Can someone explain the reasons behind these differences between Americans and Brits?

[kurstytemple]

I've noticed that Americans greet people often with, 'hey, what are you doing?' even when it's completely clear what the person is doing, ie, picking them up from the airport, bumping into them shopping. As opposed to the British greeting, 'hi how are you?'

Also Americans can say bye ONCE on the telephone yet us British folk seem to say bye about 1 million times repeatedly whilst hanging up the phone. For example, Americans - 'it was good speaking to you, bye'. Brits - 'it was good speaking to you, okay, you too, okay, bye, bye, bye, bye, byeeeee, bye, bu-bye, byeeeee'. What is that all about?

Additionally, I've been watching a lot of teen mom 2 and the court system over there just seems so much more straightforward and fair. Not sure if that's an accurate representation. But for instance, a person can go directly to the court for custody arrangements instead of all the faffing about before getting to that point, seems to be easier to get protection orders from someone and seems to be a bit more lenient with young people, making deals with them to ensure that certain convictions don't go on their record hence not making them unemployable. I still have to declare a breach of the peace I got at 18 pissed as a fart.

Anyway there's my ramblings. Anyone else noticed this or care to explain why the differences? Or point out any of their own for me to ponder

However youtube seems to always direct me to an American screeching 'Whats up'. Infuriating

Example or it didn't happen....

And for any Americans (keeping with the original OP)

What's the deal with closets? I love watching US property shows and the closets are often full sized rooms off the bedrooms. Is this true to life?

Also is it typical for every bedroom in the house to have an associated bathroom

Maybe I'm just watching aspirational property shows!

In many municipal areas, in order for a room to be classified as a bedroom it must have a built in closet.

No, en suites are not typical, at least in older or smaller houses, apartments, etc. However, newer builds, especially in higher price brackets, tend to have lots of bathrooms. This goes for larger old houses too.

@mathanxiety

In many municipal areas, in order for a room to be classified as a bedroom it must have a built in closet.

No, en suites are not typical, at least in older or smaller houses, apartments, etc. However, newer builds, especially in higher price brackets, tend to have lots of bathrooms. This goes for larger old houses too.

Interesting!

In the Uk I believe bedrooms must have a window but not a closet- we use a lot of free standing or built in furniture.

I'd love a walk-in!

Do people in the US buy wardrobes then? Or are they essentially obsolete ?

Also for a nation that is often focussed on individual rights even when there are clear H&S issues (arms, seatbelts etc) you seem to have a lot of byelaws restricting personal choice around housing design and laundry practices. Are these generally well tolerated and if so why? It seems like a lot of fairly minor/petty rules are accepted but rules that would have clear safety benefits are resisted.

Don't know the f it's been said but when a British person a asks you if you are alright, the correct response is "I'm very well thanks," or " Yes good thanks. " They then ask if you are alright and the same response is expected. It is not an invitation to begin listing all your medical ills or discuss any problems you have.
The only exception to this is if you are actually at rock bottom and then it is acceptable to reply "Well I'm not too good actually." This will result in the other person feeling awkward so avoid this response at all costs.

Bedrooms have to have closets; it's been code for some time. Walk-ins became more common around the '90s judging from the houses I have been in; my 1970s house doesn't have any. But I do have an en-suite shower room. They seem to have first started appearing here in the 1950s (other than mansions I suppose), but the oldest ones I have seen are tiny--not like new houses where the en suite is the biggest. The most common arrangement I've seen in post war 3-4 bedroom homes is a family bathroom, an en suite off the main bedroom, and if a house is two stories, a guest toilet on the main floor.

Many of the rules surrounding housing design and laundry and such aren't laws. They're rules from the homeowner's association--the prevalence of which varies quite substantially and the rules within them just as much. (I do not live in one.) So the view is that you're "choosing" to buy there and could review the rules before hand, you've signed up for that.

You can buy wardrobes here, like at IKEA. They are less popular than in the UK but people do still buy them for supplemental storage.

If you watch property shows you think all Americans live in massive new-build houses. There's lots of older, smaller ones, and in East Coast cities especially, terraces and semis. Suburban townhouses are also attached, but different.

@Onlinedilema

Don't know the f it's been said but when a British person a asks you if you are alright, the correct response is "I'm very well thanks," or " Yes good thanks. " They then ask if you are alright and the same response is expected. It is not an invitation to begin listing all your medical ills or discuss any problems you have. The only exception to this is if you are actually at rock bottom and then it is acceptable to reply "Well I'm not too good actually." This will result in the other person feeling awkward so avoid this response at all costs.

I knew someone who you'd never ask how she was-she'd tell you in excruciating detail!

I think a lot of people here appreciate line dried clothing as one of life's little pleasures.

I agree with this. I'm not in the UK, but most people here line dry their clothing, summer and winter (weather permitting). I did have a drier but when it died I didn't replace it, and have never felt the loss. I couldn't stand having to use a drier all the time, there is nothing like seeing your laundry fluttering in a sunny breeze.

@Mandalay246

I think a lot of people here appreciate line dried clothing as one of life's little pleasures.

I agree with this. I'm not in the UK, but most people here line dry their clothing, summer and winter (weather permitting). I did have a drier but when it died I didn't replace it, and have never felt the loss. I couldn't stand having to use a drier all the time, there is nothing like seeing your laundry fluttering in a sunny breeze.

Meh. I grew up with washing lines- pegging it all out was really tedious and physically hard work, weather more often bad than a “good drying day”, there was the constant juggling of not being able to go out in case it rained as you weren’t there to get the washing in, the mad dashes to get it in when did rain. Also, towels come out lovely and soft in the dryer- on a line they go all crispy.

A built in closet isn't necessarily a walk in - you can easily reach all four sides of the closets from a standing position inside them in my home. You can fit quite a lot in a closet like this with creative use of shelving, racks, etc.

You don't find people using wardrobes (mostly called 'armoires' in the US) all that much thanks to built in closets, or walk in closets in larger homes.

The housing design rules (closet = bedroom, for example, and also rules about basements used for accommodation needing two means of access) are there to prevent overcrowding, with huge numbers of people packed into inadequate spaces. It discourages landlords from operating flop houses or exploiting the need for housing for profit.

The 'No hanging up your washing' rules can be exaggerated. The vast majority of Americans live in places where hanging up your washing outside wouldn't be a problem, and they're not chafing under unreasonable rules.

However, Americans prefer to use a dryer for many reasons - climate, pollen, lots of overhanging mature trees (older American suburbs tend to feature mature trees aplenty) lack of space/access to the outdoors - many Americans live in apartments, convenience (it involves far less work to take clothes out of the washing machine and bung them straight into the dryer, and clothes are folded neatly from the dryer instead of ironing them) and a preference for doing things the modern way.

Many older Americans associate the past with crowded life in tenements, slums, dirty old city neighbourhoods, hard physical labour, and poverty; the way things were done in the past tended to repel people a few generations ago who had the chance to escape the cities, a feeling that has been passed down to current generations. The appearance of a green, pleasant backyard devoted entirely to children's play, leisure, and entertaining is preferable to the sight of the week's wash hanging there. In a way, it signifies the American Dream.

Sorry, that was a reply to @WaltzingBetty

Meh. I grew up with washing lines- pegging it all out was really tedious and physically hard work, weather more often bad than a “good drying day”, there was the constant juggling of not being able to go out in case it rained as you weren’t there to get the washing in, the mad dashes to get it in when did rain. Also, towels come out lovely and soft in the dryer- on a line they go all crispy.

Each to her own - but "tedious and physically hard work" ???? Really, have you ever done physically hard work? It's much harder than hanging washing out. Also we don't all live in damp countries - it hardly ever rains here if it's not in the forecast so I happily go away and leave my washing out. I use fabric softener on my towels so I wouldn't say they are crispy - I agree dryers make them soft but that's not a good enough reason for me to buy one.

@Mandalay246

Meh. I grew up with washing lines- pegging it all out was really tedious and physically hard work, weather more often bad than a “good drying day”, there was the constant juggling of not being able to go out in case it rained as you weren’t there to get the washing in, the mad dashes to get it in when did rain. Also, towels come out lovely and soft in the dryer- on a line they go all crispy.

Each to her own - but "tedious and physically hard work" ???? Really, have you ever done physically hard work? It's much harder than hanging washing out. Also we don't all live in damp countries - it hardly ever rains here if it's not in the forecast so I happily go away and leave my washing out. I use fabric softener on my towels so I wouldn't say they are crispy - I agree dryers make them soft but that's not a good enough reason for me to buy one.

I thought this thread was about differences between the U.K. and the US? Why is it remotely relevant that you don’t live in a damp country? Good for you.

Also, I didn’t say hanging out washing was the MOST physically hard work that a person might do, but it sure as hell is harder than putting it in a dryer. I base my opinion on very early childhood memories of my Mum struggling with a washing basket with a baby on her hip and my Gran having to get us grandkids to do hers when she got too old to manage it herself.

@Summerfun54321

I travelled around the US for a while. I think Brits have more in common with Europeans than with US citizens. They speak the same language as us but are culturally different in so many ways (massive generalisation I know). Took me ages to realise that “how are you doing” didn’t require an answer about how I was actually doing! Never heard anyone use the greeting “what are you doing” though 😄

I agree. It wasn't until I went to New York that I realised that.

It felt far more "foreign" than any European country I've been to, despite the shared language.

@GreenPixieHat

I have recently been in meetings with Americans and I cannot stand their fake enthusiasm. Mundane aspects of work seem to be "empowering" and/or "inspiring". Today I heard, "I got goosebumps thinking about this". If that's true then I genuinely despair for the guys life.

IMO these are very strong words that should only be used in exceptional circumstances, not because Jenny came up with a new idea for some boring process.

This made me lol! But I agree about the use of hyperbolic language. It doesn't leave you with much to say when something truly is inspiring, awesome etc.

But English English has some odd things, too. I have an Italian friend who speaks fluent English (and French, and excellent German and Spanish, too). She told me once that she was completely at a loss about the way the English often use the word "charming" in a way that means the complete opposite.

I couldn't explain it, either, or how to tell which way it is meant.

@GeorgiaGirl52

I wonder why British people don't have the basics - central air conditioning, hot-air dryers and window screens? (Totally do not understand healthy able-bodied adults not driving!) In most subdivisions here it is against the rules to have an outdoor drying line, even in your own yard. It is considered trashy to hang your undies, etc. in public view. Screens provide privacy and protection. No cats, foxes, owls or bats flying in for a visit. With central air you close your windows and don't hear your neighbors all-night BBQ sing-a-long. Seems like even if you dislike America, you might want to adopt some of our conveniences?

In a country where 85F is considered a hot day, we have little need for air con. And in all my 66 years I've never had a cat, fox, bat or owl fly in an open window (although I did have two visits from a blackcap which appeared to mistake a large ficus benjamina on the window sill for a tree; he's not done it since I moved the plant).

Outdoor drying, when weather permits, is much better for the environment than using a drier, and cheaper. And I prefer my clothes etc to smell of fresh air than the synthetic smell of dryer sheets or fabric conditioner. I haven't had a tumble drier for over 30 years, and I really don't miss it.

[quote NeonDreams]**@vivainsomnia* Implying that not showering every day is a health hazard, how rude and self absorb is that.*

But it IS a health hazard! Basic hygiene drummed into us at school, by doctors, etc, is that showing every day is an essential. I'm not sure why you think it's ok to not shower every day?[/quote]
I've yet to see any evidence of plagues, epidemics or premature deaths caused by only showering every other day.

I only shower daily because I feel manky if I don't.

@WaltzingBetty

What do all Australians think of:

Cats/rabbits/kangaroos - are they the adorable fluff balls there that we Brits often think of or do al Aussies think they're vermin?
This depends a bit on where you live, in farming communities kangaroos especially are a pest as they can destroy crops and eat animal feed. Cats are useful for rats/mice etc but also very bad for indigenous wildlife and rabbits are OK as long as they don't have mix.

Where do all Australians go on holiday? Is it mostly domestic? You're so far from other countries.
Yeah, lots of domestic holidays but also Fiji, Bali, NZ, other areas within a reasonable distance.

Does anyone actually drink castlemain 4X?
Australian joke: do you know what the X's stand for?
S H I and T.

Is really life just like Neighbours?
I'm afraid not.

Is really life just like Neighbours?
And how did Daphne give birth to twins by the river with her tights on?

I knew someone who you'd never ask how she was-she'd tell you in excruciating detail!

Me too- including details of bowel complaints 🤮 I always greet people with ‘all right?’ But I learnt to just say ‘hello’ to this individual for fear of being regaled with stuff I didn’t really want to hear about.

@knitnerd90

Bedrooms have to have closets; it's been code for some time. Walk-ins became more common around the '90s judging from the houses I have been in; my 1970s house doesn't have any. But I do have an en-suite shower room. They seem to have first started appearing here in the 1950s (other than mansions I suppose), but the oldest ones I have seen are tiny--not like new houses where the en suite is the biggest. The most common arrangement I've seen in post war 3-4 bedroom homes is a family bathroom, an en suite off the main bedroom, and if a house is two stories, a guest toilet on the main floor.

Many of the rules surrounding housing design and laundry and such aren't laws. They're rules from the homeowner's association--the prevalence of which varies quite substantially and the rules within them just as much. (I do not live in one.) So the view is that you're "choosing" to buy there and could review the rules before hand, you've signed up for that.

You can buy wardrobes here, like at IKEA. They are less popular than in the UK but people do still buy them for supplemental storage.

If you watch property shows you think all Americans live in massive new-build houses. There's lots of older, smaller ones, and in East Coast cities especially, terraces and semis. Suburban townhouses are also attached, but different.

There used to be rules regarding provision of cupboard space in properties built as social housing (the Parker-Morris standards). They specified minimum sizes for rooms, eg a double bedroom had to be at least 110 square feet, windows and all sorts. I can't recall when they were abandoned, but some councils and HAs still adhere to them.

The requirement for built-in cupboards in bedrooms sometimes backfired though. I grew up in a flat built in 1966, and in the two smallest bedrooms the location of the built-in wardrobe meant that you had to have the bed under the window in one room and next to the door in the other. Lots of people ripped them out so that they had more flexibility about where to place furniture.

@Billandben444

Is really life just like Neighbours? And how did Daphne give birth to twins by the river with her tights on?

Because Neighbours exists in the same world where: -Harold can float the Tasman straight and forget who he is. -Toadie's dead wife comes back from the dead, then is revealed to be a doppelganger then actually does come back from the dead. -Harold can hallucinate his dead wife for a couple of weeks. -Paul owns a hotel and lives on the same street as a cafe owner and bar worker and is somehow irresistible to women. -All permanent paralysis is temporary including a man who blinded himself by staring directly at the sun during an eclipse.

(yes, I'm an Australian adult who actually watches neighbours and gets ribbed by my mates for it)

I'm British. Only visited USA twice, never lived there.

But I much prefer the idea of an American lifestyle!

Walk in wardrobes are so much better! Trying to reassemble an IKEA wardrobe after a house move is a nightmare.

Driving is so much more liberating than being reliant on others and dangerous public transport. For a woman being able to drive is such an important part of me feeling safe going to public places.

I hate line drying. It's sore on the back and you have to spend half your life watching the weather. Also it makes towels rough as a badgers arse.

[quote libertybonds]@LegoCaltrops you do realise that's a fiction for television? Lawyers and judges don't get into fistfights in American courts [/quote]
www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/court-removes-brevard-county-judge-murphy/

www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/florida-judge-john-c-murphy-fired-appalling-behavior-n482626

If it's fiction they appear to be taking it a bit far.

@kurstytemple

I do say, "What are you doing?" as a greeting on the phone to someone I know. I literally just called my sister and greeted her with, "Hey! What are you doing?" I did this to ask if she had time to chat but she didn't. I only say that to people I know on the phone. I wouldn't dream of greeting people like that at all if I didn't know them. I wouldn't also greet a person I did know, in person, with "What are you doing?" because we are both out and about.

I'm originally from far West Texas so no, as a rule, is not said there in general use. It's usually "How are you doing?"