cultureUS

The United Kingdom, famous for it's Royal Family and bad weather; and the United States of America, the powerful nation and home of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich :)
Despite speaking the same language, and being the closest of friends, there are many differences between the two countries, some obvious, some more subtle, but its a good thing to know if you are planning to visit either one for the first time! :)
This page is intended as a bit of fun but also as information for anyone planning a trip/move to avoid what could turn into an embarassing situation (or having the fun poked out of you!:)!!)

A lot of the sizes that you are used to in the UK are not the same in the US (and obviously vice- versa), ring sizes, clothes, and even shoes are measured using different scales and letters/numbers! It is probably a good idea to know your equivalent size before you are over there to carry around with you on a piece ofpaper!

Fortunatly many websites have suitable conversion charts!

For shoes, and many other conversions try: www.onlineconversion.com

Another well documented difference lies within the laws of the two countries!

Firstly, a law which tends to be quite painful for a Brit travelling to the States is the fact that you have to be 21 to drink, and18 to smoke! Don't think you can get over there and get away with being underage like you could in this country, nearly every restaurant, liquor store, bar, club WITHOUT EXCEPTION holds a policy to I.D everyone attempting to purchase alcohol who looks under 30! So even if u are over 18/21 be sure to carry a recognised form of I.D (suchas driver's licence or passport with you at all times) And if you have no I.D you don't get served! Some places even I.D those accompanying over 21's to eliminate the possibility of someone buying for a minor (although this is less stringently practised).

However for you lucky Americans it is only16 to smoke and 18 to drink legally and enter clubs over here! :) wahey !

Another difference is that owning a gun in America is legal and most Police and Security Guards carry them at all times and many supermarkets actually sell them.Coming from an environment where guns are almost completely outlawed this can be very strange and shocking at first, so be prepared. Alternatively, Americans, unless you want to be deported on arrival, do not pack a gun or any other weapon in your suitcase on your visit to the U.K!!

But there are some great differences too, such as the wide variety of food, drinks, shops, restaurants, etc that are available in each. Meaning that a visit to the other culture allows you to feel at ease in a same speaking country, but experience new tastes and styles!
It's quite a big part of what makes dating someone from another culture so continuosly new and exciting, and always provides great discussion and laughter! :)