TV Commercials
UK TV advertisements differ from those in the states in a few ways. One is that most shows in the UK do not show the commercials during the show, but instead wait until after the show is finished. This is an amazzzing difference. No commercial breaks. No cliffhangers right before the most important or interesting part. Sure, this also means no bathroom/beer/popcorn breaks, but hey, most people have DVR anyway, so that doesn't matter.Another difference is the companies that are being advertised. We advertise local businesses as well as the big brands in the states. If you watch TV in St. Augustine, you will see an ad for Bozard Ford. Gainesville, Leonardo's Pizza. In the UK, this doesn't happen (at least not that I have seen in the 2 months I have been here).
Drug warnings- every medicine commercial in the states rattles off all the possible side effects of taking the medicine. They don't do that here. The man and his brother thought it was hilarious and creepy that ours warn about "Possibility of heart attack, stroke, and death". Come to think of it, you do not really see ads for prescription drugs.. guess having national health care means the pharmaceutical companies are less pushy about sales.
Here are some of the commercials on air in the UK at the present
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvGadqjCjN4 (so many for different online bingo games!!)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX5y4PPk1Zk
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfu4IWl--iA
Phone Service Pricing
In the states, an iPhone plan is probably going to cost you upwards of $80 a month. Other smartphones have similar prices with the major service providers. Even the minor providers with low prices still pack quite a wallop on your monthly bill- $40 for data, texts, and calls. While the US has cheaper prices than the UK in most things, phone service is not one of them
Currently, I have a small package, something like 700 minutes and 1,000 texts, unlimited internet usage and 500 mb of downloads (I don't have too many people to talk to here, sigh). For all that, I am paying only $12 a month. Even the larger plans are around $20 a month. Plus, they have so many options other than your basic 2 year contracts. And, I got full coverage insurance for free! Not a bad deal at all!
Tipping
One of the things I liked most about China was the fact that there was (mostly) no tipping. Not in bars, not in restaurants. In high class places in Beijing and Shanghai it was starting to become popular, but in lil 'ol Hohhot, we didn't have to do it.
Now, if you are a server or rely on your tips for a living, please do not automatically hate me. The fact that you all are paid so little is ridiculous. I tip well in restaurants and bars (as long as I am provided with good service). But. There is something really nice about going to a restaurant, and paying what the prices are. No pressure from people to be nice and give a little more, despite the fact that it took 20 minutes to get some attention. No having to rethink your budget because when you planned on dinner, it slipped your mind that this place automatically adds the tip on.
Anyway, back to England. In England, people tip at restaurants. However, it is not a necessity, it is more of a nicety. Good service? Tip. Bad service? Tip a little, or not at all. No tip jars sitting next to every register, no bad looks or chances of getting spit in your food. I like it. I know you get paid little, but just give me a smile, and an apology if there is a problem, and you get a tip from me.
At the bars, there is no tipping. I like this a lot too. This is something the man really disliked about the US. He hated going to the bar, buying one beer, and having to tip on that beer. And the next. And the next. Some people do tip at bars here, but when they do, it usually at the end of the night, not each and every time.
Ok, that's all the differences I have for you for now. Check back later, probably next week, for more.
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