LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known

Yes, I'm not so sure the dishwasher thing is a 'rich people' thing either.  One thing I've noticed, and this may be purely from my husband's (and/or his family's) point of view -- with appliances like clothes dryers and dishwashers here, there's more a sense that it's a waste of resources (energy/electricity and water).  Do you think people here (generally, though I know one shouldn't generalise) are more aware or concerned (either environmentally or in a cost-conscious mode) about the cost of dishwashers, clothes dryers, etc?  Either that, or people just don't have the space in their house/flat for these appliances?

Incidentally, our house has a dishwasher -- but it doesn't work.  DH says we are 'going to see if it works' (someday?) -- the lady we bought the house from said it didn't work but of course didn't bother to remove it.  The unit doesn't look like any dishwasher I've ever used, I'm not sure if it's even plugged in and/or plumbed...so I've been waiting for DH to get around to 'seeing if it works'.  LOL  However, if we got rid of the thing, then we'd have room to put the washing machine in its spot, which would free up room for having a clothes dryer where the washing machine is now!

My parents have almost always had a dishwasher and aside from helping out with major amounts of dishes on holidays they don't use theirs as they feel it wastes water and energy.

I do think a dryer is a much nicer thing to own than a dishwasher!  Especially after this last few weeks!

We have the space for a slimline (or even larger) dishwasher and may get one in the future...  but right now my DH does just fine!  Ok we do get the occasional grumble when I insist on using "every pan in the house " or close to it!    I keep reminding him though that every pan would be scary!

I keep reminding him though that every pan would be scary! 

lol...  I'm still struggling with where to put all the dishes & pans!  And I think the house we bought has a decent sized kitchen as kitchens go around here...  Plus, we don't even have the rest of my kitchen stuff, dishware and cookbooks moved over here yet!

And for God's sake (I really hope someone hasn't covered this) but it is Geredge NOT and I do repeat NOT Gar-rage (with an accent) like we say in the States.

Oh I noticed that! A British man came to stay with my family for a few weeks while he was visitng and he said to me "WIll you please take this out to the gair-idge (how he pronounced it) and I was like "The what?" and hes like "the garage" in his accent again and when I just stared at him, hes like "the thing you park your cars in!" and iM like OOOOOH! hahahaha. I was really young too so I didnt really realize that gair-idge isnt that hard to distinguish between garage. I also noticed that he was EXTREMELY active. He always wanted to ride bikes. ALWAYS. ahhaha. I didnt mind though, he was so fun. And we took him on a private residential island that you can only go on if you lived there because we wanted to show him the big houses and he said that if any cops stopped us, he'd speak in Welsh and pretend he didnt speak English so he couldnt read the signs. ahhahaha.

yea well, when i get back to the states i'll certainly never complain about having to stack the dishwasher ever again, or the fact that the washer and dryers here are about half the size.  It takes 4 loads to do what i did in 2 back in the states.  oh well, only 2 more months of it to go.

Listening to you all makes me wonder what I am getting ready to move myself into...  LOL

ahahhahaa I know! My thoughts exactly! I'll eventually learn but not without a few dirty looks Im thinking. 

I am looking forward to moving there - sure I will step on more than one toe...bf's comment was that Americans are much friendlier such as in the stores, etc...I figure a smile helps any situation

I find quite the opposite-maybe because I live in the North(Leeds), but people in stores here are soo friendly. I've had other customers start talking to me also, asking me if I can read the price tag because they forgot their glasses, or just making a comment about something.

Oh, and for the people who are suffering without grape jelly like me, I'm going home in mid-July and ordering some homemade grape jelly from Wisconsin(fellow midwesterners will understand!) to be delieverd to my mom's house for when I get there. If anyone lives near Leeds(LS17) and wants to pick them up, I can bring extra. I think it's about $5 per jar, but remember it's homemade.Will also be bringing back Tollhouse morsels.

Please let me know asap...

we've lived in two cottages and niether has a dishwasher.  Those are for "rich people" i was told

We've lived in two cottages and both have had a dishwasher.... 

we've lived in two cottages and niether has a dishwasher.  Those are for "rich people" i was told

Dishwashers only cost around £200.
I've got one, and we are so laughably far from 'rich' it's unbelievable! 

yea well, when i get back to the states i'll certainly never complain about having to stack the dishwasher ever again, or the fact that the washer and dryers here are about half the size.  It takes 4 loads to do what i did in 2 back in the states.  oh well, only 2 more months of it to go.

I guess I shouldn't post the piccie of my washer and dryer then! No problems with them at all.....

still it's good you are headed back as you aren't happy here...

Quote from: Michele on August 13, 2002, 06:24:15 PM
Listening to you all makes me wonder what I am getting ready to move myself into...  LOL

ahahhahaa I know! My thoughts exactly! I'll eventually learn but not without a few dirty looks Im thinking. 

I just want people to know you can buy pretty much what you want here -from full sized washers and dryers to US fridges...you just have to have the space. -but even then... being creative it's amazing at what you can do from stacking to sticking the dryer in a spare room...

Read Mindy's post in EXPAT life about things to think about before an international move... it really is useful and gives a more even view of what kind of person you need to be and things you need to consider.  Also think that there are a lot of US citizens living in the UK and really most of them manage just fine.

Larger washers and dryers have become more widely available here in recent years if you have the space for them.  For example:

Whirlpool top-load washers

Whirlpool dryers

Bear in mind though that the larger U.S.-style dryer with its more powerful heater will need a dedicated electrical circuit installed, so that will add to the overall cost.    You would also need to check that you have a suitable supply of hot water for the washer; many smaller British washers have been plumbed with only cold.

Can't we all be a wee bit more environmentally aware and energy conscious and use washing lines and clothes horses.....? Please???

 

Vicky

I agree Vicky! As long as it's not pouring I use the washing line (except for towels. I feel bad about it, but I just HATE crunchy towels    ) I have two drying racks and use them for a lot of washing in the winter.

But I do use the dish washer. Otherwise I'd get stuck with the cooking and the washing up most nights. Though I don't run it unless it's REALLY full - I probably only run it twice a week.

I know, I will probably get some slack for this but bear in mind, it's just how I feel. I can't stand clothes horses and those sorts of things. I think they are absolutely tacky to have especially if there are going to be people who might drop by.  I can't stand the fact they clutter up the home.  I don't mind the washing line for outside. But I agree with having soft towels. I hate crunchy ones too!

Im not bothered by our clothes horse, I also used one in SF.  But I do hate the crunchy towels!  We dont have a dryer and probably wouldnt buy one anyway.  I didnt even dry my clothes in SF, nice jeans last longer when they are not washed.  I would never put my lingerie in the dryer.  As for the dishwasher, we only run it when its full.  It was here when we moved in, so nothing we would have purchased.  Crunchy towels though.....bah!

we have a clothes horse it is used alot we also have a dryer. but mainly the only time the dryer is used is when we dry the towels, socks, & underwear. dry crunchy towels I cant stand them thats 1 of the first thing I broke dh doing is line drying towels. he didnt mind cause he said he couldnt b botherd to put them in the dryer which is in the garage. also it doesnt bother him cause I dont think he has done any laundry since I have been over here. we also only use the dishwasher when its ful as well.