To be a bit envious of this lifestyle? (USA)

[ThePinkPonyClub]

I've just watched School Swap: UK to USA on Channel 4 and have ended up feeling a teensy bit jealous of the kind of lifestyle that's possible over there.

Even normal, non wealthy families seemed to be able to live really outdoorsy lifestyles where they can hike and hunt and boat amongst the gorgeous scenery. I feel like in the UK, even rurally it isn't possible as everywhere is so densely populated especially when the weather is nice. The weather is also a limiting factor!

I'm obviously not jealous of the MAGA/Trump craziness or the crappy healthcare and all the rest of the political stuff but purely the lifestyle side of things, it seems so much more possible to live in that free, outdoorsy kind of way.

And the schools seemed to have a much more positive, enthusiastic culture with things like school sports and dances, compared to the UK teens in their drab uniforms staring at their phones the whole time in their miserable, run down secondary school.

aibu? Anyone live this kind of life in the UK? If so, where?!

@Goldenbear

So I assume I can take your non-reply as a yes?

Er we have a socialist government in power so it doesn't really back up your point.

British yobs have long been a problem, yes, people in Britain aren't really know for their interests on extreme anything though, that is not the nature of the typical Brit, hence the votes for centrist Starmer and Blair in the past and why Corbyn didn't get in in 2019!

There are no banned books or placards where I live. Again, you're describing very specific parts of the States.

Europe's culture and architecture is overwhelmingly Catholic and Middle Ages, and that holds true for most of the continent. Not for nothing is it referred to as the Old World!

Oh give over many American’s criticise America or they used to before the dictatorship took over. Our family certainly does.

Bull shit! You do realise Europe has moved along a lot since the Middle Ages!🤣

Again, how do you know I wouldn't seems rather presumptuous.

No, we really don't see a lot of this in the NHS. That's utter rubbish.

There were about 140,000 deaths from diabetic complications in the UK in 2021. Diabetic complications are often chronic, so vascular disease, angina , infection etc. Just to put that in context, that 0.02% of the population. Diabetic ketoacidosis is just a proportion of this.

So, User46576, get away with your made up rubbish, you'll be trying to convince us with your faux knowledge, that the private insurance industry will save us all next.

We do not often see young people dying of DKA in the NHS.

The Cleveland Clinic has some data about the US, interestingly. They do report the rates of DKA, 0.2 to 5% of the population in 2021. So, starting at more than X10 the rate in our country.

Hth

There are no books banned by the US government at all.

Many schools have banned books such as Gender Queer… which I agree with. And I invite everyone to do a google image search and to let me know if they think it’s appropriate for a school library. Mind you it’s available in public libraries and available for sale… just not in schools

Of course, but it's still a very hidebound, homogenous, Old World culture compared to the US.

Honestly, why was immigration such a vote winner then? It is honestly embarrassing.

Loving the way Europe with all its many different cultures, cuisines, history and countries is apparently a homogenous whole but America is apparently the home to diversity in your eyes !🤣

Oh so now we do have immigration. Is your back getting tired from all the goalpost moving you are doing?

ETA: And once again you’ve missed the mark. American’s aren’t keen on illegal immigration

Hysterical and ridiculous!

It's totally different for Americans to criticise their own country. I'm sure Brits wouldn't like it if I came home and sat there telling them all about how crap Britain is.

You've never lived in America so you don't understand how diverse it is compared to Europe.

ETA: Like all Brits, you just think the entire place is one red state with lots of guns and right-wingers.

And it doesn't have many different cultures, it's all mostly Catholic, Catholic, Catholic.... yawn.

As for different cuisines, it's basically about how many things you can do with an olive, some fish, and a bit of bread and cheese! 🤣

Why do you let criticism of the US bother you so much? I don't feel offended when people criticise the countries I've chosen to live in over the years (and yes, that includes the US). I really don't see why anyone from the UK would be jealous of someone living in the US or any other country - there are endless opportunities to re-locate all over the world.

Because it's endless and no one ever has anything good to say about it. And if you've lived in multiple countries then you won't have developed a loyalty to one.

Seriously- The Kite runner, John Green, The Colour Purple, The Handmaids Tale….. to name but a few.

You actually think it’s ok banning these books.

Of course you have immigration, I never said you didn't, I mean none native Americans all have immigrant heritage don't they! I'm just not sure how embracing they are anymore. It strikes me as a little hostile now.

Only 35% is. Do you actually know what makes up Europe?

I mean you seem to constantly attack to defend, why denigrate all Europeana to make your point. People have said nice things about the U.S on here but you are outrageously offensive.

This

Surely American cuisine is influenced by European heritage. I saw on the News a New York Deli owner panicking about the tariffs and stocking up on Parmesan before they came into place. Another member of the public saie it will really impact her choices as she mainly eats imported food.

That's the people who identify as Catholic. The overall culture is Catholic and has a strongly Catholic heritage. This is shown in its architecture, history, and social attitudes. France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece...they all retain Catholic attitudes about women. Maybe only 35% identify as Catholic and go to church, but the continent is a product of a Catholic heritage, much of which endures today.