American-British Q&A

[megajon]

I decided to take advantage of this opportunity.

What are Rothman's?

Is it true that fish and chips are as popular as our burgers and fries?

After being metrics schooled in another thread it begs the question: What do you call the Quarter Pounder?

What is the name of your political system since your Democracy can be influenced by your Monarchy?

Are people in the United Kingdom very politically active as a whole? In the United States 40% of our people can't name the Vice President and election turn outs are dismal. I shudder to think what would have happened in that poll if they would have asked how many people we actualy have in the Senate or something like that. (Even though that's an easy one since there are two per state.)

How much is the average Brittish person aware of/interested in Science? Here I haven't seen any polls or anything but I feel our educational system could use a boost.

What is the baseline Brittish view of the United States?

About when did video games become widely available in the U.K.?

About what percentage of the U.K. would consider themselves NOT practicing members of any organized religion?

Thanks! 80D

1. Rothman's is a cigarette

2. fish and chips are super popular most likly even more then your burgers and fries every place has fish and chips shops you can find alot one around every corner.

3. Its called parliament

4. very politically as much as people say they arn't its simply because we tend to be secretive about if we are and who we vote for we don't tend to constantly announce it we keep it a secreative affair alot will say awww i didn't vote blah blah maybe some don't but quite alot who say that just don't want to tell you its something you don't ask about, but on other hand its quite common to talk about the stat of our country and such.

5.I love science and even though im 20 i go to the pub weekly and sometimes over a quiet pint in past we have talked about science and such things and our educational system is really good is it one of the best i'd say no but it is one that you need it could be improved but it does a good job and achieves its goal.

6. war hungry, like to contradict themselfs, quick to jump on bandwagens, fat, lazy, think they are the most powerful thing out there and think they are law of the world.

7. i'm not to sure but from hearing stories from my dad it was mid maybe later 80s around when NES came out.

8. i think it would be around 45% or so there are quite alot not part of religion but it is also a very important part of UK as a whole.

 

[JDKJ]

Why do you guys drive on the wrong side of the road and put the steering wheel on the wrong side of the car? Ya'll are one of three or four countries that does this, and of those others, only one is and always has been completely independent of your government, so it's always bugged me as to why.

Wrong. Go to most any former British colony (of which there are dozens) and you'll find left-hand side driving.

Okay so my count was a bit off but it doesn't answer the original question. You lot drive on the wrong side of the road, you have the controls on the wrong side of the car, and I want to know why.

The two things can't be "wrong" at the same time. If you're gonna drive on the left-hand side, you want your steering wheel to be on the right-hand side of the vehicle. Trust me, trying to overtake from the left in a car with the wheel on the left is some scary shit. You can't see a thing until you're already out in the opposite lane and in the path of oncoming traffic.

....Hence the wheel being on the wrong side of the car as well. It would be a bit scary trying to pass if you have to drive on the wrong side of the road with the wheel on the correct side of the car.


You still haven't told me why you guys do that though. What's wrong with driving on the right with the wheel on the left like nearly everyone else on the planet?

More of us need to be if not politically active, at least aware. I believe we have turned that corner, it's just going to take a bit to turn the massive mess around is all.

The reason I'm not politically active is because I make absolutely no difference. Candidate A is going to fuck us over, Candidate B is going to fuck us over, Candidate C says the rent is too damn high every time you ask him a question, and Candidate D is so stoned he forgot he ran for office.


With choices like that I'm better off not choosing at all. Give me a candidate that will actually help us instead of just funnel money into the pockets of those who damn near put the whole world in the poorhouse and I'll get active. But if all I have to do is choose between a red turd and a blue turd I'm going to hit up the Sonic and get back to you on that one around December.

Oh, and I'd love to see someone drop the politics and actually do something for once.

Freedom of speech should allow them to say that. Dunno what they're afraid of.

Say what you want about America, but it still isn't the kinda place where calling someone else a ni@@er is gonna win you many supporters to your cause. Even if they do support you deep down in their hearts, they'll never publicly admit to doing so. Americans can be very passive-aggressive.

There's nothing illegal about saying such a thing. There is nothing anyone else could possibly do. The constitution gives us the right to have whatever opinion of whatever we want to have it of, and it gives us the right to voice it without any threat of legal consequences.

So again I don't know what they're afraid of. A few people QQing about a naughty word?

Honestly if gas wasn't eight or nine bucks a gallon and guns were legal I would have moved to the UK ages ago.

You may wanna do a more accurate count. Right-hand drive may be the minority. If so, the Americans are the odd ones.

Again, just because there's no law against doing something doesn't make it a practical thing to do. There's no law against being a practicing homosexual but many homosexuals remain in the closet because coming out of the closet will have negative consequences for them. Think elected politicians from Bible Belt states. If they are gay, they probably ain't rushing to announce the fact. Even though there's no law that says they can't be gay. Because they know that their Bible-thumping constituents will quickly vote their ass outta office.

If a Congressman shouted out during the middle of State of Union address, "You're a ni@@er!!," it could only be because he's no longer interested in being a Congressman. You think anyone's gonna buy a First Amendment defense to that bullshit? His own party would be demanding that he resign the very next day.

 

[dreddfan]

I have a question for American's, how many of you have visited the UK?

As a Canadian, I have to say, yuck who would want to?

As a Canadian, I suggest you keep quiet.

 

[Karma168]

Wrong. Go to most any former British colony (of which there are dozens) and you'll find left-hand side driving.

Okay so my count was a bit off but it doesn't answer the original question. You lot drive on the wrong side of the road, you have the controls on the wrong side of the car, and I want to know why.[/quote]

It's safer

Safety factors
Research in 1969 by J. J. Leeming showed countries driving on the left have a lower collision rate than countries driving on the right.[29] It has been suggested this is partly because humans are more commonly right-eye dominant than left-eye dominant.In left-hand traffic, the predominantly better-performing right eye is used to monitor oncoming traffic and the driver's wing mirror. In right-hand traffic, oncoming traffic and the driver's wing mirror are handled by the predominantly weaker left eye. In addition, it has been argued that left sided driving is safer for elderly people given the likelihood of their having visual attention deficits on the left side and the need at intersections to watch out for vehicles approaching on the near-side lane.[33] Furthermore, in a RHD car with manual transmission, the driver maintains his or her right (i.e. in the majority of people, dominant) hand on the steering wheel at all times and uses their left hand to change gear.
Cyclists and horse riders typically mount from the left hand side. This places them on the kerb when driving on the left.

(taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-_and_left-hand_traffic#Left-hand_traffic)

 

[JDKJ]

Wrong. Go to most any former British colony (of which there are dozens) and you'll find left-hand side driving.

Okay so my count was a bit off but it doesn't answer the original question. You lot drive on the wrong side of the road, you have the controls on the wrong side of the car, and I want to know why.

It's safer

Safety factors
Research in 1969 by J. J. Leeming showed countries driving on the left have a lower collision rate than countries driving on the right.[29] It has been suggested this is partly because humans are more commonly right-eye dominant than left-eye dominant.In left-hand traffic, the predominantly better-performing right eye is used to monitor oncoming traffic and the driver's wing mirror. In right-hand traffic, oncoming traffic and the driver's wing mirror are handled by the predominantly weaker left eye. In addition, it has been argued that left sided driving is safer for elderly people given the likelihood of their having visual attention deficits on the left side and the need at intersections to watch out for vehicles approaching on the near-side lane.[33] Furthermore, in a RHD car with manual transmission, the driver maintains his or her right (i.e. in the majority of people, dominant) hand on the steering wheel at all times and uses their left hand to change gear.
Cyclists and horse riders typically mount from the left hand side. This places them on the kerb when driving on the left.

(taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-_and_left-hand_traffic#Left-hand_traffic)[/quote]

Good for you. I couldn't be bothered to present scientific evidence to the guy wondering why publicly calling someone else a ni@@er may not be the best move to make.

Besides, that it's better to steer with your right hand and shift gears with you left hand would probably be lost on someone from a country where more than half of all drivers don't know how to operate a standard transmission.

 

[mikev7.0]

I decided to take advantage of this opportunity.

What are Rothman's?

Is it true that fish and chips are as popular as our burgers and fries?

After being metrics schooled in another thread it begs the question: What do you call the Quarter Pounder?

What is the name of your political system since your Democracy can be influenced by your Monarchy?

Are people in the United Kingdom very politically active as a whole? In the United States 40% of our people can't name the Vice President and election turn outs are dismal. I shudder to think what would have happened in that poll if they would have asked how many people we actualy have in the Senate or something like that. (Even though that's an easy one since there are two per state.)

How much is the average Brittish person aware of/interested in Science? Here I haven't seen any polls or anything but I feel our educational system could use a boost.

What is the baseline Brittish view of the United States?

About when did video games become widely available in the U.K.?

About what percentage of the U.K. would consider themselves NOT practicing members of any organized religion?

Thanks! 80D

1. Rothman's is a cigarette

2. fish and chips are super popular most likly even more then your burgers and fries every place has fish and chips shops you can find alot one around every corner.

3. Its called parliament

4. very politically as much as people say they arn't its simply because we tend to be secretive about if we are and who we vote for we don't tend to constantly announce it we keep it a secreative affair alot will say awww i didn't vote blah blah maybe some don't but quite alot who say that just don't want to tell you its something you don't ask about, but on other hand its quite common to talk about the stat of our country and such.

5.I love science and even though im 20 i go to the pub weekly and sometimes over a quiet pint in past we have talked about science and such things and our educational system is really good is it one of the best i'd say no but it is one that you need it could be improved but it does a good job and achieves its goal.

6. war hungry, like to contradict themselfs, quick to jump on bandwagens, fat, lazy, think they are the most powerful thing out there and think they are law of the world.

7. i'm not to sure but from hearing stories from my dad it was mid maybe later 80s around when NES came out.

8. i think it would be around 45% or so there are quite alot not part of religion but it is also a very important part of UK as a whole.

Thanks very much! As I thought we need to work on our image, I hope most of you realize that we are not all like that. I don't even believe the majority of us are. Good to hear that about Politics, Education and Science! If we had conversations like that in pubs here I might actually drink more than about twice a year!

 

[JDKJ]

It's safer

Thank you. That's all I wanted to know. Though, I do disagree with regards to changing gear, as with how numb modern power steering systems are you can steer a car by blowing on the wheel. If one's left hand isn't able to keep the wheel in position for half a second one probably needs to get it looked at. And buy an automatic. I've certainly never had trouble keeping my wheel pointed right with my left arm, but that may be because I drive with my left arm anyways due to the interior layout I'm presented with.

You may wanna do a more accurate count. Right-hand drive may be the minority. If so, the Americans are the odd ones.

Let's see how many countries I can name that drive on the right:

US
Canada
Mexico
All of Europe except the British islands
All of Africa
All of South America
All of Asia except for Japan(Wouldn't mind asking them why they drive on the wrong side of the road as well)
Russia

...Yeah. You guys drive on the wrong side of the road. 3/4 of the world's population drives on the right, wheel on the left of the car. Or at least they're supposed to.

Again, just because there's no law against doing something doesn't make it a practical thing to do. There's no law against being a practicing homosexual but many homosexuals remain in the closet because coming out of the closet will have negative consequences for them.

Still don't see why they should be afraid of a few people QQing. Big deal. Someone doens't like an opinion.

Think elected politicians from Bible Belt states. If they are gay, they probably ain't rushing to announce the fact. Even though there's no law that says they can't be gay. Because they know that their Bible-thumping constituents will quickly vote their ass outta office.

And rightfully so. They shouldn't be lying to their constituents just to get elected to an office that pays them from those constituents' tax money! I've got nothing against gays but I'd vote their ass right out too on that standpoint.

"All of Africa," my ass. I've driven in South Africa and it was on the left-hand side. Kenya is also a left-hand drive country. From where are you getting your facts? The Almanac of Bullshit Facts?

 

[megajon]

I decided to take advantage of this opportunity.

What are Rothman's?

Is it true that fish and chips are as popular as our burgers and fries?

After being metrics schooled in another thread it begs the question: What do you call the Quarter Pounder?

What is the name of your political system since your Democracy can be influenced by your Monarchy?

Are people in the United Kingdom very politically active as a whole? In the United States 40% of our people can't name the Vice President and election turn outs are dismal. I shudder to think what would have happened in that poll if they would have asked how many people we actualy have in the Senate or something like that. (Even though that's an easy one since there are two per state.)

How much is the average Brittish person aware of/interested in Science? Here I haven't seen any polls or anything but I feel our educational system could use a boost.

What is the baseline Brittish view of the United States?

About when did video games become widely available in the U.K.?

About what percentage of the U.K. would consider themselves NOT practicing members of any organized religion?

Thanks! 80D

1. Rothman's is a cigarette

2. fish and chips are super popular most likly even more then your burgers and fries every place has fish and chips shops you can find alot one around every corner.

3. Its called parliament

4. very politically as much as people say they arn't its simply because we tend to be secretive about if we are and who we vote for we don't tend to constantly announce it we keep it a secreative affair alot will say awww i didn't vote blah blah maybe some don't but quite alot who say that just don't want to tell you its something you don't ask about, but on other hand its quite common to talk about the stat of our country and such.

5.I love science and even though im 20 i go to the pub weekly and sometimes over a quiet pint in past we have talked about science and such things and our educational system is really good is it one of the best i'd say no but it is one that you need it could be improved but it does a good job and achieves its goal.

6. war hungry, like to contradict themselfs, quick to jump on bandwagens, fat, lazy, think they are the most powerful thing out there and think they are law of the world.

7. i'm not to sure but from hearing stories from my dad it was mid maybe later 80s around when NES came out.

8. i think it would be around 45% or so there are quite alot not part of religion but it is also a very important part of UK as a whole.

Thanks very much! As I thought we need to work on our image, I hope most of you realize that we are not all like that. I don't even believe the majority of us are. Good to hear that about Politics, Education and Science! If we had conversations like that in pubs here I might actually drink more than about twice a year!

lol yea in a big way image work is needed but even we know not every american is like that but its just the group image you get, past history though some are still like that some have gone hahah ww2 we save you and stuff which is true and untrue in some ways but i digress. Its one of them things that happens alot here i suggested it with my friend just a weekly pint in a pub and we done it since and have more people we just sit in a quiet local pub and have a couple of pints its all about relaxing and not getting drunk not to say we don't go out to clubs and get wasted but it good to do everyonce in a while, when your in a quiet place relaxing you can talk about anything and feel good thinks just jump in your mind and then your away topics come and go some debates may start but always quiet and laughed off.

 

[JDKJ]

It's safer

Thank you. That's all I wanted to know. Though, I do disagree with regards to changing gear, as with how numb modern power steering systems are you can steer a car by blowing on the wheel. If one's left hand isn't able to keep the wheel in position for half a second one probably needs to get it looked at. And buy an automatic. I've certainly never had trouble keeping my wheel pointed right with my left arm, but that may be because I drive with my left arm anyways due to the interior layout I'm presented with.

You may wanna do a more accurate count. Right-hand drive may be the minority. If so, the Americans are the odd ones.

Let's see how many countries I can name that drive on the right:

US
Canada
Mexico
All of Europe except the British islands
All of Africa
All of South America
All of Asia except for Japan(Wouldn't mind asking them why they drive on the wrong side of the road as well)
Russia

...Yeah. You guys drive on the wrong side of the road. 3/4 of the world's population drives on the right, wheel on the left of the car. Or at least they're supposed to.

Again, just because there's no law against doing something doesn't make it a practical thing to do. There's no law against being a practicing homosexual but many homosexuals remain in the closet because coming out of the closet will have negative consequences for them.

Still don't see why they should be afraid of a few people QQing. Big deal. Someone doens't like an opinion.

Think elected politicians from Bible Belt states. If they are gay, they probably ain't rushing to announce the fact. Even though there's no law that says they can't be gay. Because they know that their Bible-thumping constituents will quickly vote their ass outta office.

And rightfully so. They shouldn't be lying to their constituents just to get elected to an office that pays them from those constituents' tax money! I've got nothing against gays but I'd vote their ass right out too on that standpoint.

"All of Africa," my ass. I've driven in South Africa and it was on the left-hand side. Kenya is also a left-hand drive country. "All of South America," my ass. Not British Guyana or Suriname. Both are left-hand drive countries. Thailand's in Asia and it's a left-hand drive country. From where are you getting your facts? The Almanac of Bullshit Facts?

 

[JDKJ]

It's safer

Thank you. That's all I wanted to know. Though, I do disagree with regards to changing gear, as with how numb modern power steering systems are you can steer a car by blowing on the wheel. If one's left hand isn't able to keep the wheel in position for half a second one probably needs to get it looked at. And buy an automatic. I've certainly never had trouble keeping my wheel pointed right with my left arm, but that may be because I drive with my left arm anyways due to the interior layout I'm presented with.

You may wanna do a more accurate count. Right-hand drive may be the minority. If so, the Americans are the odd ones.

Let's see how many countries I can name that drive on the right:

US
Canada
Mexico
All of Europe except the British islands
All of Africa
All of South America
All of Asia except for Japan(Wouldn't mind asking them why they drive on the wrong side of the road as well)
Russia

...Yeah. You guys drive on the wrong side of the road. 3/4 of the world's population drives on the right, wheel on the left of the car. Or at least they're supposed to.

Again, just because there's no law against doing something doesn't make it a practical thing to do. There's no law against being a practicing homosexual but many homosexuals remain in the closet because coming out of the closet will have negative consequences for them.

Still don't see why they should be afraid of a few people QQing. Big deal. Someone doens't like an opinion.

Think elected politicians from Bible Belt states. If they are gay, they probably ain't rushing to announce the fact. Even though there's no law that says they can't be gay. Because they know that their Bible-thumping constituents will quickly vote their ass outta office.

And rightfully so. They shouldn't be lying to their constituents just to get elected to an office that pays them from those constituents' tax money! I've got nothing against gays but I'd vote their ass right out too on that standpoint.

"All of Africa," my ass. I've driven in South Africa and it was on the left-hand side. From where are you getting your facts? The Almanac of Bullshit Facts?

I have another question.

Are all Britons pedantic and rude? Because that's the vibe I'm getting from you. I'd like to believe they're for the most part nice people but you're making it awful hard.

Do all Americans make up facts and expect others to be dumb enough to swallow them unthinkingly? When you get to acting like I ain't got no sense and I'm a sucker is when you bring out the rude in me. I guess I could just go, "liar, liar, pants on fire" but that's childish and I''d rather be rude than childish.

 

[Merkavar]

does the UK have a south. like with racist, imbred, overly religious people?

 

[megajon]

It's safer

Thank you. That's all I wanted to know. Though, I do disagree with regards to changing gear, as with how numb modern power steering systems are you can steer a car by blowing on the wheel. If one's left hand isn't able to keep the wheel in position for half a second one probably needs to get it looked at. And buy an automatic. I've certainly never had trouble keeping my wheel pointed right with my left arm, but that may be because I drive with my left arm anyways due to the interior layout I'm presented with.

You may wanna do a more accurate count. Right-hand drive may be the minority. If so, the Americans are the odd ones.

Let's see how many countries I can name that drive on the right:

US
Canada
Mexico
All of Europe except the British islands
All of Africa
All of South America
All of Asia except for Japan(Wouldn't mind asking them why they drive on the wrong side of the road as well)
Russia

...Yeah. You guys drive on the wrong side of the road. 3/4 of the world's population drives on the right, wheel on the left of the car. Or at least they're supposed to.

Again, just because there's no law against doing something doesn't make it a practical thing to do. There's no law against being a practicing homosexual but many homosexuals remain in the closet because coming out of the closet will have negative consequences for them.

Still don't see why they should be afraid of a few people QQing. Big deal. Someone doens't like an opinion.

Think elected politicians from Bible Belt states. If they are gay, they probably ain't rushing to announce the fact. Even though there's no law that says they can't be gay. Because they know that their Bible-thumping constituents will quickly vote their ass outta office.

And rightfully so. They shouldn't be lying to their constituents just to get elected to an office that pays them from those constituents' tax money! I've got nothing against gays but I'd vote their ass right out too on that standpoint.

"All of Africa," my ass. I've driven in South Africa and it was on the left-hand side. From where are you getting your facts? The Almanac of Bullshit Facts?

I have another question.

Are all Britons pedantic and rude? Because that's the vibe I'm getting from you. I'd like to believe they're for the most part nice people but you're making it awful hard.

your right most countries do drive on the right more so the left but in the past most countries actually drove on the left and so did quite alot of america but most adopted right after finland changed theres. you are though also wrong about some places like you said all of africa thats actually wrong i give you a link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Countries_driving_on_the_left_or_right.svg this explains it all red are right and left are blue. also i am english most of us don't seem like assholes.

 

[mikev7.0]

I decided to take advantage of this opportunity.

What are Rothman's?

Is it true that fish and chips are as popular as our burgers and fries?

After being metrics schooled in another thread it begs the question: What do you call the Quarter Pounder?

What is the name of your political system since your Democracy can be influenced by your Monarchy?

Are people in the United Kingdom very politically active as a whole? In the United States 40% of our people can't name the Vice President and election turn outs are dismal. I shudder to think what would have happened in that poll if they would have asked how many people we actualy have in the Senate or something like that. (Even though that's an easy one since there are two per state.)

How much is the average Brittish person aware of/interested in Science? Here I haven't seen any polls or anything but I feel our educational system could use a boost.

What is the baseline Brittish view of the United States?

About when did video games become widely available in the U.K.?

About what percentage of the U.K. would consider themselves NOT practicing members of any organized religion?

Thanks! 80D

1. Rothman's is a cigarette

2. fish and chips are super popular most likly even more then your burgers and fries every place has fish and chips shops you can find alot one around every corner.

3. Its called parliament

4. very politically as much as people say they arn't its simply because we tend to be secretive about if we are and who we vote for we don't tend to constantly announce it we keep it a secreative affair alot will say awww i didn't vote blah blah maybe some don't but quite alot who say that just don't want to tell you its something you don't ask about, but on other hand its quite common to talk about the stat of our country and such.

5.I love science and even though im 20 i go to the pub weekly and sometimes over a quiet pint in past we have talked about science and such things and our educational system is really good is it one of the best i'd say no but it is one that you need it could be improved but it does a good job and achieves its goal.

6. war hungry, like to contradict themselfs, quick to jump on bandwagens, fat, lazy, think they are the most powerful thing out there and think they are law of the world.

7. i'm not to sure but from hearing stories from my dad it was mid maybe later 80s around when NES came out.

8. i think it would be around 45% or so there are quite alot not part of religion but it is also a very important part of UK as a whole.

Thanks very much! As I thought we need to work on our image, I hope most of you realize that we are not all like that. I don't even believe the majority of us are. Good to hear that about Politics, Education and Science! If we had conversations like that in pubs here I might actually drink more than about twice a year!

lol yea in a big way image work is needed but even we know not every american is like that but its just the group image you get, past history though some are still like that some have gone hahah ww2 we save you and stuff which is true and untrue in some ways but i digress. Its one of them things that happens alot here i suggested it with my friend just a weekly pint in a pub and we done it since and have more people we just sit in a quiet local pub and have a couple of pints its all about relaxing and not getting drunk not to say we don't go out to clubs and get wasted but it good to do everyonce in a while, when your in a quiet place relaxing you can talk about anything and feel good thinks just jump in your mind and then your away topics come and go some debates may start but always quiet and laughed off.

The tragedy is that most of the world views us through our Celebrities and Politicians and their lives are far removed from most of ours and they are not truly representative of us in my opinion.

I have always seen WWII as an Allied effort. I think everyone did the best that they could in a very bad situation. If anything I don't think Russia gets enough credit.

I really wish we more politically like the U.K. in that you don't really talk about it openly but you DO care about what's happening. An' we STILL need one of those pubs! 80D

 

[mikev7.0]

I have a question for American's, how many of you have visited the UK?

I have not, but I hope to someday.

I have a question: What do British folk call:

[image=http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/lays-potato-chips-regular.jpg]

Your image is kind of broken for me, but upon entering the image URL directly; we call them 'crisps'.



My question from the UK to people in the USA;
Not sure if it's been asked here before or if it's changes recently, but what is some Americans' problem with public healthcare and calling things 'communist' or 'fascist' as a kind of knee-jerk reaction to anything (which rarely relates in any way to what communism or fascism actally is)?


EDIT;

Also how do I post a picture? It's relevant to a question.

[ img ] [ /img ]
Use those tags without spaces, and but the image url in between them. Like this (You can see it through a quote);

Our problem with calling things Communist or Fascist has to do mostly with our media. Our two sides love to use extreme and shocking words (true or not) to make the other side look as undesirable as possible. Both sides are guilty of this. (Consider our movies. More shock value than actual content. For example count the swear words. Pretty soon though that's going to bow to the law of diminishing returns.)

Most of us also do not have a problem with public healthcare. The rich however (who make a great deal of money from the current system) have a big problem with it. The real problem is that they can not see the mounting logical support behind the theory that it's just going to cost them more in the long run anyway. The old guard is stubborn and they have lots of fighting cash. The progresive side of the arguement? Not so much.

 

[BodomBeachChild]

I have a question for the Brits. It's sorta random, but I gotta know. I have heard through out the food industry British food is god aweful bland. Every chef I've met or person who has visited said it's just bland, especially pastries. Is it true and is there a specific reason? and is that way Indian food and whatnot is super popular there? lol

 

[Nyquisted]

Also, a question for you americans, do you acknowledge that we are your ancestors?

Nope my ancestors are the Russian, Polish, Czechoslovakians, and the Hungarian. I don't have any ounce of British blood in my veins.

My question: what in the hell is Marmite and why do people in the UK go batshit for it?

Hmm, your question seems to have been overlooked.
Marmite is a yeast-based savoury spread which is pretty well known in Britain.
It has a powerful smell and taste, probably best described as salty.

However, I wouldn't say we're all crazy for it.
Marmite's official marketing slogan is 'Love It or Hate It', and it's been the butt of a few jokes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am6fco14Gi0

Personally I find it repulsive, but I do know a few people who like it.

As to why it's so well known, I think because it's quintessentially British; i.e. odd.

 

[JDKJ]

Do all Americans make up facts and expect others to be dumb enough to swallow them unthinkingly? When you get to acting like I ain't got no sense and I'm a sucker is when you bring out the rude in me. I guess I could just go, "liar, liar, pants on fire" but that's childish and I''d rather be rude than childish.

So I guess that's a yes then? Damn. Here I was thinking Britain was full of nice people. But I guess since it's just full of assholes I have no reason to visit.


Way to make your whole country look bad, bro. But hey, I guess simply saying "Well here's a safety study as to why we drive on the left", you know just like that other guy that answered my original question, is too difficult when you can go off on a tangent and be a complete arse. I genuinely hope you're proud of yourself.

Lastly, we have nothing further to discuss, so if you would, please kindly stop quoting me and leave it be. I'll certainly be ignoring every post you make.

Actually, I'm a former British colonist living in the States. There's a chance you'll run into me at your local Starbucks or mall. I'll look out for you. You'll be easy to spot. You'll be the one pullin' fake facts outta your ass.

 

[DocMcCray]

Do all Americans make up facts and expect others to be dumb enough to swallow them unthinkingly? When you get to acting like I ain't got no sense and I'm a sucker is when you bring out the rude in me. I guess I could just go, "liar, liar, pants on fire" but that's childish and I''d rather be rude than childish.

Sorry about the sloppy edit job.

To answer your question, it is a very, very vocal majority who take the whole freedom of speech thing way too literally. There is usually not a whole lot of emphasis on fact-finding and so many times do like to either make up facts or quote something they've "seen or heard" as fact without checking to see if there is any truth to it.

Plus, god forbid these screeching monkeys ever admit to being wrong. Even if proven beyond a shadow of a doubt.

I read through an interview with Larry Flynt (creator of Hustler magazine and major free speech advocate) and he mentioning rather profound. In short, he said that freedom of speech isn't meant for those that agree with you, it's meant for those that disagree with you. Meaning you can't stifle those you disagree with. But conversely, you don't have to agree with them either.

I do believe the US has a higher ratio of people who create false statics and expect people to believe them. Hell, they get on cable news shows as "experts" all the time. But that isn't to say we don't have those who aren't willing to have civilized discussions.

 

[mikev7.0]

About when did video games become widely available in the U.K.?

... Since when was the UK on Mars? The same time as the rest of the world.

So in the 70's then when Nolan Bushnell invented pong? You had Atari then? Commodore and Texas Instruments were companies from the States. Who made your first computers or did you import them from here? That's why I ask because whenever I've heard people who say they are from the U.K. talk about it it seems to have started in the late 80's which here was the video game renaissance.

To the best of my knowledge the world no more started gaming at the same time than they started with home computers at the same time. Both began in the States. First with the military, then the census bearau, then the Advanced Research Projects Agency, then Apple and Microsoft got involved and BOOM! I'm paraphrasing of course but these events and projects were not globally simultaneous.

 

[MikailCaboose]

A slight question, though this works for Canada too.
What do you think when you hear "z" pronounced like "zee" and not "zed"?