English Life
For those visitors to this web site who are unfamiliar with England, here are a few observations, facts and pointers about the country where I reside. They exist on this page in no particular order.
In English supermarkets bottled water is more expensive than milk.
Don't buy a car in England. Go abroad and buy the same vehicle at a fraction of the cost.
For the most part the police don't carry firearms. Yet.
A licence is required by law to recieve television programs.
It is perfectly legal for the government to levy tax on the tax component of something that has already been taxed.
The National Health Service is the biggest employer in Europe.
87% of the cost of petrol is the tax component.
The population of England are not citizens, but subjects of the Crown.
In general, women retire at the age of 60, and men at 65.
In Government, elected officials (Members of Parliament) are not required, in the least, to reflect the views of the people who voted them into power.
A national census is carried out every 10 years - the next one is in 2001.
In England we drive on the left.
Although Viagra was first formulated in England, the National Health Service cannot prescribe it, due to cost resrictions.
There are 5 national television channels - BBC 1, BBC 2, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
For hetrosexuals the age of sexual consent is 16, and marriage is legal at the age of 16.
For homosexuals the age of sexual consent is 18. Single gender homosexual marriage is not legal.
The minimum age for entry into the army is 16.
Voting in elections can be exercised from the age of 18.
The English flag is a red cross on a white background.
Fox and deer hunting are still legal in this country.
Money follows the decimal system. There are 100 pence to the pound.
As of November 2001 the English ten pound note has a portrait of Charles Darwin on it.
The largest bank note denomination in general circulation in England is the 50 pound note.
There is a twice weekly national lottery.
Lottery tickets can only be purchased by people over the age of 16.
Fish and chips are still very popular. And can be purchased at Fish and Chip shops.
95% of all primary school teachers are women.
Children are legally required to receive education between the ages of 4 and 16.
Race and gender prejudice are illegal. Age prejudice is legal.
In general, condoms are sold in packets of 3.
The recreational use of cannabis is illegal in this country.
The medicinal use of cannabis is illegal in this country.
Prostitution is illegal in this country.
The standard, access to, and level of treament by the National Health Service depends on your location. Sometimes, the side of the road on which you live can determine the treatment that you recieve.
There is no death sentence in this country.
Traffic flows really, really, really slowly in major cities. If you are lucky.
There is a flourishing trade in illegally imported alcohol and tobacco goods, which is due to progressive heavy taxation by successive governments.
Pornography is illegal in this country.
If you are visiting this country, try the soft drink 'dandelion and burdock' - it is very nice.