Little things that need explanation

If it makes you feel any better, if this weren't an expat forum and you had just said, 'I'm going to the store to get saltines, yum yum!' I'd still have said the same thing (because there are many cracker varieties in the US too). I've always found them a bit crap.

You may be detecting some hostility because these seem like somewhat pointless and disparaging questions. You're pointing out rather petty differences and asking, in a way that implies inferiority of the UK, why things aren't like they are in the good old US of A. Why does there have to be a why? As cheesebiscuit says, different countries are just different and have different things and there doesn't need to be a reason. We could ask why the US doesn't have brown sauce or Heinz baked beans or Galaxy chocolate, but it would be just as meaningless. Those things aren't there because they aren't. You can find them in particular places, like you can find saltines here, but they aren't widespread and that's just how it is.

You may say that you don't intend any disparagement with your questions, but if you read them again, they all have a UK-negative element about them, and the title of your post also implies that these are inferiorities for which you must have an explanation. I'm not saying you can't miss things from home (I go to great lengths to get Brasilian food and drink items, so I do understand) or ask if/where you can find them, but if you do it in such a way that makes people feel like your subtext is, 'Why does this stupid place not have any good stuff in it?' you might find people getting a bit huffy.

Ok without writing you a research paper on why is is very insulting,

1. Whats wrong with the title?  I needed some things that needed explaining.  Don't read too far into it.  Maybe we disagree on the idea of explanation but my idea was more me feeling inferior because I don't understand something I don't know.  Im not sure how you get me implying the UK is inferior.

2. You said "why does there have to be why?" - ummm because im not mindless and it was just a question.  Im trying to understand the culture better. 

3. Whats pointless about asking about something like why there are not drink fountains?  I didn't say I wanted a big drink I just think its environmentally horrible giving someone a bottle every time they want a sprite instead of having a soda fountain.  Its just a basic question as to why not an offense to the country im just trying to understand more.

Ok i've been to most of the known world in my globetrotting but europe has been off my list

Well heres a big one for me......Europe is a big continent with lots of different cultures. Yes, I accept it's probably smaller than the USA but if differs so much greater due to the different countries and languages. Winds me up when I hear American news commentators etc refer in a broad brush streak to Europe.

The other thing is that, as an entirely different country then some things are different, surely thats one of the joys of travelling.

Bacon - we tend to prefer back bacon, in the US you prefer the streaky - you can get it here but you need to ask for streaky.

Saltines - DW found Italian Crackers in the store that are basically like saltines.

Yes we generally prefer to watch our own sports teams, I do like US sports and subscribe to TV channels so I can watch them. But like when I go to the US and can't get to watch my "soccer" unless I go out of my way to find it, the same applies here. I actually think we are very well served for US sports....you just aren't too likely to find it in bars although places in London will have it and also one of my most surreal moments was walking into a sports bar in Prague and they had Michigan-Ohio State college football on and the place was packed with students from Michigan!

You asked why some responses seemed hostile, I was just trying to explain why your original post may have come off in such a way as to make people a bit defensive and thus respond in a way that seems hostile. You didn't say, 'I'm wondering why these things are like this' you said 'these things need explanation', which indicates that you are coming from a position of, 'these things are wrong, explain to me why they are like this.' Even if that's not what you meant, it can come off that way (especially in writing where we get no other communication cues but the bald words) and rub people the wrong way. I also don't particularly see how an explanation of cracker varieties and soft drink dispensing methods give you a better understanding of the culture. Not all 'why' questions are created equal, as you can discover in a long enough discussion with a toddler in the why phase. Questions like, 'Why are there so many Indian restaurants?' (because of the history of the empire in India and large-scale migration from the subcontinent) or 'Why is ale served warmer than lager?' (because they don't need to be cold due to not being carbonated and so you can taste the flavours better) might give you some cultural insights (though again, wording is everything; if instead you said, 'Why is the beer too warm?' that would come off as disparaging rather than curious); 'Why can't I get saltines?' doesn't really offer paths to deep new understandings of the British mindset Again, I'm just offering a possible explanation as to why your wording may have engendered some hostility.

Well heres a big one for me......Europe is a big continent with lots of different cultures. Yes, I accept it's probably smaller than the USA but if differs so much greater due to the different countries and languages. Winds me up when I hear American news commentators etc refer in a broad brush streak to Europe.

The other thing is that, as an entirely different country then some things are different, surely thats one of the joys of travelling.

Bacon - we tend to prefer back bacon, in the US you prefer the streaky - you can get it here but you need to ask for streaky.

Saltines - DW found Italian Crackers in the store that are basically like saltines.

Yes we generally prefer to watch our own sports teams, I do like US sports and subscribe to TV channels so I can watch them. But like when I go to the US and can't get to watch my "soccer" unless I go out of my way to find it, the same applies here. I actually think we are very well served for US sports....you just aren't too likely to find it in bars although places in London will have it and also one of my most surreal moments was walking into a sports bar in Prague and they had Michigan-Ohio State college football on and the place was packed with students from Michigan!

That was by far the best response that didn't involve the damn saltines!  Thank you for being balanced.

About globetrotting I didn't mean Europe is off the list or the UK its just my first few times in and im trying to understand more.

As for news its pointless to go there but the same brush can be applied both ways and America has many more people which makes it even worse when the broad brush is applied.  California is just one of 50 states and consumes more oil than any country on the planet and is the 8th largest economy in the world.  Thats not good or bad but 50 states is still 50 and thats just 1.  

Bacon - I honestly don't have a preference I was just wondering why the UK cultural preference was for back bacon?  And if I ask for streaky bacon in restaurants would they really make the change?  Its not something I ever thought of.

Saltines - well we talked enough about them.  

I'm very glad you can get Michigan games!  Both of my parents went there and we of course we have no love for ohio state.  As for sports in general I think I said I was being picky I was just meaning if anyone knew anyplace in london that already kind of has some games from the US.  Sports bars in the UK are so different.  Back in SoCal at least you can get anything in the world at any sports bar; rugby, soccer, cricket without much of a peep.  It seems more insulated over here and thats fine I'm just wondering where to go if anyone has some cool local spots .

Drink fountains - I guess because we don't have a culture of unlimited refills, I like that about the US but we just don't do it.

You say it's not environmentally friendly to give people a bottle rather than a cup - either way don't you have something to dispose of?
But another view of that is it's not hygenic to have a fountain where people are taking a cup they've drunk out of and then putting it under the fountain where it could touch the nozzle and then other people have to use it.

I liek the unlimited coffee refills at breakfast in the US, but I've found places in the UK that do it.

I could equally say....what is it about not being able to get steak pies in the USA or decent fish and chips!

You asked why some responses seemed hostile, I was just trying to explain why your original post may have come off in such a way as to make people a bit defensive and thus respond in a way that seems hostile. You didn't say, 'I'm wondering why these things are like this' you said 'these things need explanation', which indicates that you are coming from a position of, 'these things are wrong, explain to me why they are like this.' Even if that's not what you meant, it can come off that way (especially in writing where we get no other communication cues but the bald words) and rub people the wrong way. I also don't particularly see how an explanation of cracker varieties and soft drink dispensing methods give you a better understanding of the culture. Not all 'why' questions are created equal, as you can discover in a long enough discussion with a toddler in the why phase. Questions like, 'Why are there so many Indian restaurants?' (because of the history of the empire in India and large-scale migration from the subcontinent) or 'Why is ale served warmer than lager?' (because they don't need to be cold due to not being carbonated and so you can taste the flavours better) might give you some cultural insights (though again, wording is everything; if instead you said, 'Why is the beer too warm?' that would come off as disparaging rather than curious); 'Why can't I get saltines?' doesn't really offer paths to deep new understandings of the British mindset Again, I'm just offering a possible explanation as to why your wording may have engendered some hostility.

Fair enough and I didn't expect this post to be so kind.

Remember that English is not everyones first language so when you are making all these semantical implications into account in your post all I ask is remember that.  I was just trying to ask questions and be polite.  I can't make my english much better and I don't see how that is my fault and I already said nothing was meant to be offensive.

Drink fountains - I guess because we don't have a culture of unlimited refills, I like that about the US but we just don't do it.

You say it's not environmentally friendly to give people a bottle rather than a cup - either way don't you have something to dispose of?
But another view of that is it's not hygenic to have a fountain where people are taking a cup they've drunk out of and then putting it under the fountain where it could touch the nozzle and then other people have to use it.

I liek the unlimited coffee refills at breakfast in the US, but I've found places in the UK that do it.

I could equally say....what is it about not being able to get steak pies in the USA or decent fish and chips!

Well I was assuming a glass but still a good point since a lot of places give cups.  I meant more restaurant not fast food where you would get a cup instead of a glass.

And the second part well damn true!  The fish and chips in the UK so far have been amazing.

Well, as this is a US-UK site the vast majority of people are native English speakers, and nothing in your few posts indicated that you weren't (English is not my first language, but living in the US for 18 years made it my most fluent). Also, this is your first time on the board, whereas people who have been on for a while see posts like I described fairly frequently and it can get old. Not your fault of course, but like I said, on the internet we can only go by the words typed, and people can interpret things in unintended ways depending on the wording. Now, if someone came up to you and asked why they couldn't get back bacon very easily in the US, would you be able to give them a deep cultural answer, or would it be, 'That's just not the kind of bacon we eat'?

Not going to get into this fray, but the others were right about getting saltines here.  There are Italian crackers at most of the big grocery stores that are almost exactly the same.  Sometimes they are cooked a little bit more than I had them back home, but they are in essence the same cracker.  Doriano is one of the main brands, but I have seen others, I think at Morrisons.  Here's a link to show you what we mean.  You don't need to buy them at this site though, I've bought them all over the UK, especially while I was expecting a baby and got morning sickness--they were one of the only things that calmed my stomach down when I was ill.

http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/#/sainsburys-price-comparison/crackers/doria_doriano_italian_crackers_240g.html

Well, as this is a US-UK site the vast majority of people are native English speakers, and nothing in your few posts indicated that you weren't (English is not my first language, but living in the US for 18 years made it my most fluent). Also, this is your first time on the board, whereas people who have been on for a while see posts like I described fairly frequently and it can get old. Not your fault of course, but like I said, on the internet we can only go by the words typed, and people can interpret things in unintended ways depending on the wording. Now, if someone came up to you and asked why they couldn't get back bacon very easily in the US, would you be able to give them a deep cultural answer, or would it be, 'That's just not the kind of bacon we eat'?

Probably neither I wouldn't know where to get back bacon off the top of my head I don't think local grocers carry it.  Its also a strange question because down south you will get streaky bacon but near the border with canada you can often get back bacon.  Why?  I don't know thats why im asking why in this case as well.

I'm sorry you see posts that are presumtuous (sp?) often.  This is my first post.

I wasn't being hostile, I was being factual without fluff. It's kinda my personality  

I am aware that Malaysia isn't the UK, I don't think using that comparison in this scenario is disingenuous  I was stating that Malaysia isn't the UK in the same way that the UK isn't America and just because the two languages are similar, doesn't mean that the UK would be any similar to the US than Malaysia or any other country would be. I think it's a common mistake people make to assume that the UK would be the same.

The UK is not little America and I think it's really a trap you should avoid in order to get the best out of the experience of being in the UK. It's a road that only leads to disappointment with the UK which is not fair on this stupid, lovely little island, there's loads of amazing stuff here which is just totally different.

I wasn't being hostile, I was being factual without fluff. It's kinda my personality  

I am aware that Malaysia isn't the UK, I don't think using that comparison in this scenario is disingenuous  I was stating that Malaysia isn't the UK in the same way that the UK isn't America and just because the two languages are similar, doesn't mean that the UK would be any similar to the US than Malaysia or any other country would be. I think it's a common mistake people make to assume that the UK would be the same.

The UK is not little America and I think it's really a trap you should avoid in order to get the best out of the experience of being in the UK. It's a road that only leads to disappointment with the UK which is not fair on this stupid, lovely little island, there's loads of amazing stuff here which is just totally different.

Well not to split hairs because I don't think we honestly disagree with much but,

I never said the UK was little America.  You did.

I'm not into football but I did see on freeview  NFL  as I was surfing thru

Was going to stay out of this.  First, Welcome to UKY, sigurd.  Hope you find your time here enjoyable

In the meantime, I think it might be useful to check out the Forum Rules and general "Netiquette".

I never said the UK was little America.  You did.

That said, Pointing blame isn't polite.  CB was just summarizing an issue that some Newbies here make all too often (which isn't anyone's fault!), and expect the UK to have everything just the same as the US.  While the UK is a lovely little island, part of why some of us love it so much is that it does have its little differences.  The US does have a lot in common with the UK (or the UK has a lot in common with the US, depending on your perspective), and I certainly appreciate that you're wanting to understand the culture here.  

But, there are a lot of things in the US, that I really wouldn't be able to provide a cultural explanation for.  Maybe there are reasons why the US has mixer taps in their kitchens and bathrooms (Convenience and the ability to make the water temperature just right!).  And maybe there are reasons that the UK doesn't always have such amenities (this place is OLD!).  But, maybe there isn't always a cultural explanation for them. Hopefully we can all agree there's no right or wrong....just different. Whether it's some food item you miss from home, why London is so expensive, why when driving they have that "extra" yellow light before the green one--whatever.  These differences, in my opinion, are good!  

(However, at the moment, we're looking for a new rental property--and I absolutely draw the line at sinks without mixer taps!)

Was going to stay out of this.  First, Welcome to UKY, sigurd.  Hope you find your time here enjoyable

In the meantime, I think it might be useful to check out the Forum Rules [nofollow] and general "Netiquette" [nofollow] .

That said, Pointing blame isn't polite.  CB was just summarizing an issue that some Newbies here make all too often (which isn't anyone's fault!), and expect the UK to have everything just the same as the US.  While the UK is a lovely little island, part of why some of us love it so much is that it does have its little differences.  The US does have a lot in common with the UK (or the UK has a lot in common with the US, depending on your perspective), and I certainly appreciate that you're wanting to understand the culture here.  

But, there are a lot of things in the US, that I really wouldn't be able to provide a cultural explanation for.  Maybe there are reasons why the US has mixer taps in their kitchens and bathrooms (Convenience and the ability to make the water temperature just right!).  And maybe there are reasons that the UK doesn't always have such amenities (this place is OLD!).  But, maybe there isn't always a cultural explanation for them. Hopefully we can all agree there's no right or wrong....just different. Whether it's some food item you miss from home, why London is so expensive, why when driving they have that "extra" yellow light before the green one--whatever.  These differences, in my opinion, are good!  

(However, at the moment, we're looking for a new rental property--and I absolutely draw the line at sinks without mixer taps!)

I agree with most of that actually.  And yes pointing fingers is rude but I wasn't the first to point.  Outside of the welcome forum this was my first post and I got jumped on by the first poster because they found it offensive.

I've said English is not my first language.  I don't know how to correct that to make the title more appropriate.  Ive said a few times nothing has been meant to be offensive.  I would like to have friends here.  I have read the rules and im well versed in "Netiquette" I work in IT.

I just wanted to make a couple friends and 2 of the 3 first posts out of the gate jumped at me.  I'm not sure how to correct that when im just asking questions?  I never said anything was better or worse, I was just asking questions.