What still astonishes me is that people here are convinced that it is cheaper to live in America than it is to live in the UK. The basis of their logic, however, rests on the fact that making 8 pounds an hour here is equal to 16 dollars in America. No matter how hard I try, I cannot get them to understand that no one makes 16 dollars an hour in America selling clothes at The Gap or answering phones at a bank. It’s not that the people here are stupid, they really are quite clever here...but they just don’t seem to get it - or maybe they just don’t want to get it.
After being here for 4 weeks I can see that it’s actually cheaper to live in the UK. I’ve tried breaking it down into units...if you get 8 units an hour for working in London and pay 12 units for a pair of jeans, it is actually better than making 7 units an hour in America and paying 18 units for a pair of jeans. They still don’t get it. They think, “In America, those jeans only cost me 9 pounds...It’s cheaper!” They think rent is only $300 because that’s what the exchange rate shows them. They see that a car is $16,000 and think, “That’s only 8,000 pounds! A car here is 12,000 pounds! America is so cheap!”
I have tired of arguing with them. I just nod my head and say, “Yes, we are all rolling in the money over there. We have so much we don’t know what to do with it all.”
While they are smiling wistfully at their thoughts of how they will be rich and successful once they move to America, I deftly change the subject.
I really have enjoyed my time sitting and speaking with the locals, but I think I have reached a point where it is best if I nod politely at a newcomer and point to my laptop with an, “I’m sorry...I’m working” and pretend like I am doing spreadsheets. It’s just too exhausting. I can’t tell what someone’s motives might be, and since I am sitting at the pub (not drinking...that got old fast) under the place where I am staying (never shit where you sleep) I have come to the conclusion that my last few weeks will be spent in peaceful contemplation.
Which is probably for the best. I have met some lovely people, but I need some time to sit and smell the roses.
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Random Fact - There is a pork dish here made from the offal of the pig called “faggot” - and the first time I saw it on a menu board in the street I nearly choked. “Faggots and peas (with homemade gravy) - 4.95"
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3 comments:
But did you try the faggot? I've heard from some very burly women that you shouldn't knock it 'til you've tried it.
The roses smell better in another country...
I was too scared to try the faggot...especially since it was smothered in homemade gravy.
And yes, the roses smell better over here. But there is a part of me that will enjoy smelling my own roses again. At least until the mundane sets in again.
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