood industry, a field many had experience from back home.
Nowadays the largest concentration of Finnish people in the USA is in Lake Worth, Florida, about 30 minutes from where I live. Times have changed I guess :D
I think I heard Americas weight issue discribed best as this; America is a dichotomy with some of the most fattest and some of the fittest with far fewer in betweens. Plus alot of the weight issues are regional.
I've been battling fat since puberty, 50 years! For me now, medications are a wonderful way to increase my weight.
Violent Kisses During my first time visiting Britain,April 1985, while in high school, my school mates and I were impressed with how slim the general population was with an overweight person a rarity. Over time that has changed. But the same can be said of America. Growing up in the 70's we were a lot thinner. Part of that is we had more physical activity and portion sizes were smaller.
I think its mostly culture and how your are raised. Ive noticed the more rural you get people may not care about themselves as much in that way. While living in the city, people were much more aware of how food effected them. Also income is a big player. People more wealthy are known to take care of themselves better. Some of that being because they can and thei jobs usually being client based where how you look matters.
It's because the food industry was not properly restricted way back when and now they have quite a bit of power and influence in America.
I've spent some time in the UK and I noticed quite a few "big boned" women there also. Many were not just heavier, but taller than average also. In the US, you see quite a few women (especially of certain ethnic persuasions) that are, shall we say, "pear shaped".
A friend of my dad's from Italy visited eastern Oregon as his first trip to America, and eventually after hours of driving through the beautiful desert towards some tiny town he looked out the window and just said "big" with a bit of awe in his voice.
And it is. Even having grown up in it, it still seems big.
Most of the bad things about America said by Brits were said by people who never visited here, and by Brits who were offended by one or two Americans they met in a pub in London. As it always is, stereotypes fade when people really get to know each other.
Frank Hoffman sadly major cities are what foreigners judge us by.. moment they visit a town of 50k or less.. we’re the most friendliest people ever
Most Brits tend to visit New York, LA, Las Vegas, or Florida, which isn't the best representation of the country as a whole.
@@BM-te9te amen. small town folks are the best. I'd even up your population cap to 75k....but under 25k is the best.
Most of the time it's just sour grapes.
and how are things in London now............answer:...SHITHOLE
I'm from the south but moved away years ago. I'm american and I just wanna say thank you for these videos. You give ppl the truth about america. I just enjoy your videos and again thank you 👏
Dear sir, thank you, thank you, thank you! Your video has been in my feed for several days, but I was reluctant to click on it as I feared another video telling us how awful we are. What a pleasant surprise. I don’t pretend we’re perfect, but America is my home and I love it. I’ve travelled extensively through Western Europe and found every place I visited there wonderful as well (as a Yorkshireman some generations removed, I truly love York, and London is magnificent). In many cases I believe you find what you’re looking for. I try to look for the best. If you ever decide you’d like to visit my home region of the Lower Mississippi Valley (Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi), I’d be happy to help you plan your adventure. Blessings to you and yours.
British man living in Chicago: -20C is not entirely fit for humans
Average person in the northern half of Canada: Its only -20, lets get some work done before it gets cold.
I’m in Florida, anything below like 40-60°F (depends) is literally freezing to us born and raised here
i’m from california (don’t call me a liberal, i’m more republican than i am democrat) and like 90°F is warm, 80-70°F is fresh/perfect weather, 60-50°F is cold cold, like we need a jacket or two, and anything below 50° literally freezing
I threw warm water out the window in Canada and it turned to explosions of ice fluff.
I lived in Utah and now live in Seattle, Washington. 70-80°F is perfect temperature, 90+°F is hot, 40-60°F is a bit chilly but bearable, and anything less than 40°F is cold and wear many layers.
Lisa G Love doing that in Wisconsin too!
Good observations.
People are people whereever you go.
You will find all of us.
The loud, the rude, the mean, the obnoxious on the flip side, the quiet, the polite, the generous and outgoing.
All of us can be any of those and none of those at any given time.
Welcome to the US.
I'm from America why am I watching this
Because it's nice to hear positive things about our country for once
nah you are not.
@@leoaksil4085 I agree
Same
Same
I’m from a small town that neighbors Anderson and your description of our weather is spot on. The classic colloquialism is “if you don’t like the weather, wait ten minutes.” My employer sent an email in the summer saying not to be outside for more than 5 minutes due to extreme heat and we had multiple emails last winter saying not to be outside for more than 5 minutes or risk hypothermia. Our weather is so bonkers!
Thank you for always being so respectful in the representation of Americans. I'm an English teacher abroad, and I find it difficult to explain the diversity in cultures, because all my students care about is southern California. I'm from the Midwest 😫
I once dated a woman that came to the USA from Australia. She was in the country for maybe three months by the time we met, and she was initially terrified at the idea of commitment to me after being together for about six months when I asked her to become exclusive with me because she was under the impression that American men kept their women like dogs. Freedom to run around in the dog park, but had better return when called the first time, and kept as pretty much slaves in the bedroom. I just gave her this extremely confused blank look and she asked me, in all seriousness, if this was true. I just asked her what the fuck she was going on about.
That's a bit concerning
I don’t even know what to say to that one
@@monkeysue61 Neither did I..
Lmao.. sounds Islamic
You were with her for 6 months and that was the conclusion she came to? Wth did you do to her?
It's always interesting to hear a new accent here in the US. Someone will speak to you, and you have to stop and take a couple of beats while you mentally decipher their accent and figure out just what they asked of you.
When I was in my early 20s I visited New Orleans for the first time. I was not aware that during the Great Depression a lot of migration from New York City, mainly Brooklyn, happened in New Orleans. I was shocked to find a lot of people talking with a Brooklyn accent but with a Cajun and southern twang to it. It was so utterly bizarre.
That’s a good point a lot of people don’t think about; how people moving from one place to another really impacts the accent. I grew up in Tennessee and people, well, were always so condescendingly happily surprised to find that out, because I don’t “have that accent.” It’s like they’re shocked I have all my teeth and haven’t brought up four wheelin’ and huntin’ or downin some whiskey. It’s interesting, what we assume of people based off of the accent. To this day I’m thankful my Mom was on the radio and news, so I grew up listening to her sort of... accentless voice. Except on voicemails, lol. I can do an impersonation that is SPOT on, and it’s because it’s THE news anchor accent. “Hi, this is Lila Evans. I’m not here to take your call *pause* but, if you’d leave your name, number, and a brief message, I’d be happy to get back to you as soon as I can! Thanks for calling! *radio chuckle, click* Bless that woman so I don’t have to deal with people assuming I have no education or brain in general, founding aallll those assumptions on a super country accent. It’s tied with a Jersey accent as being the one assumed to be the least intelligent. As in, even more vapid than VALLEY GIRL. Goodness.
@@SunflowerSpotlight I'm from a small european country, and what you describe happens to lots of children here: growing up without speaking their local dialects. They all sound like small newsreaders from the neighbouring bigger country (people watch the tv channels from them because they have way more channels, and films are dubbed in their almost accent free "tv speaking") It makes me sad for them. A somewhat famous writer in the german speaking parts of Europe (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe) once said "the only thing that really connects you with your area of origin is your dialect". And in my opinion this "no accent thing" sadly kills a bit of language heritage (and diversity/variety of a language). People here have their share of prejudice too when it comes to the language, but they know that the dialects are no indication for intelligence.
@@nirfz I've lived up and down the East Coast (of America) and I don't really have a specific accent. Its more of the standard Mid West but now it's developing into a slight sounthern quality because I've lived in the south for quite awhile.
You will develop one the longer you stay in one place, it just takes a while.
That aside, everyone has their own take on it. My father and mother have spent most of their lives in the south but don't have southern accents because both sets of their parents didn't approve of speaking improper English and focused on enunciation. That can effect how you sound.
@@midgetwthahacksaw There is no such thing as a "standard Midwest accent."
There's an Irish women who visits a family member where I work. When I first told her I loved her accent she said. "Oh, do I still have one?" She and her accent are simply lovely! We NYers can sound like alley cats......
i think the size of America is something that many Europeans really struggle with. i mean, of course i know they can generally, logically follow that like the average American, I drive an hour one way most days of the week to get to my university (and my job, i work on campus), but they can't really wrap their minds around the idea that it isn't by choice or that is actually not just normal, but expected. or that i chose that university because it is that closest to my parent's home. if i didn't have a car or just said "you know what i don't want to drive a minimum of 2 hrs everyday", i wouldn't be able to pursue a higher education, and jobs i should be the best candidate for would turn me down. hell the closest community college is still 30 minutes away and I just got done arguing with a bunch of UKers that 20 minutes one way is totally a reasonable amount of time to expect someone to have had travelled regularly. and hell, if I refused to travel 20 minutes daily one way, I wouldn't be able to find work, since the majority of businesses are on the other side of town. and it's hella special to live in an area where public transit is available in anyway but name. i mean the public transit where i live is pretty consistent, but it is unreliable (time schedule wise) and goes to sleep between 10:30 pm and 6 am. you get stuck at the buss stop at 11 pm with nothing but a transit pass and you' re just SOL until 6 am.
The UK is the size of Oregon plus Washington state plus a little more.
Canada is bigger so you are small fries to us.
Corvette Dude oh please Canada is barely bigger then the United States. Like by a few hundred square miles. Plus most of it is an unpopulated barren waist land.
I was working in Grimsby back in 2006 at a refinery there. I was talking about pickup trucks with two petroleum engineers and the conversation meandered over to the idea of driving long distances. I told our host Ian that I'd, multiple times, driven more than a 1000 miles in a single day in the states. He informed me that if I attempted that starting in the UK, I'd end up in Ukraine.
Your insights are interesting to me, as a lifelong Hoosier. (except for time in the Navy, and one year of university) I grew up in Evansville, eventually landed in Indy, and now live in Martinsville. Happy to have you here.
Cool! I lived in Evansville for a couple years! Then I moved to Indy as well!
3:39 "The weather in the midwest is insane at times" Lol truer words have never been spoken.
Ten Years, bit of a new Comer, now that I've been here 55 years, since 1963, During the JFK Presidency. So I've seen quite a lot o history.
Some good, some not so good, but always getting forward.
I too was astonished by the food portions, Still am as a matter of fact, but thankfully, American Restaurants, offer "Doggy Bags" as they were called, bac then. But most Restaurants and Diners, will hand out boxes to take your left overs home. Obviously, not to feed the dog.
My Immigration Process, was much simpler, although I had to travel to Glasgow from Edinburgh for one Interview. I also had a Sponsor here
in my Brother in Law. Once the paperwork and interviews, where concluded, not all that long, I was able to leave, as soon as I wanted, Two weeks in fact. Obviously different standards now.
I was amazed, when I was applying for my Citizenship and taking Classes, much of it, was already known to me, But others from other regions had a wait of years,
I arrived on a Thursday, and had a job, and working on the Following Monday. Thanks to my Brother in law. Wages were lower than I expected,
starting at $1.75 an hour. However gas was 24 cents a gallon. Which included, having my tires checked, windshield washed, and oil and other fluids checked. My first Apartment, fully furnished was $75,00 a month.
I found Americans very friendly, polite and always eager to help out.
I also was helped by a new friend, to get another job, working in a Test Lab, and got into Aerospace Testing. In all those years, I was unemployed or a total of six months, in 1970 after the end of the Moon Landings.
So my move to the States, was definitely a good one, for me. Been lucky enough to visit about twenty States, some short Trips, others a bit longer.
OMG. just looked up, what seems to be my Biography I do enjoy your slant on living here in the U.S.
Looking forward to part two.
John Bissett Thank you for sharing your story. It was interesting. As an American, I'm glad you decided to stay in the U.S. Do you ever miss Scotland? Have you been back at all? My father's parents were from Glasgow.
Great story, Sir. I’m glad you decided to stay too. Thanks for sharing.
@@christinedorman3383 Thanks for your comments, Yes I do get a little homesick at times. Especially after watching TH-cam
channels from Edinburgh and Scotland. I don't miss the weather though, although many parts of the U.S. are colder.
I haven't been back in a long time, 1999, was my last trip, after 9/11, and restrictions on flying got stricter and I older, I more or less stopped going. Just kept on touch, via Emails, videos and pics and a few phone calls.
I love being an American, and much of my accent has gone, until I meet up with a fellow Scot or Brit. Then it comes out so easily, lol
The great thing is, in America. is that I can view British Movies and TV shows and keep in ouch, so to speak.
There have been a few moments, that stick in my mind. becoming an America Citizen. I actually got my Papers, before my
Citizen Class was finished, However the teacher, took us to Culver City Council meeting. I was shocked, when the Mayor called out my name, and congratulated me, on becoming a Citizen, and got a round of applause. I was very touched by that.
The Ceremony for new Citizens like myself was held at the large Auditorium in down Town Los Angeles, lots of dignitaries
an Orchestra and choir and Speeches. a Fabulous evening for us all.
While I was working in an Aerospace Test Lab on one of the early Mars Landings, a NASA rep, came by for our signatures,
for those who had worked on the Project. and it was mounted on the Spacecraft. Of course it was all miniaturized, seeing how many thousands had worked on it. But just the thought of my signature on another Planet, Mars, was mind blowing.
You cannot help. but to love a Country that does those sort of things for its people.
I've been very fortunate, America is a place where dreams can come true.
Both my Countries have been very good to me, Scotland for my upbringing and Education, and America, for opening its doors and giving me many opportunities, to succeed.
I hope one day, you can visit the homeland where your Grandparents grew up. I'm sure you'll get a warm welcome.
@@elizabethd2916 Thank you, so am I. I'd like to be a Siir, but all I got from her Majesty was a British Army Veterans, Badge Very pretty, but no Knighthood. But at Least a fellow Edinburgh citizen got one, Sean Connery. So I'll let Sean have the Glory. lol
@@johnbisset4504 How very cool about the mayor and about the signatures, You have such wonderful memories. Have you considered writing them into an article and getting them published in a magazine or journal? I'm sure lots of people would enjoy reading them. In regards to Scotland, I so want to get there and see it! Maybe one if these years.
I think a lot of the reason that we Americans are loud abroad is that we get loud (situationally, as you say) when we're excited, and we're excited to be there! For many of us, we have to travel a long way to get out of this country.
One big difference I’ve noticed is that Americans refer to distance in the time it takes to get there as opposed to how far it is.
In the UK when asked how far something is you’d get a response like “20 kilometers”, but if you asked the same thing in America they’d tell you “15 minutes”
“you might need a car” bahahaha you need a car everywhere in this damn country
Been living in Chicago for years with no car and it's never been a problem. New York is the same way
@@jmcrofts anywhere but cities needs cara
I live in la, uber makes it manageable
you need a car Evey where except large East Coast cities and Chicago, San Fran, maybe even Seattle.
I use to rely on public transportation in the suburbs of Minneapolis. It's not that great. An hour between buses departing and I had to be home by 8 otherwise I'd have to take an Uber. I finally met the requirements by the state for me to get a drivers license. Since I'm 17 there's a lot of requirements and thing you need to go to get one. Unless you live in the big cities or just outside public transportation isn't great.
as far as portion sizes go, it's assumed that you intend to share or take food home. no one rationally thinks you're going to eat a burrito the length of your arm in one sitting (baring some special circumstance). you paid for food, and most places want to make sure that you get the food you paid for, so the sizes became larger as per hospitality custom as others have mentioned, because they want you to remember how good it was when you have it for lunch tomorrow so you're more likely to come back, and because giving food is a big thing just about anywhere. it's a thing to expect your friends and family to say "i can't finish this, do you want it?". hell my family, when there's money and we're all together, will do a restaurant crawl where we all decide on one thing at one restaurant, split it, and move onto the next.
That is categorically not true. The vast majority of people ordering in any kind of restaurant in the US eat the whole meal themselves or discard the remainder.
You are spot on. I grew up as a military kid. Each of our moves were within the US. Every time we moved to a different state it felt like a different country. The food, the language, the culture were all big adjustments for me. Then when I was comfortable we'd move again. We drove for each move, so I traveled down the east coast to Florida, across the south and southwest up to San Francisco and flew to Hawaii. Across the northern US to Boston and then diagonally down route 66 to CA. Each so different from the other. Even Americans feel the differences.
I got here in 1776. Come on in the water's great.
The country didn't actually exist in sovereignty until 1789, by the way. :)
it did exist but it didn't win the war until 1789
TheCriminalViolin Xavier Rodriguez You guys are both wrong. The United States claimed sovereignty on July 4, 1776, but its sovereignty became undisputed in 1783 when the war ended and Britain gave up its American claims. 1789 is in no way when the country "started", but it was the year in which the first president was elected. Before then the country was loosely held together by the Articles of Confederation, but the US was definitely still a sovereign state.
@@gamerfortynine Are you serious?! The Indians fought each other for land ALL THE TIME. Most tribes had borders and their own laws, all independent from each other.
Christ, you're old.
I've been to England a few times. Birmingham, Colchester, and Northumberland. I particularly enjoyed listening to the Geordie accent while staying in Berwick-upon-Tweed, and took the opportunity to explore an ancient castle on the coast (had to wait for low tide first). Although the food portions were noticeably smaller, it was all very good (the beer was to die for). The people were friendly, and the atmosphere and history were fantastic. All of my ancestors that I am aware of came over from the U.K. and Ireland, including several on the Mayflower. Cheers!
Nice to hear that you had an enjoyable time, mate. It’s always pleasant to have people visit that appreciate the history and culture of this country.
Well Said. Come to London circa 2018 and you might have a Cultural shock though..lol
In my youth from 1960 it was 98% White/British indigenous. By 2016 only one birth in ten in Inner London was to that same group...
Im a direct descendent of William Bradford who game over on the Mayflower. I wonder if your ancestors and mine were friends at all
Same as most large American cities, and they don't want to assimilate. Liberals here tell them that they don't have to. Caucasians of European heritage are just about in the minority now. Diversity for diversity's sake.
Sadly. Easy Maths in England.
The average White or Jewish or Chinese Family has 2 children which is around 130 progeny in 6 generations ( 2x22x2x2x2 ) while The Black and Asian and Muslim families average over 4 children per household which is ( 4x4x4x4x4x4 ) which is over
SIXTEEN THOUSAND offspring in the same period and that gap widens with every future generation...@ @@19580822
If ur not from the US, here are some tips.
Think of the states as their own countries but they arnt countries. They are sections of the main country.
Basically, visiting different states is the same as going to different countries in europe.
Definitely get a car if ur going to places that are considered the suburbs or country sides. Especially if you are in the midwest or visit Texas. Texas is huge. Don't underestimate its size. EVERYTHINGS BIGGER IN TEXAS as they say.
If you were to cut Alaska in half, Texas would be the third largest state instead of just the second largest.
@@ireaddekkerIt would also be the lowest two spots in population. Total population of Alaska is less than any of the Texas major cities. Still, I'd love to visit it sometime. Definitely one of the harder ones to just pop on up there for a visit.
Originally, the states were supposed to be like their own countries.
Archer yeah if the anti-federalists won
@@turdsandwich7490 your talking about who has the most power. My comment was more about when u visit the states
Chicagoan here, glad you're enjoying our trap of a state. :)
Vindoodles Lmaoo
I stumbled across this channel today. What a joy! I've spent a few weeks in the UK on business, mostly London, mostly 3-5 days at a time, and I love the place. I am glad to see the sentiment returned.
Steve Neason - Glad to hear that! I hope you manage to visits other places in England and the UK!
I very much enjoy the impressions of a British person in America without all the smug pompous attitude of 'Joel & Lia', which they think is funny while many people here call that 'being an ass'. Also, most of us don't own passports or visit other countries for two connected reasons, both having to do with the size of our country. It's so big that we have far more to do in our own country then most people do, far more places to go and space to explore. Also, its not only big but also very removed from every country other than our neighbors, In England you can get to many countries fairly quickly and easily while it costs us a fortune in air fare and a lot of time to visit anywhere other than our nearest neighboring country.
It's also why other than Spanish, most Americans don't study languages besides English. In Europe they need to, they're so much closer to a lot of other countries so it makes more sense.
I've watched a couple of the "Joel & Lia" video clips and am wondering, what were they drinking before they did those videos ;)
Cellophanity Frog I just watched the one where she said that Americans sound dumb for saying “tomāto” rather than too-mah-to.”
I don’t find Joel and Lia to be pompous or stuck up at all.
cat W Lead paint?
Good rule of thumb for cars:
If you don't regularly hear the city mentioned outside of the US, you'll probably need a car.
Or just always assume you need on.
Major cities have good transit - within that city. If you want to go to a neighboring city, you'll need a car. (Unless you want to try taking a Greyhound or maybe a train, but it may be cheaper to just rent a car, and certainly faster.)
Also, note on our trains - our (US) trains are mainly for transporting goods - coal, lumber, other raw materials, aircraft parts, misc, etc. Passengers on trains are more of an afterthought, or way to expand revenue. The trains are SLOOOOOOOW, and I doubt our rail infrastructure matches anything in the UK or EU. (I took the train from Indianapolis to Chicago and back. On the return trip, we had to do about 30mph the whole way because some signal somewhere on the line was stuck at "caution").
I will say, it IS more scenic, and less stressful than driving. And some routes can be cheap (or run specials), comparable to or less than driving, when you figure in gas. It's more of a slow-pace activity, than it is actual transit.
I love taking the train 🚊
We had to either fly from Nebraska to Philadelphia and spend the night in a hotel, ($$$), or take the train and get there in time. Two day trip on the train. We opted for the train as we were not wealthy by any means because my husband was a US Army soldier. We were PCSing (permanent change of duty station) to Turkey. Our daughter was eight and I think she met everyone in that train. In fact she turned eight during our trip and the porters all came and sang happy birthday to her. Fun trip. It was 1980 and we traveled past three mile island.
"Major cities have good transit" ...except Los Angeles.
jdhalvo and Houston and dallas
I took the train/subway between philadelphia and nyc that was fast. San Antonio tx is improving it's public transport but it has a long way to go to replace having a car
Temps in the summer can get up to 100 degrees. Alabama:’ hold my beer’
That's so true
That's great and all but it also hits negative 15 here. So we get screwed on both ends. Freezing winters and hot summers the Midwest is bull****.
As an American, I very much appreciate your videos. I've learned a lot about my own culture and language from listening to your videos. I'm glad to have you here with us
Many of we Americans do not travel overseas because our country is so massive and still very rural. There is so much here that we tend to be preoccupied with our country vs looking outward to the rest of the world. Which is probably not a good thing when it comes to understanding other countries and cultures.
I am terrified of flying so I won't be going overseas in this lifetime. With so much internal variety regarding climate, scenery, terrain, and local food culture, and, thanks to so many diverse immigrants bringing the world's cultures to us, there isn't a strong desire to travel for a different experience.
I think it's more like massively expensive to travel overseas. It's prohibitive enough going state to state.
@@msr1116
I can't tell if sarcasm or just a bit naive.
Life....How you make either judgment is beyond me. Do you actually know the definitions of those words?
@@msr1116
I do know the definition of the words I use but can you clarify your comment from before?
Sincerity and sarcasm are difficult to know through simple text
I especially loved the gesture by the Queen at the US Bicentennial. Flag on the Royal Yacht “Happy 200th. Love, Mum.”
Welcome home!
God save the queen. 🇺🇲 🇬🇧
The queen will live to see the tricentennial, probably!
Thank you for giving one of the most honest opinions I've seen lately of what people from other countries think of America. Thanks also for realizing how different people in different parts of our country are. It disheartens me when people spend two weeks in NYC or LA then think they know all the people of United States, sorta like me spending time in Spain and thinking I know how everyone in Europe is. Thanks again.
Living in Minnesota (a bit northwest of Chicago), I’ve seen 40 below multiple times in my 28 odd years. That’s where Celsius and Fahrenheit meet
That's an old question from physics class in high school....a questions we all had to "solve" using algebraic "machinations".
Towns by the Canadian border (Ely, International Falls) have a different climate than Red River Valley towns (Moorhead, Detroit Lakes) which are different from the Cities. You can have 40 below in Embarrass, 20 below in Moorhead (but 30 mph winds) and 0 in St Paul.
In Arizona we get 100 degrees in the winter! I laughed when you said 100 degrees in the summer was “mental”
Nah I live in Arizona as well. Yeah the summers try to kill you with heat but winters get cold. It is a desert after all
Not to mention you guys have that dry heat. I'd rather sit in 100 degree Arizona weather than 80 degree South Texas weather. The humidity in the closest city to me is %97; its "cold" outside and im sweating!
It's mental for him. It's considered a crisis in the UK if it gets above 80.
Yeah I got a small laugh when he said that. Live in Miami 98 degrees and 90% humidity is somewhat common.
It does get over 100. But his point was the extreme temperatures in both directions in the Midwest. -20 in winter and over 100 in summer with high humidity
From Boise and I am glad you actually pronounced it correctly. Thanks for that. Also, great video!
The Midwest term makes more sense if you consider that America's starting point is the 13 original colonies on the east coast.
You hit another home run with this one, Laurence. One thing I want to add to your comments about the size of this country, coupled with the one about the variations in accent, etc., is that we also have the 2 unattached oddballs--Alaska and Hawaii. At the risk of sounding haughty, where else in the world can you find a country with territory in the Arctic (northern Alaska), the tropics (Hawaii), the subtropics (the southernmost states in the SE (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas), mountains, desert, huge cities and places where you can be 50+ miles from the nearest road or the nearest town? It's amazing!
Yes, do a part B. As an American fan of yours, (subscriber), I find it fascinating what you have observed. As for the free refills on soda pop, that might be a regional thing in some parts of the country. It's not true in many of the restaurants I go to in New England and when I lived in San Diego, I don't think it was true there either. I usually just get water in restaurants now, but once in a while I do order an alcoholic drink which costs mucho dinero and does NOT come with free refills, of course.
As a Rhode Islander we have refills on soda in middle grade restaurants, if you're going posh you'll pay for that second soda.
Free refills of soda is very common at casual chains across the country and many restaurants of all kinds in San Diego.
Free refills here on the southern Eastcoast too!😉
I travel all over the country and the lack of free refills is so rare that I can't remember the places (by places I'm talking about establishments, not cities or states) that don''t do it.
It is VERY common all over the US, especially in the fast-food (which is an oxymoron if I've ever heard one) chains. And is also a large contributor to our national obesity problem! Sugar, sugar, sugar!
8:00 And there are a bunch of places that call it a Woodchuck.
8:50 Around Texas, it's called a Coke. The conversation goes like: "I'll take a large Coke" "What kind of Coke?" "A Sprite"...
Everything from big red to root beer is called coke
That's weird. Texas native, but we called everything Dr. Pepper, at least in the DFW area. Then again, Dr. Pepper ball park was near by so maybe that's why.
@@AnonymousZaoGaming I'm from the DFW area and we call everything coke
That's fucking retarded... I know that's a bit vulgar but Coke is it's own soda, so calling other sodas "coke" makes no sense, because it's not fucking coke....
@@thetwogamers1532 Post-its, hoovers, selotape, blu-tac, velcro, heroin, google; all of these are specific brand names which become synonymous with the product being marketed under them. It's a common phenomenon and not "fucking retarded". It's human nature to apply labels to things.
Britain and Europe is a library or a museum and America is an open field. That's why Americans are loud.
lol
The BBC dispelled a lot of the American stereotypes. Not that obesity isn't a concern but we aren't the most obese nation in the world. Egypt I believe has the highest obesity level.
Egypt? Interesting.
@watertownnative The UK now has a higher obesity rate than the US.
I'm pretty sure the most obese nation is some island in Oceania, where the rate is around 75%
When we go obese, it is impressive.
The dichotomy between our obesity rates and obsession with fitness is hilarious!
If you think they're polite in the midwest... wait till you go to the deep south! We even insult you politely! Bless your heart!
Lololol *truth*
In the south it's such a passive agressive polite, though. In the Midwest it is at least sincere.
@@Atlas-pn6jv nah, we're pretty sincere out here, too. I'm originally from Florida and moved to NC and was suspicious at first why everyone was being so nice cuz no one does that in Florida. But after living here for 3 years, they genuinely are very nice people. The passive aggressive thing only happens when you tick them off.
I enjoy the teasing tones of my region.
I noticed it the other day when someone from Kansas asked me why I was being so mean.
I simply told them that it's a good way to gauge someone.
If they cannot take the quipping then they are very dry witted
That or they're just boorish.
I live in the Midwest and I have to say that everyone you meet has the most passive aggressive tone you will ever hear. I am at least sincere with my hatred of everyone!
Finally! A reasonable evaluation with legitimate observations rather than the standard caricatures from the ill-informed! Thank you.
"you might need a car", how can you live without one?
In most parts of Europe, it's easy to live without a car. Public transportation is everywhere.
I did without a car for years, fittest time of my life but not by choice lol.
Bil Carter must live in a small state with large cities.. come to ND and try to live without one
I drive a car...... regret buying it and not an old 4x4
only in new york .
It is interesting to hear your comments about the USA. I've been to the UK only once, back in 1964. Owing to the way we were treated by everyone we met, we never returned. On the other hand, we were welcomed with open arms in Belgium, France, Germany, etc. I couldn't tell you what the issue in the UK was if I tried. I attributed it to a national prejudice against foreigners. I do hope that I was mistaken. English people I have since met have been delightful.
As an American that has lived in the UK I have to say that has not been my experience at all. Waiters and waitresses in large inexpensive eateries are generally ruder than in the US, but people as a whole I found to be charming and welcoming. It just takes a little longer to get past the formal exterior that is generally present on meeting. They have a longer slope to good conversation, but once you get there it is worth it.
If you go to a smaller establishment, the type owned by a proprietor that is onsite working, they will generally engage you in conversation and take good care of you. There is a cultural politeness that is balanced with a bit of wit that I found delightful. But I love dry humor.
When I was staying in a small town, I would tend to return to the same coffeeshop/restaurant several times a week and get to know the people. They open up and see your patronage as respect for what they are producing, both in terms of food and atmosphere. I think giving respect gets you respect, same with appreciation.
Many, if not most, of those people have opened up and shared, candidly transparently in a way that is not found as easily in the US. The thing that makes the English appear hard at times, cuts both ways. They have a certain humility, by that I mean a personal circumspect honesty, which is really refreshing if you can invest the time to see it bloom.
I should mention that on two separate extended stays in England events transpired that stimulated some rather spirited conversations (Brexit vote and the last Presidential election). Being in country for both meant that people who knew me wondered how I was reacting. So there was a lot of good-natured ribbing on both sides.
I found the English people to be very honest as a rule, and as a group they have accepted rules of propriety that remind of some of the better qualities of the American South and New England, which probably should be no surprise as those areas were populated primarily by the English.
@Matthew Chenault, I find that so peculiar. People I know in France and Germany generally like Americans and - if they visit the USA - are quite impressed. One thing I hear often is that Americans are approachable and willing to help. A friend of mine who teaches English in France took a group of children to the UK and vowed he would never do so again. He then went to Ireland and found that the people a) like children and b) treat them as part of the family. He also wanted to try to bring a group here to New England where he found everyone delightful.
@Matthew Chenault I would disagree the Brits are kinda hostile because back in WW2 the American soldier's when to the UK and France and hooked up with all the women.
yarmo28 We get a lot of foreign exchange students from Spain, France and Germany coming here to California to learn English. They all told me they came to the US to study because Americans are much nicer than the English. Wow, the Continentals really don’t like the English...
I spent 12 years in the UK, in Oxfordshire -- Henley-on-Thames. Of course, it was lovely. I acquired dual citizenship whilst there and will always look kindly on my new, adopted country. That said, it's good to hear you say kind things about the US and I, myself, am happy to be back again, at least until I get the urge for another grand adventure. Enjoy yours here!
Admittedly I am "only" 64 and have lived in Inner and Outer London all my life but I,honestly, thought Henley-On-Thames was in SURREY !!!!!!!!! not "near the tripoint of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire" . .....every day is a school day..lol
I stayed, for about 10 months over 3 visits in Oxfordshire, the Enysham/Witney area and loved it. It makes me appreciate how much we as Americans owe to our English forefathers. That isn't idle talk on my part. The DNA tests said that I am about 98% British Isles, and my families of origin are from the American South. But there is something very like coming home to mother when I visit England.
@@JRandallS I agree completely, John. It felt like finding another set of parents or grand parents I never knew I had. What a great experience.
I'm happy you've enjoyed the last ten years here. All the best for the next ten! Keep making these great videos!
I moved from Scotland to VERY Western North Carolina (The South) and it's actually not been too bad culture wise as the area was heavily influenced by Scottish and Irish culture. I found the public transport frustrating too, here in the country there is none and also not really any sidewalks to walk. The cost of living isn't too bad, however apartments at the moment are ranging from $500 for 1bed 1bath to $1000 for 2bed 1bath and starting wages at regular jobs are roughly $10-$11 an hr. I love it here though :)
I live in Tennessee, but my ancestors were Scots who immigrated to North Carolina.
Welcome!
Don’t come to California. Overpriced as hell. It’s as bad or worse as the nanny state of a country you left.
$500 for 1 bed/bath? ...That's cheap.
that area is very liveable..the biggest cities, really are rather ghettoized- divided and segregated into rich people and poor- and the cost of living is insane to live in such an overpopulated region.
@@sasquatchhunter86 We don't want you here in California. It's expensive because we charge extra for Stupid. It's a "nanny state" because we don't want (most) people to pour battery acid on their breakfast cereal when the bottle was labelled "milk".
Exactly on the weather. We don't have fall anymore in Indiana, straight from 90 and sunny one day to 30 and snowing thd next
This is so true, and sometimes it's the same in the spring. From 30 and snow to 90 in a few days.
Another wonderful video. So much I could comment on but I'll limit my comments to two areas: accents and stereotypes. As a U.S.-born person, I hate when non-Americans on TH-cam or television put on an "American" accent that is flat and boring or sounds like they are imitating Uncle Cornball who has an IQ of 2. There are so many fascinating accents in the U.S. and some of them are even musical. In regards to stereotypes, you did such a spot on job, Mr. Brown, that all I'll say is thank you.
Even some of the best actors sound like they're putting on a fake accent when they're playing an American character. The only ones I've ever heard who were convincing were Gary Oldman in the Dark Knight movies, and Gillian Anderson in The X-Files, but apparently she spent a few years in Michigan when she was a kid, so that probably helped her out a bit. But listen to someone like the redhead from Game of Thrones in the X-Men and it's almost painful to listen to.
@@SunflowerSpotlight I both understand and am sorry for your hurt. As a native Floridian, I also can relate to your issue with the heat. I keep trying to get out of Florida and, for various reasons, keep ending up back here. Florida's a great place and I love it but I hate the heat and humidity. I love seasons (especially autumn) and snow. Anyway, I'm glad that you have found a place where you feel at home. By the way, the North Carolina and Alabama accents are two of my favorites and are among the things I was thinking of when I said some American accents are quite musical. That said, anyone who can't hear the difference between the two needs to get his / her hearing checked!
One of the most unique accents I have heard here was on Harkers Island off the coast of North Carolina. It is almost like a southern/ Northumbrian/Yorkshire accent. I have never heard anything like it. I asked the gentleman if he was British and he replied he was born and raised on same said island.
@@SunflowerSpotlight I think Tennessee is one of most beautiful states. Especially over towards the eastern part. I would move there in minute! And the sweet tea, oh my!!
"flat and boring" would be a standard American accent (educated middle class). its simply clearer.
I’m glad you’ve enjoyed your time here, even though the last 12 years have been pretty rough at times. I think videos like this are valuable for Americans as we sometimes take “normal” things for granted and don’t realize what other countries do or don’t have.
Housing prices vary so damn much. A lot of people I know got out of San Francisco before I did, but I got out this year. People scattered all over the place. A former coworker of mine paid $27K, all cash, for a house in Indianapolis and he made a good case for me doing the same. But he would have been the only person I know there. I ended up in Oregon (which I had visited so damn many times it was already my 2nd home) and my brother and I bought a house for $275K. You can't buy a closet in the S.F. Bay Area for that. It's a mess.
Oklahoma has fluctuating weather 98% of the time. Sometimes, I swear, you can have all four seasons in one day. I don't mind it though. It's kind of nice, once you get used to it.
Lol my studio apartment in San Diego is $1650/month and that was a DEAL 😭
It is a beautiful spot.
One bedroom apartment, $350/month, heat included. Wisconsin.
Location, location, location. Cities and college towns tend to be obscenely expensive.
Live in Chula? I mean, people who pay excruciatingly high rent can't complain when they have options. I get it - you don't want the commute. That's called "opportunity cost", and we all have to deal with it. I'm not getting on your case exclusively. People who bitch about paying a ton of money to live in San Fran, London, or New York can deal with an hour commute to lower their living costs substantially, yet they choose not to.
My apartment in Baton Rouge was $635. In Orlando it was $750. Oh California... you're silly.
My friends from the U.K that are first time visitors are always amazed by the shear size of the country and the distances we travel to do things.