How we see the US after 8 months in the UK & Europe (REVERSE CULTURE SHOCKS)

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Күн бұрын

After 8 months of traveling in the UK and Europe, we returned to the US and were met with some surprises about American cultural norms we were previously used to. Discussing the cultural shocks and differences encountered upon returning to the US, some of the things we've noticed include reliance on cars vs. public transportation, sense of security, tipping culture, food quality and ingredient differences, pricing disparities, and more. We primarily discuss our experiences returning to the US in comparison to the UK because we spent significantly more time there than other countries in Europe.
Have you noticed these differences between the US and UK or Europe? Have you experienced your own reverse culture shocks? Let us know!
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@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

Have you noticed these differences between the US and UK or Europe? Have you experienced your own reverse culture shocks? Let us know! Watch our Culture Shocks as Americans in the UK video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/osByi5iY3LevkWg.html&t Things we miss about the UK: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/equYn6umvdmvoHk.html&t We Went on a British Holiday... in Victoria, Canada?! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/e6l8q8ip3au0n6c.html Finding British foods in American grocery stores (shocking prices): kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Y7eXZ7qQts-XnKs.html

@daphneschuring5810 Ай бұрын

Every country is different.

@gindrinkersline3285 Ай бұрын

Side note, the UK is in Europe. The UK might have left the European Union (EU) in 2020, but it has not left Europe. 😉

@niklfc9384 Ай бұрын

America is a shit hole country

@nocturna1964 Ай бұрын

Regarding sugar and salt: Look on your salt "ingredients" list... Dextrose is listed. Yesss, we Americans even add sugar to salt! 🤦‍♀️😱

@adamhardy8690 Ай бұрын

Tipping bit is not accurate. In the UK, the automatic service charges often found in other parts of Europe are rare, but here if you have a large lunch or evening meal in a restaurant it would be normal to tip 10% if the service was OK, BUT it would have to be bad not to give any tip, the restaurant will expect something if they did an acceptable job, no tip means it was bad and you're unhappy. You can give more than 10% if it was good or excellent. On the other hand, many countries in continental Europe do not tip, or will tip a minimum or automatically add a service charge or 'cover' fee (to cover basics cutlery, bread, water). It sounds like you've either been done by locals who take advantage of US and other tourists who don't know this or did not realise. (Side note: But tipping (like everything) changes drastically per European country which is why these US v Europe comparisons seem to only make sense to Americans ignorant of the huge differences across Europe. You can compare country with country, but not a continent of vastly different cultures, languages, laws and customs with one homogenous country (US)). Going from UK to France to Italy, is not the same as New York to Illinois to Nevada. In the former everything changes per country, in the latter almost everything is identical.

@danowen79 Ай бұрын

If more Americans travelled they’d bring the positive changes back home and maybe generationally things would change. I always feel like America is too disconnected from the world, geographically, and for various reasons most people have little interest in discovering what the rest of the world has to offer. Imagine if most people went on holiday to Europe every year and came back to the US with similar thoughts to your own here.

@Judep4237 Ай бұрын

I feel that YT channels like this go a long way to educate Americans in how the rest of the world works

@Kilgore_Trout_jr Ай бұрын

Nail on the head. I hail from Europe. Very family oriented and social. Totally opposite from America where everything is transactional, everything.

@danowen79 Ай бұрын

@@Judep4237 Yaah, but then most say their audience is primarily British 😂 we’re just curious what foreigners make of the UK.

@PhilipWorthington Ай бұрын

@@Kilgore_Trout_jr 'everything is transactional' is a brilliant summary of American culture, I'm stealing that!

@thepickledpixie9052 Ай бұрын

Absolutely. There's some level of indoctrination that the US is the greatest country in the world and everyone wants to go and live there. That deep rooted patriotism has so many believing this and it couldn't be further from the truth. So many believe they have freedom of spedch and we don't. Travel opens the mind. Seeing how other countries live automatically opens your eyes to the problems in your own country - and we all have them. The US though...it's something else. The legislation around working hours and holiday entitlement, minumium wage, mat leave and childcare are horrendous. The religious influence in law is unbelievable given the claim of separation of church and state. The gun control issue is simply insane. I cannot get my head round the normalisation of little kids having to do active shooter drills in school. The US isn't even a member of the UN Declaration of Human Rights. That says a lot. Nowhere is perfect, far from it. But the US has many major issues that need addressing.

@paulleach3612 Ай бұрын

Biggest culture shock to me, while in the U.S as a Brit, was bread. What Americans consider to be a loaf of bread would horrify most Europeans.

@jimb9063 Ай бұрын

Cheese too. Not been to the US but had relatives who lived there, and with my own experience of visiting mainland Europe and living in the UK I'd say we're somewhere between the two concerning food. Either closer to the rest of Europe or the US, depending on what item it is.

@sirrathersplendid4825 Ай бұрын

To be honest after living a while on the Continent, ordinary British bread seems pretty foul. Thankfully the choice is so much better these days and decent bread is now available at nearly every supermarket.

@paulleach3612 Ай бұрын

@@sirrathersplendid4825 I'm spoilt - I have four outstanding local bakeries just five minutes from my front door.

@nowhere982 Ай бұрын

Britain had proper bread ie Flour, yeast, salt and water up until the processed food for supermarkets corrupted our food (predominately in the 1960's)....we didn't have much type2 diabetes or obesity back then either.

@EllieD.Violet Ай бұрын

And we in Germany with our 300 different kinds of bread already consider the British an abomination 😎. When we live(d) in London we would always shop at a 'German bakery'.

@nickwalters5380 Ай бұрын

I've not spent much time in the US, but I remember visiting friends in LA. I decided to walk to the local shops as my friends were at work. Got stopped by the cops twice to ask what I was doing trying to walk a couple of miles, had to cross a couple of big roads and use a bridge with no proper sidewalk. To be fair they were charming when they realised I was a Brit, but being questioned by the police for walking somewhere was very odd.

@cleverclogs2244 Ай бұрын

I stayed in suburban Nashville, and walked to the supermarket every other day - it was about 400m away, but people stare at you like you are a lunatic. My host would insist on driving us the 300m to the Cracker Barrel. The residential area I stayed in had very few sidewalks, and public transport was very inefficient and went in circuitous routes - the city centre was 4 miles away as the crow flies, but it took about an hour to get there, and the bus stop was half an hour's walk away. I didn't get to see much - the dependence on cars is very frustrating.

@iwanttocomplain Ай бұрын

@@cleverclogs2244 I used to work with a guy that drove that far to work. Stuffing his little car into the little street totally packed with cars bumper to bumper. The drive for about maybe two minutes. Probably 1 spent waiting at the intersection. To save walking for about 5 minutes. In a really nice place. The mildest walk ever. Total idiot. Played squash to stay fit. Driving to squash courts getting stuck behind buses.

@murphbee Ай бұрын

My family runs into similar situations when they visit. They get frustrated with me when I offer to drive them. We don’t live in a pedal-positive culture.

@pittarak1 Ай бұрын

Australian here: my wife and I had a similar experience when walking in Florida - had lots of stares from local residents and motorists. Also, I'm sure we were followed by a cop car at one stage - just so creepy.

@alexshapley8331 Ай бұрын

Yep! I walked for half an hour to go to a shopping centre in Las Vegas, the locals thought I was mad...

@GrumpyDragon_aka_LjL Ай бұрын

My husband and I visited the US to drive the length of the east coast. On our first stop we decided to stretch our legs and wander around the local area. We were walking along a residential street when a police car stopped beside us and we were asked what we were doing. We said “Walking?!” this seemed to thoroughly confuse the police! 🤣

@jaxcoss5790 Ай бұрын

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

@lo1079 27 күн бұрын

Didn't see this before I postes my comment haha

@katefox7692 25 күн бұрын

😂

@saysayuk1803 19 күн бұрын

😂😂😂

@MS-sb9ov Ай бұрын

I’m a Brit and recently travelled to Denver for work, staying slightly outside the city. I was amazed that there was literally no-where to walk that didn’t involve getting in a car and then finding the designated walking area, usually a park or something. Coming from the UK where there are public footpaths everywhere for enjoyment this seemed crazy. Cars, cars, cars …

@necaacen Ай бұрын

if neoliberal post capitalism can find a way to charge them per step for walking theyll get those footpaths build asap.

@simonkapadia7582 29 күн бұрын

Yeah, I've lived in a few places in the US, being British myself, I vividly recall people in their cars looking at me like I was insane or possibly even sinister for walking along the side of a main road. Only time it wasn't like that was when I was on a college campus in a rural area.

@bones1389 16 күн бұрын

⁠@@simonkapadia7582As an American who lives in an area where driving is most common, it’s uncomfortable to me when I drive to a large city and have to pay to park, often more than what I intend to spend at my destination. We don’t have sidewalks in most suburban/rural areas because everything is spread out to where driving is a way of life.

@JG-ib7xk 13 күн бұрын

@@bones1389driving is a way of life sounds a bit weird. Getting the bus is a way of life. Flying on a plane is a way of life.

@jacqueline8559 8 күн бұрын

Walking, on the legs God gave us, is a way of life

@markc1793 Ай бұрын

With the safety thing, i often see people try to use “the uk has knife crime” as a rebuttal for the American gun crime, but they always overlook the fact that per capita knife crime is also worse in the US.

@killcity75 Ай бұрын

Also, "Knife Crime" has different meanings in the UK and US. In the UK, the vast majority of knife crime is people being caught in possession of a knife, whereas in the US, you're not committing a crime until you stab someone.

@cultfiction3865 Ай бұрын

I’m from U.K. but been to the US and tbh both countries feel safe. But statistics prove that Britain is far safer than the US although it’s worth remembering that statistics are based on police crime records which aren’t always accurately recorded. Also different police forces may use different criteria when recording crime so even statistics aren’t completely reliable ways of making comparisons. You just gotta accept that in general both countries are safe. But like anywhere you can be in the wrong place at the wrong time

@bernardmcmahon351 Ай бұрын

I’m from Salford uk, I went to New York and Philadelphia twenty years ago, I noticed servers had to rely on tips just to make a living,also I saw many people begging who had serious, obvious physical medical conditions, the richest country on earth and the land of the free where you have to be wealthy to be poorly and can’t afford normal stuff being employed in the service sector. I’m a retired manual worker and I get a decent state pension, have a new car and get very good , free, medical treatment

@uliwehner Ай бұрын

@@cultfiction3865 i feel fairly safe anywhere i go, then again i am a 200 pound guy and 5'11. ask my 5 foot wife and she will tell you that nowhere in the US feels fairy safe for a woman. Japan, however, IS safe, and germany always felt safe for her. A friend of hers got a wallet taken at a pub in the UK, and it was returned to her by the police within like 15 minutes, thanks to CCTV. I call that a win as well.

@steveswitzer4353 Ай бұрын

@@bernardmcmahon351 Went to philadelphia in 2018 did an uber pool and went through Kensington !!!!! bloody hell unreal

@chippydogwoofwoof Ай бұрын

Bill Bryson wrote two great books 'Notes from a small island' about moving to the UK from Des Moines and the culture shocks that ensued and 'Notes from a big country' about moving back to the States after years in Britain.I remember theres a funny chapter about him trying to walk to a store on his return to America and having the police called on him. Both books are great and i would highly recommend both.

@user-ze5tu4ck1t Ай бұрын

I've Read both books and yes very funny. I wonder if you could help me, I swapped books on Holiday, It was one of the Funiest books I've ever Read .about a Teachers experience in Manchester. It made Laugh out Loud, the guy I swapped with asked which bit .I told him and we fell about Laughing. He Wrote another one about his time in Kenya. Not quite as Funny. Any idea of the Authors name please.

@pda3095 Ай бұрын

I've got all of Bill's books and they are not only hilarious but so informative, an unbiased opinion on every subject imaginable.

@cambbrown6205 Ай бұрын

Could the book about teaching be 'This is Your Own Time You're Wasting'?

@davidberesford7009 26 күн бұрын

@@user-ze5tu4ck1t Peter Pook perhaps? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Pook

@DMGamanda 25 күн бұрын

Yeah good choices 😊

@curran429 29 күн бұрын

As a Brit I have to admit that Americans, I have met in the UK and Europe have always been incredibly friendly.

@CaliforniaGleamin Ай бұрын

Tipping… It’s not that companies cannot afford to pay workers a living wage, but rather they choose not to.

@mikelees5093 Ай бұрын

Mike From Manchester U.K. you guys will always be welcome to come back to the U.K.

@MikeyC071 Ай бұрын

100%!

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

We're hoping to make it back this year.

@mikelees5093 Ай бұрын

@@TheMagicGeekdom I will look forward, to your new adventures.

@halfpintbuckaroo 16 күн бұрын

I'm from Manchester too. Please come to the NW of England we are super friendly and we have such amazing culture and gorgeous countryside nearby. I went on a long trip to London at the weekend. It took me 2 1/2 long hours on the train. Just exhausting. 😅

@dominicmoloney2621 Ай бұрын

I can only compliment you on your willingness to experience things outside your comfort zone... compare, contrast and give your honest opinion of what works for you and what doesn't. Please keep up what you're doing.

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

Thanks!

@davebarlow6457 Ай бұрын

I live in Wiltshire in the UK and have never been to America but when I was growing up it was always my dream to do so. I thought it was the land of dreams and so far ahead in many ways to other countries in the world. However , now I'm older and wiser and with the easy access to be able to watch great videos like yours , I have come to appreciate what an amazing place the UK is to live. I now realise that this country and others in Europe are the countries ahead of the curve. We don't have to worry about going bankrupt through illness or injury because our health care is totally free , if we work we are given up to 5 weeks holiday a year to enjoy and spend time with family or friends , our roads are safer because we have a sensible law that requires our cars to have an annual M.O.T safety check every year [ I could not believe this isn't compulsory in the USA ] and we don't get earthquakes or tornadoes. Admittedly we do get way too much rain but it's never dangerously hot or ridiculously cold. As for our history and scenery it's probably second to none as you have shown us time and time again in your wonderful videos. All in all I have found a new appreciation for the country that I live in thanks to great videos like yours. This country isn't perfect but what country is ? Keep up the great work guys.

@sirrathersplendid4825 Ай бұрын

Exactly right. Took me a few years travelling the world to really appreciate how unique and wonderful the UK really is. And counties like Wiltshire are among the most perfect!

@sirrathersplendid4825 Ай бұрын

Spent three months in the USA, and in truth was somewhat disappointed. You really need a car to visit it properly, since it’s very hard to get around with public transport. Very kind people, amazing sights, but somehow just couldn’t come to terms with the place and have never really wanted to go back.

@steveevans4299 Ай бұрын

The only problem with Wiltshire is Swindon of course🙂

@arriesone1 29 күн бұрын

Yeah, some gorgeous scenery in uk and Europe of course but surely can’t beat the Rockies for scenery?? I’ve never been, but such stunning pics online…

@EelingStudios 29 күн бұрын

anyone visiting UK cities will see how grim it is becoming, very sad..

@george-ev1dq Ай бұрын

Thank you for your positive response to the UK, people who live in the UK often think it is a bad place, it is not. They do not understand the freedom and security they take for granted.

@Enhancedlies 7 күн бұрын

spot on

@itsmephil2255 Ай бұрын

The best thing about TMG is that these guys realise there's more to the UK than London Hope you come back soon guys......PS being Carly ❤

@djs98blue Ай бұрын

Yup loved their walk around Lincoln

@pesmerga182 Ай бұрын

Not many people that live outside of London, like London, it’s a sh*thole

@davidhoward5392 Ай бұрын

You need to return, its where you belong 😅

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

Thanks, Phil! And thank for always watching.

@itsmephil2255 Ай бұрын

@@TheMagicGeekdom such a pleasure to watch 👍🏼

@IGSkaarj Ай бұрын

Got to agree on the tipping thing here in the UK. I feel that we only tip if the service has been truely excellent and the food has been very good, and I'd never consider doing more than 10%. I feel sorry that service staff in restaurants in the US *need* tips to actually earn enough to live.

@neilboulton9813 Ай бұрын

Sadly, we have imported that other great American invention the Service Charge. Our pub in the village now uses it adding 10% extra to every meal, thanks good ole USofA.

@AdmiralDonkey Ай бұрын

@@neilboulton9813 To be fair, they probably wouldn't have had to resort to that if the government hadn't done their best to facilitate the death of pub culture over the past couple of decades. It's extremely difficult for pubs to make a living these days. Granted it's not just the gov't but a range of which combine to make it a nightmare.

@grahvis Ай бұрын

@@neilboulton9813 . Service charges have been around for as long as I can remember.

@iwanttocomplain Ай бұрын

@@neilboulton9813 but with a 30% tax because that isn't cash any more.

@iwanttocomplain Ай бұрын

Yes it's actually less fair to the waiters because they are at a more unequal relationship with the customer than if merely acceptable service is acceptable and wages are adjusted accordingly.

@woodencreatures Ай бұрын

It's despicable that American workers get slave wages and are expected to grovel to customers to bump their pay up. They should try to get unionised, which I know is hard but the bosses are taking the piss

@grahamtravers4522 Ай бұрын

Yep. Work 'til you drop. Have you seen Victoria Wood's' "Two soups" sketch ? There are waitresses like that in the US.

@ForzaMilan-di2zd Ай бұрын

It's very annoying. I visited San Francisco last yr, saw how bad it was. Even buying a Coffee from ur typical Coffee van in the park, and wanted a tips charge

@cultfiction3865 Ай бұрын

That’s false. Americans are far better paid than British people how can you call that slave wages? You are speaking without knowledge. I agree with the tipping culture because it incentivises good friendly service. When you look how miserable, disinterested and downcast a lot of people in British customer service are you can be sure it’s us here that have got it wrong

@cultfiction3865 Ай бұрын

@@ForzaMilan-di2zdNobody is forcing you to tip anybody. Just do it if you appreciate the service and don’t do it if you weren’t happy with the service

@PaulRLight Ай бұрын

Just get a job that pays better.

@foxman1546 Ай бұрын

In 1976 my wife and I walked from Knob Hill in San Francisco, through Japan Town, Goldengate Park, and then across Goldengate Bridge, and then all the way back. It was a great walk, but Americans thought we were crazy. I must say that walking across that bridge and back again was wierdly awsome. The bridge noticably swayed a few feet in the wind, vibrated when vehicles passed us, and the mist descending was eerie.

@rb9580 Ай бұрын

In 1981, as a student, I visited San Francisco. Arrived on the bus at about 05.00 and got lost in a dodgy part of town. Two big black guys saw my Glasgow Uni sweatshirt, adopted me and took me back to a safe part of town. They had served in the US Navy and been based on the Clyde. Later I walked across the Golden Gate Bridge and on my way back a guy stopped me - again because of that sweatshirt - and insisted on walking me back across to the north side, and buying me lunch in a really good seafood restaurant in Sausolito. Turned out he was born in Glasgow and moved to the US in the '20s. Good times! 🙂

@bricktop7803 25 күн бұрын

That is normal for any suspension bridge. You do not notice it when driving. But when traffic stops you can feel the car bouncing up and down. If it doesnt flex, it would be rigid and break.

@foxman1546 21 күн бұрын

@bricktop7803 Absolutely. But when you experience it on foot, it makes you appreciate those steelworkers all those years ago.

@foxman1546 21 күн бұрын

@rb9580 I'm glad you were lucky to meet some good people. I bet you initially thought,'What have I got into' . When my late wife and I came back through Goldengate Park, a very tall and friendly hippy type walked with us. My concern was unnecessary in the end. He thought it was great that we Brits had backpacked from the East Coast.

@MrBlaxjax 12 күн бұрын

I walked across that bridge and back again. My American cousin I was with didn’t want to do that walk so I went alone. It was a nice walk but the bridge is huge and the two way walk took forever. Didn’t meet a soul there or back. I can’t really prove it but Americans seem to think that walking is a decadent waste of time and there are better things to do. It’s a different country with a different mindset. It’s not a bad place though. Americans do have a sense of fun and they are actually typically polite(almost to formality) and often quite upright, proper and wanting to do the right thing. There are aspects of life in the USA that I really like, and some cities such as New York I found to be utterly utterly impressive. But would you want to live in nyc without a six figure salary? Probably not. And the uk is at least equal in lifestyle to the USA though these days undeniably poorer. But really you can get by with less in the uk and I prefer the European mentality which is more about being content with what you have. Some Americans make themselves unhappy by trying to keep up with the joneses. And of course the Jones’s have a boat and three cars and vacations in Europe and a ranch style house on six acres. I exaggerate of course but America can be a bit like that.

@tinalouise5880 Ай бұрын

You’re such a lovely couple- so glad you enjoy your time here 😊

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

Thanks!

@Brookspirit Ай бұрын

It's not a difference between the USA and Europe, it's the USA which is so different to the rest of the world.

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

That's fair.

@Really-hx7rl Ай бұрын

A great deal of Videos I have seen where Americans have gone back to the US, is that they all seen to say they start to feel ill after a few days due to the food.

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

I don't know that we felt ill, but it definitely changed our tastes on a number of things.

@alexshapley8331 Ай бұрын

I love fast food but eating at certain US fast food chains always seemed to leave me feeling a bit ill afterwards and sometimes with a headache (and I very very rarely get headaches!) - I assume that this is because of more salt per servings and various additives that I won't have had in UK/Europe. Even the fries tasted different to what the same brands sell over here.

@EllieD.Violet Ай бұрын

@@TheMagicGeekdomLive some months in Italy, France, Germany or Austria and you will even think British food is sub-standard.

@EllieD.Violet Ай бұрын

@@alexshapley8331You're probably mildly allergic to all those preservatives contained. I have an allergy against glutamate and similar, which give me a splitting, migraine like headache. So I never consume convenience food but cook from scratch. When visiting the US (biztrips, we live in Germany, France and Italy) I try to survive on fruit, pasta, veggies and dairy. The consumer protection in the EU is stellar compared to US standards, each and every ingredient MUST be listed, the country of origin, the producer's ID.

@alexshapley8331 29 күн бұрын

@EllieD.Violet it's not allergic reactions(i have lots of allergies so I know what different types of allergic reactions are like), it's just stomach not feeling right, feeling slightly nauseous, and headaches... what's annoying is that I've often enjoyed the food, but then have to go through the faff of trying each item one at a time to see what it was that made me feel ill.

@madmark1957 Ай бұрын

In restaurants in the USA the server may be trying to get a better tip but there is another motivation for bring you things earlier than you expected. They want you to finish eating and leave so they can get someone else at that table and thus get paid again.

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

Yes, which getting your food fast is nice, but we don't enjoy the feeling of pressure to leave for them to serve another person. The more laidback pub feeling is overall nicer.

@acamiln8354 23 күн бұрын

Evrything is about mone in the US.

@garrytuohy9267 Ай бұрын

I hadn't realized how difficult it was to walk in the US until my first trip. I was in Silicon Valley and across the street from my hotel was a McDonalds and one evening tried to get across the street but it was impossible. I had to go back to the hotel, get in my car and drive down the street, do a u-turn and drive back again. I also have a friend who was visiting Dallas and saw something that was in walking distance and tried walking to it, but ended up getting stopped by the Police.

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

It can be weirdly difficult sometimes.

@claymor8241 11 сағат бұрын

Exactly. We were in a hotel just outside Montgomery, Alabama, one of 2 or three adjacent hotels. There was a nice restaurant/bar and a petrol station/mini supermarket not 50 yards away but they were across a busy dual carriageway with no visible means of crossing other than waiting for a gap in fast flowing traffic. Very hairy. In the UK there’d be a footbridge.

@cyclingmadhedgehog8860 20 күн бұрын

42-year-old UK citizen here. I don't even have a driver's license. Never needed one. I walk, cycle and use public transport.

@TrapperJohn72 Ай бұрын

I’ve made numerous visits to the States over the years ( love the place ). The one thing I’ve never gotten my head around is the whole concept of valet parking ( hotels, restaurants , race tracks ) I’ve always felt like saying ‘ I’ll keep my money & my keys I’m perfectly capable of parking my own car thank you! ‘

@leec6707 Ай бұрын

I'm baffled by those brown bags that they carry their shopping in. They have no handles and look so cumbersome! Also, child beauty pageants are very weird.

@winwinmilieudefensie7757 29 күн бұрын

Apparently the valetparking is a service you pay for and they wil park your car in a safe zone. Otherwise your car would get stolen or broken into or something..so its a necessity because of all the unsafe streets

@guguncube2308 29 күн бұрын

Creating low wage jobs

@tedbriskett2962 Ай бұрын

I heard that, when driving in the US, your Satnav is likely to announce something like..."Continue on this road, and after three days, turn left" 😂

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

It depends where you're going, but that can be true. 😂

@lorrainemoynehan6791 Ай бұрын

I did the overnight train from London to Inverness. Absolutely loved it. Changed and got the train to plockton, over to Syke and the ferry to Harris. One of the best trips ever. You should do definitely do it if you have the time

@bun6758 Ай бұрын

so agree i did that over 30 plus years ago was great and i also ending up om iona

@BrianCrooks-iv8lm 29 күн бұрын

I'm glad you enjoyed the UK. Americans always welcome here 🇬🇧

@user-kq6zb9ll5b Ай бұрын

Thank you for taking us with you on your adventure, thoroughly enjoyed every minute.

@jaxgrimeshilton3683 24 күн бұрын

I’m a Brit and don’t know anyone who owns a gun. I can only think of one person I know who has ever fired one.

@JJ-of1ir Ай бұрын

Thanks for doing this video. We already miss your videos of your travels in the UK. Hope you will come back soon! Love from the UK

@vilebrequin6923 23 күн бұрын

Agree completely. Don't be strangers for too long! We'd love to welcome you back! Love from GB😊

@rachelcyr1288 Ай бұрын

I really enjoyed this videos! This is an interesting take on your travel experiences. I'm headed to the UK this week for the first time, so I was interested in hearing about what you appreciated about the UK.

@jsmith1071 Ай бұрын

Our minimum wage ($14 per hour) means that tipping is less common. My husband hates when a service charge is added without asking (something that is getting more common) and always asks for it to be removed. We tip in cash, depending on the level of service provided. I enjoying watching Caroline Parker on KZfaq, a Brit who is moving back to the UK with her American husband and 3 children, largely because of the gun issue, gun drills in school etc. She also mentions the inability to walk out, which is something we take for granted. It’s really interesting to hear your perspective.

@lottie2525 Ай бұрын

Interesting hearing your reverse culture shocks, especially the food and ingredients and price differences. Something I always find funny is Americans always assuming their service industry is so much better, but in reality we would HATE that kind of service in the UK and find it so obtrusive. We don't want to make a new friend, just eat our food and talk to our actual friends. To us good service is minimal intrusion, minimal fuss, thanks very much. And, if a business can't pay a living wage, it's not a viable business. Stop with the tipping madness.

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

We prefer the service industry in the UK for sure.

@douglasstilgoe1236 15 күн бұрын

The “See It, Say It, Sorted” cameo made my day!

@foxbasedelta338 Ай бұрын

Love. The UK misses you, you are part of us now. Do your thing! Xx

@scarlettpeach95 Ай бұрын

I love the fact that you guys are so open and honest about travelling around the uk and Europe, its so refreshing! Can't wait for you to come back to England ❤

@stewedfishproductions9554 Ай бұрын

I have travelled to many places in the US, over a long time and I'm ALWAYS on tenter-hooks... I am ALWAYS happy to get back to the UK. 😊

@just-a-yt-guy 6 күн бұрын

Very interesting as you covered so much ground. Thanks!

@vilebrequin6923 23 күн бұрын

Very interesting guys! Thank you😊

@cozza819 Ай бұрын

Love your guys talk on the differences. I've visited the US a couple times now and I've always had a strong love for the Americana. Everywhere has it's ups and downs.

@paulhunter2340 Ай бұрын

God bless you both stay safe and look after yourselfs and thankyou for all your praise about the uk and hope it's not too long before you return to your second home were you will always be welcome as you are a lovely couple.Its been an absolute pleasure watching your videos and how lucky you are to have travelled together and made all those happy memories.

@chriscookesuffolk 4 күн бұрын

Really enjoyed your film guys x

@danielintheantipodes6741 Ай бұрын

Thank you for the video!

@TIDYJOKER Ай бұрын

Hey guys. Thank you very much for your insight. You videos of Coventry are still the best advert for the city we've ever had. Our train fares aren't quiet as good as a 'brit pass' (If thats the rail card). It's still pretty decent, if you know how to book. I look forward to more of your videos, and you won't have to even have to come to Coventry again.

@deanooo2531 Ай бұрын

Two Americans not interested in gun's...we need more Americans like you ❤❤❤❤

@dickenscider7328 26 күн бұрын

The way the political situation is going here in the U.K. I’m sure we will wish we had the same gun laws that the US has. Don’t forget , the reasons that they have the ‘ right to bear arms’ is to protect themselves from tyranny (“ no government should have more power than its people).

@thadtuiol1717 9 күн бұрын

America was founded on the gun.

@FalcomScott312 Ай бұрын

Good evening Cara & Jeremy how are you? I'm your new subscriber from London, United Kingdom here & I couldn't get enough of your UK videos here that I had to subscribe to your channel! I've been watching a few of your videos & I really enjoyed them so much! Hope you come back here to the UK & nice to watch your videos.

@katrinaadams2269 11 күн бұрын

Love the fact you’re both taking a deep dive ….on your intake ❤❤❤

@metro119 Ай бұрын

Both the overnight train options in the UK are great. For the Scottish one I'd recommend the route to Fort William as the scenery in the morning is so spectacular. Early booking is essential though for decently priced fares - they do get expensive. The sleeper train to Penzance in Cornwall is also great, and much more reasonably priced - you can get two single cabins with a door between without breaking the bank. While on the subject of train travel, and as you foodies, you should check out the Pullman dining on GWR trains and also the restaurant service on some Transport for Wales long distance trains!

@judyburgess3357 Ай бұрын

If you love barbeque you should travel to Australia for Barbies or South Africa for Braii I am impressed at Americans who came here to the UK and were open to experiencing our country.

@Robslondon Ай бұрын

Great video guys, and some interesting points.

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@kantpredict Ай бұрын

It seems to be a general consensus that Europe just does things better and more sensibly than the USA. It's hilarious when Americans actually visit other countries, and the blinkers come off to how freaking nuts the USA is.

@hrw3mom103 27 күн бұрын

Not necessarily. There are positives and negatives about all countries. I have found some things incredibly aggravating and inefficient in Europe and the UK. Traveling is very different than living abroad. I love many things about each country I have visited and I wish I could establish my own country using each of those lessons/experiences. Inevitably, it wouldn’t suit everyone.

@wanneske1969 25 күн бұрын

I always wondered why they believe they live in the greatest nation ever.

@acamiln8354 23 күн бұрын

Europe and US are not comparable.

@ynys_mon6928 Ай бұрын

I agree with a lot of your comments. We are from the UK and had a very warm welcome when we visited family in Newport Beach CA. I found the service in most restaurants very friendly and obliging, but a bit over the top…not genuine. We only hired a car for our second week and were taken aback on difficult it was to get anywhere, even walking in the near neighbourhood wasn’t much use. There didn’t seem to be local centres like we have in the UK that you could walk to.

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

I wish more of our towns and cities were built for walking. We miss being able to walk to the shops a lot of the time.

@bricktop7803 25 күн бұрын

It is just the fact that the US has a lot of free space and freeways. In Europe and the UK, it is more condensed and public transport infrastructure was created before cars were invented. America is too big to know itself.

@monik.7354 Ай бұрын

I enjoyed your videos travelling in the UK as I used to live there for 10 years and after returning to my country the Czech Republic I was so shocked by the customer service in most supermarkets,banks etc.,I was used to people having a chat with me at the till or smiling and wishing me a nice day and asking how I was in England and they were busy working...I felt so akward by being friendly back in my country and nobody cared really,I wanted to return back to the UK,but now I am used to it again and sometime they surprise me and smile at least ☺And I enjoyed bigger variety and choice of gluten free or vegetarian meals in restaurants and pubs or cafes in England....we are still behind,especially in smaller towns.Take care and have a fab week

@bmc9504 Ай бұрын

My friend is from Latvia and he came to the UK around 16-18 years ago, he last visited home around 10 years ago and vowed never to go back. He's a very sociable person and especially being in his 20s in a foreign country was extremely shocked. He always use to tell me how rude and cold people would be when he visited back home and they don't care about your best interests, especially the Russian population... No offence to the Russians, he can speak Russian fluently and they're a lot nicer in the UK than back home(his words). Currently, he's like an old woman, he will talk for England and makes friends better than I can.

@marygarnham764 7 күн бұрын

Make your own pasties. Buy the short crust pastry. This should be enough for 2 pasties, Finely cut skirt beef, finely slice potatoes, finely slice onion, finely slice swede (maybe you call that turnip). Cut pastry dinner plate size, put small layer of, meat, potatoes,swede & onions on top of HALF the length pastry, add nobs of butter, salt & pepper, make sure you leave space on pastry so that the other half will press down on that half … brush a half of the pastry edge facing you with cold water, then fold the other half over the ingredients. Press edges together with a fork (Cornish people “crimp” the edges, but it takes practice). Brush the whole top withe egg wash. Cook in pre heated oven on 200c for approximately 15 minutes, lower heat to 160c for approximately 1 hour, if browning too much, cover top of pasties with aluminium foil. Hey presto. Mary G.

@annieswatkins Ай бұрын

Totally agree with you. Love your videos

@peterparker219 Ай бұрын

So in America those who want to cross the road (by foot) "become a hazard". In Europe it's the car traffic that is a hazard to those who want to cross the road. That's the different mindset !

@ynys_mon6928 Ай бұрын

Until my mid 20s I travelled a lot by train…for free! My mother worked for the railway, so as a child and Uni student I had a certain number of days per year when I could travel for free. Then I got a job with the railway. The brilliant bit was the reciprocal agreement with railways in other countries. Family members had to pay, but got a percentage off. The most interesting train journey we had when we were first married was from the Hoek of Holland to Norway. First we took an overnight sleeper train to Copenhagen where we stopped for a few days. We were camping…on a very cheap budget. Then we took an overnight to Oslo and then a connecting train to Voss. The overnight to Oslo was awful. The seats were wooden slats! I’ve never had such an uncomfortable journey. The next train in the morning from Oslo to Voss had super luxurious seating. The most comfortable I’ve ever experienced. The main problem was trying to stay awake on the beautiful scenic journey.

@swanvictor887 Ай бұрын

Bill Bryson is a really good writer and is much appreciated in the UK...perhaps more than the US even...?!

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

Oh, wow!

@user-we5wy8hm7b 3 күн бұрын

Charming couple. Interesting, insightful commentary.

@Badgersj Ай бұрын

Friendliness in shops etc. I know it's part of the training, but it makes a real difference. Not only do you feel more relaxed about asking about something, but it makes you see that shop assistant/nurse/receptionist as an actual human being.

@sirrathersplendid4825 Ай бұрын

It makes such a difference. One of things I always look fwd to whenever I’m back in the UK.

@zamiadams4343 Ай бұрын

Very well said, I live in London and walk everywhere or jump on a bus or tube easily. Public transport is used by everyone, having a car is too expensive and useless in many ways.

@SG-og8nn Ай бұрын

If you want great Jazz in the UK check out Ronnie Scott’s in Soho London. Ronnie Scott’s is one of the top ten jazz clubs in the world

@eamonquinn5188 19 күн бұрын

You guys were always open and optimistic and it seemed like you were really enjoying yourselves over here (UK)

@andrewwhite4335 Ай бұрын

It was a pleasure watching your series. I sincerely hope you can find a reason to do a second series in England

@rupertbath2748 Ай бұрын

When you do come back, you should visit North West Wales (Gwynedd). I'll happily show you around and Mum will happily put you up if you bring Carly as she loves dogs (the cat can get used to it as he has put up with sister's dog turning up from time to time). Great seafood, welsh black beef, mountain lamb, shit loads of castles and a landscape that looks like middle earth. Yes a lot speak welsh there but you'll get the hang of it (senior language of the UK). Best not visit in the winter as rains like you wouldn't believe. Also has one of the oldest cathedrals ever and a cafe run by original bass player for The Smiths.

@user-cv5cp3qf1d Ай бұрын

Been to the US many times and really enjoyed the food but always ended up with an upset stomach. Ref making pasta sauce … don’t bar a jar with sugar and additives. Buy passata and season it … so much better and not full of junk. Lovely to see how you both fell in love with the UK. Hope we can welcome you back here!

@davidmartin3947 Ай бұрын

I enjoy your viewpoints! One major thing that I am pleased that you had no occasion to compare is the provision of health care.......

@kriptoow 25 күн бұрын

I was in Florida for a while and missed walking and local shops and community centres… glad to be back in Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 but miss America too x

@suppleberry3863 Ай бұрын

I travelled to the US last autumn for the first time in over 10 years and I was shocked by the prices. The exchange rate has an impact but that doesn't explain the whole difference - supermarket prices were outrageous. It's strange to think that 10/20 years ago the US was a cheap destination for shopping trips, but it's the complete opposite now. It was like being in Switzerland or Norway price wise. Re overnight trains, in the UK there are two options - firstly to Scotland from London and secondly to Cornwall from London. A really nice thing to do might to be the train to Penzance (Cornwall) then the ferry across to the Scilly Isles which is a unique experience. Of course Scotland is fantastic so any trip up there is worthwhile. There are some lovely train journeys in Scotland, truly beautiful.

@MrRjhyt Ай бұрын

Yup, any train journey North of Glasgow or Edinbugh opens up an breathtaking vista. Those Harry Potter scenes give a good flavour...

@joyceflowershed Ай бұрын

I was the same 8 years since I was last in the States and oh boy the prices, it was an expensive 8 weeks for sure.

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

Our inflation has been pretty terrible.

@mrstoives2444 Ай бұрын

Thank you for the positive comments. What about sales tax being added on at the checkout in the USA vs inclusive in the UK?

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

Honestly, that's very nice. There are a few states in the US that don't have sales tax either, but they are not the norm.

@Anonymous-gn3ly 20 күн бұрын

I like the looks you give each other, suggesting you two get along very well.

@user-ch9qt2dj6j 2 күн бұрын

Glad you came to Newcastle - I am a Geordie. Saw a pic of the Tyne Bridge on one of your vids- I hope you had a good experience.

@TravelAdventureswithEricB Ай бұрын

Great points and all very true.🎉thanks for the vlog.

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@user-TonyUK Ай бұрын

As one of the few non drivers in my family I have never needed to know how to drive. When I was younger (I am 67 now) I either cycled (to work approx 20 miles away or for leisure) caught local transport, trains or buses or walked. It would be nice to drive now instead of relying on local buses or trains, but I guess I will never bother now at my age. I will NOT miss out on Paying all the Taxes that come with driving, but maybe if I fancy a weekend away from home I now must consider the cost to get to and from my destinations. Tony in Essex

@djs98blue Ай бұрын

Great videos - and maybe try narrow boating here next time? I remember you seeing them in Lincoln I think.

@marieparker3822 8 күн бұрын

Tipping: you don't need to tip bar staff, but it is normal to tip waiting staff in restaurants, hairdressers, beauticians, manicuriists - but not medical staff, podiatrists, opticians, dentists.

@robertgrimsted877 Ай бұрын

Love the video’s you both are beautiful people glad you liked the uk 🇬🇧

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

Thank you!

@montyf3594 Ай бұрын

I love your love of the Uk. Take care.

@Pollyaula 26 күн бұрын

I hope at some point you can come to a big UK boardgame convention like UK Games Expo or Airecon - I think you'd love it!

@stagghouses4826 9 күн бұрын

What a lovely, wholesome couple you are. We'd love to have you live here in the UK!

@AndyKing1963 Ай бұрын

American friends of mine visited Scotland for 5 or 6 days last month and the total cost came to exactly what they had paid for 2 weeks travelling throughout England in May 2019, including car hire and several fancy b&bs and hotels. A small indicator of how prices have changed

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

Wow, the inflation is bad all over.

@davidthompson882 Ай бұрын

I’ve traveled quite a bit in the US and loved it, I’m from County Durham in the north east and we are very relaxed here and I’ve found that Americans in the more rural areas to be very similar, when my friends from state side have been here and I’ve took them sightseeing Newcastle Durham Scotland they too say after visiting the old country they look at home a little different not in a bad way just different, I’ve enjoyed watching your travels here and Europe I wish more Americans could do it it’s good to see different cultures

@KathyBarnett-mv5vg Ай бұрын

I've been to the US three times and I've always felt safe and I love the people.

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

We agree. We loved bringing our friends from the US along for put of our last trip and showing them things that we love there.

@HanChap2 6 күн бұрын

The plus sode of CCTV here in the uk, is safety. In my younger days, i would go on a night out and walk home at 2am. My friend worked on the towns CCTV offices and he would watch me walk home to make sure i was safe. I wouldn't dare do that now i'm okder and wiser. I'd get a taxi home if i ever went out. But, it was always nice to know i was being checked on. I did live in a town with a very low crome rate at the time.

@amfwelsh Ай бұрын

I love visiting the US by the year end we will have spent 5 weeks there on vacation in various places. Especially when an American hears a British accent it’s a conversation starter. The tip thing is crazy but I’m used to it now. Ant Flynn, proud Patreon member

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

Thank you for supporting us, Ant! Do you have a favorite place in the US?

@adrianboardman162 Ай бұрын

The weight thing is a long term thing, but, you've varied your diets so much in a relatively short period of time, you'll find sticking to what you've had overseas helps, but it's a slower (and healthier) way of doing it. Obviously have a few treats and things, but everything in moderation.

@justgrand3429 Ай бұрын

Travelling will always broaden the mind.

@COMEINTOMYWORLD Ай бұрын

Love you two. Your videos are great! xxx

@psychosoma5049 25 күн бұрын

You guys are lovely I’m glad you liked my home and glad you I tend to revisit ❤ all the best to you both ❤❤

@Rearda Ай бұрын

Since CCTV was installed on my little town’s High Street nearly 3 decades ago, not one single smash and grab shop window theft has occurred.

@Theresebonath6077 Ай бұрын

Im from Sweden and when i see food hauls from the Uk im shocked at how much food they get because for the same amount of money i wont get near how much they get

@jswmonkey197 Ай бұрын

I can't imagine paying the prices I see in some northern European countries. Even if the wages are higher than in the UK the prices still seem disproportionately higher. It makes the big prices rises we've had in the UK over the last few years feel much more palatable.

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

We haven't made it to Sweden yet to experience that, but wow.

@sirrathersplendid4825 Ай бұрын

Lived for a while in Sweden, and was so shocked by the prices I’d regularly come home from the supermarket with just a litre carton of yogurt (Filmjölk), a loaf of bread, some cheese and a few bananas!

@mandysharp4571 29 күн бұрын

I'm a chef who worked in Cornwall for 20 year's i was taught by the ladies there how to make traditional cornish pasties .it's very late here but i will send you a traditional recipe over the weekend.

@nickbodie9013 Ай бұрын

When you come back to UK try Hickories Smokehouse for American style brisket and ribs, lovely. Been watching you both since you visited Mountain Lake Lodge, love watching you guys living your best life. Something most of us stuck in the tedious cycle of work, sleep, work, will only get to experience briefly with holidays..

@pulchralutetia Ай бұрын

We miss you! Please come back to the UK, guys! I'm moving to Ireland so I won't see you, but please come over! Have you been to Ireland yet?

@user-ch9if6px6r Ай бұрын

I love Northern Ireland and BallyCotton. So beautiful.

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

We have not yet. We really do want to make it to Ireland though.

@adlam97531 Ай бұрын

I live in a small rural town in the UK, and many residents walk to shop etc, and I walk to work quite often, but a friend from the US was shocked when I told him of my 10 minute walk to work or 20 minutes to the town centre. Dionne Warwick sang "LA is a great big freeway,Put a hundred down and buy a car" and I guess that is the thing, but in New York I loved walking around and taking the subway and the buses.

@wanneske1969 25 күн бұрын

I live in Belgium and I know a lot of Belgians (and Germans) that don't have a car or never got a driving licende although they could afford it. When you live in a city, you don't need it. And even in more rural areas you don't need a car.

@TheSportsBoffin Ай бұрын

Remember here in the UK VAT/Sales Tax is included in the price. Certain products including kids clothes are Tax free or taxed at lower rates. In most States in the USA SalesTaxis added on at the Till/Checkout.

@davestubbs7274 Ай бұрын

You will always be welcome here 😊

@hauskalainen Ай бұрын

i found the sweetness of bread sold in USA to be sickly sweet.

@missharry5727 Ай бұрын

It's the absence of butter in sandwiches that gets me.

@hiddenwarrior24 Ай бұрын

we dont really tip we just ask them to keep the change sometimetimes lol for example if we order a takeout and its £18.50 and we give them a £20 and to keep the change thats our version of tipping but they get paid so just dont see the point in tipping

@TheMagicGeekdom Ай бұрын

That makes sense.

@RBernsCarter 11 күн бұрын

Something to be aware of in the UK re: crime, the UK is a lot harsher when classifying crimes so what the UK calls a violent crime is larger in scope than what the US calls a violent crime so this does distort numbers. Also the % of crimes being actually reported to the police is generally higher in the UK than the US

@paullewis2413 Ай бұрын

I’ve travelled a lot over the years, I love cities but I have to say the only time I’ve felt really unsafe was in San Francisco. What amazed me was this was in an area only a few blocks from my top rated hotel.