Things They Dont Tell You About England

The chips (or crisps to the British) are horrible. You can find regular salted chips, but they have flavors like steak and onion, roast chicken, prawn cocktail, pickled onion, and smoked ox. Yuck.

Sales tax, or VAT, is high. 15%. There is an income tax as well, and from the estimates on what I would make after taxes its about the same as in the US.

Taxes are included, so the price you see is the price you pay. This is convenient, but it is also a good way of hiding their taxes.

No one uses HVAC. Almost all places use radiators, and there is no cooling. I hear you would only want it about 8 days out of the year anyway.

Stores close at 5 PM. See previous post. Oh, and if you walk in at 5 or 10 till, you will probably get turned away. Despite the poor economy, no one will wait an extra minute to make a sale.

The thing pictured is a hot water heater. I haven't seen a place that has a hot water heater like what is traditional in the US. Its gas operated, and only comes on when you either have the heat turned on (water heater has a built in timer) or hot water running. I am guessing that is more efficient than continuously heating water and storing it in a tank until its needed.

Each power outlet has an on/off switch. more than once I have plugged my phone or laptop in and found it was dead the next morning because I forgot to turn the switch on.

The bus times posted at the bus stops are at best, guesses. I don't think they even have enough buses to fill the routes to get to each station as often as advertised.

They sell beer on the train.

Blankets are different here. You won't find a bedspread, just duvets. I got a king size duvet for my double bed just so I could have some hanging off the edges, but even then it still doesn't keep the heat in as well. Also, I don't think England has electric blankets. I haven't seen them since I got here, and its cold enough that I keep my eyes open.

England is warmer than most states. The highs aren't that high, but its been hanging around the 30s and 40s since I got here. Indiana was -17 last week.

Monday night is gay night. Everyone goes out regardless of sexual orientation, but you might see things you don't see on a night out in the Midwest.

Rent doesn't include counsel tax. In addition to the income tax, and the 15% VAT, there is also a £100/month counsel tax for living somewhere. Apparently you can call the government and they discount it to £80 if you tell them you are living alone.

I'll think of more, but that's a good start for now.