Normal in the UK, crazy for the USA.

[W_L]

Careful guys, it's getting close to political. GA has rules on discussing this stuff outside the Pit.

Paid vacation differences was a neat topic, since the US doesn't universally have it and who doesn't want to have minimum paid vacations. It's not politics per se, just a weird concept from different perspectives.

 

[Talo Segura]

14 hours ago, W_L said:

Careful guys, it's getting close to political.

I don't believe discussing life in different parts of the world, in different countries, or making comparisons between the UK and US is political. A subject becomes politics when you advocate one thing over another and want to persuade other people that your view is right and an opposing view is wrong. 

Here, we are discussing differences, not advocating that anything is better or worse, for me it gives an insight to life elsewhere, different cultures, and societies. But to take note of @W_L's observation, please only discuss and let's not start waving banners! 

[Zombie]

I think the problem is bringing in the EU. The thread title is about places and all their observable differences, but the EU (the graphic) isn’t a place it is a political entity - which is absolutely fine for discussion in the “other place”

…which segues neatly into animal cr@p  In the UK all animals (eg sheep 🐑 pigs 🐷 cats 🐈 and penguins 🐧) can legally cr@p on footpaths - but not dogs 🐶 🐩 🐕  

 

 

 

Edited September 17 by Zombie

[Talo Segura]

 

[Zombie]

Drinking

Most of Europe sets min age 18 but can be (and is) set higher - 20 in two countries: Iceland +Lithuania (EU member)

Drying clothes inside

is a real problem in cold+humid Northern European countries eg UK (damp, black mould) but dryers have their own problems… 🔥 

Edited September 17 by Zombie

[W_L]

Can someone explain to me the difference between a Lorry in the UK and a Truck in the US?

I know they're similar based on context.

[Mancunian]

11 minutes ago, W_L said:

Can someone explain to me the difference between a Lorry in the UK and a Truck in the US?

I know they're similar based on context.

There is no difference; it's just different terminology for the same thing.

[Page Scrawler]

12 minutes ago, W_L said:

Can someone explain to me the difference between a Lorry in the UK and a Truck in the US?

I know they're similar based on context.

In the US, "Truck" may refer a 'pickup' truck, used by individuals to carry small loads of tools, equipment, or materials. But the equivalent to a lorry would be a "Semi truck", used for carrying large loads of cargo or shipments of goods. Semi trucks usually have just enough space for a driver and one or two passengers in the cabin. Long-haul semis often have space for a bed, a WC, and sometimes even a small kitchen.

In the UK, I assume that lorries have the steering, brakes, and meters on the right-hand side of the cabin. Apart from that, I don't think they differ very greatly from US semi trucks.

[TetRefine]

It is better, in general, to be at the bottom of the SES ladder in the UK. They have broader social safety nets, compared to the bare bones system that exists in the US. 

However, being Upper Middle Class and above in the US is leaps and bounds ahead of the UK in terms of access to very high-paying jobs, a much stronger and more innovative economy, and choices to live (ie, not just London). Not to mention taxes. 

[dannyportwersburghuk]

Truck 1s in USA look cool on tv but ones here are rubbish.

[Rowdy Reader]

tractor trailer, flatbed, box, pickup, tow and dump are all trucks so the term “truck” is very vague really

[dannyportwersburghuk]

When I think of a truck in usa, it like the one see on advert at xmas for coca cola. Ones here ok but not look nice like that one. Ones in Moldova are really old and hear them coming, then smell them coming. 

[Rowdy Reader]

we have some bad ones too and way to many on the highways but yes some have neat and decorative trailers with ads and what not 

[PrivateTim]

On 9/5/2024 at 12:57 AM, Talo Segura said:

There are some big differences between the two countries and not just size or trousers and pants!
There is a much larger choice of different types of beer.

I don't get this one. We have a huge variety of beers, or at least there are in California. Although I am not sure if you mean types, as in Lager, IPA, Pilsner, etc. or brands, but in CA we have over 1,100 craft breweries, some of which are pretty big and distribute nationally and they produce every conceivable type from Lager to Stout.

On 9/17/2024 at 7:49 AM, Zombie said:

Drinking Most of Europe sets min age 18 but can be (and is) set higher - 20 in two countries: Iceland +Lithuania (EU member)

The drinking age in many U.S. states was 18 until the National Minimum Drinking Age Act in 1984. The act threatened to withhold federal highway funds from any state that did not change to 21.

[chris191070]

7 minutes ago, PrivateTim said:

I don't get this one. We have a huge variety of beers, or at least there are in California. Although I am not sure if you mean types, as in Lager, IPA, Pilsner, etc. or brands, but in CA we have over 1,100 craft breweries, some of which are pretty big and distribute nationally and they produce every conceivable type from Lager to Stout.

The drinking age in many U.S. states was 18 until the National Minimum Drinking Age Act in 1984. The act threatened to withhold federal highway funds from any state that did not change to 21.

Drinking is allowed from 18 in the UK.

[PrivateTim]

18 minutes ago, chris191070 said:

Drinking is allowed from 18 in the UK.

I was responding to Zombie who pointed out the difference in drinking ages, 21 vs 18. I was pointing out that as one time, a lot of places in the U.S. were 18 until the federal government intervened.

[Talo Segura]

42 minutes ago, PrivateTim said:

I was responding to Zombie who pointed out the difference in drinking ages, 21 vs 18. I was pointing out that as one time, a lot of places in the U.S. were 18 until the federal government intervened.

When I was a teenager (sixteen) in the UK I used to regularly drink on Saturday nights in various pubs (bars). Never asked for ID and never a problem so long as we were not rowdy or causing trouble.

[ReaderPaul]

I used to work in the state of Missouri in the USA at a retail establishment which sold alcoholic beverages.  The state changed the law to require ID from anyone who looked young, and if someone sold to a minor, both the business AND the person who actually made the sale were BOTH fined a sizeable amount.  The law also allowed law enforcement to employ minors (under age 18) and persons ages 18, 19, and 20 to attempt to buy alcoholic beverages as a "sting" agent of law enforcement to see if the business was complying with the law.  Business who were repeat offenders within specified time frames also can be penalized by having their license to sell liquor revoked for a time.

I don't know if any similar laws are in effect in the UK or the EU.

[Mancunian]

2 hours ago, ReaderPaul said:

I used to work in the state of Missouri in the USA at a retail establishment which sold alcoholic beverages.  The state changed the law to require ID from anyone who looked young, and if someone sold to a minor, both the business AND the person who actually made the sale were BOTH fined a sizeable amount.  The law also allowed law enforcement to employ minors (under age 18) and persons ages 18, 19, and 20 to attempt to buy alcoholic beverages as a "sting" agent of law enforcement to see if the business was complying with the law.  Business who were repeat offenders within specified time frames also can be penalized by having their license to sell liquor revoked for a time.

I don't know if any similar laws are in effect in the UK or the EU.

We do have similar laws here; 'sting' operations are often carried out for various age-restricted products. Some of the operatives are underage, but many are of age but appear much younger.

[Zombie]

On 9/24/2024 at 8:38 PM, Rowdy Reader said:

we have some bad ones too…

 

🙀  

[Talo Segura]

Legal age in France for beer and wine is 16,(18 for spirits) but if you're with your parents, it's up to their discretion. Pretty liberal 🍷🍻

[chris191070]

The legal age to drink alcohol in the UK is 18 years old.

However, there are some exceptions:

It's legal for someone over 18 to buy beer, wine, or cider for a 16 or 17 year old if they're having a meal together in a licensed premises.

It's legal for 5 to 17 year olds to drink alcohol at home or other private premises. 

[Zombie]

15 minutes ago, Talo Segura said:

Legal age in France for beer and wine is 16,(18 for spirits) but if you're with your parents, it's up to their discretion. Pretty liberal 🍷🍻

I spent an unforgettable summer holiday “exchange” with a French family, when I was 12 or 13, to “learn French”

didn’t learn much French  but I learned a lot about wine (diluted with Evian every meal) - and boys… (their beautiful older son )

[PrivateTim]

1 hour ago, Talo Segura said:

Legal age in France for beer and wine is 16,(18 for spirits) but if you're with your parents, it's up to their discretion. Pretty liberal 🍷🍻

I drank beer in Munich during Oktoberfest when I was 15, and wine in Nice at a similar age, maybe even younger. No idea if it was legal, but no one asked for an ID.

When I was in high school we used to go to Baja California to surf and my friends and I ordered beers at Hussong's and Papas & Beer at 16 without raising an eyebrow.

[BendtedWreath]

I do agree that it should be "day-month-year" smallest unit to highest in terms of the date. Not sure why we're focusing on months first over here. 😂