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Questions for American and other international/non uk mners

236 replies

Graphista · 26/06/2019 23:04

I love learning about other cultures and lifestyles. Lived in Europe myself for a while but a long time ago now. Never been outside Europe though.

Pure curiosity prompted by watching tv shows and films made outside uk.

What's the difference between a condo and an apartment?

Do you have semi detached houses in America? Terraced? I ask because I think they must be called something else there.

What's the equivalent of our going to Spain & similar on package holidays where you are? What type of holidays do ordinary families have?

What about things considered traditionally British? Do other countries do Sunday dinner? On Sunday's or different days?

As someone who was a mature student twice I've also noticed that this isn't something that's portrayed on American tv, or even particularly on Australian or New Zealand output so is that because it's not a "thing" outside the uk or just a weird skewing due to scriptwriters?

What about gap years? Again American shows seem to have youngsters going straight to uni from high school if they're going to go.

Also there's a lot of talk of saving for kids to go to uni but I'm guessing there's support for students from poorer backgrounds? How does that work?

What are bank holidays like where you live? What do people do for them? Are they called public holidays or something else?

Drink driving seems to be very socially acceptable in the states, is that accurate?

Is "soccer mom" slang for sahm?

I got the impression going to summer camp was a thing a lot of American kids did, but then a friend said she'd been a camp counsellor years ago (not American) and that they're quite expensive so it's better off families that do this?

What's childcare like where you are? Again seems to be that in America and also Canada that pretty much anyone can set up a daycare business or be a Daytime "babysitter" (what we'd call a childminder)? Is it not well regulated?

Do American families really tend toward having cooked breakfasts of some description? There seems to be a lot of making pancakes, waffles, eggs & bacon in tv shows (makes me hungry!)

For other mners living in various countries what is the usual breakfast where you are?

When I lived in Europe when I was in hospital the meals were of course based on the norm for where I was living, but for me as a Brit it still felt odd having breads/crackers, cheeses, relishes and pastries for breakfast (I'm veggie, for non veggies there was also deli meats, sausage). I'm fascinated when I read articles on breakfasts around the world and see things like pickled fish, rice dishes even stews!

But then as a Scot I'm reminded of that "highlander" movie script section (a bizarrely cast film where a Frenchman is playing a Scot and a Scot an Egyptian with a Spanish name and a broad Edinburgh accent!) where Connor describes haggis to Juan and Juan is disgusted at the sound of it! So yea I appreciate a glasgow fry which can of course include fried slice of haggis, along with Lorne sausage, tattie scones, black pudding, white pudding, bacon, fried eggs, fried bread, mushrooms, tomatoes and baked beans.

Baked beans - that's another thing. It was one of the few things I bought at the naafi because British baked beans don't taste like baked beans from anywhere else. I Also bought marmite, white sliced (I liked European bread but sometimes our doughy white bread toasted and buttered was needed for the perfect beans on toast or fried egg sandwich)

So...tell me about real life in the rest of the world? I'm sure other mners will also have questions.

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drsausage · 29/06/2019 05:29

With two kids and our insane jobs, we bit the bullet and hired premium care - frankly, because we are lucky enough to afford it. It makes our lives so much easier and allows us enjoy family time since we are otherwise so time poor. We also are rather unusual in that we pay our nanny a living wage and do everything legally.

I think you're very sensible, and I agree that it's right to pay your nanny a living wage. One of my good friends had a nanny who she paid $18 an hour (this was 10 years ago) and guaranteed her hours even after her children were at school full time. In the long run it worked out so well for her. There was always someone there if the children were sick and needed picking up early from school. Her nanny gradually became a gardener/housekeeper, which she loved. Her nanny also moved abroad with them when they moved to Europe for a couple of years. And her daughters learnt to speak fluent Spanish as that was what their nanny usually spoke with them. I do think it was the best possible care they could have had.

Conversely I had a lot of struggles with childcare issues, and I do think my children would have been happier if I'd had one nanny right through.

Deedee248 · 29/06/2019 08:28

Thanks @expressed. That does sound quite complicated, but it helps me to understand the system.

bluetongue · 29/06/2019 09:59

Loving this thread Smile

I live in Australia and have never been to Bali Shock However I do try and go to Japan every couple of years so I just do the alternative option. It’s exactly short haul though. Usually takes at least 10 hours to fly there and there’s no direct flights from where I live.

Our public holidays seem pretty similar to what the UK has. They do vary slightly from state to state. We have a day off for the Queen’s Birthday in a June which I’ve always found a bit odd but hey it’s an extra day so who’s going to complain Grin

We do have semi detached houses where I am but they are usually called maisonettes (usually for older places) or duplexes.

The different attitude to sick leave between sick leave between Australia and the UK is interesting. I’m in a state government job and we get 12 days sick leave a year fully paid which accrues indefinitely. There no Bradford calculations or back to work meetings for most leave and there are definitely some workers that take the piss but not much can be done about it. We do however have to provide a medical certificate for any sick leave over three days, after or before a long weekend or after annual leave.

I’ve seen those Italian breakfast biscuits in lots of supermarkets here. Never realised they were breakfast biscuits before.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Andylion · 29/06/2019 16:14

We have a day off for the Queen’s Birthday in a June which I’ve always found a bit odd

In Canada we have May 24, or the Monday before it, off, to celebrate Queen Victoria's Birthday. It marks the start of summer, if a bit early. Many people do a full-on long weekend working on their garden/yard, if they have one. Those with cottages often open up that weekend.

Graphista · 29/06/2019 17:39

Thanks to everyone sharing their knowledge, fascinating reading.

"$200,000 in debt." 😱😱 that's insane!! How are people expected to pay that back?!

As you say pure luck whether people get a well enough paying job to be able to pay back crazy money like that, or if they're fortunate enough to come from a wealthy family, meaning certain professions are pretty much out of reach for the poor.

"On a random note, soft play centers aren’t really a thing here! I wish they were - it’s so tough to find something to do with the children in foul weather." They were a lifesaver for me when I split from my ex and dd was still tiny.

Korea sounds tough on kids too! Wow!

I'd love to know what a "pot roast" is too I don't think there is a real British equivalent?

"A pot roast is where you but the whole joint of meat in a pot with water... so I guess braising?" Yes we don't really cook like that in Britain I don't think?

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Graphista · 29/06/2019 17:39

BertieBotts that was my experience of German hospital food too, though being veggie I had slight differences (vegetarianism was regarded with much suspicion but I never went hungry) I miss LOADS of German food and loved shopping & eating out there.

Netherlands was easier as a veggie I must admit, I also miss loads of Dutch food. Loved shopping there, not just food but I loved the clothes which were very much my style of dress, I find it really hard to find clothes I like in uk

"even stuff for older kids, skate/ scooter clinics / teen beach parties, photographers/ teen girls, free or cheap" I'd have loved that, I found in uk when dd was 12-16 there was very little for her and her friends to do or anywhere they could go hang out. When I was that age we had a youth club with a tuck shop, pool table, tv, loads of board games, hifi to play music on... It was great having somewhere not under the watchful eye of parents to socialise and be occupied. Nothing like that for dd.

As for school systems I don't even understand the English system these days!

I live in Scotland now and so having gone through that most recently with dd that's what I'm familiar with and it's relatively simple.

I've no idea how the English system works, what the difference is between academies, free schools, and "normal" high schools? Completely confuses me. What I do see is the huge amount of stress it causes my friends in England when they're waiting to hear if their child has got a place at the desired school.

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IShitGlitter · 29/06/2019 18:24

love this thread!

AcrossthePond55 · 29/06/2019 18:39

chefsavvy.com/super-easy-pot-roast/

Here's a basic pot roast recipe. Most families have 'their own' recipe that's been handed down so seasonings and cooking methods can vary. Some do a stove top pot roast, others use a slow cooker. I have a 'special' electric pot that I inherited that I use along with my grandmother's/mum's recipe.

sluj · 29/06/2019 18:59

A PP mentioned that there were no Chinese or Indian restaurants around her in Canada and she missed that. I have often wondered if they were as common in different countries as they are here. There seems to be at least one of each in every village and town in Britain Grin

Like many British people I have a curry at least once a week but is this a common meal elsewhere or is it to do with British history? It's one of the few foods I would really miss.

IHaveBrilloHair · 29/06/2019 19:00

It looks delicious, I adore American food.
Is pot roast always beef?

TapasForTwo · 29/06/2019 19:04

Graphista I sometimes do a pot roast with a piece of brisket. I put onions, carrots and stock in with it after I have browned the meat. I thought it was very much an English thing.

SenecaFalls · 29/06/2019 19:16

Is pot roast always beef?

It's usually beef, but in the South, pork is also used for pot roast. In fact, beef pot roast is also called Yankee pot roast (Yankee meaning Northerner). My grandmother's pork pot roast was her signature dish. It makes the best gravy, which should always be served with rice. It's best made in a deep cast iron skillet, seared first on top of the stove, and then covered and put in the oven with onions and a bit of chicken stock to slow cook.

AcrossthePond55 · 29/06/2019 19:20

I've never tried a pork pot roast, but it sounds delish! I'll have to give it a try when the weather cools down!

SenecaFalls · 29/06/2019 19:26

Hey, Across! It's definitely a cold-weather dish. Smile

dreichuplands · 29/06/2019 19:29

I have found a very good Indian restaurant near me that delivers but there aren't nearly as many of them in the US as there are in the UK.
There are a huge range of Japanese/Chinese restaurants near me (Midwest USA)

Abra1de · 29/06/2019 19:44

I thought pot roast was fairly well know in the UK? We started having them when we were out at children’s sports things on Sunday mornings because they didn’t need watching. Too many vegetarians now!

PotolBabu · 29/06/2019 20:44

When I lived in a big east coast city (not NYC) we had no decent Indian places, the Thai places were so so and the Chinese was bearable. There was excellent and cheap Mexican food though.

Andylion · 29/06/2019 20:54

A PP mentioned that there were no Chinese or Indian restaurants around her in Canada and she missed that. I have often wondered if they were as common in different countries as they are here.

I guess it depends where in Canada you are. In my city, there are hundreds of Chinese and Indian restaurants. My high school was located between Little India and a second smaller, unofficial Chinatown, which is now know as Little Vietnam, and just south of Greektown. I doubt there is a cuisine that can't get here.

Ginger1982 · 29/06/2019 21:47

Ooh, I have another US one!

I've never understood about gambling over there. Here we have bookies on every high street and people place bets all the time. But on TV, 'bookies' in the US are all criminals!

Can anyone explain it to me? 😆

Expressedways · 29/06/2019 21:56

In our state gambling is mostly illegal except for horse racing and on river boats. However, because the state is completely broke it’s about to legalise sports betting, casinos at horse tracks, fruit machines and god knows what else! But yes, in many states, betting on sports would be illegal and your ‘bookie’ would be a criminal. In some states Indian casinos are common as different laws apply to Native American reservation land.

Ginger1982 · 29/06/2019 22:15

@Expressedways thanks! Is there any particular reason why it's illegal?

Graphista · 29/06/2019 22:15

"but is this a common meal elsewhere or is it to do with British history?" My understanding is it's very much to do with our history.

Remember India was once a British colony. I think the Chinese influence possibly comes as a result of Hong Kong once being so too.

Also geographical proximity, so eg Mexican and Brazilian food is more prevalent in USA because those countries aren't too far away from there and so people have travelled there and enjoyed that food. Then either made it themselves at home or been keen to give their custom to restaurants run by and the food cooked by immigrants from those countries.

Whereas we've been influenced by our close neighbours too - France, Spain, Italy

Though of course USA is also influenced by these as a result of immigration and of course in certain parts of USA that includes Irish too who emigrated there in great numbers.

Historical events which have influenced migration influence the movement of cuisine too.

As a Scot pot roast isn't something I'm familiar with, especially as a veggie.

Even when I still ate meat and lived at home it was more stews, soups and roasts where the meat was roasted in fat rather than a water based sauce. Mum was very good at doing pork so that cracking was made (one of the few meat things I miss)

"We started having them when we were out at children’s sports things on Sunday mornings because they didn’t need watching. Too many vegetarians now!" 😂 on a veggie's thread! There are lots of lovely veggie dishes that are similarly easy to relax with.

I've definitely had American and Canadian people say that Mexican food in uk is pretty dreadful and it's certainly not my favourite cuisine - but then I've never experienced the real thing.

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BertieBotts · 29/06/2019 22:21

The ubiquity of Indian food in the UK is to do with our history, it's not as popular elsewhere. You do get Indian restaurants in most places but not as many as in Britain. I miss it a lot. It's hard to find a good curry here. The Chinese tastes different as well. I think it's localised to the local palate.

BertieBotts · 29/06/2019 22:22

The pot roast sounds like what I'd call a casserole. Which I understand is also a completely different dish in US English.

Andylion · 29/06/2019 22:37

The Chinese tastes different as well. I think it's localised to the local palate.

There is a definite difference between Chinese food and Canadian-Chinese food. I happen to like both. Smile