Observations From Across the Pond

A list of things I’ve noticed whilst living in the States.

I will no doubt update this list over the coming months, but here are some initial observations from my time spent in the States so far:

  • Everybody is incredibly friendly.
  • The ground floor is called the first floor. Whilst I can understand the reasoning, it has caused a little confusion at times.
  • Information on the back of pharmaceuticals has a standardised layout. What a good idea!
  • Talking about good ideas, the system of dividing a neighbourhood into blocks is just brilliant!
  • The trains run on time and to schedule, certainly from what small experience I’ve had so far.
  • In San Francisco, the in-store music gets turned up a notch whenever a George Michael song plays!

In terms of television:

  • Jimmy Carr is on the television here too. Is there no escaping the man?
  • So is Harry Enfield  —  all be it advertising cheeseburgers for Burger King. How the mighty fall.
  • They have the Antiques Road show here too, and in primetime!
  • Every poor celebrity reality TV show you can think of that airs in the UK has its respective version over here. The celebrities are just as Z-list as they are in the UK.
  • To be a female news anchor you need to sound like a man (or at least deepen your voice)
  • I no longer have any idea what’s happening in the rest of the world. However I do have more than enough information about the weather and all criminal activity in the entire Bay Area.

Need I say more about how I have been spending my evenings so far…

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Remarks

"Everybody is incredibly friendly."

Wait a tic...you said you are living in San Francisco, right?

/ME looks around nervously, then runs

;-)

Andrew Hamann's Gravatar Andrew Hamann 20 Feb 2006
11:39 PM

Actually I'm living in Palo Alto, which is about 30 miles south of San Francisco. Okay, so perhaps not in San Francisco then, but certainly everybody I've met or spoken to around here has been incredibly friendly and helpful. Oh, and of course having a British accent helps no end (though not always).

Paul's Gravatar Paul 21 Feb 2006
2:44 AM

Hi ya matey,

Glad to hear that everythings going so well out there. Do you get Harry Hills TV Burp or are you being deprived? Any good TV shows we should be watching out for over here (obviously in about 2 years time!).

Oh ye, and the rest of the world did sink below the waves but thats all sorted now. ;)

Nash's Gravatar Nash 21 Feb 2006
1:36 PM

Have you used the famous line......cause Im from London an Iiiiii, yet?

If so, how do the San Franciscans take it?

Lewis Burden's Gravatar Lewis Burden 21 Feb 2006
2:20 PM

Paul,
You forgot to mention the most important thing of all, The bloody gap in the toilet door! I've lived here for 2 and half years now and I still haven't figured out what its about. I've even seen places where there has been NO toilet door at all! Perhaps I shall take you there if we meet up.

Phill Devey's Gravatar Phill Devey 21 Feb 2006
10:05 PM

Dude, when are you going to send me the new Mac you promised. They're ready to ship apparently!

Jon Roobottom's Gravatar Jon Roobottom 22 Feb 2006
10:41 PM

Truthfully, everyone is being so nice to Paul because we yanks love British accents. :)

Athena's Gravatar Athena 2 Mar 2006
1:50 AM