biggish data

Amazon & UK Treats

Pickled onion Monster Munch is the best!

Bangers = sausages (proper sausages). My preference is to grill them, mm.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2011-12-15 13:46:00

What do you say when Americans tell you they are Scottish?

Haha, it's so true!

It's interesting to watch census maps change over time - for example, the number of people claiming to be of Irish descent has SHOT up over the past few years - and it can't simply all be due to a lot of new babies being born! Meanwhile the numbers claiming to be of English descent have drastically decreased...

I've known quite a few Americans who 'pick and choose' their heritage. For example, I have a friend who strongly associates himself with Ireland. I recently found out that only one great-grandparent of his was actually Irish; the rest were German, but the 88.5% of him that is German is 'abandoned' in favour of the Irish part.

Edited by Alex & Rachel, 02 December 2011 - 03:25 PM.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2011-12-02 15:23:00

What do you say when Americans tell you they are Scottish?

OMG!

I showed the image to Alex and it just raised his voice about two octaves :lol:

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2011-12-02 00:48:00

What do you say when Americans tell you they are Scottish?

Thankfully no, where I live I actually meet very few born-and-bred Americans; most people are immigrants, and so in the same boat as me!

Usually the only question I get is where in England I am from, and this is only asked either by a) other English people or b) someone who has recently visited England!

But I have come across people like this online, and what I've found is that people nearly always claim to be descendants of famous people who don't actually have any living descendants! :lol:

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2011-11-14 14:56:00

'The Move'

I used http://www.excess-baggage.co.uk , but having read most of the moving thread, it really seems as if many companies are competent and in the end it really comes down to personal preference! You might also be restricted if certain companies don't service your area. You might also like to get a few quotes from several companies first.

With regards to transferring money, I've kept a UK account I could use easily online (Smile); if I receive a check in the UK my parents are able to deposit it at the Post Office. I use paypal to transfer money between my UK and US bank accounts; the exchange rates are reasonable and the transfer fees low.

I like to keep a current UK credit card and I use this for when I visit the UK. I've been paying off the charges I incurred on it this summer - setting up a repayment plan through paypal I pay $1.50 to transfer $300 or $3 to transfer $600 - not bad!

Edited by Alex & Rachel, 29 November 2011 - 10:55 AM.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2011-11-29 10:55:00

'The Move'

I was surprised at how smoothly everything went (if you haven't already used the services of a professional moving company, I highly recommend it; they took care of all customs paperwork and it was a lot cheaper than I had imagined!), but one thing I did forget to do was cancel my cell phone service well in advance. I sent the letter off (they usually require 30 days' warning) before I left, but what I hadn't anticipated was there was a piece of information I left off the letter - it took three more months and my parents having to forward mail from the UK to get everything properly sorted!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2011-11-27 16:53:00

Living in UK or USA - second thoughts

I'm with Brother Hesekial - I have never regretted moving to California! Well, almost never. When any family member is ill or needs my support then I do wish I was back home, but they are the only thing I truly miss about England.

But, that's just MY experience; of course everyone has different criteria for what constitutes the ideal place to live, and I've also been luckier than most in having very close and supportive in-laws.

Unfortunately, the only real way to know is to try both countries for a while! But, as jingo says, that's not easy to do - unless you can wait out the three years it'll take to become a US citizen.

Job prospects were certainly a huge consideration at the time (I didn't realise how much I minded the English weather until I moved to a sunny country

), and certainly I'm earning far more here than I ever had any hope of earning in the UK.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2011-12-14 10:32:00

That is quite the post! Yes, I have experienced difficulties with pear-shaped, to ring someone (I still make this mistake) (also, 'get a lift') and moreish (such a perfect word, IMO).

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-01-23 18:46:00

Kelly - I'm sensing a theme, there :star:

Yeah, in the UK we have multiple uses for words like pissed (can mean both drunk or angry)... there's another, too, but it escapes me!

I'm shattered = I'm exhausted

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-01-12 21:28:00

I forgot clothes!

Jumper - sweater
Trainers - sneakers

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-01-12 16:35:00

I hadn't even noticed that one, Nich! But now you point it out...

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-01-12 15:34:00

Off the top of my head:

UK - US

Time-related:
Fortnight - no direct equivalent, but you be paid bi-weekly, which is the same thing.

Half past - get out of this habit! Better to say 'it's seven thirty', as you may be misunderstood if you say it's 'half-seven'

Car-related:
Lorry - Semi
Motorway - highway/freeway
Bonnet - hood
Boot - trunk

Miscellaneous:
Tap - faucet
Pavement - sidewalk (this I actually like!)
Lift - elevator
Flat - apartment
Terraced house - townhouse
Mobile - cell phone

Food:
Aubergine - eggplant
Coriander - cilantro
Courgette - zucchini

Babies:
Buggy - stroller
Cot - crib
Travel cot - pack 'n' play
Nappies - diapers
Dummy - pacifier

Other things to be aware of:

Most people are aware of the ou/o spelling difference (colour, etc.) but others are:

The double l vs. single l - i.e. travelled/traveled, cancelled/canceled
The s vs. z - i.e. apologise/apologize
Cheque vs. check
t vs. ed, etc. - i.e. dreamt/dreamed, whilst/while (and be prepared to be called pretentious if you insist on the former!)

Edited by Alex & Rachel, 12 January 2012 - 12:42 PM.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-01-12 12:41:00

Haha, rub it in, why don't you!

I work for a small company - that's part of the problem. If I go on holiday, there's no one to really take over my duties. For my maternity leave, my boss's sister is going to have to fill in. I'm a little afraid of how the big boss is going to view it! (My immediate boss is cool with it, but her superiors are old-fashioned men who are still dubious of women in the workforce).

Medical benefits for small businesses are also never as good, as it's a much greater cost to the companies to insure their employees.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-01-03 12:09:00

I experienced my idealized version of the UK... but it was only because I was on holiday there! I've been trying to remember really hard how I felt when I actually *lived* there.

Fantastic photos, Scott! Aah, it's been years since I was last in Scotland.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2011-09-19 13:50:00

Better than McVities?! Blasphemy!

Hehe. I'd be willing to give them a try! Unfortunately it doesn't look as if there are any Aldi stores within a couple of hundred miles of me!

(It's probably a good thing for my waistline that so many delicious British desserts and chocolates aren't available in the US).

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2011-09-14 13:18:00

If you have a CostPlus World Market near you, they sell Malteasers and Flakes, and I think Crunchies too! And they'll be a little cheaper than most British stores.

Now, next we need to get shops to start stocking Wispas and Jaffa Cakes...

I was scared to pay with cash for months upon first arriving in the US, because I nearly always forgot about adding tax.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2011-09-14 12:31:00

I travelled! Now my entire annual holiday gets used up in visiting the UK, which I don't mind, of course, but it does mean I can't go anywhere else!

I borrowed time off to spend two weeks visiting my family this past summer - and what with friends, grandparents, aunts and uncles and immediate family, I barely had enough time in which to see everyone!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2011-09-14 09:47:00

I've been missing family and friends particularly lately so I went onto UK-Yankee to read up on what Americans there miss about the US - instead I ended up reading the threads listing all the things people love about the UK! :bonk:

I can't believe I forgot to mention what is probably my second biggest gripe - vacation policies! And I miss the more relaxed attitude towards work in the UK in general. I work more hours in the US, but am no more productive. I've seen people get very, very stressed here over really quite trivial things - so many people really do 'live to work' here! Frantic 4 am meetings called for... well, no reason, really.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2011-09-13 10:50:00

Edit: Duplicate post!

Edited by Alex & Rachel, 06 September 2011 - 10:44 AM.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2011-09-06 10:44:00

Thank you! I shall!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2011-09-06 10:44:00

I recently went back to England and didn't realise I'd missed it so much! I had an absolutely amazing two weeks and was dreading coming back.

But then, in those two weeks I had: caught up with all of my family, walked the dogs every day, had two weeks of cool sunshine (as opposed to searing California heat), seen my friends nearly every day, attended a wedding, and visited a lot of local historical sites.

If I LIVED back in England, I know it'd be a very different matter... I'd be missing the sunshine, I'd be grumbling about my low-paying job, I wouldn't be seeing my family and friends so often - and if I did, they'd eventually drive me insane!, and I'd have to do all of the boring things I do here in California - housework, laundry, worrying about bills and having to go to work every week day.

So... I don't wish I was back in the UK, but I sometimes think I do.

One thing I do like about where I live is that virtually everybody here is an immigrant. I think my in-laws and my ex-landlords (family friends) are the only families I know who are native to San Jose. So I've not come across anyone particularly annoyingly patriotic and I don't stick out as the 'foreigner'. In fact, most people are far better travelled than me, and I've learned a lot about a variety of different cultures.

However, I agree with everyone here re. medical costs. If I moved back to the UK for ANY reason, that would be it! I'm actually expecting right now and I think if I wasn't the main earner I'd be on the first plane back home (being near family for this period would also be a bonus). Fortunately I have decent medical insurance, so the costs shouldn't be more than $8,000 (our deductible)... although that is still going to take a while to pay off! It seems ridiculous that it should cost $800 a month to insure two healthy adults in their 20s - Alex and I rarely have to see the doctor more than once a year. Oh, and in my experience so far, both waiting times and bedside manners have been far better in the NHS!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2011-09-06 10:04:00

I got some beautiful plates/glasses from TJ/TK Maxx (the glasses were actually from TK Maxx in the UK, when I used to work in one of their stores, and they survived the transatlantic crossing!), but as for searching through their clothes... no way!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-02-20 01:16:00

You know you can buy clothes from the US portal of Next and the Top Shop right? I've bought a few things from the US side of Next. Being a rather slim and tall individual, UK sizes fit better.

It'd be better if Top Shop prices weren't just doubled and then a $ sign parked on the front! Sites like ASOS have a much better exchange ratio.

There seems to be a real stigma here attached to having large boobs - if anyone claims to be above a D cup, they're either assumed to be boasting or obese (not entirely my own observation; I've had a few American women tell me this). I know at least three women who clearly have much larger busts than me who claim to only be a D-cup... I'm just afraid they're squeezing into far too small bras! I've given up even trying to find bras here; I just budget $200 for bras on my trips back to the UK and buy a year's supply at once.

As for men's clothes... I feel sorry for any slim men in the US! Pretty much all of Alex's clothes from Japanese and Korean stores.

ceresa - ASOS is pretty fabulous, they carry an enormous selection, have very frequent sales, and have a good return policy (necessary as they're an online store, so you can't try things on except by buying first). I have had the occasional problem in the past, but they've always resolved things pretty quickly.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-02-17 02:57:00

The whole 'huge waist' has to stop!

I'm not THAT hourglass-y, and I wouldn't say my waist is tiny, but... I have tried on dresses where the waist is actually bigger than the bust. And last year I ordered a dress from ASOS - looked beautiful on the screen - and it was tight across the shoulders, about 5 inches too small in the v-neck bust, far too tight in the hips and yet... I managed to do the waist up. I should've taken a photo of it just to show how ridiculous it looked!

It says something that I'm pregnant, with a reasonably large bump, and can still squeeze into some non-maternity clothes...

The best fit I have had comes from two vintage 40s dresses my vintage-mad friend found for me.

She's actually a petite and curvy lady herself, and pretty much her entire wardrobe is vintage; from the 30s to the 70s.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-02-16 18:37:00

Fair enough! I certainly know how tricky it is to find clothes - even for taller ladies - that accommodate curves. That dress would have actually fit a short, curvy lady (it was just a matter of the length being too short on me), but certainly not all the clothes are like that.

I loooove this article on women's clothing: http://www.cracked.c...womens-clothes/

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-02-16 18:30:00

Honey Crumpet - I'm quite surprised, seeing as you're in California! I live in San Jose and it seems so many of the local clothing stores cater to the petite crowd. There are a huge number of quite short and slender Asian ladies here - I feel like an absolute giant at times (I'm 5'7). I've seen a cute dress in a window and gone on to try it on (in the largest size, naturally) only to have the hem barely cover my backside, and the bust to be up around my armpits!

I actually quite like Target for cheap shopping; it also appeals to my vanity, as I'm a size smaller in everything there.

But the majority of my clothes still come from UK stores - most of my shopping is done at ASOS and H&M. All of my shoes come from the UK, too!

Also, I've ordered things from US sites before (i.e. ModCloth), only to find the dresses come from a UK designer! So even when I'm not trying, I end up gravitating towards UK fashions.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-02-16 17:17:00

British perspective on my situation

I agree with Nich that there's generally no need to haul piles of evidence to London, but also be aware that they can and may ask you any number and type of questions - I was asked quite a few questions, rapid-fire; at least 15 (I documented them in my timeline, for anyone who is interested!). My interviewer turned out to be from San Jose, so he'd have been able to tell quite easily if I wasn't sure of my answers!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-01-13 14:20:00

When did you leave your job in the UK?

I also didn't quit until after I had received my visa. I had given myself a goal date well in excess of visa processing times to begin with, so there would be no disappointment on either side.

I had my interview the end of August, quit work at the beginning of September and didn't enter the US until November. Looking back I really appreciate the extra months I gave myself - I had plenty of time to save money, pack and spend time with family and friends. My parents still mention how glad they were to have two months with me before I left. If you're in no huge hurry, I definitely recommend taking your time and delaying quitting your job.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-05-14 21:42:00

UK vs England

Honestly, I chose the English flag for purely aesthetic reasons. I like its elegant simplicity.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-06-14 17:31:00

Spotted Dick

Speaking of Tate & Lyle, I have some tiffin (the proper chocolate kind) cooling in the fridge.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-01-11 00:14:00

Spotted Dick

My oven was always too cold for it to properly rise...

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-01-10 21:00:00

Spotted Dick

I only really like spotted ####### if it's drenched in custard

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-01-10 20:15:00

Do you have to list every single item separately, or, say, 50 books, 75 CDs, etc?

I just put '50 books' or '75 DVDs' and had absolutely no problems!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2011-06-16 15:32:00

My stuff is arriving tomorrow.

Everything passed through customs okay. The lady who spoke to Alex said the only fee incurred was a $50 fee for an x-ray, thankfully!

For the actual shipping, courier collection and delivery (which would've been free had I lived in London), I paid 439 pounds for 12 boxes of belongings (that's roughly 350 books, a dinner service and 8 glasses and a few other kitchen accessories, 100 CDs, 270 DVDs, a couple of coats/blankets and a lot of personal papers) for door-to-door delivery from Worthing, England to San Jose, California with London Baggage Company. Hope that helps!

Edited by Alex & Rachel, 09 February 2009 - 09:25 PM.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2009-02-09 21:22:00

I received three separate quotes from Excess Baggage, two of which seemed to be from their various sub/sister-companies. I went with the cheapest as I have nothing terribly urgent or valuable to care about.

I was quoted £356 for door-to-door delivery for 24 sq ft (or 12 x 2 sq ft book boxes) by London Baggage. I sent off for a quote Sunday, received the quote Monday morning, and Monday lunchtime a very lovely-sounding lady rang up to arrange delivery of the boxes today. I'll be packed this afternoon and then ring for the boxes to come and be collected. They say 8-10 weeks for delivery, so we'll see how that goes!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-11-12 09:16:00

Thank you for the feedback, Aly. Sorry it's turned out to be so stressful.

That's two high recommendations for John Mason so far. I did like their website.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-06-27 05:51:00

QUOTE (Jeraly @ May 21 2008, 07:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rachel - I'm using banana boxes to store things I want to keep in while I clear out the other stuff I don't want. Once I have sold/disposed of the stuff I don't want, I am going to go through those boxes again for one last blitz/clearout then I am going to move them down to the garage and call people out for quotes - they will prolly re-pack everything but it will all be contained for them to give me a more accurate estimate

At least that is how I have it all working in my mind

That's an excellent suggestion, thanks!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-05-22 05:37:00

Thank you for this thread and the quotes you are giving us, by the way, it is all very helpful.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-05-20 11:11:00

Out of curiosity, how are people judging what about of space/how many boxes they will require? Everything I am thinking of shipping is going to be small. I am also wondering if I should be taking into consideration weight. I know a lot of places quote by volume, but a box of books can get heavy very quickly.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-05-20 10:46:00