For most, answering this question is simple. A majority of Americans have a home town, or the very least a home state. I don’t believe I even have a home country.
Yes, my family does serve the United States; but for a third of my childhood I grew up overseas. I find myself relating to both American Midwesterners (specifically, Nebraskans), but also Londoners. I do consider both Omaha and London home. When I live in one, I miss the other. So, here, I will give you a bit of insight into the wonderful island that is Great Britain… and a few of her quirky drawbacks.
In England, the most frustrating thing to do is laundry. The washers are a third of the size of those in America and they take upward of two hours to finish a cycle. Most washers and dryers are in the kitchen. If you’re lucky enough to have a dryer–most people use clothes lines, even in the winter when it rains everyday–they take at least three hours and STILL leave your clothes damp. You must embrace the fact your clothes will never smell clean. Your towels will turn to sandpaper.
I do not miss the roads. Thankfully, I only drove to school and back, but the pothole-filled concrete is almost always lined with hedges. The roads twist and bend without warning. The national speed limit is 60 miles an hour on dual carriageways (roads with cars going both directions), even on the neglected backroads… and the Brits go THAT fast. Road lines are rarely painted, even down the MIDDLE. Prepare yourself to have a near-death experience every time you get into a car.
I desperately miss the produce. English fruit, specifically strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and cherries, are phenomenal. In the UK, you never have to worry about your oatmeal killing you (see above). You’ll rarely find a nutrition label that reads “High Fructose Corn Syrup” or whatever calcium stearoyl lactylate is.
As a vegetarian, I miss the variety of vegan and plant-based options everywhere, EVEN at convenience stores. My favorite is called M&S Simply Foods, similar to a Wawa I assume. I miss the national dedication to sustainable environmental practices, like the ban on plastic straws (I didn’t know they still made them until I moved back to the US).
I miss small, actually edible portions at restaurants. I miss pubs and beautiful beer gardens. I miss seeing dogs in restaurants. I miss long summer nights when the sun doesn’t set until 11:00pm. I miss the flint and brick homes that date back to before the birth of our country. I miss having Europe at my doorstep.
I could go on, but the list would be exhaustive. England, like anywhere, has annoying characteristics, but incredible features. It is an endearing little country. And I do miss it so much.
The way you describe England is exactly how I pictured it! I didn’t, however, realize that they drove so fast over there. The quaintness is what is so appealing to me and it looks like a beautiful country.
This is super interesting. As someone who has never lived outside of the US, I’ve never considered the household differences of life in Britain. Its definitely interesting to see what everyday items are different.
i really love the point you made about the food because I’m studying in nutritional sciences right now how much American food products differ in nutrient-quality and taste from all around the world! ALSO OMG THE PORTION SIZES, they are crazy here in the U.S. Every time I go to the Philippines, I always an shocked because the portions are significantly smaller than in the U.S. I always love reading your passion blog Rayna, you have such a great writing voice and every story you write is both heart-felt and comical : D