Random US/UK Differences #3

Money

First things first- the UK does NOT use the Euro.

The UK uses pounds, aka GBP. Currently, 1 pound is equal to 1.6 dollars. 

The bills, called "notes" are pretty self-explanatory. Notice, there is no 1 pound note.  

Now the coins, that's another matter.

Yup, there are a lot. Whereas we have cents, they have "pence". The coins come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 pence. Also, there is a 1 pound coin, and a 2 pound coin. The size is not consistent to the amount it is worth (but ours isn't perfect either, why is a dime so small??). 

As I have mentioned before, the use of cash is much more prominent than that of cards. Every ATM I have seen dispenses cash free of charge (though you must of course check to see if your bank charges). 

UK cards use the chip technology, so expect to get some odd looks if you try to buy something with a card with no chip. And be prepared to show something with your signature on it!

Halloween

In America, Halloween has turned into a holiday for young adults. Sure, kids still go out and get candy, but the times for Trick or Treating are getting shorter.. 2 hours to walk around, and get a years worth of candy? Yea right! The real celebration now is for university students and those pretending they still are- a time to get dressed up in the smallest costume possible (women) or the costume best structured to capture the attention of the women (men), and party. Not that I am judging, I've had my fun in some Disney costumes that were designed for 10 year olds. The point is, it ain't what it used to be.

In the UK, Halloween is still more for the kids. The costumed party scene is not as big here (though of course it is growing). Halloween night here is similar to what I remember it being like- children going around, getting candy, and then later on the teenagers going around, pulling pranks.  Just like the good 'ol days.

Sales Tax

This is a pretty basic difference. In the US, when you go shopping, you have to add sales tax on to the price shown. Anywhere from 4% to 8%. (Though, apparently not in Delaware, or a few others? Odd!) Florida is victim to 6% and up. You'd think after many a year of purchasing things, I'd be used to it, but I still get a little surprise when I go to the register. 

The UK calls it "value added tax", and while it may seem that they do not have it, the truth is that is added in. The price on the shelf is the price you pay. This is nice, because you don't get that "Oh man, I don't have enough" feeling when everything is getting rung up.