The Brits are a funny bunch. It has taken me three years but I feel that I am now getting adjusted to their culture and way of life. Here are some likes and dislikes for my fellow americans about living in the UK
Likes:
1. Disliking the food so much that I have shed unwanted pounds (stones)
2. "casual" work life: barely 37 hours of work per week and six week holiday
3. Meeting friends at the "local" pub every week (very family friendly, dogs welcome too)
4. History of the country and my beautiful drive along the coast to work
5. British sense of humour: they know how to laugh at themselves and the world.
6. Walking to my local shops --- walking in general everywhere.
7. Proximity to Europe and other cultures.
8. Moderate temperatures and never using air conditioners: they dont have them
Dislikes:
1. The food
2. Rain (the winters can get gloomy)
3. Being in mostly all "white" British area and viewing some discrimination of other cultures
4. Fish and chips ( to go along with number 1---how greasy)
5. No drive up anything: cash points (ATM's), etc.
6. Dislike towards americans, thinking we all support Bush and are all OTT (over the top)
7. Weston Beach: was told it was blue water, but turns out it is brown and you sink as you into it due to mud flats
That is about it for the moment. Overall the good outweigh the bad. I go home to Joliet, IL on the 12th of sept and cannot wait to try Joe's Hot Dogs and Fries, have a breakfast at Denny's, taste real steak (from corn fed cows not the ones that eat other cow's flesh like here), have a proper Mexican meal, eat at Taco Bell (sad but true) and get some Dim Sum at THree Happiness in Chicago. Cant wait to see the Cubs play, and walk along Lake Michigan. My mom might even cook up some Tator Tots (blast from the past). These comfort things from our childhoods can never be forgotten. All thought out, cheers for now
Nancy
