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Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
14 things Brits living in the US miss most about the UK
Caroline Westbrook Published June 19, 2025 10:32am Link is copied Comments There's many things we're known for in the UK, from our Royal Family and our iconic tourist attractions through to food and drink which only the British could possibly take to their hearts. Which means that those citizens who might have upped sticks and moved across the pond are bound to miss certain aspects of British culture - particularly food items and other things which aren't going to be quite the same in the US. But just what do British people living in America miss most about Blighty? Read on to find out more... (Picture: Getty Images) It might be one of those things you either love or hate but Marmite remains ridiculously popular among Brits in the US - actor Bill Nighy has even shared stories of being stopped at Heathrow border control for trying to leave the country with a jar in his luggage. While it may have a low profile there, and be hard to find outside of specialist food shops, a recent tongue-in-cheek ad campaign by adam&eveDDB has been calling out for 'Marmite smugglers' to try and get a jar through border control - while a flyposting campaign in New York is aiming to introduce locals to its yeasty goodness. So perhaps it could take off after all (Picture: Getty Images) Whenever this question comes up, this always seems to feature high on the list of things which just aren't the same on the other side of the Atlantic. Jeremy Davis of YouTube duo Magic Geekdom said of the pub: '[In the UK] people socialise and hang out and eat food - you can meet some really cool people. I feel that's not what happens in the U.S. [Here] it doesn't have the same feeling of friendliness' (Picture: Getty Images/Mint Images RF) Here's one which expats are always bringing up - according to them the humble crumpet is very hard to come by in the US, unless you can find yourself a supermarket stocking British treats, or make them yourself. On Reddit, one person commented: 'I found them in the freezer of British shop. Didn't think to look there. You would have thought I won the lottery the way I was jumping around screaming' (Picture: Getty Images) This is one which seems to strike a chord with expats, who have said that US bacon doesn't taste half as good as the stuff you get in the UK. 'It's all streaky in US, no back bacon,' one person commented on Reddit. The difference in taste may be down to the way it's made though, as explained by a Quora user: 'American bacon is typically made from pork belly and is cured and smoked. It is known for its crispy texture and salty flavor. On the other hand, British bacon is often made from pork loin and is typically less fatty than American bacon.' So now you know why your bacon sandwich doesn't taste nearly the same across the pond (Picture: Getty Images) Is there anything better than having butter oozing from your freshly toasted slice of sourdough? Not according to Brits living in the US, who reckon the butter there just isn't as good as it is back home. Martha Stewart reveals on her website the differences are down to the manufacturing process - while American butter has to contain only a minimum of 80% butterfat, European butter has between 82 and 85%, which makes all the difference. It is possible to get European butter though, with people flocking to a YouTube video by Those Two Brits where they discussed US butter being 'white' rather than yellow. 'Butter that's white tends to come from grain fed cows which is most of America, yellow butter is the old school grass fed cows, but because all milk has to be pasteurized here no matter what all the yellow tends to come out anyway leaving the white,' one person explained (Picture: Getty Images) While we're at it, many Brits living in the US have said they miss British bread - hinting that a decent loaf you can use to make sandwiches or toast isn't nearly so easy to come by. A Reddit user commented: 'I find most of the bread here is sweetish which I don't like. I look for Italian or French to get around that but it's always tiny slices. I still miss the bread from home.' Another added: 'There is good bread but you normally have to find specialised bakers' (Picture: Getty Images) In the UK we might be accustomed to hopping on the bus, taking the Tube or just walking to the local high street or wherever we want to go - but with many places in the US only accessible by car, expats are quick to admit they miss it. One Reddit user admitted they missed 'it being normal to walk about', while a second added: 'Much of the US is definitely not designed with pedestrians in mind. All of which would seem to fit in with 2023 research from Virginia Tech and Rutgers University, which found that just 12% of all trips in the US are walked (Picture: Getty Images) Here's one people definitely felt when they moved to the US - that sense of humour which is so unique to Brits. One said on Reddit: 'It sounds like something so stupid and minor, but it really, really got to me,' while a second added: 'They don't really do humour/banter in the same way. Irony, wit, satire, sarcasm, under/overstatement etc are quite lost on them. They often take what's being said at face value' (Picture: Getty Images) Cadbury's Dairy Milk is of course one of Britain's greatest treasures - but Brits living in the US have admitted good chocolate is hard to find there, and that the local equivalent just doesn't compare. 'The first time I really missed something about the UK was at college here,' one said on Reddit. 'I'd had a long week, just got out of a long class and all I wanted was a bar of chocolate from the vending machine. I'd let my guard down and forgot where I was. The instant I realized there would be no proper Cadburys chocolate in there I was absolutely crestfallen' (Picture: Getty Images) Us Brits tend to be spoiled when it comes to holidays from work, with many of us getting five weeks leave per year or in some cases, more. But it's a different story for those of us working in the US - of course, we get time off but not nearly as much. 'I miss having TIME OFF,' commented one Redditor. 'It's a foreign concept here. I've only just started a full time job after being a student here so I'm just starting to feel the effects of having no annual leave - God help me' (Picture: Getty Images) If you're a British person living in the US it's inevitable you're going to miss tea - given the enormous part popping the kettle on for a cuppa plays in our culture. While you can get tea in the US of course it tends to be served without milk - with the Tea Association of America saying that in 2021 around 84% of all tea consumed was black tea, 15% was green Tea and the remainder was other types such as Oolong and white tea. Whether or not any of it was your bog standard PG Tips with a splash of semi-skimmed remains to be seen (Picture: Getty Images) If you're a fan of a decent strong Cheddar you might struggle if you live in the US, where Brits have complained the cheese is orange, soft and not nearly as good as the stuff you get on these shores. 'I missed real cheese,' complained one, 'had to pay $10+ for the little block of cheddar that's a couple of quid here' (Credits: Getty Images/500px) Having a baby? If you're in the UK you can look forward to several months of maternity leave to bond with your new arrival - which can vary depending on where you work and what they offer. In the US though, it's a different story, and one which hasn't escaped the notice of Brits living there. 'When I tell Americans I get 12 weeks they exclaim how lucky I am,' one said. 'I then tell them that in the UK I would have got 9 months, including time off before the baby to get ready. Here I was in labour at work, finished my shift and gave birth the following morning' (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Finally, we're guessing that those of you living in the US might miss some of the chains we have in the UK - with the likes of M&S, Waitrose and Tesco all mentioned by expats chatting online. However one favourite which seems to come up quite regularly is Greggs - as it's one place which has yet to make it across the pond and Brits are definitely missing the chance to pop into their local branch for a steak bake. One said they miss 'Greggs, curry, Greggs, biscuits, Greggs, Mum and Dad's Sunday lunch, Greggs, cheese that isn't Kraft or super expensive, Greggs, scotch eggs, Greggs, the meal deal boxes where you could build your own curry or Chinese, Greggs, prawn crackers, full English breakfast, and Greggs.' Yep, we get the point... (Picture: Getty Images) This article was originally published in May 2024
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits heading to Spain warned they could face £2,500 for beach 'error'
Spain has introduced a number of new regulations for tourists this summer, with fines of up to £2,500 for those who make 'one drinking error' Brits jetting off to Spain could be hit with hefty fines of up to £2,500 if they fall foul of the country's strict drinking laws this summer. As the holiday season approaches, travel experts are warning UK sunseekers to brush up on Spanish regulations or face penalties. Organising "unauthorised gatherings" could see Brits forking out as much as €750 for blasting tunes too loudly. In places like Valencia, setting up unapproved tents or shelters might land you a fine ranging from €1,501 to €3,000. Spain's beaches are increasingly becoming smoke-free areas, with lighting up potentially costing you up to €450 in fines, while sipping a drink on the sands or promenade could set you back between €1,501 and €3,000. The Spanish authorities have tightened the rules on public alcohol consumption, banning it on streets, parks, and beaches, reports the Express. Caught with a tipple in public? You could be coughing up to €3,000. Majorcan hotspots such as Llucmajor, Palma, and Magaluf have even curtailed alcohol sales from 9:30pm to 8am and clamped down on happy hour promotions. For those who throw loud parties without permission, a €750 fine awaits, and Valencia's crackdown includes hefty charges of up to €3,000 for unsanctioned tent pitching. Many beaches have now become smoke-free zones, with a fag potentially costing you up to €450 in fines, and penalties for boozing on the beach or promenade ranging from €1,501 to €3,000. Spain has also put a cap on daily visitors at certain beaches in the Balearic and Canary Islands. Platja d'Aro, in Costa Brava, has announced fines up to €1,500 for appearing in public "with clothing representing human genitals" in a crackdown on stag and hen dos from Blighty. The bylaw specifically bans people from appearing "on the public thoroughfare without clothing or only in their underwear or with clothing or accessories representing human genitals or with dolls or other accessories of a sexual nature". There's also new information required for those wanting to book digs or hire motors. Information gathered by hotel owners, private rental providers and car hire companies will now be passed on to the Spanish Ministry of Interior to bolster the country's national security. Visitors will now have to provide their: Gender Nationality Date of birth Home address Landline phone number Mobile phone number Payment details and method Relationship to any children in the travelling party under the age of 14. Chris Harrington, Managing Director at travel experts hoppa, said: 'Spain is introducing a wave of new travel regulations in 2025, following record-breaking visitor numbers. These new regulations have been put in place to manage mass tourism and public behaviour, and are extremely important to follow.' "Failure to comply with new regulations can lead to holidaymakers being slapped with hundreds of euros, with more serious offences potentially incurring fines between €1,500 and €3,000. "To help holiday makers enjoy their jolly without facing any unwanted charges, we've compiled a list of the 4 regulations you should be aware of." Chris added: "Spain is an incredibly popular tourist destination for British holidaymakers. But it's more important than ever to be mindful and respectful when holidaying. "By travelling with awareness of the local culture and regulations, you can contribute to a positive travel experience for yourself and others. Before travelling, it is a good idea to check the Spanish tourism board and ensure that you are abiding by the rules of the municipality you are visiting."
ABC News
13-06-2025
- General
- ABC News
Big Brother Movement that brought 15,000 boys to Australia marks a century
Identical twins Alistair and Alex Macdonald were just 16 when they arrived at an isolated farm in southern New South Wales in 1955, a world away from the grey streets of Edinburgh. They had left Scotland for Australia as part of the Big Brother Movement, a government-backed scheme aimed to help populate and develop a young Australian nation. "When we were uncouth youth looking for our future," Alex laughed. Between 1925 and 1982, in one of the biggest immigration schemes in the nation's history, 15,000 boys — some as young as 14 — came to Australia from the United Kingdom. Eager for adventure and opportunity, they all migrated voluntarily. Known as Little Brothers, they were in the care of adult supervisors, or Big Brothers. Many, like the Macdonald brothers, dreamed of becoming farmers. Earlier this year the twins, now 86, returned to the farm at Blighty where 70 years ago their hopes of a better life in Australia first took shape. But life back then was tough. "Work, work, work, all the time, but that was how it was," Alistair recalled, stepping carefully across a paddock strewn with broken concrete and rusted relics. Their stories echo the experience of many boys whose lives were changed by the Big Brother Movement. Known now as BBM, the organisation is celebrating its centenary this year with reunions in most states of Australia. The thinning ranks of men once known as Little Brothers have been gathering to reminisce. "It's lovely to honour the old men now. Just to see their faces and for them to connect with other people. Some people haven't seen each other for years," BBM CEO Suellen McCaffrey said. The NSW reunion was held at Calmsley Hill, near Parramatta, the former training farm where new arrivals had a basic course in farming before being assigned to rural properties. Among those in attendance was 93-year-old Jim Reardon, who arrived from Liverpool in 1949. He recalled the initial years as "torrid". "I used to live in little tin hut, hot in the summer, freezing in the winter. Cutting down trees, it was hard graft," Mr Reardon said. By the late 1950s, new Big Brother arrivals had shifted. They were typically older, in their 20s, and seeking city work rather than farming. The sponsorship scheme ended following changes to the migration rules in 1983. Australian immigration policy became more multicultural and the scheme was seen to favour only Britons. The training farm in western Sydney was sold, and the proceeds reinvested, and the organisation evolved into BBM Youth Support. It sponsors young Australians to travel overseas to further their careers, many focused on rural development. The Big Brother scheme had a profound role in the development of the Australian nation. The organisation estimates there are now almost 100,000 descendants of the Little Brothers. "The Big Brother Movement allowed my father and my family so many opportunities. We are the Australian story," said Nick Bleasdale, who attended the Sydney reunion. "My father [who] passed away not long ago, ended up as the mayor of Blacktown. He would always tell me my whole life he was a Little Brother and for that as a family we are forever grateful." As are the Macdonalds. Their three siblings and parents followed them, migrating to Australia to live out the rest of their lives. "We're lucky, aren't we? We're in the lucky country, so Aussie has been pretty lucky to us," added Alex. Watch ABC TV's Landline at 12:30pm AEST on Sunday or stream anytime on ABC iview.
Daily Mirror
09-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Couple spend £40k travelling 40,000 miles down world's longest road
Matt Saunders, 28, and his girlfriend, Rachel Kelly, 26, spent 11 months travelling down the Pan American Highway, visiting 16 countries, and seeing some of the best countries in the world A daring couple ditched their day jobs for the adventure of a lifetime, spending £40,000 to travel an epic 40,000 miles down the world's longest road, passing through a remarkable 16 countries. Matt Saunders and Rachel Kelly, both hailing from Clapham, London, embarked on an incredible journey along the Pan American Highway, having saved up a budget of £40k. On June 4, 2024, the Clapham, London pair traded the familiar streets of the UK for the rugged terrains of Canmore, Canada, where they shelled out £15k on a Dodge Ram pick-up truck, fitting it with a camper and sprucing it up to become their reliable ride. With their trusty Dodge Ram, Matt, 28, a quantity surveyor, and Rachel, 26, set off towards Alaska before heading down the expanse of the Pan American Highway. Their ambitious trek took them through diverse nations, from Guatemala to Peru and Bolivia. However, their voyage was not without peril. The two had a near-death experience when their truck almost plunged into a 1000ft abyss in the treacherous Peruvian Andes owing to dire road conditions. Currently soaking in the sights at the Galapagos Islands, the couple reflects on a journey that was anything but mundane. Matt enthusiastically shared: "The freedom that this trip has given us is insane. We spent 11 months visiting some of the best countries in the world. "It has been daunting, but this lifestyle has given us so much freedom. The freedom of living in the van, being able to be where you want each day, waking up with a different view. When you backpack and fly everywhere, you end up missing so much, whereas the drive gives you that adventure and excitement that nothing else can." In 2018, the adventurous Matt embarked on a journey from London to Mongolia in a tiny 1-litre Suzuki Alto. Upon his return to Blighty in 2020, love sparked between him and Rachel, who he matched with on Tinder and she shared her dreams of globetrotting, kicking off their grand plans for the Pan American Highway. Matt reminisced: "Seven years ago I drove from London to Mongolia in a little crappy car that your grandma would drive. After doing that, I got the sense of adventure. When I first met Rachel, she said that she wanted to go travelling. I told her to wait a couple of years as I had a plan to explore America by car, and she was on board." The duo scrimped and saved an impressive £40k from their pay packets and on June 4, 2024, they launched their expedition from the UK to Canmore, Canada, for a pit-stop at Matt's sibling's place. During their Canadian escapade, they invested £15k in a 1997 Dodge Ram coupled with a camper to continue their odyssey. Disaster struck shortly after when both their camper roof collapsed and the truck's transmission went kaput, necessitating a hefty £10k repair bill. Reflecting on the early mishap, Matt explained, "Day three into our journey to the Arctic, our camper broke and we had to live with it like that for six weeks." Further down the line, while in Washington State, a mechanic delivered grim news that their vehicle was beyond repair, prompting them to fork over another £5k for a substitute, devouring half their budget. Unwavering, Matt and Rachel, who works in sales, ventured forth from Alaska down the Pan American Highway – the planet's most extensive stretch of road – on June 24, and his intrepid companion drove an astounding 40,000 miles through 16 countries in just 11 months, finally ending up in Ushuaia, Argentina. On their epic journey, Matt highlighted the sheer beauty of their travels, mentioning awe-inspiring visits to the USA, Chile, and Argentina. He warmly recalled: "We loved visiting the American National Parks with their remoteness and wildlife. "We spent 11 months on the road going to some of the best countries you can visit." Despite the thrilling adventures, it wasn't all smooth sailing as Matt reported numerous challenges along the way. Among their ordeals, the truck caught fire twice, they nearly met a tragic fate in Peru, and mechanical failures threatened to cut their travels short. "We nearly died in the Peruvian Andes with our car nearly sliding off a 1000ft drop on muddy roads. It was a dangerous road, and intense rain basically made it impassailable but we couldn't turn around," he added. "One harrowing incident saw the wheel fall off in rural Patagonia when we had no spare. We were stuck for three days figuring out what to do." Completing their monumental Pan American journey, the adventurers sold their 1997 Dodge at a surprisingly good price and set off on the next leg of their adventure on foot, leading them from Brazil to the Galapagos Islands. The adventurous couple, Matt and Rachel, are gearing up to return to the UK this summer, albeit with a sense of trepidation about the move. Matt shared: "We are spending a few days Galapagos Islands before returning to the UK in a few weeks. We are daunted by the feeling of returning to the UK, but we are excited to see our family and friends. I will be returning to work, and Rachel is still figuring out what to do." Their extensive travels have taken them across numerous countries including Canada, America, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brasil. Followers can keep up with Matt and Rachel's journey on their Instagram: @ramonthepanam.
Top Gear
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Omoda 9 Review 2025
Get used to hearing that question. This here is a D-segment SUV from Omoda, yet another Chinese brand that's attempting to set up shop in the UK. It's already brought us the smaller, all-electric E5… and we weren't impressed. Its posher sister is Jaecoo, which landed here with the 7. We didn't love that either. Omoda belongs to Chery, which owns a fistful of brands that reportedly sell in the millions – yep, millions – worldwide each year. Omoda was only established in 2022, so its contribution to that total isn't massive. Yet. But it's got global ambitions, hence the 9's UK-specific setup delivered by its R&D base in Germany. The search for a permanent base in Blighty continues. Advertisement - Page continues below Omoda 9… sounds like a sci-fi flick released direct to video. Although joking aside, they're probably on safer ground with numbers than Ora and Haval were with the Funky Cat and Jolion Pro. And who is it for, exactly? Gen Z-ers, apparently. Think about it: mid 90s kids are now likely having families of their own, and having grown up in the digital age they're not just comfortable with technology, they actively crave it. So Omoda is going after people who aren't going to be put off by massive screens, voice control and self-parking wizardry. Sorry Boomers. Likewise that means hitting a price point that younger folk can afford, and it's here that we take issue with Omoda's positioning. At £44,990, it proudly claims to undercut the equivalent Volvo XC60 by ten grand, and Range Rover Velar by twenty. And it does. But those cars – along with the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC – trade on reputation and status. Omoda has… a big warranty. Which is like turning up to a cage fight armed with a feather duster. Being realistic, the Omoda 9 is more of a rival for stuff like the Peugeot 5008, Skoda Kodiaq and VW Tayron: all sold as plug-in hybrids – which is what the 9 is – and all priced in the low-to-mid-forties. Though none of them have a headline-grabber quite like the Omoda's. Advertisement - Page continues below What's that? Range. The 9 is fitted with a 34.46kWh battery, which allows for an almighty electric range of 93 miles. That makes it the longest-range PHEV of any car on sale right now, which is surely the line that every single dealer will open with as part of their ritual of persuasion on the forecourt. Who needs plumage when you can show off rock-bottom running costs? The battery feeds a pair of electric motors, while the other half of the powertrain is made up of a 1.5-litre 4cyl petrol engine that's good for 154bhp and 159lb ft on its own. But the hybrid system means it very rarely is, and with everything engaged we're suddenly talking 443bhp and 516lb ft. That's more like it. 0-62mph takes just under five seconds. So you can't accuse it of being slow. You can accuse it of being dull though: dynamically it's not at all engaging, and while the ride is okay at cruising speed, the slower you go the fussier it is. We'll go into more detail in the Driving section. Luckily that's about as bad as it gets for the 9. The handover between electric and combustion happens in the background without much ado, and the engine itself is pretty muted, even at full throttle. The transmission is a three-speed, but you'd never know it from the driver's seat. Supposedly Omoda's given it off-road chops too, with a wading depth of 600mm and dedicated Snow, Mud and Off-road modes. Hmm. Don't think the Defender will be worried. What kind of tech are we talking about? Self-driving and laser beams? Steady on. The interior is dominated by a 24.6in curved screen (because modernism) but noteworthy gizmos include a 360-degree camera with a 'transparent view', an automatic parking assistant, voice control, air purification, heated, ventilated and adjustable seats front and rear, a Sony sound system with headrest speakers so you can take calls privately… the list is long. The cabin isn't what you'd call luxurious, but the seats are reasonably comfy and there are no rattles or squeaks to suggest everything isn't lashed down properly. What do you make of the looks? You might disagree, but we reckon the Omoda 9's a fairly coherent effort, and no more 'out there' than, say, Kia's Sorento or Hyundai's Tucson. But there's also no mistaking the car's origin and for some people that'll be a turn-off. What's the verdict? ' At the moment Omoda means 'I don't care about driving but the kit list was huge' ' The Omoda 9 is a steady effort. A far cry from exciting, but not completely dreadful either. Which is already a step in the right direction compared to its first offering. The powertrain behaves itself, comfort levels are acceptable and there's nothing about it that'll drive you loopy. You'll spend far too much time fiddling with the screen, but Omoda's hardly alone there. Its bigger problem isn't really what its cars can or can't do, but what it stands for. And at the moment Omoda means 'I don't care about driving but the kit list was huge'. Which isn't going to make any of the premium European brands that Omoda claims to be gunning for break out in a cold sweat in the middle of the night. Add in the fact that more accessible players with established names are a match on price, it's hard to see how the Omoda 9 gains a foothold.
