LIST: Things you SHOULDN'T have brought with you

All the emotional baggage that I seem to carry around with me from time to time. And that you can wear in any weather!

I did say that I knew people were going to disagree with me

I just, personally, don't really get the idea of needing a transition period. I did that on my visits to the UK before I moved over, when I started to get familiar with the food, found out where the local shops were, etc.

I just, personally, don't really get the idea of needing a transition period. I did that on my visits to the UK before I moved over, when I started to get familiar with the food, found out where the local shops were, etc.

So you had your "transition period" before you actually moved. Not all of us have that luxury. I spent three days in the UK (for my job interview) before we moved over, and my husband had never been here.

I think of American foods that aren't available here as treats. Like my parents think of the biscuits that they take back with them.

I just, personally, don't really get the idea of needing a transition period. I did that on my visits to the UK before I moved over, when I started to get familiar with the food, found out where the local shops were, etc.

So you had your "transition period" before you actually moved. Not all of us have that luxury. I spent three days in the UK (for my job interview) before we moved over, and my husband had never been here.

I think of American foods that aren't available here as treats. Like my parents think of the biscuits that they take back with them.

What Elynor said. For myself it took a long while for my transition period but thats just me though.   

I spent a total of about 25 days in the UK before I moved here. In short bursts (e.g. long weekends) when I could get time off from work. So a lot of the time was spent travelling or recuperating from jet lag.

I agree that US food can be thought of as a treat because it's hard to come by - I bought Twizzlers back from a recent visit to share with the people in my office. But that's expected of people when they go on holiday anywhere.

The idea that immigrants should abandon their home culture's food is very strange to me. Because it is twizzlers or old bay spice or kraft macaroni and cheese doesn't make it any less important than the cultural food traditions that my grandparents brought to the US with them from Russia. Those may have been homemade, but it was what they knew...

Kraft Mac and Cheese is what I know.  I think I am over bringing a suitcase full of it back like I used to, but I will always have room for a couple boxes.

The idea that immigrants should abandon their home culture's food is very strange to me. Because it is twizzlers or old bay spice or kraft macaroni and cheese doesn't make it any less important than the cultural food traditions that my grandparents brought to the US with them from Russia. Those may have been homemade, but it was what they knew...

Kraft Mac and Cheese is what I know.  I think I am over bringing a suitcase full of it back like I used to, but I will always have room for a couple boxes.

But Kraft Mac and Cheese is gross!   

I think what many people mean when they post about leaving the summer clothes, is that you don't need nearly as many as you do in most of the US.

Generally speaking, you can get away with fewer seasonal clothes in the UK.  You're probably not going to have much use for the shorts and sleeveless tops and probably won't need a huge down coat.  You need more of the spring/autumn type clothes that you can probably get away with all year round.

Great analogy Pamela!

In addition to some American 'junk' I love to have (oreos, cheetos, butterfinger) I also have recipes from my mother and other family members that make me feel very happy.

Kraft Mac and Cheese is what I know.  I think I am over bringing a suitcase full of it back like I used to, but I will always have room for a couple boxes.

But Kraft Mac and Cheese is gross!  

Are you crazy lol     Kraft Mac & Cheese is food of the gods in my eyes at least.    

But Kraft Mac and Cheese is gross!   

I'm on this side!!! The smell alone turns me off!

I'm on this side!!! The smell alone turns me off!

Does it smell like feet? 

I'm on this side!!! The smell alone turns me off!

But Kraft Mac and Cheese is gross!   

I agree, it is gross, I like it, but I know it is 'gross.' My point is though, that it was part of my childhood and became part of my food culture.

Does it smell like feet? 

Yes!!!!!!

I agree, it is gross, I like it, but I know it is 'gross.' My point is though, that it was part of my childhood and became part of my food culture.

Yes.  Kraft Blue Box mac 'n' cheese is quintisential american childhood food.  The blue box blues...   Its as american as peanut butter and jelly on wonder bread!!   

The idea that immigrants should abandon their home culture's food is very strange to me. Because it is twizzlers or old bay spice or kraft macaroni and cheese doesn't make it any less important than the cultural food traditions that my grandparents brought to the US with them from Russia. Those may have been homemade, but it was what they knew...

Kraft Mac and Cheese is what I know.  I think I am over bringing a suitcase full of it back like I used to, but I will always have room for a couple boxes.

I totally agree! I'm not planning on giving up Cuban food when I move - thats part of my culture and well its just plain delicious! I also might bring some grape jam with me, yes blackcurrant is nice and tastes vaguely like grape but there's just no comparison to Smuckers!