An AMERICAN In ENGLAND First Time!!! - 10 Observations
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- Опубліковано 15 чер 2024
- I'm an American in England for the first time! Here are 10 observations about what it was like (plus 1 bonus observation). Was there some British culture shock? Was it my first time driving in UK? Yes it was! That and many more.
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0:00 Introduction
0:25 Disclaimer
0:50 The Power is Different (Electricity)
1:40 I Dislike the Subway
3:23 I Like the Overground
4:25 You Have to Walk Everywhere
6:06 Toilets are Hard to Come By
7:19 No "Excuse Me" Here
7:55 The Bus Schedule Likes to Exaggerate
8:32 Driver Beware
9:50 Is Coka-Cola OK? (Limited Beverage & Condiment Choices)
10:36 Beware the Plant Life
11:14 BONUS - The Air and Climate are AMAZING!
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Check the use of those adaptors! UK mains electicity is around 230v whereas US electricity is 120v. You can ONLY plug things that are dual voltage (such as many laptop and phone chargers, but NOT all). CHECK first! It might be worth picking up a UK spec charger cheaply for use here.
If you forget or need more the USA to UK adaptor (also needed in Ireland, Cyprus, Pakistan, Hong Kong, etc.) are available in the UK. Boots (pharmacy store) have them and Argos sell packs of 3 for £12.
If you take a 4 or 6 gang plug adapter they will all run on one US>UK adapter.
Regarding the underground- if you travel during rush hour and in the very centre you can expect this sport of crowding, but it's not always like that.
@@Nick_TV_Producer thanks 😊
You know you can eat the stinging nettles? In fact they're one of the most nutritious plants you can eat. Once cooked, it's like strong spinach and the sting is completely broken down to nothing.
I think you might have bumped into foreigners more than not. The average Brit is always apologising, just as the Canadians do. It really is a British thing. In London you are much more likely to meet a foreigner than a Brit.
That is probable. Someone else said that 80% of people in London are not from England.
@DugrozReports definitely true around the major tourist sights during the tourist season
@@DugrozReportsOr Britain.😊
Yeah, I agree with the other comments, Brits are way more polite than most Europeans, so you must have bumped into tourists
American Mountain Dew is literally banned in the UK because of the nasties that are put in it
Everyone in England knows that dock leaves cure nettles, scientists question it, but it has almost become folklore.
Used it lots of times. It does work. There are two nettle types, those that sting (big leaves) and no sting (small leaves). Where you find stingers you normally find doc's.
When I was at junior school, aged maybe nine, another girl pushed me into stinging nettles at school. With a skirt and bare legs it stung! But my dad had showed me dock leaves, which often grow nearby. I used them and they work.
The little-known secret is to avoid rubbing the sting with the Dockleaf, might as well use sandpaper. Crushing the younger leaves in the palm of your hand with a thumb releases the juice which is then smoothed in to the effected area. Cool and refreshing.
I assured my Indonesian daughter-in-law visiting in the autumn and going blackberrying ,that she need not be nervous about snakes in the undergrowth .
I forgot to tell her about the stinging nettles
The reason why you prefer Mtn Dew in the US rather than the UK is that the US put a load of crap into the product that isn't allowed in the UK or Europe. Take a look at "US vs UK Food Standards - Why Are They So Different?"
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I’m confused as to why you expect and think the UK should the same as the US. And don’t forget London is very different to rest of England and UK both in terms of tourism and how diverse the population is. My tip is If you come again be more prepared to try new things and I think you will enjoy it more
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London is OLD. Many of the buildings were erected BEFORE cars and trains. This means the buses and trains stop NEAR a certain location as the building is protected, that protection of preserving the local area means many old buildings fronts and sides don't have bus stops outside the main entrance. Some place in London have also been protected by pedestrian zones only with no cars, buses or bikes allowed. Like any old city things are NOT in grid road system like the US, many roads are pre car, especially the Ridgeway which is 5,000 years old. This means the road are twisty and turney as road builders did not have the ability to use explosives to make a straight road. Some roads have no path as the land owners did not give permission or sell land to allow a straight road. England is OLD and is being used and repaired everyday.
There are wide modern motorways available if required ! I think you had a bad experience, you are
giving a very jaundiced view of London which I have never heard before !
Don't forget, 5m people use the London Tube on a daily basis, compared to 2.4m for the NY Metro (which has about 2.5 times the amount of track). London is also one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world, so if you come in the summer, you have to expect it to be crowded.
That makes sense. I'm sure we hit it at peak tourist time, being the middle of July. Perhaps another time I will visit in the Fall or Spring and try it out!
@@DugrozReportsYou've also got bear the day's rush hours in mind (8-9AM and 4-6PM).
@@DugrozReportsIt's not Fall in the UK, it's Autumn... 😊
@@camoTiara Well, yes, but 'fall' is the older British term (or "fall of the leaf") - it's just died out here.
@@camoTiara True now, but not as simple as it might seem historically.
"Fall" (as in "the fall of the leaf") was a late Middle English expression that was preferred until the end of the 17th Century when it disappeared from common usage in favour of the Latin/Middle French word - "autumnus" and "autompne" respectively. In English, and only in England, the word became "autumn". Who knows why, aside from the fact that it is a lovely word championed by Shakespeare?
But, as with so many late Tudor/early Jacobean words, "Fall" was carried across the Atlantic as but one item in a large, secret, significant lexical baggage by the first English settlers, and of course it stuck. That's where the cultural divergence, culminating in the Revolution, really began. With vocabulary.
You really should read more Bill Bryson! (Or David Crystal.)
Mountain Dew as sold in the US is forbidden here, due to a certain ingredient. To quote the official web site: "In the EU there are different regulations on what can and can't go into our products. As such, we have had to tweak the formula slightly to comply with those regulations. The US Dew uses HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup) to sweeten the product, but in the UK we use just normal, plain and simple sugar."
That's it, then! Thanks for the input!
@@DugrozReports and aspartame unfortunately due to the sugar tax
Us Brits are well known for apologising even if it wasn’t our fault, it must of been tourists that were bumping into each other in London & just carrying on 🤔
That's probable.
We even apologise to lamp posts
@@DugrozReportsalmost certain
Toilets are everywhere in London- if they sell food they will have a toilet. Also all museums etc have them. How often do you need to go?
A lot.
@@DugrozReportsCut back on the sodas maybe? :P
@@danielreed5199 🤣🤣
Restaurants are required to have them by law, all public buildings have accessible ones and all buildings have them.
If you are in central London, all of the free museums have toilets. If you are on the South Bank, the National Theatre, The British Film institute, The Royal Festival Hall also have toilets and are open to the public even if you are not attending an event.
Please remember that the underground railway in London is called the Tube or the Underground, not the Subway. A subway is a way to cross the road safely.
Interesting. Good info!
A subway system designed to get as many people as possible across one of the most highly populated cities in Europe is crowded….
who would’a thunk…
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Ref people bumping into each other with no comment, you were in the very touristy/tourist trap zone 1 locations and also peak season, most visitors are likely from overseas, English might not be their first or even second language, English/Britons don’t say excuse me they say ‘sorry’ when bumping into by accident, excuse me is used when someone is blocking your way and you want to get through, eg alighting from a crowded train/blocking a doorway.
We all like what we like, I get that, but, to make it a problem that you can't get certain fizzy drinks whilst abroad & salad dressing, all made in factories by mega-corps, and which are frankly poison, is pretty damning about one's diet; how about fruit juice or just mayo?
Username checks out . . . 😉
Having said that, yeah, I acknowledge that some of the preservatives, etc. in our US food is not good.
I was furious I couldn't find Tizer or Vimto in New York.
/s
@@TryptychUK Please see my earlier comments. 😉
You speak as a man who has patently never been to NYC. Slags our public transport, when in everywhere bar Philly and NYC there is next to none in the USA. Always love watching Americans that discover they can actually walk, and that you actually have to be able to drive here.
I was in New York City 🏙️ pre- 9/11. 🇺🇸✈️🇬🇧
Also, if you watch the entirety of the video and my other video, you will notice that I actually did like the public transport Other than the deep subway during rush-hour
An American In England First Time - Photo Tour and Impressions! PART 1
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I'm really surprised you found people on the roads aggressive , I drive every day and people are constantly letting you pass and acknowledging with a wave or a nod . I think we are more polite on the roads than not . As for the Tube you probably got caught in rush hour and you have to remember millions of tourists visit every year .but the rest I agree 😊.
Maybe it was just Oxford???? :)
@@DugrozReportsOxford local government is deliberately unfriendly towards cars and so the drivers are miserable lol
@@chrislyne377 Yikes!
Is it possible he was 'aggressive' and got a hard time in return?
It was his first visit and he complained basically it was not like the US.
@@DugrozReports Oxford is also packed with tourists.
I tend to find the further you are from cities, (particularly London), the more courteous the drivers.
If you need the toilets just go to a McDonalds, a Pret A Manger or a pub. If you’re in a mall there’s lots of bathrooms there. If you’re in Oxford Street or Regent St go to one of the big department stores and use the loos there.
Good info, thanks!
I am from Denmark. You dont have to ride the Tube, when people to or from work.
Doctors recommend, that you walk at least 10.000 steps a day.
Good advice!
I would love to get to Denmark someday! 🇩🇰
Another tip I use regarding toilets, hotels have WCs just act like a guest, cafes/delis/ restaurants/depart stores if they serve food they should have customer toilets and basins, full height toilet doors normally also wide accessible/disabled WCs can be used, toilets in pubs as well, national rail stations have free toilets.
Yes that’s something foreigners don’t realise is that we can freely use pub loos &/or cafes, restaurants, hotels etc. So when out & about if you don’t see any toilets around pop into the nearest pub. All bus stations, train stations etc all have toilets too and indeed all big shops.
@@SuperDebyO some places and pubs expect you to give them some custom during your visit
@@redf7209 Most places if you ask to use the toilet and offer to buy something.. bag of crisps etc they will let you and often don't expect you to buy anything.
They just don't like it when you take the piss and don't ask (Pun intended)
@@danielreed5199 Well I decided that I absolutely have to buy a pint to make things alright
Some Americans think the rest of the world is like US it is not thank Christ. Expecting to get some drink from the mid west just about sums it up. Yes the roads are narrower - if you hadn't noticed the UK is a lot smaller. Visiting other countries is about experiencing different cultures etc. As I said to my two daughters many years ago you might not like what you see but it broadens the mind. If you cannot hack it stay where you live and do everybody else a favour.
Thanks for watching 🤷♂️ 🇺🇸🇬🇧
I realize that for the final point I used bad grammar, saying "The air and climate IS amazing" instead of "are amazing." 😖 D'oh!
Why don't some Americans realise that they are in a foreign country? how can you expect to get the things you are used to at home? not only that but you left the USA to experience something different. Surely the very last thing you want is something you can get every day at home? it's the differences that make up the experience, if everything was the same you might just as well stay in the US and save your money.
I agree with what you said.. Although most people like the video, it seems there is a small but significant handful who interpreted my video as complaining about England. I sincerely apologize if that’s how it came across, that was not my intention. The intention was just to provide information that Americans visiting could use to their benefit. For example, making sure you bring comfortable shoes because of a large amount of walking, help set expectations with your children that they might not have access to their favorite, beverages and condiments, etc. Do you have any suggestions for how I could relay that sentiment better without seeming like a complainer? I did have a lovely time.
@@DugrozReports I didn't for one minute think you were complaining but I have seen the same sentiments expressed a few times before, It seems some Americans want to go abroad for the experience but they want things to be the same as they are used to, like driving on the wrong side of the road, surely that must be a great experience. Or McDonald's is not the same or the Mexican food is terrible or there is no AC in the houses or they can't get a decent cup of coffee. (I don't know why) When I go abroad I try to embrace the differences and relive them when I get home. If the children do not have their favourite, beverages and condiments you tell them to try something local, after all, they are in a foreign country so try something new. (Did you try McVitie's half-covered chocolate digestive biscuits or Marmite? Brown sauce? Sausage rolls? an Indian curry? black pudding? Bacon? Did you go into a pub for a glass of beer and a meal?) I'm sorry but I don't have any suggestions because as you say you are mainly talking to your countrymen. I'm obviously very glad you enjoyed your visit and I hope you come back again soon.
We did enjoy a couple small pubs during our visit. Both were great! @@Shytot-1
@@DugrozReportsI think the issue is, why would you think you could get the same things in the UK. Why would we have ranch? That's like me asking for HP sauce in Delhi. I think you just come across as a bit naive.
@@ginger3269 It truly wasn’t a big deal.
There is NO USA Branded Moutain Dew in the UK because some of the ingredients are ILLEGAL in the UK
Thanks! 🇺🇸🇬🇧
When travelling to another country don't expect to have the same foods you are used to in America.
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Bit confused by some of your observations. Sorry you had negative experiences. Us Brits are known for being over polite and using ‘sorry’ even if we bump into a tree. We always give way in traffic, and wave to acknowledge. I think most of your experiences were in London, which is about as far from being England as you can get. Glad you had a good time. We are nice people.
That makes sense. It was 99% London. I found folks in the western areas and Wales very friendly and accomodating!
I had a great time on the whole and plan to come back, so sorry if it came off as something else!
Exactly, London is like being in another country and many Londoners think they are above the rest of the UK. You only have to see the billions of pounds spent on its transport infrastructure compared to the rest of the UK especially when it is paid for by tax payers from all over England.
If you bump into a tree, it IS your fault and you SHOULD apologise; the tree wasn't moving.!!!
@@oorya1780 London pays out more tax than it gets in. Mend that chip on your shoulder.
Traffic is a nightmare it can be a 15 minute journey but you can sit in traffic for ages even in the bus lanes.
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Never found the underground like that ! Were you travelling at office etc. starting and finishing times !
Different lines are also different.
As for the soft drinks…most pubs & cafes also sell things like J20 (which you must not have seen), Cordials/Squash drinks, Juices, ginger beer, etc etc. I never drink Coke/fanta/sprite etc when out, my favourite is Elderflower sparkling cordial. You didn’t ask what else they had obviously.
Thank you, I will have to look that up!
The Elizabeth Line AKA Crossrail is part of the Underground although parts of it do emerge overground. I have used the London Underground a lot but travel outside of peak times and it has always been a pleasant experience.
Thanks!
@@richardb3363 The avoidance of rush hour was implied in my comment, pity you missed it. Despite the company using the term 'line' instead of a part of the underground, IR is connected to several underground stations, so the systems are interconnected, hence despite a difference in terminology it is physically part of the underground system, .being part of the TFL system as far as practical use is concerned. I can travel on the underground and link to the Elizabeth line, hence my statement, I'm being practical rather than pedantic.
Why not taste and try things that were unique? Mountain Dew and Ranch dressing are US products, they are available often with the ingredients changed as they are banned in UK/Europe. Travel is about new experiences and broadening the mind. Iowa is a unique and interesting state but it's not The UK. That said I hope on balance you weren't too traumatized by leaving the mid west, and get out and see more of this big, diverse and unique planet.
Oh yes! I did try several new things. I had lamb for the 1st time (very tasty), I had an egg/fish dip in Sweden too that I loved. I'm just trying to spread info. 😄 Cheers.
@@DugrozReportsdid you miss out on the 700 different cheeses in the UK ( more than France 😂 ) and not one from a can or a flat square floppy rag.
@@lawrenceglaister4364 Our hotel in London did serve some cheeses that were new to us! One of them was amazing, but I can't recall the type.
He should have tried HP sauce.
What is that?
The power sockets are not only different but the voltage is more than 2x greater versus the US at 240V AC and the frequency is 50Hz not 60Hz so make sure that your devices can accept 240V/50Hz. Hair driers and travel irons may not be compatible...
^ This 100%. I didn't take the time to get into it, but you are correct. My wife brought a hair iron that was able to switch voltage (with a button) from 110 to 230 Hz. That was really the only appliance type device we had to use that didn't have it's own regulator.
@@DugrozReportsI think you mean 110 to 230 Volts, Hz is the frequency, 50 in Uk, 60 in USA.
@@stuartlomas8557 Yep, thanks!
Frequency is not a big issue unless you use something with synchronous motors, which are rare in domestic appliances.
I'm the first person who always moans at northerners who say "London isnt England" when really what they mean is "the south isnt all of england", But the whole "excuse me doesnt exist" point, is completely the opposite in reality. We're literally known for the opposite, always saying sorry. Where do you think the Canadians got it from
Someone else left a comment that said in a recent survey, 7 out of 10 people in London said they were not English. That might be a factor?
I think it's more to do with it being a huge city. One of the largest international cities on the planet. If you bumped into somebody in NYC would you expect a sorry or excuse me? or would it be as likely if you bumped into somebody outside the city? What I'm saying is it's more of a city thing. The hustle n' bustle environment of a large city.
@@michael_177 Makes sense. Thanks for watching!
in general the tube is designed for short journeys and the "Overground" is for longer trips so is designed to be more comfortable and to give more room, I agree with all the other comments about public toilets being available in pubs etc and in the real "Public toilets/restrooms" the doors do not have a huge gap around the sides and a gap under the door high enough to crawl under!
Thanks!
He likes toilet cubicles that a new friend can access, or police can film him!
The exception to that is due to history and geology. The land south of the Thames was, with the old technology, incredibly difficult to dig tunnels, so historically all of those lines had to be above ground. These however provide a service not far behind the underground with, for example loops that go from Waterloo to Richmond, Kingston and Wimbledon and back to Waterloo and the same number of trains doing the same trip in reverse. Many of the underground lines have miles and miles of tracks above ground once they leave central London.
Just a point: "Beware the plant life" is a bit over the top. Stinging nettles are pretty much the only plant like that here, although we do have some poisonous plants if you were to eat them.
The picture you showed is wrong, that is a "Dead nettle" which looks much the same as a stinging nettle, but has white flowers, and it is harmless and doesn't sting.
Also, if you are stung, there is a common, big-leafed weed called Dock. Take a leaf or two and screw it up between your palms to extract the juice and rub it on the sting marks, and it will neutralise the stinging poison.
Good advice!
Nettle all part of our childhood !!
@@annfrancoole34 Certainly was.
I once fell into a pile of them dressed in only swimming trunks.
And this guy complains about his finger.
😐🤔
Why do visitors think it’s like home but “quaint”? It’s not home guys. Surely that’s the point of travel. But we travel more abroad than most Americans
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So glad you enjoyed your stay here in wales it really is having enough time to see wales xxxxx
It was great!
I have a Dutch friend who has said how polite we English are when drivng and how plentiful the public toilets are. The south east of England is increasingly atypical.
It's certainly possible that London is atypical of England as a whole.
It's hell trying to find a public toilet in my area of Wales
On the topic of soft drinks/pop/soda, they tend to taste different in other countries due to the fact that they use cane sugar rather than HFCS like in the U.S. Looks like you had a fun trip, I’d be interested in seeing a similar video on Sweden!
I was wondering the same thing!
And yes, I should have at least some content on Sweden at some point soon!
You should have asked a Brit when you got stung by the nettle...They would have found you a dock leaf to rub on the sting...Dock leaves are easy to find and nearly always in the vicinty of nettles...It's the first thing a Brit looks for when they get stung
Yep. Dock leaf. They generally grow where the nettle is. Nature's clever way of fixing everything.
The tube works well at doing what it's designed for - mass transit, especially for commuters. It's not meant for tourists moving between airports and the centre of the London. There are much better options for doing that.
Please note England is more than just London!! If someone had spent two weeks in NY would you think they'd got a true view of what the US is like? Also if you want to drive a distance try using the motorways - the equivalent of your interstates
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Wow. You really didn't do much research before you came here did you? Why are you looking for American products like Mountain Dew and Ranch Dressing in the UK? You don't plug most American electrical appliances into British sockets, even with a plug adaptor, unless they are dual voltage as they're likely to blow up! We use 240 volts, you use 110 volts. As for the London Underground - as in most cities, it's best not to use them in rush hour when people are going to/from work. Definitely not the best way of getting around with luggage. Do you ever use the New York subway? It's a complete nightmare by comparison! Toilets are everywhere. You can pop into any pub or cafe or most big stores have them. As for privacy - most American 'restrooms' have gaps between the doors so big you could drive a truck through!
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At a 4 way crossroads there are rules about who has the right of wau in the UK.
In England a subway is an underground walkway. The underground is an underground railway.
Thanks
Usually near stinging nettles are dock leaf plants, they have broad dark green leaves, you spit on the leaf and rub it over the affected area to soothe it.
Walking is a great alternative to riding on the Tube. Check the distance between where you are and where you want to go and plot an interesting route. Sometimes it is closer than you expect and there are lots of interesting things to see on the surface.
Now watched more and see you already covered this.
Great video! The tips are appreciated, and I look forward to more content about your trip. I hope y'all had a good time!
Yes! We had a great time, thank you! Hopefully more to come on the trip!
The soft drinks that you refer to - over here they're rather more regarded as kiddies drinks.
We tend to drink flavoured mineral water, ciders (we invented cider thousands of years ago), non-alcoholic beers, and of-course alcoholic.
Many people drink tea with their meal, but then it's best if you take it without milk. Earl Grey gives a special touch to the flavours of your meal.
Artifical cokes and doctor-whatevers, are the mainstay of fast food places - generally they just attract a very young crowd -
most non-tourists know where to eat out like a king for just a dollar or two more than fast food!!!
🥙🥙🥙🎉🏆🏴
For Americans ....Not all British people are English!! Some of us are Welsh Scottish or Northern Irish....
I was in Wales! - ua-cam.com/video/blm1lbU2VCY/v-deo.html
Elizabeth line is fairly new. It connects East London to West London and has been a great transportation method. It was much harder to get from West to East or vice versa before the Elizabeth line.
Good information, thanks 😊 for your help
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The London Underground is Not super crowded all of the time! Most of the time it's easy to get a seat, just avoid rush hour & the Underground doesn't stink. ---- Toilets are Not hard to find n the UK---- I well remember wandering around for ages trying to find a toilet in Boston USA. Toilets have signs saying that men & women cleaners are in both toilets. Get the Toilet App! --- We British drivers are Not very aggressive! Some drivers may be but Not most----there are some agressive drivers all over the world. We don't have to walk everywhere! Obviously people have to walk between transport stops & places of interest. -- We have a huge variety of soft drinks & salad dressings here in Britain! You can't expect to get exactly the same as the USA when you aren't in the USA. We Brits generally do say "Sorry" if we bump into someone. ---- At last you said something good at the end, glad you liked the air & weather in Wales.
Thanks for the useful insigths
You're welcome!
I'm happy to hear you guys had a great time! You're not going to find Mtn. Dew easily in that part o the world as the brominated veg oil that they use to make it is banned over there so that's probably why it tasted weird when you drank their version.
Thanks Chad! And yes, we had an amazing time!!! Makes sense on the Mt. Dew. 🤯
See you in Vegas!
The reason so many American soft drinks are unavailable in the UK is because they contain ingredients that are banned here.
Mountain Dew* in particular. I recommend you look up American food stuffs that are banned in Europe.
Why did you expect to find a whole shelf full of American sauces etc? You were visiting the United Kingdom, it will be different
because we've been around a long time.
*British Mountain Dew does not contain the banned ingredient.
I used to live near London, public transport, I would not use the tube ( subway ) in peak times, it's rush hour and people are going to and from work.
That is almost certainly what it was.
Question for you -- we noticed that it was businer at 10 AM downtown than 9 AM.
What is the "typical" start time for an office job in London?
@@DugrozReportsWhen I lived in London most people in offices started work between 8 and 9. I don't know if some people are now coming in latter because of recent years.
Off peak fares start at 930. Unless people are late for a 900 start they are going to be out of the tune station before 900. maybe the peak at 1000 were people taking advantage of the cheaper fares.
Late July, August, early September are when school holidays take place. So you will get people taking children into central London off peak. Many schools outside London also take children into London early/mid July after the exams.
We walk because our cities and towns are so much older and not designed for cars.
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Compared to the new York subway it’s very clean and safe
One reason why people don’t apologise in London is because it’s full of foreign visitors
London is absolutely full of foreign visitors all summer. Brits will always apologise, we cannot help ourselves !
Thanks! 🇬🇧
You know these sockets are available in the UK ?😊
Most hotels, certainly The Hilton have built in usb sockets nowadays, either with the power outlet, the base of a lamp or in the TV.
Over all a fair and balanced information video it's funny when people who visit a foreign country they start looking for what they are use to in their own country we all do it it's not wrong it's just different!
Agree 100%. Loved our time in the UK! But there are unique things! 😃
Thanks for your honesty, "say what you see",,,,,, spot on. Very informative.
I personally wouldn't ever go to any city, I live two miles from the sea and three miles from the Moors, wouldn't have it any other way. I aim for similar locations when I'm travelling.
Makes sense! We did have a lovely vacation and plan to return someday.
On the whole, I liked the more rural areas and small towns better than London. Cheers!
Sorry, but some of these observations are borderline absurd. You need a piss in central London? Go into a pub, there's thousands of them. The Underground may be crowded at peak times, but unlike the New York subway, is fairly clean and generally pretty safe. Of course you don't have to walk everywhere - there are taxis and Ubers. You may find people in London can be rude, this is because most of them are not British ; Brits are notoriously polite. And British drivers are aggressive?? - compared to America?? - you've got to be joking. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves and I hope you come back soon, there are so many other great places to visit.
I did really enjoy myself, and do plan to come back!
I'm very sorry if it came across as absurd. It's possible that in my desire to point out differences that it would be helpful to be aware of, I came across as over-the-top. I apologize. You're right that the observations about rude was only London. Everywhere else was charming.
@@DugrozReports No need to apologize. Come back soon and visit the Cotswolds, the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands, amongst other places. We will be happy to see you!
Will do!@@user-fw3wl9od7q
Have you really been to Britain because most people are very polite, maybe it was you
Maybe. Or maybe a London thing.
London is full of tourists thats why not polite n busy city ,same as NY as noticed !! Lake district in northwest is amazing n polite people all over !!
I did notice outside of London was much more polite and a slower pace. Cheers!
Well of course. London is a huge city.
Glad you enjoyed the trip - you may like the classic book 'Notes from a Small Island' by Bill Bryson, who is also from Des Moines, IA
I will look into it! 😊
As a Brit, a good analysis. Especially concerning London. I walk everywhere when in London, wandering off the beeton track and you'll find loads of pocket parks, bizarre pubs and cafes, weird post war utopian housing developments. Always end up walking about 25K steps, with tea, coffee, beer and cake to keep me going. I've lived in London all my life and am still finding stuff (age 59).
Toilets; post Margret Thatcher closing down many public toilets. We are more like our European cousins than American when it comes to a lack of prudishness, I think it's also due to the lack of Strong Christian and other faiths within our general outlook, more agnostic than anything else, so nudity is just funny, rather than a sin.
Narrow roads, you just get used to them.
As for food, the rule for all is ; when in Rome. Though I do take teas bags when I travel, very British thing to do.
Just tap in and out with your credit card, hardly anybody uses the Oyster Card anymore.
Air, yep once out of London , good ,Wales, Scotland our national parks the air is very good, if a bit damp at times.
Please return!
I loved the States NY X 2, Phoenix and Flagstaff in the winter for Mountain biking, great cycling community, though the pick ups with racks of guns, not being able to take the piss out of your President (taking the piss out of our PM/Royal Family is a national sport) and some bare tenders got upset when we talked about our NHS and why on earth you haven't (though still chipped in for the bar maids broken arm) you got the same, more than wealthy enough. We did it when the country was broke (July 5th 1948).
I will return!!!! Thanks for the comments!
Get stung by a nettle, find a Dock leaf, and rub it on the area. The sap counteracts the toxin in the nettle. I don't understand the excuse me reference because we are known for always saying sorry. I suspect it was because in London there are more tourists than locals and it was tourists bumping into you.
Yes, it was only in London.
Interesting video, a tip regards getting seats on the deep level small tube , what I do when I travel from outside London at busy stations is wait near the bottom end of the platform or top of the platform, either end tube cars tend to be less full, also monitor and scan inside the carriages as the train arrives and look out for empty seats, they might not be together but grab what’s empty, you’ll still see each other. Sounds like you didn’t use the sub surface lines, these have full size trains, no head bending, walk through cars with no separation and a/c.
I'm not exactly sure what the difference between a "deep level small tube" is and the "sub surface lines?" (I just used whatever the TFL app recommended) Can you elaborate?
@@DugrozReports The sub surface lines are the original shallow cut and cover larger tunnels built for steam locos in the 19 Century, before electric trains. On the underground map it’s District/circle/Hammersmith & city lines. The deep level lines (15 storeys deep) like the central or Piccadilly are bored tunnels, so the trains are smaller like the one you used, these run above ground further out.
@@john_smith1471 We took the Jubilee line from Canning Town (after transferring from light rail @ City Airport) to London Bridge the 1s time. The 2nd time it was the Jubilee line to Westminster. I just read that Jubilee is the deepest of all, so probably one of the small ones!
@@DugrozReports Jubilee line is deep level but is a more recent line, fast and whizzy with platform edge doors, tunnelled deep under the river and beneath the existing Westminster district line station, amazing architecture inside Westminster jubilee line station , concrete and iron work all exposed, very urban look, during construction below parliament lasers were continually monitoring any movement of buildings above.
@@john_smith1471 How do you know so much about the tube???
There are public toilets in all the major overground stations and terminals (not the tubes)
I think on the whole many of your points subjective and maybe a few more visits to the U.K. might change perspective. On the whole British drivers are fairly considerate and h you do see some aggressive drivers but I think you might be confusing drivers used to our driving conditions with aggression. The tube seems increasingly busy these days but it’s planning your times and being aware stations like Kings Cross are major hubs.
The Rest Rooms are generally much more private than those in the US. Cleaning staff will close a bathroom in particular if there is opposite sex there. Did you miss the sign? Main routes like M1 M6 are busy but faster than
Usa with more efficient Roundabouts. Historically our roads were designed for horse and carts! They can be very narrow, backing up is very rare though but does happen. People usually apologise for bumping into others. Think you hit London at very busy time. There is a lot more of the U.K. north of Oxford!!!
Still you seem to have had a good trip
I had an Amazing trip!!! I loved it. Sorry if it came across negative.
I did like the rural areas quite a bit more than London, on the whole.
@@DugrozReports I did not think you were negative, it was an honest appraisal of your experience. I enjoyed reading, if I was saying anything it’s take another look.
some consideration to other drivers seems to dry up quite quickly for cars that dither or slow traffic
A lot of toilets have been closed due to misuse.
The best place to use the toilet is at one of our many pubs.
That's where I go if I want to use the toilet.
And more often than not you wont need to buy a drink.
🏆
Howdy neighbor :) I live in Iowa also, and I am going to the UK in July. Thanks for the tips.
Awesome! Hope your trip is grand! 🇬🇧
Interesting video. I spent two tours of duty in England, nearly nine years in total. Loved driving, the tubes and no issues walking once I arrived at a particular place. Wales is awesome as is the north of England. As for drinks I liked the Lucozade orange barley water. And yes, the air is amazing. I had serious sinus issues, however after my first tour in England, those were gone and have never resurfaced.
Best air I've ever breathed!
I will have to try the Lucozade Orange next time!
@@DugrozReports Try Ribena blackcurrant juice for something new; but prepare for British drinks to be less artificially sweetened
I cant agree with the toilet thing, you literally see toilets everywhere or at least in my experience. Also the paying toilets are usually much cleaner so I dont mind paying.
Maybe it was just downtown London???
You won't find many indigenous people in London nowadays, and yes, us Brits, do say 'Sorry' when we accidently bump into someone.
Why would you go to a foreign country and expect all the drinks and dressings that you have in the USA.
I didn’t
No not rush hour , but Fridays can be busy all day and certainly Saturdays. JH
Hi. Nice to see you. The Tube. Yes, it does get very crowded and very hot, and you can be pushed into some very intimate positions with the other travellers. But once people have used the Underground once, they are aware of this, and so brace themselves each time they do it, because, as you say, convenience overrides comfort. Besides, most people don't stay on the The Tube for long.
Yes, when I went to London a few times, (I used to live about 30 miles outside), public toilets were difficult to find. I suggest you go into a museum or a large department store and see if they have any there.
Good suggestions, thanks!
That’s not unique to the Tube though, that’s just standard for mass transit systems in all major cities. There’s always peak times when it’s very busy.
i would describe this as more a trip to london and not england itself, both are VERY different
Agree. Check out my follow-up, it has more of the UK overall: ua-cam.com/video/9cdfOgQq2kc/v-deo.html
The only place that people dont say excuse me is in London, it is the arsehole of the UK. Do a rural trip next time.
"We drove through Oxford..." - that was a mistake 😆 Even we (Brits) hate driving through Oxford, it has a reputation of being extremely car-unfriendly 😬 Wales, the north of England and Scotland have some amazing roads. Also, you'll find a stereotype where the further north in England you go, the friendlier the people are. London is distinctly unfriendly. Hope you enjoyed our little island 😊
Loved it! Hopefully, next time we can get a little further north. I did feel the vibe change some once we got west of Oxford. 😎
I would never dream of going on the underground with luggage so I take my hat off to you, brave…very brave. 🤭
In regards to public toilets in the UK, if an establishment serves food and drink then they have to provide toilet facilities but for their customers only, so I suggest you stop occasionally for a cuppa in a cafe or a drink in a pub and yes they serve hot drinks, soft drinks and often food too. Also department stores and some supermarkets will often have public toilets.
Yes we can have 4 different types of weather in one day so layers are always a good bet, also don’t forget your sunscreen as sunshine it can take all of us by surprise and I have met American tourists who got sunburnt as they expected rain everyday. We have certain microclimates too so the west is wetter than the east of the country.
Our road system,especially in the countryside, was never designed for cars or for the volume of modern traffic, but all I can say is follow the rules and you should be fine. You can look at the highway code online to see what the rules are before you arrive 🙂
All good info! Thanks!
I’m amazed about some of these observations. As some one who has worked I’m a vast amount of large cities around the world things like, You have to walk everywhere, toilets are hard to come by and no toilets in petrol stations, narrow roads (unless your driving an articulated lorry), no soft drinks…. Why did you come to the UK and not just stay in the US. Did you think that every thing around the world is like the US, no Mountain Dew….. I wouldn’t go to France if I was you.
Thanks for watching!
I am a midwesterner watching from Paris and the Metro (subway) here sometimes is very crowded. We decided to just walk once when the crowds were ridiculous! Next stop - Ireland!
Woah!
Greetings fellow midwesterner!
Where you going in Ireland!??
Dublin, then renting a car and going to the Ring of Kerry. Like you I will be experiencing driving on the left for the first time!
@@roddyhaynes1011 Good luck, mate!
Your probably going to vote for Trump
London is a very multinational and multicultural city. It really isn’t ‘Britain’. Some people love it, some of us hate it. You are correct about the Underground, but it is fast and reliable and, unlike buses, there are rarely delays. I’m glad you enjoyed Wales, so do I, and this is more representative of most of the country, although the geography varies enormously, of course.
Yes, some roads can be very narrow, which is also why we tend to drive smaller cars. American vehicles would be a nightmare on British roads!
100%, thanks for the input!!!
Regarding the Underground. I'd firstly point out that on other American comparison sites nearly all the folks think the underground is wonderful, but that doesn't mean it is, however, having spent the last 25 years working in London and using the underground regularly I can honestly say that apart from rush hour it isn't often you can't find a seat and quite often you can find yourself on a train that is almost empty. Perhaps use it more than twice before m making that call?.....just a thought......Also....If you're in London the chances are that any encounters you have will be with tourists or at the very least non-Londoners........
Yeah absolutely about the tourists. 🇬🇧
At peak times / seasons especially in tourist areas or on public holidays all forms of public transport can turn into nightmarish sardine cans with people packed in till they can barely breath and marinated in sweat, spending 6 hours on a train crushed into your fellow passengers armpits is no fun - other times you might get a whole carriage to yourself, it's just the matter of timing whether it's the underground, buses, or normal trains, sounds like you were unlucky with the underground and lucky with the trains.
Be prepared to walk in any European city, wear decent shoes, in hot weather carry water, 10K steps in a day is nothing if you are doing sightseeing, visiting museums etc it's easy to clock up 25-30k, walking is often the best way of getting round you see a lot more - especially if you don't cram too much into your schedule for the day and allow time to stop and rest, get a coffee from a local coffee shop, pub etc, churches can be a great place to take a break many of them are open during the day, and tend to be cool in hot weather.
Good tips, thank you! We did find a couple churches that were open. That is really cool! Something we’re not used to here in the states. 🇬🇧🇺🇸
If you crush a nettle in your fist very firmly it won't sting, that's why the British have an expression 'grasp the nettle' meaning to act boldly and decisively. Don't ever brush past the damn things in short sleeves or short trousers, however!
Great video, thanks for the information 👍
Thank you, Cesar!
Nettles, you'll find a large leafed plant near them called "Docken" unmistakeable to recognise they can have massive leaves. Pick a leaf, spit on it, crush it a bit and rub on the nettle sting. You can actually cook and eat nettles, "Nettle Pudding".
Thanks 😊
The tube doesn't stink! The Paris metro stinks.
And I'm sorry... If you only do less than 4000 steps a day at home.. your not doing enough steps!
🇬🇧🚈🇬🇧
You were correct Oyster card not required now, old technology, use contactless tap bank cards, phone pay/apple etc, one payment method per person, use the same card through the day, fares are calculated by the zone and distance, your journey history can be checked, also oyster cards are now £7 each to buy and no longer is any deposit refunded.
All good info!!!! Thanks!
I agree with you and will just rely on tap-to-pay in the future.
Once I realized I can't "tap in" multiple people on the same bus on 1 Oyster card, I just had one of my kids use the Oyster Card every time using transport, and the rest of us consistently used our own, designated tap-to-pay option, so at least 3 out of 4 of us got the "grouping" benefit. We probably had about 10 pounds left on that Oyster card at the end of the trip, just wasted. 🙄
Now we know for next time! Thanks!
@@DugrozReports The credit remains on your Oyster card, keep for next visit or give the card to someone, I’m sure oystercard cash refunds Upto £10 can be done at ticket machines.
Children under 11 ride free on tfl buses/underground/Docklands rail when accompanied, 11-15 can get half fare discount applied on Oyster cards.
Well if you go to any city as a tourist you'll be walking a lot. I'm British, and I went on holiday to California and Texas, and a few places in between, with my (American) wife. I did a hell of a lot of walking. I'm sure that despite the huge food portions, I lost weight!
And regarding your comments about pedestrians in London being rude and the drivers being aggressive - yes, Londoners can be intolerant of non-residents (myself included) but you should try Paris... or LA... or New York! I once went to NYC and got prodded by someone with an umbrella because I was slightly slower than them getting off a train!
Personally, I'd love to visit the American mid-west, and I agree with you about Wales - just came back from a business trip there and added a couple of days to make it a long weekend and it's absolutely stunning!
All great points!!!
Bus timetables are down traffic obviously
Looks like u had a great time! Thanks for all the tips, our 1st trip over there coming soon
We had an amazing time! Even though there were a few quirks to adjust to, 100% worth it.
Where are you going within the UK?
@@DugrozReportsalways look for supermarkets just incase a toilet is needed ASAP 😅
@@lawrenceglaister4364 Good tip!
You should try the Tokyo underground, lol!
London has not been the London I knew for at least two decades.....
😭🇬🇧
Rush hour is the only time you struggle on our underground it’s not true they are always full, I’ve lived in London all my life and off peak travelling on the tube is easy (with suit cases