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Original poster

If I ever judged the UK by what I saw on TV when I lived in the US

489 replies

Tee2072 · 03/09/2013 10:09

Everyone in the UK would either speak with a Cockney or RP accent.

They would all either live in an over crowded terrace or a huge country estate.

All the schools would be crap.

The populace would spend their entire lives in pubs.

Now, I never believed any of that, being a relatively smart human being.

So am I being unreasonable to wonder how come I'm constantly battling US TV stereotypes here on MN?

It's a thread about many many many threads.

OP posts:
reggiebean · 05/09/2013 14:54

FreudianSlipper REALLY?!?! I'm not far from Brixton at all!! Do you know the name of it? You've just got me SO excited!!

(btw, I love the name... These are my favourite things in the world!)

FreudiansSlipper · 05/09/2013 15:00

no sorry but it is at the front of the building in the corner. brixton village is a collection of little shops and cafes/restaurants in an old building it is not very big

they do not do a lot of dishes, but everything tastes fresh and there were quite a few south americans there (not that they all eat the same of course)

Nancy66 · 05/09/2013 15:02

Is it Casa Morita?

CoolStoryBro · 05/09/2013 15:02

My local Indian does the best King Prawn Saag I've ever tasted! And you can get sushi to die for really easily. The tuna dumplings in our local, no-frills Sushi place are Heaven on a plate.

But my all time fave (with the kids) is to go to our local Family Style Italian. Order 2 huge dishes for a family of 6 and it comes with giant bowls of salad and breads, all for the grand sum of $25. All freshly made and all pasta made in house. We eat out waaaay too much here!! Grin

FreudiansSlipper · 05/09/2013 15:02

here is is...

For Reggiebean

FreudiansSlipper · 05/09/2013 15:03

yes it is

reggiebean · 05/09/2013 15:04

Thank you!! (suggesting it for dinner tonight now!)

ivykaty44 · 05/09/2013 15:08

Is it true that waiting staff live of their tips and don't get paid a wage? I would think if this is the case then possible Joyce would say whatever she thought you wanted to here to get a tp at the and of service?

FreudiansSlipper · 05/09/2013 15:10

enjoy :)

drinks are nice too and rather strong

Original poster
Tee2072 · 05/09/2013 15:11

They do get a wage but its less than half is regular minimum wage. It's called Server's Minimum.

Not that all servers only get paid minimum wage, of course.

OP posts:
HighJinx · 05/09/2013 15:19

It is often said that the US is a very inward looking nation. I wonder how much of that is because it simply isn't exposed to any other country in the way that the UK is.

We have the EU, holidays in Europe, but also we are massively influenced by US culture through TV, films, games, books, software, shops etc.

British (or any other) culture is simply not so much a part of life in the US as US culture is around the world.

How many movies showing at your local cinema are set in the States?

HighJinx · 05/09/2013 15:20

Sorry meant to add ... and how many movies are set in say Russia or Australia or Kenya?

reggiebean · 05/09/2013 15:25

ivykaty44 Yes, most servers are paid very, very little hourly wage (this was a few years ago now, but when I was a server, I made about $2.30/hr) and you also have to share your tips with the bus boys and bartenders, so yes, you tend to be overly friendly because your rent depends on it! The hourly amount varies from state to state, and even from restaurant to restaurant, but on a whole, servers do live off their tips.

For those who say they don't agree with it, or don't like the idea of it: Then don't go out to eat in the States. In the same way that you adapt to customs in other countries, that is a custom in the US. It is considered extremely rude to not tip, whether you agree with it or not. (sorry, bit of a sore spot for me if you couldn't tell!!)

Original poster
Tee2072 · 05/09/2013 15:56

Yes. What reggie said about tipping. If you're not going to tip, don't go out to eat. And don't say 'but I can't afford it!' Then go to a cheaper restaurant.

There are some restaurants who are trying to change the minimum or who pay their staff a living wage, but they are few and far between.

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 05/09/2013 15:59

Yet Bollywood has the biggest film output Grin possibly we should demand book office viewings of more bollywood films. Then we would think that all of the sub continent dances and signs all the time Smile

HighJinx · 05/09/2013 16:27

So is it true that apartment blocks people don't have their own washing machines and they share laundry rooms with the other residents? Or is that just somewhere to have Penny and Sheldon meet up?

reggiebean · 05/09/2013 16:39

HighJinx Out of the many apartments I lived in, only about two ever had washer/driers in the apartment. The rest were all shared with the other residents.

Who are Penny and Sheldon??

SconeRhymesWithGone · 05/09/2013 16:41

That depends. Some older apartment complexes (and probably most urban ones) have shared laundry facilities. Where I live in Florida most newer apartments each have their own washer and drier.

SconeRhymesWithGone · 05/09/2013 16:43

Big Bang Theory, reggiebean

PaperSeagull · 05/09/2013 16:43

Oh, dear. A thread intended to debunk stereotypes is now replete with even more stereotypes. How's that for irony?

reggiebean · 05/09/2013 16:49

Ah, thanks Smile. Never seen it, so can't verify the accuracy of their laundry room, sorry Grin

Original poster
Tee2072 · 05/09/2013 17:00

All of which are being debunked, Paper.

reggie I had shared laundry facilities in all my apartments in the midwest but once I moved to California I had them in my apartment, usually a stacking unit in a closet.

OP posts:
reggiebean · 05/09/2013 17:07

You Californians are fancy though Tee Wink

Original poster
Tee2072 · 05/09/2013 17:11

So very true reggie. Grin

OP posts:
PaperSeagull · 05/09/2013 17:13

I hope they will continue to be debunked, Tee. It just seems as though even on a thread like this, with an OP that very correctly pointed out how silly it is to hold stereotypes based on Hollywood fantasy, some people continue to post uninformed and sweeping generalizations. Oh, well. Keep fighting the good fight! Smile