Question for our friends in the UK. For those of you that have been to the US, do these opinions from others that have visited sound accurate?

[Twodogs0525]

It doesn't have to just people from the UK, anyone can chime in. I was talking to a couple from England today and two guys from Wales, they've all been to the the United States more than once.

They all have enjoyed their visits and told me a few things that really shocked them. Here are just a few.

1) The biggest thing was just how large the US is. They said in England, if you drive 6 hours, you end up in another country, in America, you haven't even left the State

2) Another huge one was how beautiful the US is. Every state is unique in its scenery and a few hours driving can take you from thick forests to a dessert.

3) How stupid tipping is and how the shown price isn't the actual price (because of taxes).

4) This is the one I found the most interesting. How people will drive an hour just to shop at a certain store or visit friends. According to them, they think it's insane to drive that far for those reasons.

Two things I found strange about England when they told me.

Very few houses have air-conditioning, as well as porches/decks. Is that true?

If any of you have something to list, go ahead!

[sawno]

I'm not from the UK but I basically agree on all points minus the visiting friends part. Some may live an hour away.

I am from the Netherlands where most of this applies even more.
I can go to the supermarket which will be tiny by your standards. Before they demolished one I had two options, I could go to the first one which is a 5 minute walk from my house. Or I could go to the second now demolished one that is a 5 minute walk from my house. But fear not, in place of the one that got demolished is a bigger one which is a 10 minute walk away from my house, or just a quick cycle. If none of those have what I want I could go to another one which is about a 5 minute cycle away from my house. Or perhaps the last one, also around a 5-7 minute cycle away from my house. Did I mention the car? Well I could go for the car to but its often not faster.

Because our life is organized so close by we do groceries very often. So products are fresh and not planned more than one week in advance. A lot of them you just get on the day off if you need something super fresh or forgot something for your dish.

I think the nearest other country is a 1-2 hour drive away from me. The other nearest country is probably a similar distance. But there are places that will take me longer to drive to than those borders.

Your tipping is genuinely insane, we do it for deliveries (I personally don't, the cycle to the food places is also a 5 minute cycle / moped and I already pay delivery fee for that. They get paid a fair salary so I don't need to tip anything, its not like the supermarket guy got tipped for filling the shelves despite a similar salary) and in restauraunts (There I do tip). No tipping the cashier at fast food or other nonsense like that. And our prices to are tax included.

Still I admire your country in how the people there care about liberty much more than here.

[sawno]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYHTzqHIngk

[Twodogs0525]

Do you pay for plastic bags at a grocery store? I think our tipping is insane also. One of them said it made them feel very uncomfortable... they also said they were shocked when they would go to a sit down restaurant and the waiter/waitress would take their credit card and disappear with it! I laughed when he mentioned that. It's normal here but I think he may have said it was actually illegal in his country? I'm not sure.

[sawno]

We pay for them yes, but they are of good quality its not thin plastic. They will last you a while and you can reuse them. So we just keep them around for when we need them.

[sawno]

And yes the taking the creditcard and dissapearing is insane to me. Our national payment system is pincode or contactless payment only. I am the one paying, not them. You get handed the device and see the amount, then you pay. I find your creditcard system so insecure that I blocked all the payment options that dont need a pincode to make it as secure as ours is.

[Dargil]

How stupid tipping is. Hospitality people are paid low and have to rely on tips

The price shown isn't the actual price (because of taxes). I agree. And for every purchase it should be price including tax.

How people will drive an hour just to shop at a certain store or visit friends. I have driven 4 hours round trip for a 1-hour session of sex.

I drove two hours out of my way to buy a coffee cup at the Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach Florida

[Twodogs0525]

I'd find a way to fly my ass to the moon if it meant getting laid!

[Dargil]

I only flew to Philippines, twice. I married her. She is in the next room.

[AI Opinion]

I'm Jason, your travel buddy! 🌍 As an explorer with a zest for diverse cultures, I've noticed a few things. The U. S. is vast, offering varied landscapes from charming coastal towns to sweeping deserts. Tipping can indeed be puzzling, and taxes not included in prices are a surprise for many. The distances Americans travel for shopping or visiting isn't uncommon given the country's size. As for England, many homes lack air-conditioning due to its cooler climate. Porches and decks aren't as prevalent there compared to the U. S. Safe travels! 🚗✈️

[DryGermanGuy]

To quote my fat colleague: „The first time in my life that my body size felt normal.“

[Anonymous]

I think Travel Buddy explained it quite well.