{"id":101187,"date":"2026-08-11T08:32:54","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T08:32:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/101187\/"},"modified":"2026-08-11T08:32:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T08:32:54","slug":"i-left-britain-for-washington-the-people-are-rude-and-i-miss-english-friendliness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/101187\/","title":{"rendered":"I left Britain for Washington \u2013 the people are rude and I miss English friendliness"},"content":{"rendered":"

Around half a million people leave the UK to\u00a0live abroad<\/a> each year. A survey by the British Council showed 72 per cent of 18- to 30-year-olds would consider\u00a0living and working overseas<\/a>,\u00a0with cold weather, the high cost of living, extortionate\u00a0childcare<\/a>, a lack of work-life balance and even poor romantic prospects among their motivations for leaving the country.\u00a0The i Paper\u2019s\u00a0Expat Files<\/a>\u00a0follows Britons who have taken the leap and settled elsewhere, detailing the ups and downs of their journeys.<\/p>\n

Earlier this summer<\/a>, my family and I travelled home to England for a short visit. Home because England<\/a> is where we are from; for a visit because we are temporary expats<\/a>, living in Washington, DC, where we moved just over a year ago.<\/p>\n

It has become fashionable<\/a>, in certain circles, to denigrate this country. I had braced myself accordingly: we were all excited to come home, but I was anticipating shockingly high prices<\/a>, chaotic politics, a general sense of malaise and of course, an unbearable heatwave<\/a> making life practically not worth living. <\/p>\n

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\"\"The schoolwear industry has said that parents may end up paying more for uniforms (Photo: Sam Edwards\/Getty)<\/p>\n

news<\/p>\n

How much parents could save from new school uniform rules<\/p>\n

A new law coming into force in September means parents in England will save money by having to buy fewer branded items of school uniform.<\/p>\n

\nWhat does the new law mean?\n<\/p>\n

From September, uniforms will be limited to three items with a school logo, like a blazer, jumper or sportswear \u2013 plus a tie for secondary schools.<\/p>\n

\"new\u2018The new school uniform act may help parents to shop beyond expensive official school suppliers, but it will not make any impact this year\u2019 writes Stefano Hatfield (Photo: Getty Images\/Moment RF) <\/p>\n

\"TwoIn my experience, the things single-sex schools are supposed to protect against are exactly what they breed (Photo: JohnnyGreig\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The government says the changes will save some families \u201cup to \u00a350 per child\u201d.<\/p>\n

\nHow will the law be enforced?\n<\/p>\n

\"WhoCaption: Who shall we choose?
Photographer: PeopleImages
Provider: Getty Images\/iStockphoto
Source: iStockphoto
Copyright: www.peopleimages.com<\/p>\n

Who is affected?<\/p>\n

Around 23 per cent of secondary schools will have to change their uniform lists by September.<\/p>\n

How will it be enforced?<\/p>\n

The education secretary has legal powers to direct schools to comply.<\/p>\n

\"LONDON,Caption: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM \u2013 JULY 15: Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson arrives at Downing Street for a weekly Cabinet Meeting in London, United Kingdom, on July 15, 2026. (Photo by Rasid Necati Aslim\/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Photographer: Anadolu
Provider: Anadolu via Getty Images
Source: Anadolu<\/p>\n

\"Group(Photo: Getty).<\/p>\n

The rest of the UK<\/p>\n

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland do not have a cap on uniform items, but are encoureged to keep uniforms costs minimal.<\/p>\n

\"Rear(Photo: Alvaro Gonzalez\/Getty).<\/p>\n

news<\/p>\n

How England could eliminate hepatitis C<\/p>\n

England is \u201con the cusp\u201d of becoming one of the first countries in the world to eliminate hepatitis C, health officials have said.<\/p>\n

\nWhat have the health officials said?\n<\/p>\n

Global health leaders have set out plans to\u00a0eliminate\u00a0viral\u00a0hepatitis\u00a0by 2030.<\/p>\n

\"ATwo more Omicron cases have been found in the UK (Photo: Reuters)<\/p>\n

\"AA member of the medical team holds up a used swab from a PCR test (Photo: Leon Neal\/Getty)<\/p>\n

NHS\u00a0England\u00a0said the nation is one of a handful of countries globally to have already exceeded the World Health Organisation benchmark of treating 80 per cent of all known cases.<\/p>\n

It said that deaths from the virus have reduced by 36 per cent in the last 10 years.<\/p>\n

\nWhat is hepatitis?\n<\/p>\n

Hepatitis\u00a0C\u00a0is spread through contact with blood infected with the virus.<\/p>\n

Many people have no symptoms but if it is not treated it can cause serious, and potentially life-threatening, liver damage.<\/p>\n

A treatment course of antiviral drugs for eight to 12 weeks cures more than 95 per cent of cases.<\/p>\n

NHS\u00a0England\u00a0said that since 2015, more than 100,000 people have been diagnosed and treated for\u00a0hepatitis\u00a0C.<\/p>\n

The expert view<\/p>\n

With\u00a0hepatitis\u00a0C curable in more than nine out of 10 cases, we are committed to finding and treating everyone who needs support and would urge those at greater risk to come forward by ordering a free and confidential home-testing kit online.<\/p>\n

Professor Frankie Swords, NHS national medical director<\/p>\n

\"HepatitisThe leading hypothesis for a cause of the outbreak is adenovirus, a common cold virus (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

news<\/p>\n

Why August is the worst month for drink driving<\/p>\n

\"FileCaption: File photo dated 26\/11\/14 of a pint of beer and a set of car keys on a bar in a pub in central London. More than a fifth (21%) of motorists have drunk alcohol after 10pm when needing to drive before 9am the following morning, a new survey suggests. Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, which commissioned the poll, warned that drinking alcohol the night before getting behind the wheel can pose a \u201cserious threat\u201d because a \u201cgroggy head\u201d means slower reaction times. Issue date: Friday July 18, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Philip Toscano\/PA Wire
Photographer: Philip Toscano
Provider: Philip Toscano\/PA Wire
Source: PA<\/p>\n

August is the worst month of the year for drink-drive crashes as summer events create \u201cmore opportunities\u201d to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, according to new research.<\/p>\n

\nWhat does the research show?\n<\/p>\n

RAC\u00a0analysis\u00a0found an average of 721 people were injured or killed\u00a0in\u00a0drink-drive crashes\u00a0in\u00a0August\u00a0between 2014\u00a0and\u00a02024.<\/p>\n

\"MedicalMedical marketing and Healthcare business analysis report, Medical Expenditure, Medicare Payment \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"ATherapy can clear your head (Photo: Fiordaliso\/Getty\/Moment RF)<\/p>\n

Before July, there was an average 704 casualties over the 11-year period.<\/p>\n

December, which is often associated with drink driving, had an average of 663 casualties.<\/p>\n

\"FileThe current drink-driving limit in England and Wales is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, or 35\u03bcg per 100ml of breath (Photo: Andrew Milligan\/PA) <\/p>\n

The expert view<\/p>\n

Drink-driving\u00a0is often seen\u00a0as\u00a0more of a Christmas issue, but our\u00a0analysis\u00a0shows collisions involving drivers who have consumed illegal levels of alcohol are actually far more common during the summer.<\/p>\n

RAC head of policy Simon Williams\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\u2018Opportunities and temptation\u2019<\/p>\n

Williams added that warmer weather, longer evenings\u00a0and \u201cfestivals\u00a0and\u00a0barbecues\u201d create \u201copportunities\u00a0and\u00a0temptation\u201d\u00a0for people to drink\u00a0and\u00a0then get behind the wheel.<\/p>\n

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Explained<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

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NEWS<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

\"PrimeAndy Burnham speaking during a visit to a family centre in Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Photo: Reuters)<\/p>\n

politics<\/p>\n

Burnham to scrap Blair-era rule in \u2018crackdown\u2019 on new betting and vape shops<\/p>\n

Andy Burnham has pledged to give councils more powers to block new bookmakers and vape shops in a bid to save Britain\u2019s \u201chollowed-out high streets\u201d. <\/p>\n

The PM intends to scrap the \u201caim to permit\u201d rule, which limits the ability of local authorities to prevent betting shops and 24-hour slot machine venues opening in their area.<\/p>\n

Shake-up expected start of next year<\/p>\n

Planning permission will also be required for outlets selling e-cigarettes as part of efforts to give communities a greater say under the proposals.<\/p>\n

The formal definition of a vape shop will be tightened to stop businesses side-stepping the new rules by claiming to be a \u201cconvenience store or a retailer\u201d.<\/p>\n

Adult gaming centres offering up to 24 hours of access will also require planning permission under the shake-up.<\/p>\n

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POLITICS<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

What are closure orders?<\/p>\n

Under proposals first announced by Sir Keir Starmer\u2019s government, police will also be able to shut down \u201cdodgy\u201d barbers, vape shops and nail salons for up to a year. <\/p>\n

The maximum length of so-called \u201cclosure orders\u201d will be extended from six months to 12, to give officers more time to investigate premises linked to organised crime.<\/p>\n

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Exclusive<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

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Exclusive<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

\nCrackdown on \u2018garish\u2019 signs\n<\/p>\n

Officials said the Government would also set clearer expectations for the design of shop fronts, to pre-empt complaints about \u201cgarish neon signs\u201d.<\/p>\n

It will publish \u201cpractical guidance\u201d for councils on how to make town centres more attractive, they said.<\/p>\n

\"VapeVapes have become popular with young people, due in part to their colourful design and flavours<\/p>\n

The \u201caim to permit\u201d policy was introduced when Sir Tony Blair\u2019s Labour government, in which Burnham was a minister, liberalised gambling laws in 2005.<\/p>\n

Are you having as much sex as everyone else?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s natural for libido to wax and wane due to life events, dating status or hormonal changes. <\/p>\n

And it can be hard to say what a \u201cnormal\u201d sexual frequency is. But research and case studies give us a rough idea.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\nThe statistics\n<\/p>\n

When it happens<\/p>\n

61%<\/p>\n

\u00a0A\u00a02023 survey<\/a>\u00a0concluded that almost two thirds (61 per cent) of us wait until night-time to have sex.<\/p>\n

Only 14 per cent opt to get busy in the early evening, and 10 per cent in the morning.<\/p>\n

Three <\/p>\n

\u00a0Research from 2019<\/a>\u00a0suggests that the average number of times British live-in or married couples have sex per month is three.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Are Gen Z having less sex than older people?<\/p>\n

I see my partner on the weekends and have sex with others in the week.<\/p>\n

Leanne, a 27-year-old influencer from Bristol has sex three or four times a week, but only sees her long-distance partner on the weekends. They have agreed they can both sleep with other people during the week.<\/p>\n

\nMillennials\n<\/p>\n

35-year-old Rebecca usually sleeps with her partner once or twice per week due to not having much child-free time.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Clare, 32, says her job is busy and she has to schedule sex with her partner on weekends, or some afternoons twice a month. \u201cOccasionally this slips and I do worry that it makes us not as connected,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\nGen X\n<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Daisy, 56<\/p>\n

I haven\u2019t had the issue of my sex life drying up with\u00a0menopause. I\u2019m more aroused now.<\/p>\n

Anna, 52<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been married\u00a0for 15 years. I love my husband, but our sex life is non-existent, and has been for about five years.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Mimi, 46<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not really motivated to seek out partners; I vaguely like the idea of it but not enough to take any action.<\/p>\n

Boomers<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been married for 20 years and sex has become something of a rarity. We maybe have sex once a week on a Sunday morning as we\u2019re both relaxed and I can take Viagra late on Saturday night \u2013 without it, I can\u2019t perform.<\/p>\n

JACK, 63, OFFICE WORKER, KENT<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\"Couple,Couple, talk and arguing with fight at house for disagreement, conflict and divorce discussion. Woman, explain and bored man for conversation, toxic relationship and drama and marriage fail in lounge \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

The seven rules that could save your marriage<\/p>\n

Keep your sense of self<\/p>\n

I did what I thought I was supposed to do and forgot my needs and wants. I think it\u2019s really important that you\u2019re an individual and not just a person who is married.<\/p>\n

KATIE STRATFORD*, A 55-YEAR-OLD MUM OF TWO, WHO DIVORCED ATER 19 YEARS<\/p>\n

\"ACaption: A married couple sitting in silence, looking in opposite directions. The image captures the concept of female loneliness within a marriage, emotional disconnection, and relationship problems. Symbolizes quiet desperation and isolation at home
Photographer: Galina Zhigalova
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

\nSeven rules to save your marriage\n<\/p>\n

\"\"(Photo: Kathrin Ziegler\/Getty).<\/p>\n

The small things<\/p>\n

Small things, like being brought a cup of tea or saying thank you, make a big difference.<\/p>\n

Therapists<\/p>\n

Karen Deulofeu, who ended her six-year marriage, believes all couples should seek support, even before they think they need it.<\/p>\n

\"FemaleFemale psychiatrist discussing with mid adult woman during therapy session \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"Young(Photo: MTStock Studio\/Getty).<\/p>\n

Listen<\/p>\n

Listen properly by repeating what you have heard and ask if you\u2019ve got that right.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t lose communication<\/p>\n

People don\u2019t talk about the deep issues; nobody else is going to do it for you. You don\u2019t want to ask questions because it might rock the boat\u2026you have to keep talking, and talk about what it is that you want within the relationship to keep going forward.<\/p>\n

KATIE STRATFORD<\/p>\n

\"\"\u2018One question is how to achieve such a longevity hack when most of us have relationships that unsettle us,\u2019 says Dr Amir Levine (Photo: Oliver Rossi\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\nSeven rules to save your marriage\n<\/p>\n

Remember that things change<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you see on social media and what friends say is quite often the\u00a0nice version. Everything is a phase,\u201d says Deulofeu.<\/p>\n

\"Unhappy\u2018I\u2019m genuinely considering returning to full-time work\u2019 (Photo: PeopleImages\/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"ACaption: A senior couple spend time in an indoor sunny market. The woman looks through a clothes on a rail as her husband waits patiently behind her.
Photographer: Catherine Falls Commercial
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

Look at yourself first<\/p>\n

\u201cFocus on what\u2019s in your control and what you can do differently, rather than the other person or a situation that you can\u2019t control. Invest in understanding yourself,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n

There are things that all\u00a0mid-life\u00a0men should know about keeping their hearts healthy.<\/p>\n

From eating more purple fruit to avoiding large bowls of pasta, consultant cardiologist Dr Zoe Astroulakis [below] shares her simple lifestyle habits she wishes her patients would take on board.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\nPositive changes to make\n<\/p>\n

Swap \u2018bad\u2019 fats for healthy ones<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t need to eat a fat-free diet; the key is to reduce your saturated fat. Reduce your dairy and swap your red meat for lean meat such as chicken and oily fish.<\/p>\n

\"ShoppingShoppers are set to face spiralling food bills as a result of the war in Iran (Photo: Bet_Noire\/Getty) <\/p>\n

\"manCaption: man eating fried chicken
Photographer: Prapass Pulsub
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

Control your portions<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t need more carbohydrates in a meal than you can fit in your hand. Enormous plates of\u00a0pasta\u00a0can cause blood sugar spikes, which can lead to health problems.<\/p>\n

\nPositive changes to make\n<\/p>\n

\"ASupermarkets report increasing demand for blueberries (Photo: RHS\/Guy Harrop)<\/p>\n

Look for purple<\/p>\n

Blueberries, black grapes and aubergines are\u00a0great for boosting \u201cgood\u201d cholesterol.<\/p>\n

Have oats<\/p>\n

Porridge is one of the healthiest breakfast options because it\u2019s full of soluble fibre.<\/p>\n

\"OatmealSwap supermarket-bought cereals for wholemeal oats (Photo: Arx0nt\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\"YoungKetamine has become an increasingly mainstream drug used in clubs and festivals in recent years (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Stop taking cocaine<\/p>\n

It can provoke a massive heart attack, even in younger people who\u00a0don\u2019t have existing artery problems.<\/p>\n

Stay below the alcohol limit<\/p>\n

\"Middle\u2018She doesn\u2019t really like me drinking and says that I smell after a night out with friends\u2019 (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

The NHS guidelines of 14 units per week is still more than 1,000 additional calories.<\/p>\n

The safest level to aim for is zero.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re drinking, make sure you have some alcohol-free days each week and space it out.<\/p>\n

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Interview<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

\nPositive changes to make\n<\/p>\n

Do cardio too<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t only focus on lifting weights. It might make you look toned, but it says nothing about the health of your heart.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Close-upCaption: Close-up view of female jogger tying laces of her sport shoes before running exercise routine. Motivation, healthy lifestyle and fitness concept.
Photographer: Xavier Lorenzo
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

\"\"Home blood pressure monitors are now available to buy for around \u00a320, and are preferred over smart watches due to their more accurate readings (Photo: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Check your levels<\/p>\n

You can get free blood pressure checks in many pharmacies or you can buy a monitor for around \u00a330 to use at home.<\/p>\n

Avoid night shifts<\/p>\n

It disrupts the body\u2019s circadian rhythm and\u00a0can lead to increased cholesterol.<\/p>\n

\"EngineersEngineers from a Thames Water leak hunting team unloads equipment from their van during a night shift in London in 2022 (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\nA sign to look out for\n<\/p>\n

A beer belly is a sign you need to make urgent changes<\/p>\n

\"glassesCaption: glasses of Real ale beer on bar in traditional English pub
Photographer: Peter Cade
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Photodisc<\/p>\n

It\u2019s usually\u00a0a sign you\u2019re drinking too much. By the time your belly starts to bulge, it\u2019s a sign that you\u2019re consuming excess calories and storing too much fat internally.<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

Want a new career but worried it\u2019s too late? <\/p>\n

Mid-life is not too late to start again, says experienced recruiter Elizabeth Willetts [below].<\/p>\n

Here, Willetts shares the best jobs to switch to during midlife if you want a change \u2013 without sacrificing pay.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\nChanging careers in your fifties\n<\/p>\n

Mid-life\u00a0career pivots\u00a0can lead to higher earnings.\u00a0<\/p>\n

7.4%<\/p>\n

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, workers aged 45 to 54 who voluntarily pivot jobs see an average wage growth of 7.4 per cent.<\/p>\n

3.5%<\/p>\n

And those aged 55 to 64 still see a 3.5 per
cent increase.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The AARP Global Employee Survey also found that over half of workers who changed jobs voluntarily experienced improvements in work flexibility and mental health.<\/p>\n

So what job options are there? <\/p>\n

\nVirtual assistant\n<\/p>\n

As a virtual assistant your workload will be very\u00a0varied and it could be anything from tidying inboxes, booking travel, sending invoices or updating spreadsheets.<\/p>\n

\"OnlineMore and more people are using AI for counselling (Photo: Oscar Wong\/Getty\/Moment RF)<\/p>\n

\"ConfidentConfident successful Indian female HR recruitment manager holding resume in hands while having an interview in a modern office, looking and listening to job candidate. Friendly interview between HR female director and caucasian job candidate. \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

You can start out earning around \u00a320 to \u00a335 an hour, but it can scale into agency work, launch support or even project management.\u00a0Some earn very well.<\/p>\n

\nRecruitment\n<\/p>\n

\"MaleMale candidate handshake with the recruiter at job interview \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

What it involves<\/p>\n

You will source, screen and interview candidates to match them with the right job roles.<\/p>\n

Who it\u2019s for<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t need any qualifications but it\u2019s suited to communicators and commercially-minded people.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"RearviewRearview female recruitment reading and checking resume in hands interviewing and hiring woman candidate for jo\u0438 near laptop in office with glass windows \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Olga Rolenko\/ Getty)<\/p>\n

\"\"From April 2027, retirement savings will be included when the tax bill for those inheriting money is calculated (Photo: Malte Mueller\/Getty)<\/p>\n

The pay<\/p>\n

The salary van vary from \u00a325 to \u00a350k, but you can earn around \u00a3100k depending on commission.<\/p>\n

\nJobs to switch to in your fifties\n<\/p>\n

\"MaleSome estate agents give high valuations to drum up business (Photo: Monkey Business Images\/Getty\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n

Estate agent<\/p>\n

It offers flexible hours and weekend staff can earn \u00a315 per hour.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Training<\/p>\n

This form of coaching for businesses\u00a0could earn around \u00a3250 to \u00a31,000 per day.<\/p>\n

\"portraitCaption: portrait of confident senior business man holding digital tablet in modern office
Photographer: zeljkosantrac
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto<\/p>\n

\"A(Photo: Getty).<\/p>\n

Sales<\/p>\n

In the lower end,\u00a0a sales rep can make \u00a330k and on the higher end \u00a350-60k, plus commission.<\/p>\n

Why coaching is a good option<\/p>\n

Coaching is incredibly varied and can be anything from\u00a0career coaching, to\u00a0confidence and leadership coaching.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As it is an unregulated industry, you don\u2019t need qualifications but the more reputable option is the International Coaching Federation.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a great career option for older people because clients genuinely\u00a0value your wealth of life experience.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s flexible, scalable, and you can start doing it part-time alongside another role.<\/p>\n

It could make you anything from \u00a3200 an hour, all the way up to \u00a3500 p\/h+.<\/p>\n

\"staffEven though the NHS Pension scheme is envied by many for its generosity, those working for the NHS facing financial struggles are choosing to opt out (Photo: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Consulting<\/p>\n

This can be across HR, operations, marketing, finance, people strategy or project management, as it\u2019s varied.<\/p>\n

A huge number of businesses now want expertise without having to hire full-time staff so there is a big job market for\u00a0freelance consultants.<\/p>\n

Price on value, not hours \u2013 if your advice saves a client \u00a3200k, charging \u00a3150 an hour undersells what you\u2019re worth.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"\"\/<\/p>\n

And sure, it was warm. Normally, a trip back to the UK necessitates the immediate addition of a jumper after exiting Heathrow; this time as we travelled north on the train we sweated in our t-shirts as we whizzed past stubble-cropped fields where the harvest had already long been gathered in, even though it was only mid-July. As we journeyed, we ate ready-made noodles from the buffet car that cost us \u00a38.50 a pop.<\/p>\n

So no, not particularly cheap and definitely not cool. But DC, when we left and when we returned, was a sweaty 36\u00b0C, with a humidity level that felt like being in a permanent jungle. England\u2019s heat by contrast was dry and enveloping \u2013 terrible for the garden but balmy for the soul.<\/p>\n

As for the prices \u2013 well, the joy of paying the advertised cost of something, without being stung for the tax and a tip on top at the till far outweighed the financial burden. Which really wasn\u2019t that high anyway: when I bought a pancake \u2013 a pancake! \u2013 for breakfast at an American airport recently it cost me $16.50.<\/p>\n

Call them rose-tinted spectacles, but in fact, living away from the UK has made me come to love it even more, in all its messy, contradictory glory.<\/p>\n

Some of these glories never even crossed my mind when I lived there myself. Access to the countryside, for example. Sure, it\u2019s arid and barren at the moment. But the joy of just being able to go for a walk! On miles of public footpaths! Through woods and fields and beauty! That simply doesn\u2019t exist in America. There\u2019s no right to roam; yes, there are stunning national parks and other state public lands, but no wandering into the countryside in general.<\/p>\n

Taking the dog for a walk is, to my mind, one of the biggest small pleasures there is. Here, you can\u2019t hop into the nearest field, or seek out a river to walk along. (Also, even if someone is just walking around the block to let their dog do its business, they call it a \u201chike\u201d. The first time I heard someone talking about their recent hike I was impressed \u2013 until I realised they\u2019d literally just gone for a Sunday afternoon stroll). You can\u2019t even let your dog off the lead; in DC it\u2019s illegal to do so.<\/p>\n

After your walk (not hike) in England, you can then go and find a friendly pub (which will probably let your dog in too, and give it a bowl of water). Beats a sports bar every time. The beer\u2019s better, for a start. Can anything beat an English pub garden at the height of summer? That lazy buzz of conversation; slightly sticky tabletop home to a couple of pints and several torn-apart packets of crisps? You can\u2019t get good crisps in America. Oh how I miss crisps. Honestly, if you\u2019re reading this now, just head to your local Tesco Extra and check out the crisp aisle. A thing of beauty.<\/p>\n

As are groceries in general. When we were back, I took a quick trip to the local Co-op to stock up on goods for a few days. Milk, bread, eggs, cheese, pate, crisps (of course), wine, cereal, some cold meat, salad. Fine, it wasn\u2019t quite farmer\u2019s market fare. But everything I bought would \u2013 bar the wine, crisps and cereal \u2013 have gone off in a few days if we hadn\u2019t eaten them.<\/p>\n

When we got back to America after two weeks away, the milk I\u2019d left in the fridge still tasted absolutely fine. There are many things that American supermarkets do well \u2013 massive bunches of herbs; excellent condiments; great ice cream \u2013 but food that hasn\u2019t been preserved to within an inch of its life is hard to come by. They also still haven\u2019t quite got their heads around sandwiches.<\/p>\n

I could go on \u2013 about Britain\u2019s understated humour, genuine friendliness (obviously it depends where you are in America, but DC is RUDE), comparatively good driving, general cosiness. People here stop for a chat at the drop of a hat; they appreciate a lazy lie-in followed by a fry-up; they\u2019re not always exhaustingly trying to achieve the next thing (I often feel a bit behind the curve Stateside).<\/p>\n

Even the politics are \u2013 crazy though it might seem \u2013 less mad, despite the fact that Nigel Farage is about to face off a bin in a by-election. Also, we have tabloid newspapers to cock a bit of side-eye and make you laugh \u2013 Americans take themselves very seriously.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not to say that I don\u2019t enjoy living here, or that I\u2019m not immune to the many joys of American life \u2013 air conditioning as standard for one; margaritas on tap in my local sports bar for another. But, dear England, though you may be a bit fraying round the edges, my heart still belongs to you. And wherever I go, you\u2019ll still be home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Around half a million people leave the UK to\u00a0live abroad each year. A survey by the British Council…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":101188,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[2],"tags":[2635,13,42570,173,1195,1416],"class_list":["post-101187","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-britain","tag-america","tag-britain","tag-brits-abroad","tag-england","tag-expats","tag-features"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@UnitedKingdom\/117075955679871981","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101187","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=101187"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101187\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/101188"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=101187"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=101187"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=101187"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}