How I See the UK as an American Abroad [CULTURE SHOCK]
Surprising cultural differences I noticed as a US citizen slow traveling through the UK, and why it makes me sad for my country. Why I Left the USA for UK: • Why I Left the USA for...
Welcome to my channel! Stay in touch with my weekly travel newsletter: bit.ly/twktravel
My Favorite Travel Gear: ✈️
Merino Wool Clothing: bit.ly/unboundmerino_twk
Online Money Transfer Account: bit.ly/travel_wise
Travel Insurance: bit.ly/SafetyWingIns
Amazon Travel Store: bit.ly/Amazon_TravelingWithKr...
Digital Nomad Tools: 👩💻
Digital Nomad Visa Database: bit.ly/DigitalNomadDatabase
Digital Nomads For Dummies Book: amzn.to/3JLLx5c
Freelance to Freedom Course: bit.ly/quityourjobcoup
Living Abroad: 🌍
Get support for an overseas move by applying at www.TravelingwithKristin.com/relocation
Watch next: 👀
Why Americans Leave Costa Rica: • 8 Reasons Why American...
How I See the US After Living Abroad: • How I See the US After...
Why I Left the US for Portugal: • Why I Left the USA (Ag...
First Impressions Living in Portugal as a Digital Nomad: • First Month Living in ...
American Living Abroad in Japan: • Living in Japan as an ...
What I Love About Living Abroad: • 10 Ways Moving Abroad ...
The Dark Side of Living Abroad: • What I Dislike About L...
🎙 Subscribe to my travel and remote work podcast: bit.ly/BADNplaylist
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:42 - 1st Shock: Weather
2:00 - 2nd Shock: People
2:49 - Local Slang Part 1
3:30 - Dating
4:32 - 3rd Shock: Locals
6:00 - Why so many bees?
6:49 - 4th Shock: Accents
8:28 - Local Slang Part 2
8:47 - 5th Shock: No Tourists??
10:08 - 6th Shock: Authenticity
10:46 - 7th Shock: Random British Things
11:49 - British Drinking Culture
12:15 - Cost of Living
13:05 - 8th Shock: Internet
14:02 - Why I'm Sad :(
17:19 - My First Month in Portugal
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
👱🏻♀️ About: Kristin Wilson is the author of Digital Nomads For Dummies, the host of Badass Digital Nomads Podcast, and known as Traveling with Kristin on KZhead. She's traveled to more than 60 countries and has been helping people move overseas since 2005. Get support with your international move at travelingwithkristin.com/relo...
❤️ Subscribe on KZhead: / travelingwithkristin
📸 Follow on Instagram: bit.ly/TWKinstagram
PS: This video is for entertainment purposes only and is not consulting or advice. Video descriptions may contain affiliate or refer-a-friend links for products I use and recommend. Thanks for supporting the channel!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#livingabroad #americanabroad #cultureshock
Why I Left the USA for UK: kzhead.info/sun/gr2Mf8eHlmWQaI0/bejne.html // My fave travel clothing: bit.ly/unboundmerino_twk (referral link)
You should have seen how growing up in the 50's and 60's were .I would play in the park all day and only go home when the bell rang. (My parents had a bell mounted to the porch) You knew all your neighbors , you knew who lived on the whole street and even adjacent streets. I do not like America right now. It is definitely broken .
Don't worry, Brits are just as dysfunctional as Americans. The novelty will wear off sooner or later.
Second last chapter: Thank you for sharing your family and emotional topics. Try not to skip these emotions but to express them in a private setting until they change into an even more positive quality (could last some weeks). A way to do it could be Organizational Constellations or Holotropic Breathwork. Coaches and facilitators of that methods can be found worldwide. To say more about that in general is not suitable in this public media and without your consent or permission. My experience: When I once was travelling in Skandinavia north of the Polar Circle I felt depressed, sad and left alone for an hour or so , initiated because I felt like to be "at the end of the world". You may delete this remark after you have red it.
you missed last years heat wave.... after that you would only wish for our "bad weather" ...
Native Americans are real Americans. You just got back to your ancestral home.
Wow, a video not from London. I'm from Manchester and when I watch videos by other Americans reacting to the UK they always go to London and never anywhere else and think they have visited the UK. It is refreshing to see.
Don't worry,Kristin will soon be sending videos from the greatest City on Earth, my friend, as my 69 wonderful years will testify:)
@@Isleofskye oh, so is she coming to Liverpool next then?😊
@@Tom-771 Proving, as always, that Scousers have a great sense of humour.....lol
I’m a Londoner, but great to get this perspective.
@@Isleofskye not London then.
I moved to Northeast England 5 years ago, after a massive midlife crisis in the states. The first time I got coffee here and the person said ''here you are sweetheart'', I cried. I couldn't wait to get back here after a recent visit to the states to visit family. This is definitely home now (and forever). If you have a minute, come visit Newcastle, it's canny (although you may see more than a few drunks on a Saturday night, ha). Also, get out in the stunning countryside and seaside areas, they are so good for the soul.
I've got family from Newcastle but from Manchester. " "canny" 😂😂
@DA canny in Geordie speak means nice/lovely, certainly positive, pop over our border with Scotland and it means something very different, there canny means careful with money, even quite mean 😅 As a native of Geordieland, home if Greggs, I'd say howay over here bonny lass , come see our party city, our beautiful beaches, gorgeous, wild countryside & experience Northumberland National Park & also the first, and largest, Dark Sky Park to ever be created outside of the US. We're waiting to welcome you xxx
@@kathchandler4919 Canny does not mean being mean it means not being stupid when spending your hard earned money in Scotland.
@@duncancallum Canny means go easy as in ca` canny`, go easy spending and in Glasgow cannae means `cannae dae that` or I can`t do that `! in Scotland. Never heard it not being stupid.
There is some stunning scenery near Newcastle,I lived near there for quite a few years,it’s beautiful
Sometimes its good to hear someone new to the UK to remind you that its actually pretty good here overall.
💗😊
It is. I feel more alienated from the UK now than any time in my life. Since the Brexit vote especially I've felt that we've lurched painfully to the right and away from the empathy I was used to as a kid. It makes me so, so sad. But to see that, maybe, it's not all that bad does give me hope
@@timaustin2000 Same here. Things are worse here than I ever imagined they could be, but this shows what we still have and that those things are the real core of a happy life. It gives me hope! :)
@@benlee8436 Yes I agree too. Hope we have a government change soon and that the NHS begins to thrive again. We are not - yet - as bad as America
@@lorraine7960Yes, we in the US will gladly give you our currupt uncle joe and all his war mongering corrupted partners in crime$ All we are saying... is Give Peace a Chance
Fellow Floridian (Orlando). I've been living in the UK on and off for 20 years, more on than off tho. I think as a yank you'll find most Brits are pretty friendly towards us. They've watched a lot of American shows /movies so yea. I left the US for the second time in 15 as I did not like the climate that was on the horizon. Sadly Brexit has created a similar environment but thankfully not on the same level. You'll find that you'll be eating a lot healthier thanks to the non existence of our favourite: High Fructose! Also almost no preservatives, yellow, red ,insert number, put in the foods to keep us on meds. The NHS is the greatest despite what the Tories are trying to do. The UK is an amazing place and the people are cool. As a person of colour I've never felt unsafe anywhere in this country compared to living in the US. It's not perfect, but it is better. Enjoy your time👍🏾
Because most Europeans still view you all as the white Europeans which left only a few hundred years ago. Secondly, Britain is much deeper than the superficial modern English London. The very word British was taken from the Welsh as an identity
Brexit is good
Are you at the kidding😂😂🏴
Thank you for recognising that Tories are destroying NHS, they're desperate to put USA style healthcare here as lots of tories have pharma shares.
There's that "yank" word again. No one in the south of the US likes to hear that word; that is an insult to them. Please drop it.
As a 72 year old American, I can confirm your spot on changes in America. Everyone is angry & often dangerous. I am actually thinking about doing more & more pet sitting abroad as I just don’t I fit in here. I spend much time in West Yorkshire with my college friends -45 minutes outside of Manchester. People are lovely there.
America feels so dangerous now, feels like if you move out of your current environment the possibility of living near a murderer , rapist , predator increases dramatically . Might be camping all August and worry about who is around me.
The US is far safer now than decades ago. The media amplifies everything so it seems scary. Like every city there are parts to avoid at night, otherwise the risk is minimal
People are angry because the wages are low and cost of living is too high. If one is smart enough to recognize it. America has alot of dumb people.
I was in Howarth North Yorkshire last week for the weekend, I met a man from North Carolina who was a retired Ford worker, he was travelling alone and said exactly what you said about your country
Come over here to the UK, we'd love to have you! I'm from the south east, but Yorkshire is very lovely, friendly and picturesque :)
As a Brit who recently returned from Florida, I can definitely confirm that the UK has a stronger sense of community. I stayed in central Florida and I used to say hello to the locals everyday. There was one old guy who walked his dog and would walk past where I was staying and I could tell that I made his day just by waving to him. And the older ladies who would sit out in the afternoon, just stopping and talking to them about the weather (a very normal British pastime) and it was like I was the first human that had spoken to them, they didn't want me to leave! It was nice to spent time with them but it was also sad that just showing basic British manners was seen as being friendly and charming over there!
I’m not sure that’s the type of “community” she’s referring to... most Americans are overly chatty and friendly. In my life, I’ve never walked by someone without saying hellos and have had plenty of stop-and-chats on the street. But I live in the northeast (don’t know if that makes a difference). I think she was referring to how divided the US is now. Too many different people adopting separate ways of thinking.
I can totally relate - it's so strange! Thanks for this; I'll be sharing your comment on my podcast next week, www.badassdigitalnomads.com ❤
@@ImOk... People who are with theor own ethnic communities are more friendly. If you are an outsider expect that. America is just too diverse now for any harmony.
@@blue18404 i think the media and evil hateful people is the problem in America you have been diverse from the beginning Britain is mini America there are different races and religions it is not homogeneous country if diversety is abused or there is servere racism and segration in a country it will suffer
@@TravelingwithKristin , well done it seems that you've dropped on with good people and a good area , they'll tell you were not to go and when to leave an area , I used to go clubbing decades ago in Manchester but things have changed since then but it's still great , tell your Yorkshire friends that gods county is actually at the top of the North West just before Scotland lol😂😂😂😂 , As far as football goes stay neutral is my best advice but M United hates Liverpool and it's vice versa 😂 , the funny thing is M City fans have asked the Liverpool fans to hate them but the request has been turned down because they are so nice and of course they beat United regular 😂 . Tour the rest of the UK as there is loads to see and only do London if you have 6 months to spare
I'm a Brit living in Atlanta, Georgia. When I came here in 1982, everything was thriving, the country was blooming, and things were on the up and up. Oh how it has changed since then! No longer feel safe or welcome - I would go back to the UK in a heartbeat, but my children grew up here, and now have children of their own, so I feel I can't leave. I too, feel sad to have lost the community spirit I felt in England, and for it to have disappeared here in Atlanta. My neighbours are unfriendly, and you have to go everywhere in a car, so you don't meet people just walking around. Walking now consists of a specific place (I have no sidewalks) and there isn't a feeling of friendliness on those tracks - in fact, I've been pushed over for not going fast enough.I am sad now, and lonely except for when my children/grandchildren visit, the emptiness and lack of community is so depressing.
I feel the same way! But not in America, I live in Sydney in Oz but my senario is the same. Car culture, people rarely chat and most are staring at their phones even while crossing a busy street! The chat is almost non existent or basic. Some people are ok but it’s not as open as England. I’m biding my time until my daughter finishes school and praying she’ll want to leave with me. At the moment she’s up for it as she loves England and was born there. It’s so hard and depressing. I feel for you. I hope something changes.
Maybe spend a few months per year in the UK and see how it goes. Not giving up your life in the US completely. Kids and Grandkids can always visit, that shouldn't hold you back. Good Luck!
England has changed alot as well, and not for the better. However, the pockets that exist are timeless with the same sense of empathy and culure.
@@aragonchi4191 Are you saying that both US & UK has changed for the worse, but is the extent of change more extreme for the US?
move to charleston
The weather isn't 'really bad' in the UK - there are no hurricanes, ice bombs or summer months of unbearable heat .
No rain for 5 weeks at the moment.
Yeah, weather in the UK isn't ever terrible, but it can be depressing during winter. You're right though. No disaster weather, and it's rarely unbearably hot.
As you say, the weather in the UK holds very few nasty surprises. Rarely too hot in summer and rarely too cold in winter. But it helps if you like rain!
@@123bwlch LOL....Hosepipe ban imminent in Blaenau ffestiniog
@@billybudd5854 Rainfall works out on average two days out of five in the UK. Plenty of dry days, but enough rain to keep things green and preclude serious droughts
Our daughter is going to grad school at the University of Sheffield beginning this fall. I was with her this spring when we toured Sheffield and also spent time in Manchester and Scotland. As Americans, we were both impressed by that part of the UK. Yes, it was great to be in a foreign country where English is the 1st language. I also fell in love with English football. Best of luck to you!
Sheffield is a great city. It's not "flashy" but what you see is what you get there. It's got a great student life - and the second most visited national park in the world on it's doorstep. Like most Northerners, the locals might seem a bit reserved at first, but once you get to know them they're great - just tell your daughter not to do the "look at me, I'm American" thing - that doesn't go down well with people for whom self depreciation and understatement are the norm. If she wants to meet great locals - I'd highly recommend going to the Golden Lion pub on a match day and then going to Bramall Lane (the oldest professional sports ground in the world) to watch Sheffield United. It's a bit more of a robust experience than US sports with the banter being more pointed and football fans being more tribal - but it's an experience not to be missed.
@@JupiterThunder Why not? It's got a vibrant social scene for students, Sheffielders are a pretty friendly bunch, it's on the doorstep of the Peak, it has a decent sports scene now the Premier League is coming back to Bramall Lane and it has a history to be proud of. Why be any less proud of Sheffield than any other city (including London)?
@@JupiterThunder 😂😂 I was thinking the same thing
and forget to visit all the palace houses you can get to from sheffield, chatsworth house, hardwick, and if you go a little further up you have loads more, harewood house, and of course castle howard
Autumn, Fall WTF
As a disabled guy in the US, I can’t wait for an opportunity to get out of here. I don’t feel supported, I don’t feel welcome, and everything is too fast and too much for me. I’m 27 and I’ve never been on a date in my life because of mobility reasons but also because I have a hard time connecting with people, at least in America. I feel so alone and unwanted. I want to travel but I have no money and no income.
Good luck, hope you make it.
Stay positive and i hope you get the help you need 🙂❤️
In UK you would get disabled benefits so you could live comfortably.
I’m sorry you are feeling so lost. I hope you get the help you need and are able to fulfill your dreams. ❤️🙏
😘❤️❤️🙏
Welcome to the UK Kristin!! I’m an American living here in the UK for 20 years now! I love to hear your take on living here too so I’m subscribing to your channel.😀
Welcome Dorothy!
My wife and I always say(from Canada) that when you go to the UK, It's like taking a time machine to the 90''s. We are moving to London for my wife's work the beginning of next year. I"M SO EXCITED!!! Good luck on the journey.
Good of you to move to our backwards country.
The lack of a genuine sense of community in US really resonates with me. I felt the same thing after i traveled to my birthplace multiple times. Seems like you found your home.
Thanks Iki! I’m a nomad so I don’t live here but it’s a wonderful place to visit!
@@TravelingwithKristin for my favorite no mad… i’d observed how others’ live in their home it’s genuine and warm chaos at times but their own you see i’m a nomad never my own never my home always alone then i heard a no mad means one who is not mad -no mad
@@TravelingwithKristin A home is in the heart, not a location
@@TravelingwithKristin You'll be a nomad until you find the right person. Then you'll want to find home.
Trust me, the UK is no better.
I am Bulgarian who relocated in the UK so I so glad for my decision. Definitely campare to Bulgarian the UK is much much friendly and people ate really hospitality. Also have been in New York honestly London is better for me. Have you more success with your KZhead channel. Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦
Thank you! I'm a fan of your country as well :) kzhead.info/sun/oNSJla-Xn3yhg2w/bejne.html
I understand completely these feelings of nostalgia you describe so well... I have them too. I live in Canada and have connections to England through my family heritage and from the British influence that still permeated our culture until the 80s and 90s. It's crazy, I see YT vids with Brit gen Z'ers using words and phrases I haven't heard since my grandfather used them! It feels good to know that while my culture may be pretty much finished here in Vancouver, in places like Manchester it lives on, and I could actually go there and feel at home again.
The worker bee is a lovely mascot. Industrious grafters without big egos, working together not against each other, and loyal to their home.
I love it! My high school mascot was also a bee, so I have a lot of bee memorabilia at home
@@TravelingwithKristin that is so cute. What a lovely coincidence 🐝
Get a buzz out of living in Manchester :) I am a content Mancunian
Hey love! As someone from the UK I really enjoyed seeing your perspective on the country and I'm so happy you're enjoying living there :)
Thanks, Deanne!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the U.K. As a Brit, it makes me really happy to know that we are welcoming! I hope that you continue to enjoy your travels around this remarkable cluster of countries and islands, Best wishes to you 😉
Legendary profile name. Yes, I agree with you. I felt that UK people are friendly, and there's nobody here trying to find justification for racism in the UK as compared to what we find from time to time in the US. I'm delightfully surprised.
@@YoAddicts I am in my 60s now but feel very proud that we have always been a tolerant society and a welcoming one, Best wishes from the U.K. and much love to the U.S.A 😊
That's the longest I've ever heard an American talk without using the word "awesome".
The part about crumpets was so funny and relatable! haha. Every time I'm in the UK I ALWAYS get crumpets. They're so good if you toast them a bit first, then put a bit of butter and/or peanut butter and honey. Delicious!
Ahh they are so addictive! So soft and fluffy - I’ll try with peanut butter, too 😃
They are English muffins.
@@golden.lights.twinkle2329 Crumpets are NOT English Muffins. Crumpets have a loose batter and are usually cooked inside of a crumpet ring mould. English muffins have a firm dough, and the muffins are usually rolled out into little balls before cooking on the stove. Sadly the Americans can't tell the difference to two different words. Crumpet and Muffin.
@@TravelingwithKristin Peanut butter - please - NOOOooooooooo. Preserves or marmalade. But peanut butter - ugh!
I was born and brought up here in the UK and moved to California in my early 30s. I lived there for twenty six years, visiting back here occasionally. When I finally moved back here permanently, in 2016, I was surprised to feel culture shock. It was mostly in small ways: slang that had become popular since I left, like munter and nonce, also f-words on daytime TV. One thing I loved, though, and made me feel at home more than anything else, was regional accents. I had to get used to Brummy and Doncaster accents again, and I am living in South Derbyshire. Now I would never live anywhere else.
Glad you found your place in the world! Reverse culture shock can be confusing as well.
F-words on daytime TV, never heard that being mentioned before by anyone
🎉'HAVE A NICE DAY!' a Californian says--- and Sincerely 😊 It's what I love about the California I know. I've always considered LONDON as home and I now live in the West of IRELAND 💚 but the great big 🌞 sunny world is pretty wonderful, and after 3 months of a London winter I Want CALIFORNIA or Spain or FRANCE 🎉
@@andrewshore2898 you should try being in Australia lol C words during the day 😂
@@TDI-87 that's the guy that runs the Catholic church yeah?
Hi!! Floridian living in the UK for 6 years here. The weather was super hard to get used to, physically, mentally and psychologically. Please be prepared for the possibility of developing Seasonal Affective Disorder, I did and it hit me hardddd. Good luck and enjoy your new adventure! I love living here (Bristol- much warmer than Manchester!)
You live in Bristol? I’m from Bristol… the West Country is the best part of the UK have you ever been to Cornwall and Devon part of the country? Absolutely beautiful areas and Somerset as well 😍😀
@@benconway9010 Yes, and I agree, the West Country is magical! Also been to the Jurassic Coast, Durdle Door, Avebury stones, all around the Cotswolds and the Mendips, and cycling all around the southern tip of Cornwall.... And it's amazing how close it is to cycle to Wales/Brecon Beacons!
Well, SAD is pretty much common here. Every year during the winter months, I get really down - those dark mornings, those dark dreary grey skies during the day, those dark early nights. That's when I put nice soft lamps on, warm the home, close the curtains, don't pressure myself with things to do, make a snug. Mind you, this weather is not peculiar to the UK - same elsewhere in the Northern hemisphere.
Greetings from Bath!
Buy some Vitamin D3 and start taking it the moment you start to feel it... Keep taking it until you get the first week with multiple sunny hot days, then stop...
For me the UK was definitely very different before the internet and mobile phones. Wonderful innovations but I do miss those days of not always being ‘on’ and more living in the moment.
When, I get visitors, especially the younger ones, they are always on their phones as they cross my threshhold, and say hello, only after several minutes natter on it.
I'm a kiwi who lived in Oxford for 4 years. I found friendships in the UK was a big thing over there. It was expected to socialize weekly, which was similar to life in NZ, and even twenty years later friends from the UK are still in contract. I worked with people who had lived in Oxford all their lives and never been to London. That was a bit different, but they went down to the same pub and drank with the same mates, and didn't want to change. That's why each town has it's own accent. Take care, not everything is perfect, but coming from the states, you'd know that.
Yes I pity visitor's ,even from English speaking countries. A few years ago, Someone did a research into British accents, and amazingly, conclude that our accents change noteably, but approximately, every 20-25 miles.
I’m glad you realised that not everything is perfect. I worry about people who come here on holiday thinking it is going to be like a quaint Hollywood movie. We are getting more lawless all the time. We are getting more greedy, selfish and cynical too. I honestly believe it started with Margaret Thatcher and under predominantly Tory governments since then we are getting more like the US all the time. Glad you saw Oxford. It’s one of our best cities. The university isn’t too bad either.
@@nicholasmartin297 In some ways it is, but a bit snobby - and it did (maybe still does?) breed Russian spies . . . or German spies. Too many super-woke egocentric hubris-ridden students at the Uni of Oxford.
I’m glad you are enjoying the UK. I loved living in London in 1996. I think daily about going back and where I would live. I’m in Dallas now, but plan to visit the UK soon. I always feel more relaxed there. I would love to see a pub tour where you chat with locals and get their take on things. The non-materialistic way of life in the UK is a more pleasant life. In America we are always dissatisfied with our finances. It adds a level of stress that sits at our subconscious level.
Thanks for the idea, Sarah! I agree that would be interesting to have a chat with them
@@TravelingwithKristin I love English accents too, as most Americans do. It would be fun to see that.
@@TravelingwithKristin I have just Subscribed and await your views on the Town that has given me 69 wonderful years............LONDON. First 29 years in South East London,just 2 miles from Central London and the last 40 years in this same house which I bought in 1983:)
@@Isleofskye London has an infinite amount to offer. Been here 36 years and love it still. New neighbours have moved in, really nice and friendly. The retired couple upstairs will feed the cat whenever I go away! ❤
@@davidr7819 Yes, David.I pop in to see the next doors dogs on the 3 days a week that my neighbour works. She is always bringing stiff back from the Supermarket or a Boot Sale. My other Nepalese neighbours let me park in their drive whenever I need to. My old neighbour 2 doors along gave me their dog when he was 5 months(he is 9 now and I have his daughter) and when they moved they gave me a really good 2 and 3 piece suite. Out of my nearest 8 houses,I have been here 40 years another neighbour 51 and another 52 and another moved 4 doors along to stay here and beats ys all with 55 years. Another is a mere 20 years..lol
An American living in Manchester threw me slightly. there is definitely a stronger connection between people there. In addition, everything is really convenient, you can get a direct train from Manchester to Windermere, and that area truly is another world.
It's so nice to hear an American talking about the UK from the northern English perspective. For obvious reasons most similar videos are about London where the people are probably quite different. I get fed up about people saying the English are stand-offish and you mustn't talk to strangers. That is not the case everywhere! It terms of the community feel, like a lot of European cities including London, Manchester to a large extent is a collection of former villages which have merged into one urban area. I live five miles north of the city centre and my area can be found on maps two or three hundred years old as a village. So it's grown with its own mini-centre and it has schools, churches, pubs, restaurants, clinics, shops etc etc which both makes everything walkable and gives it a community feels. Welcome to Manchester and I'm glad the sun has come out for us all at last!
How refreshing to see a video about England that isn't criticising every single element! A thoughtful and positive video, hope you enjoy your time here!
Hi Kristin, as a Brit, it’s always nice to hear from people how they perceive the UK, good or bad.
"Crumpet" is another bit of slang. Careful with that one, love! 😉
I love waking up to some crumpet . Especially at the crack..( the punchline has now been deleted as my account would be cancelled by KZhead ; not bad raste - just v.poor taste).
Another lovely American, so refreshing to hear a normal girl being nice about the UK instead of some of the loud mouth ones ,telling us how wonderful and great and brave America is ,because that gets right up us Brits noses. Thank you so very much for a great video,and enjoy your trip to UK .Best wishes to you. x
There are 7 bees over a globe on the crest of Manchester. The city was once known as ‘Cottonopolis’ as it was the largest cotton producer in the world with 108 mills + a cottage industry that was also producing cotton. The worker bee became the symbol of the city that was a hive of activity during the Industrial Revolution following a comment someone made about the workers being as busy as bees, as a result the cotton mill workers were called “busy bees.”
500 mills in Oldham. The only place that made more cotton was America. Not a city in America, all of it.
@@davidbentley4032 Yes, but sadly the Yanks will say / claim some different fallacy as a fact - such as New York (yes, the big apple and not even a southern cotton state) produced more cotton than the rest of the world / universe combined. We're best. At everything. Sad, but that is how most Yanks that I have met in my 82 years think - and they believe it totally. And you have to believe it too and not argue or they'll shoot you - seriously. Happens all the time. Lived in the US for 20 years and hated it but too tied up with "family things" and then too old and ill to get back to civilisation when family left. They don't even talk to each other nowadays - anger and hatred are quick to form in the US - and no fuse - no thought - just a big bang right away. Crazy.
I'm glad that you have been having a great time in the UK so far! I've gone twice, and I agree that the people are very friendly. I agree with you toward the end of the video - it seems that more and more people here in the US are more divided and not as communal as it was a while back which is really sad to see. That's the great thing about travel - we learn from other cultures on how we can improve our own culture. I'm optimistic that if more and more people can show kindness and love with each other here in the US, we can change things for the better. It won't be easy, but I think it can be done!
Great insights, Scott! I'm reading your comment on the podcast next week. 😊
@@TravelingwithKristin Awesome! I'll look forward to it!
Great video! I’m an American but got my US-UK dual citizenship through one of my parents being British. Moving to the UK has been heavily on my mind. Often times I feel much more connected to the UK than American culture.
All depends were you live, london is mega expensive , further from there the cheapest it is.
Thanks Alexia! Fantastic that you’re able to hold dual citizenship
Anywhere but London Alexia...its a dense and diverse country. Heaps to see and do here in the motherland there is Norwhich in the East if your arty , Cornwall in the West for beaches , Manchester for music , Newcastle for the the party and wicked people - may need a translator there though.
@@sir_spenj3465 Oh no, I always thought London would be such a fun place to live. But yes, England has its many charms that people overlook sometimes.
@Alexia what you waiting for Girl? Jump on a plane right away make sure you visit us up in Scotland we'll be pleased to have you x
Very pleased to hear your positive comments about the UK and it's good that you are based other than in London. Having lived in the States for a couple of years in the early '90s, it was interesting that even you had noticed how much they had changed even over your relatively short lifetime. It appears that the US has become very polarised because of your 2 party system. Although the UK also has 2 main political parties, we have numerous others that play a role and are represented in Parliament. Also, I think we British are more tolerant of those with opposing views and most people are very wary of political extremes, being overwhelmingly centrist. Even so-called "conservatives" are pretty liberal, in the broadest sense, compared to the American right.
You are a lovely addition to UK, we need good genuine people.
Thanks Bill!
One thing I found funny was when an English woman told the friend I was staying with in London that “She feels the cold”. She was telling him to turn the heat up for me. In America we adjust our thermostats quickly when we are uncomfortable. This means we do not adapt to the weather well. We are very spoiled. The summer in the UK is hard when it gets hot. Few places have AC. The grass goes brown. It is often 80 degrees, but English people say you don’t need an air conditioner. It is still beautiful, of course, but I prefer non-summer Britain. I was in Scotland in June, and I had to wear a winter coat! When it got sunny in Glasgow, tons of people took their shirts off and laid out in the park to catch a little sun. It was funny.
Clothes are important, winter clothes for 9 months of the year and summer clothes the other three. From the ground up, so decent socks, trousers, pullover for indoor wear add proper overcoat for going out of doors (summer overcoats slightly lighter than the winter overcoat). UK is as far north as most of Canadia and part of Alaskia (and all of the contiguous Americian states).
Sarah, summers in the uk have only just started to get very hot temperatures, last year temp went up to 40c for the first time, so that is why you do not see AC in homes, shops, offices etc, with climate change and our summers becoming hotter and drier I expect we will adjust to what the country needs
Kristin is from Florida which means she is acclimatized to the hot weather. FL is way too hot for me, I couldn't live there in the summer.
Good point, Sarah. We are so quick to adjust the thermostat for the perfect temperature at all times of year! I didn’t think about that. But I’ve seen a lot of people soaking up the sun this week ☀️
"I prefer non-summer Britain" - then you must visit Ireland. The people there are even friendlier than in the North of the UK (where many Irish emigrated to) and 20 degrees centigrade (68 in the other stuff) counts as a heat wave 🙂.
As A Englishman in my 80's, I have lived through MANY changes in this old unique country, of forbearance , but, to reverse your view of the 'recent past'. I find that we are on the same road as the US, but as usual, a few steps behind them, and not for the better.
Genealogy fact: people in the UK often die not far from where they were born. Exceptions to this are not uncommon but 'home' still has a powerful draw. The Welsh language even has a word for it: 'hiraeth'.
Welcome back, haven't seen you in a while. When I was retiring from the US I looked everywhere for a place where I could eventually do without a car: so it needed to have walking neighbourhoods, cycle ways, buses, trains and accessible countryside, and perhaps a sense of history. Nowhere in the US matched those simple needs, so I have been here in York for the past 5 1/2 years, Wife doesn't like the weather, to be sure, but she loves having an allotment where she can grow veggies, and just hang out generally, while I'm pedalling round the bike paths, or off on music gigs. Oh, and Pro Tip: when you are in the North it is pronounced "scone' as in 'gone' and NOT as in 'stone'.
Thank you for the warm welcome, @kokowasarunokunidesu! It's great to be back. York seems like a fantastic choice. It's wonderful that your wife enjoys having an allotment to indulge in her love for gardening while you explore the bike paths and enjoy music gigs. I appreciate the pro tip! 😆Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights. I'm excited to continue sharing my adventures with you!
I am one of the only weirdos on the planet who loves the weather, 6 months of spring and 6 months of autumn. It's perfection. I don't love the ''darkness'' as I've come to call it. January is absolutely the worst.
Actually, that's the right pronunciation for anyone who speaks Queen's English (I can't call it King's he doesn't speak as well as Elizabeth) , she pronounced it as in SKON too so we must be right 😅 😊
@@kathchandler4919 Nothing wrong with the way Charles speaks…😡🇬🇧
Community is the US has been lost for sure. I'm sure in England the folks are more open to progressive ideas and inclusive. The US is really retreating to a polarized, close-minded, Orwellian disaster. It is going to take some real opportunity for leaders to emerge and re-invest in thinking local, education, and frankly doing the right thing (instead of being "loyal" or being pissed off). There is a lot of goodness to celebrate here. Looks like the UK never lost that. Thanks, Kristin for a wonderful, candid video. I tell lots of people about watching you.
In terms of sense of community, is Canada more like the US or the UK?
Such an impressive and thought provoking vid (especially the “sad” bit at the end ) and the most real vid I’ve seen in a long time , I just hope you feel more happiness than sadness 👍
Hey Kristin. FYI A lot of what you are mentioning applies to the North. Growing up in York everyone chats to everyone everywhere but having lived in London for 12 years they think you're odd if you do this especially on public transport. Also should be noted that while UK weather is changeable the west side of the UK gets much more rainfall than the East. There are 10's of different local accents, use of words and slang across the UK.
But London is a cosmopolitan city and very different from the rest of the south of England or even Britain as a whole. People don't chat on public transport because you don't even know if they speak the same language.
That’s bullshit right there the west side dose not get more rain than the east i live on the west side and a hell of a lot of time when i see the forecast its always the east that gets rain when we have sun most of the time
to @richt71! I'm your 10th 'like', loving your description of the '10's of different local accents!' 😏 Tis funny, and truth of such a small island 🌿
@@benconway9010 I'm afraid you're wrong Ben. Two factors make the west more rainy than the east.... 1. Prevailing winds in the UK come from the Atlantic and...2. The western side of the country is more mountainous and hilly which always generates more rainfall. If you check met office statistics they will bear out what I've said.
@Ben Conway I'm afraid you are wrong, East Anglia is the driest part of the UK by far.
Hope you keep enjoying the UK, accents change within a few miles. 👌😊🇬🇧
Thanks Steve!
Great video - matches a lot of our observations from 2 weeks in the UK in May. I know exactly what you're talking about regarding the differences in politics not being so divisive - we experienced the same living in Germany for 4 years. It's really refreshing and does make me lament the current situation in the US.
Thank you, David. 🙏 Hopefully things start improving.
What struck me when I first moved to the UK was the high quality of public debate and journalism. The UK media is very sophisticated overall (if we forget about the Daily Mail). I was also surprised to see more women of different ages and attractiveness speaking and hosting on television. It was almost as if women were valued for their brains!
@@megand6233 If that is the way you reason, then you are part of the problem.
@@megand6233 Thats very true i agree..all the TV presenters are immaculate in the states...just not relateable to real life is it !. When i catch snippets of US news anchors all glammed up it never fails to amuse me...not a hair out of place , where as ours in the UK look like they just finnished a shift at the supermarket 🤣
Totally agree about the US was different 20 or 30 years ago. I thought same, like has my perception just changed or has it really changed., and I believe it’s the later. Felt the same when went to Italy and felt my grandmother and grandfather and why did they leave this all behind to come to America. But America was different when I was a kid. More community like you said. Less intense. We used to be 😢 really considering moving out for a more quality of life
In Northen England i love the word 'mither' it means to hassel or bother someone. So someone might say "sstop mithering me". After the Manchester bombing a one min silence was held infront of the town hall, at the end a lady holding a huge bunch of daffadils. She started singing 'Don't look back in anger" by Oasis (a Manchester band). The jaw dropping moment is when everyone joined in, this is on KZhead. After Paris France was bombed there was a football match in Paris. The French police band played "Don't look back in anger" all the English fans sang the song for Paris. Its extreamly moving and shows how we sing on mass ( for historical reasons, we used to sing on the battle field to unerve the oposition, its in our DNA). THANK YOU for such a positive vid.
I totally feel the same way about the quality of life, price, and nostalgic of living outside of the US. I also feel healthier. I lost 15 pounds!
I'm really amused with your findings, Kristin. It's what I appreciate in you, an honesty! As a Londoner and I feel community is high on people's wish list. Many seek relationships via dating apps, with care, finding timely success. I guess there's more determined romance and earnest endeavours, with fun! The north is notoriously more easy going and Manchester I find surpasses it's reputation. Has a host of great points. The UK does have a lot of problems, but friendly people are always nearby; the climate isn't great year round, so people move abroad for better weather and fewer expenses. I think the UK is crazily expensive recently, but not for you! 😂 (Broadband aside) ❤
Thanks Cyan! The locals here have expressed similar views about the cost of living. But overall there's a lot to be grateful for! :D
I think you had the perfect explanation for why you are feeling the way you feel. I have felt that for the last several years as well. I miss the way it felt living in the 80’s and early 90’s in the U.S. It was a more simple life, and definitely not as divisive as it has become over the last 10-15 years. The place I’ve always called home isn’t a place where I want to be anymore, and that’s very sad.
Nice video / update, I very much hope you enjoy the rest of your time in the UK! 👍👍
I love listening to your perspectives and observations Kristin. I like this type of content and how you haven’t heard any American accents so far. It seems kinda refreshing to learn how locals live and not the touristy facade.
I agree. Kristen is a very thoughtful commentator.
Thank you, Micah; I'm enjoying sharing these observations with you!
One great thing about Manchester is that you can get to some lovely places that are just a short train ride away! - knarsborough - hire a boat on the river, see the castle & get a pub lunch - Harrogate- Tea & cakes at Betty’s tea rooms (can get busy with tourists) - York - go to the top of York Minster, see the Keep & the Viking museum - Leeds - get the free river taxi from the station to the Royal Armouries museum (also free!)
Scotland. cheers.
Glad I came across this video - as I have lived in and around Manchester all my adult life. Every city in the world has "smart" areas and rundown areas. Regarding the point you raised regarding the apparent divisiveness of politics and political views in the USA v the UK - you are right in that the current state of politics in the USA appears significantly more polarised than in the UK. In the USA you appear to either have extreme right wing politics v extreme left wing politics whereas in the UK traditionally all parties fight over the centre ground in the main - we are more conservative (with a small c.) There was a shift to polarisation in recent times, up to and following Brexit, but that now appears to be settling back down. Enjoy your stay and keep smiling - a smile goes a long way in the world.
In my opinion, the left is invisible in US politics. What they call left is still pretty right wing from a European perspective, and it's gradually going the same way here too.
The US doesn't have a left, the lunatics that infiltrated the Republican party have just gaslit many Americans into believing the Democrats are far left loony liberal bogeymen.
I understand your sadness at the end. I've lived in Manchester for most of my life and there's an increasing 'sadness' for me living here. Ironically, it's a consequence of corporate globalization which, on a positive note, imports wealth and jobs into the city laying the foundations for a strong economy, yet changes the sense of identity of local communities leading to their gradual disintegration and replacement. An example is the Manchester football teams which tended to give the locals a sense of connection to a community and adult role models for children, whereas nowadays they represent corporate globalization leaving the locals increasingly disconnected from a sense of ethnic community.
Glad you're enjoying yourself in the UK! I would recommend that if you're heading up further north towards Scotland, do stop by Newcastle upon Tyne! Compact and really beautiful city with plenty of beautiful national parks and beaches nearby, and of course the Geordies who are known to be one of the most friendly people in the UK!
I was just about to write exactly the same but you beat me to it as i'm from just outside Newcastle on the coast! 👍
@Asia Travel Aye! I was in London for 12 years and I've been living in Newcastle for almost a year now and absolutely love it!
Most friendly people in the UK? That's not been my experience. I am a Scot, from Edinburgh. In a bar in Newcastle a few years ago I was told to "f..k off back to haggisland. You people think you're tough. Well you're not as tough as us Geordies".
@@davidlauder-qi5zv One person doesn't represent the million people in the Newcastle area. I've met and seen loads of nutters and thugs in Edinburgh and Glasgow over the years but I know they don't represent the majority of Scots. 👍
@@davidlauder-qi5zv Are they?
Kristin, I just gave you the like because of the final comments on what's going on in US right now with the toxic media... you are 100% right about that, thanks God that's not happening in lots of places other than US and some other countries. Greetings from Costa Rica, you know you can always come back here and marry me 🥰
When you say toxic media, are you referring to Fox News or CNN? Because those media outlets can be viewed globally on cable TV channels and right here on KZhead.
The media is just as toxic in the UK. Especially the BBC.
Nicely presented video. Good luck to you and enjoy your travels!
Thank you, Stephen!
Hi Kristin, I'm glad you feel so welcome here! It was so interesting to hear your experiences after moving here. I've also spent time living in a foreign country, I lived in a small town in Germany for a year, and I enjoyed my time there immensely but there's just something about England that you don't find anywhere else, and you managed to encapsulate that very well. I also lived in Manchester while I was at university, and though the University of Manchester is a fantastic institution and I rate it very highly as a uni, it was the only thing I liked about the city! But that's because I'm from Chester, where I still live now, which is a small, historical, eccentric little city that is so different to big industrial cities like Manchester that even though it's just one hour away on a train between Chester and Manchester, I had massive culture shock. I was actually pretty depressed because Manchester felt a lot less friendly and there were so many rough/scary areas, whereas Chester is what people might describe as more posh? I'm not sure. Anyway, since you live so close and you're spending the summer travelling, I highly recommend you visit Chester! It's very small so that you can see all the attractions in one day, we're super friendly here, and the city is very photogenic! We have amazing buskers performing on the streets, open air craft markets, a gorgeous river which you can take boating tours on, and we have ancient city walls built thousands of years ago by the romans. We tend to get a fair few tourists (but not too many) so you can definitely find lots of postcards and souvenirs ;)
Whenever i go to Chester there always seem to be buskers singing Beatles songs…is that just my experience ?
Great video! Really appreciate your perspective. Ty!
Thanks Laurie!
Looks like you've found youraelf in a really good place! London might be the capital but Manchester definitely encapsulates the heart and soul of England. I've travelled to quite a lot of places across Europe/US and Manchester immediately took the #1 top spot of best cities from my first visit. The friendliness is absolutely contageous and I've never had even a dull minute in that place. Looking forward to the upcoming videos in the UK
Northerners reject their English identity what are you talking above t
@@kingofracism Ha! What are you on about. 😂😂
I’m from Manchester. Thanks. 😊
@@primalengland it's common knowledge that scousers, mancs and even some Geordies reject their English identity. Boo the anthem etc
@@kingofracism That’s a pretty sweeping statement. I’ve lived in Wigan and Bolton for 69 years. Only people I know that denounce their heritage are people of a mean intelligence. I suppose that includes Scousers, but are you saying ALL Mancs and Geordies do? The mind boggles. Also, the Scousers were booing Charlie. Got nothing to do with their heritage. Try harder.
Since you're in Manchester, you can easily take public transportation to the Peak District and hike around the beautiful areas. The town of Buxton is very cute and has a wonderful theatre/opera house where something good is always playing.
Thank you, S. Silv! Sounds like a great idea. I'll definitely keep that in mind. Appreciate the recommendation 😊💛
Hi Kristin, thanks for sharing another excellent video. Getting used to different weather is something that can happen in many places. Years ago, here in Australia, we moved from Sydney to Melbourne and the winter here is quite an amount colder than what we were used to in Sydney. Gradually, it gets a bit easier over the years and we become more acclimatized, but we still can experience some extra cold winters, like the one we are having at the moment. The main thing is having plenty of warm clothes, especially when going out. Anyway, take care. Rob in Melbourne Australia.
Loving this chapter in your channel. Very different to a usual travel channel videos
Thank you so much, Nerve! That’s great to hear. Look forward to you feedback on new videos. I’ll keep experimenting and sharing
Appreciate the video Kristen. Fellow American that just arrived to Manchester last week (previously in Portugal) and can definitely attest to the really kind people and also the rarity of seeing other Americans. One of the common phrases that tripped me up when I first heard it was "Are you alright?", lol. I was like "Huh? I got something on my face?" :D
Speaking of nostalgia, watching these videos makes me a little nostalgic for the time I spent in the UK a few years ago, though I never made it to Manchester. In addition to groceries being cheaper (though I'm hearing, mostly from UK contacts on social media, that inflation is affecting them as well), it's also more nutritious. In fact, the same brands sold in the US contain more additives and chemicals that are banned in the UK (and elsewhere in Europe). One habit I picked up was listening to BBC radio stations, mainly BBC 2 & BBC 6. Unlike the US, you can hear the same stations everywhere as they are national. Luckily, you can hear them everywhere via internet. I look forward to your future videos!
Great vid, I like that you opened up in the end
Thanks Clement! I am glad you liked the video 😊
I completely empathize with what you described as making you feel a little sad. I feel the same way (and also some of the same culture shocks, as I just arrived a few days ago). I decided to go to a small seaside town instead of a big city because I feel like the community/connection is a little easier to access (in theory anyway); will see if that's true once I have been here a while...
If being here makes her feel sad, maybe she should go home again.
@@davidlauder-qi5zv Are you, deliberately, missing the point or just slow on the uptake, or just rude? She LOVES it here and does not like the way her Country has become so where is your logic and sense in suggesting she should go back home to THe USA. She wishes Florida was like England, as she made clear.
Hi Spartan, I hope that you feel at home soon in your new town. The culture shock will pass with time. I have more videos about it on my channel if you want to browse!
@@TravelingwithKristin Thanks! BTW, I sent you an email on Sunday. 🙂
Spot on! Even the younger generations in US are suffering loss of civility & at 70 years I miss community & started my KZhead channel! Enjoy the opportunity!!!
Congrats Jan! Enjoy the journey!
What we also retain in the UK is a culture of not allowing politics to interfere in our relationships with other people. Which means you can strongly disagree with someone about a political issue but still remain civil and even friendly with them. There is nothing that approaches the toxic atmosphere that seems to exist in the US between right and left, especially since the coming of Trump.
We are privileged that you have shared this epiphany with us. Sadness about childhood seems to be an important and challenging part of growing apart and really becoming an autonomous adult. I have lived in London and really enjoyed the general atmosphere of acceptance and common purpose. Except on the Underground, that was miserable! A quote by Baz Luhrmann in his Sunscreen Song: "Be careful whose advice you buy but be patient with those who supply it Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past From the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts And recycling it for more than it's worth But trust me on the sunscreen..."
As someone that was born in Manchester but lived in Essex most of my life and spend some of my working week in Stratford people from the north are friendlier in my opinion. Agree with what you say about public transport as train commuter.
As a Brit, I have to say - you should come to Denmark! Everyone here speaks pretty good English, so no reason to have anxiety about that. People here are really civil and friendly. Also, our internet is pretty fast.
That's always puzzled me. Why do Scandinavians speak such good English?
I'm really pleased that you are enjoying the UK. Great that you are living at least for a while in Manchester. So many Americans only visit London and perhaps a few historic towns which tend to be tourist-focussed, so they don't get a really authentic impression of modern British/English culture. Manchester has a great history, Roman origins but a big player in the Industrial Revolution, there are many buildings and sights around the city of huge historical importance. Many political struggles took place here and kickstarted positive changes for working class people. These don't yet get the attention they deserve, British tourism is still too centred on Royals and old castles etc. Yes, we call people 'love' here, it's very warm! In other parts of England the locals may call you 'pet' or 'duck'. Your comments on USA vs UK are interesting. The UK has changed a lot and many people, especially older ones like me, are not too content with the changes and hanker after a time 30 or 40 years ago. Like you say, the internet and toxic social media has eroded a sense of community. Also in the UK the Brexit issue still divides the country and is testament to a deeper cultural divide. Mass immigration, especially from outside Europe is rapidly changing the face of English cities to the extent that some areas don't resemble Britain any more. Visit Longsight, in south Manchester. Keep your videos coming, I really enjoy hearing your thoughts, it gives another welcome perspective on these funny old islands.
I love your observations. It really makes me appreciate the community we have over here. I’m in Cornwall and everyone talks to everyone. It can make a quick trip to the shop much longer than planned 😂❤
It’s a good thing - I stopped to talk to the florist yesterday. Lovely morning. You’re lucky here!
@@TravelingwithKristin that sounds fab! Sounds like you fit right in! ❤️
Amazing vlog there Kristin am originally from Manchester but currently living in Devon in south west of England but I do watch other expats from America but currently living in the uk also but I truly look forward to your next future amazing vlogs :)
Amazing !English is the first language in England!
Clue in the name.
Bless you, welcome to the UK. Make sure you get on the road and have a good look around. It’s very diverse and nowhere is that far away.
Thank you for the warm welcome and kind words @Richie D! I appreciate your suggestion to explore and I'm excited to discover the different regions. 🙌😊
Hey!! I clicked on your video, then instantly recognised my home city!! I grew up literally 5 minutes from there! Hope you like it
So cool! I really enjoyed being there :)
Nice to meet you love 😊wishing you a lovely time in England, thanks for sharing ❣
Thank you! 💗
Hi Kristin. An interesting perspective, especially about the sadness and this lost sense of community in the US. I suspect that your upbringing was different. I think the media and constant political discussion has divided the US more than it has ever been. It’s not healthy. Community in the US only means half of it. Your political bent. It seems there is a zero sum game where you must win and the other party lose. Europe is different to its credit. As a Canadian we aren’t as divided but it is creeping in. Hopefully you can embrace that community view and use this forum and your influence to help your fellow country people to turn the tide on it. Your perspective on all aspects of life there is good to see. Mentioning weather is a surprise of course as it had to be fully expected. Enjoy the coming warmer and sunnier months. Cheers
I grew up in Los Angeles in the 60s and 70s and I do not have a nostalgic yearning for that era. I couldn't breathe the air and there was an unpopular war that I would have been drafted for if I had been a year or two older. I remember fights breaking out at the barber shop about all sorts of topics and in general people were more closed-minded then. Moving to the midwest in the 80s was the best thing I ever did--people are not as high-strung here.
The 90s in the industrial east were a nightmare.
@@blue18404 I was in St. Louis during the 90s. I can't remember anything remarkable that happened then. It was all a blur. I can imagine that places farther east were beset by the collapse of manufacturing and the job market. Of course there are things about the USA that are undesirable---but at least there is the opportunity to do what you want and if you don't like the situation you're in you can usually change it instead of depending on everybody else to change it for you.
@@MrDEWaters that opportunity doesn't exist in America. We can't go anywhere we want or do what we want due to the economy and labor laws. America is a farce now.
Kristin you are awesome! A very thoughtful video. I’m 68; I’ve been feeling this RE US for over 7 yrs. Had plans then lots of yucky stuff was in the way. I was looking up Manchester 2 yrs ago & will get there someday. Meanwhile I’m n Europe & loving it. Thank you!
Really am enjoying these videos, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching, JS! Glad you enjoyed it 🙌
Just come back from California and beer was upwards of $10. A glass of wine in one restaurant was $22. I am never complaining about the cost of food in Aldi ever again!
Kristin, as a several year follower of your channel, I appreciate your observation of the 'differences' between the UK and the USA, that is very insightful on your part! But I think your observation goes deeper, when you apply it to many EU countries. I was fortunate to travel throughout the globe during my business career, primarily Mexico, and many of the European countries, and over the decades watched and experienced the significant changes that has taken place, from a travel, business and cultural perspective. Two years I begin to travel as a 'Senior' Digital Nomad, as my background is in the Technology, Management consulting fields, and have sensed similar cultural changes that you see. To say the least it has been invigorating for me as it keeps me curious, insightful. One of my assignments was a 15 month manufacturing site , in Manchester, for an Automotive supplier, in what was called the Midlands. As you settle into Manchester it may be interesting to share our experiences, feel free to reach out....
As a Mancunian I can see the negative changes across our communities, it is just a slower process than in the US and N England has always been very friendly and communal so it takes time for the new world entitlement and cynicism to override that
I always say love 😂 I was in Canada on the phone to the hotel and said “are you alright love” instant response “don’t call me love” to which I responded “sound mate”
This was such a sweet video. You made me tear up a bit near the end!
I used to travel to London quite a bit and felt at home no matter what I was doing and my long term plans are to retire in the UK. Being a record collector I found a few decent record stores in Manchester as well (Piccadilly and Vinyl exchange just to name a couple) as well as being home to Joy Division/New Order.
I love JD / New Order, top bands.
When you do retire (or before if you visit again), Spiller's Records in Cardiff will probably still be going. I think you'd enjoy paying it a visit.
Two of the best ever bands.
@@markpalmer8083 Agreed, especially Joy Division in my opinion.
As a Brit who has worked and lived in America, I totally agree with your overview. I sum it up with the simple comparison “ live to work vs work to live “
As an American who has worked and lived in the UK, I can say that the work ethic and skill of the common person in the UK is laughable. It truly is a third world nation.
a little tip with dealing with our cooler weather is to get some thermal base layers, go to a hiking shop and get long sleeve thermal top and thermal leggings, and thermal socks, these make a great diffrence and thats from a brit who only had his heating on in the morning during winter.
Welcome to the UK hope you’re enjoying the recent weather, love this video and your honesty. Hope you have a very happy and enjoyable time here, hope you stay for a long time! Please venture down to the south coast. PS crumpets are like angels dancing on your tongue, they’re amazing!
loverly girl. Natural non flustered broadcaster and to me at least not your typical rather loud american which was refreshing. Also liked her openness and honesty. Clearly a very intelligent observer. I now look forward to more from her. I wish her luck. From a Brit in SW France now !
Great video as usual. I loved where you were talking about accents and language and you said “one day I was out on the sidewalk picking up some trash”. Give it a year or 2 and you will be saying “one day I was on the pavement picking up some litter” 😊
I kept the heating off all winter here on the Welsh coast, climate similar to Manchester. Overcoat & mitts. Now I have an overall tan from the last month+ of solid sun.
That's a great place to film a video. I was in that part of Manchester last year.
The U.S. is more diverse every day, not just culturally but also in terms of people's ideologies. What was once our greatest strength has turned into poison for our communities. What keeps communities together isn't shared ideology, it's shared traditions and practices. Diversity's great, except when people have nothing in common to do together besides purchase stuff.
And yet Manchester is an incredibly diverse city and has been for the last 200 years. We have had Asians, Arabs, Jews, Italians, Germans and many more in our city for a couple of centuries. We make it work, it isn't always great but most of the time it's golden.
What is great about diversity?
@@TheChodax Have you had your monuments of Churchill removed yet?
@@TheChodaxno it hasn't 😂😂 Manchester has never been diverse until 1997. We have always had the odd pole but Manchester was 98.9 percent White British.
@@TheChodaxits isn't working at all. I love in Manchester and Muslim ans African immigration isn't working at all.
I totally agree with you. I am a Brit that lived in the US (several places) for about 10 years from the mid-80s to the mid-90s. The US has changed almost beyond recognition since that time. I thought the problems may have begun with 9/11 but perhaps some of the cultural changes would have happened anyway. I still monitor US politics as it is fascinating in a macabre way and I just hope ours doesn't descend to the level of vitriol and farce that I see too much of from across the pond. Enjoy your time here anyway, maybe you should stay?
Thank you for sharing your perspective, @Lupinicus1664. I am glad you resonated with me. 😊 Maybe, we'll see but currently really enjoying my time.
I'm from Australia and I used to love going to the USA in the 80s, 90s and early 2000s. I agree with you. The internet, social media, divisive politics, mass shootings, etc has made the USA a lot less attractive to outsiders. I used to go to the US to get videotapes, CDs, DVDs, ice hockey gear, clothing, candy, cameras, electronics, etc. With music and movie streaming, social media and KZhead, Amazon and internet shopping, I no longer need to go to the US.
aliexpress has also shopping experience.
@@gordonspicer but not for quality US-made products.
Great fun hearing your comments about us... 🙂