I'm a Brit who visited LA for the primary time. Listed below are the 13 issues that stunned me most.

alice johnston la
I visited the US for the primary time in my 20s.

  • I grew up within the UK and had by no means been to the US earlier than I visited LA after I was 26.
  • Even consuming American content material, like "Intercourse and the Metropolis," I discovered myself shocked by the variations.
  • The climate is wonderful almost each day, and persons are seemingly extra constructive. 
There may be a lot more room in LA.

PHOTO 1
The roads are larger, and the homes are extra spacious.

One of many first issues I seen when driving to town from the airport was how rather more area there may be in LA than in London.

Within the UK, it may be exhausting to neglect that you simply're residing on a small island with thousands and thousands of individuals.

Plus virtually each home right here has its personal backyard and tons of area inside. Somebody in LA advised me they by no means even realized costly properties ever needed to share partitions, which blew my thoughts.

That area interprets to almost every part else, just like the meals.

Photo 3
From pancakes to freeways, every part is larger.

A traditional-sized motorway has eight lanes as an alternative of six, the automobiles are bigger, and the parts of meals are really expansive.

You’ll be able to really take up area in LA, which is the other of cramming your self into the tiniest attainable nook of the Central line — London's underground rail — to your morning commute.

LA lacks good public transportation.

Photo 4
There's numerous site visitors in LA.

Except for a number of metro strains and buses, there's not a lot public transport in LA.

This clearly isn't the case for all the US, however the automotive is king right here in a means it isn't at dwelling.

Though this brings its personal issues of air pollution and snarled roads, it's fairly good to commute to work with out smelling a stranger's armpit.

There's seemingly a extra relaxed tempo of life.

Photo 5
I obtained a last-minute invitation to an awesome breakfast spot.

This sense of area and privateness maybe explains why persons are extra laid again right here than they’re within the UK.

Final-minute plans aren’t any large deal in LA, however in London, I really feel like I’ve to ask to see my pals weeks prematurely, like shopping for a theater ticket. 

The individuals appear happier.

Photo 6
There are sunny inclinations throughout.

Seemingly individuals in LA don't cynically complain all the time, which is bizarre to me.

As a Brit, it appears insincere when the particular person taking your lunch order smiles and needs you a pleasant day. I'm certain that typically it’s, however they typically actually do appear to imply it.

This constructive reinforcement to my day was genuinely nice.

Persons are extra open to conversations with strangers.

Photo 7
Folks in LA appear to be extra open and pleasant.

Strangers and acquaintances are extra open to chatting, so it's simpler to make new pals and connections.

This can be a good change from London, the place individuals have a look at you as in case you've grown a second head if you randomly greet a stranger.

The climate actually is as nice as individuals say.

Photo 8
Good climate makes every part slightly bit higher.

In London, I'd typically get up to grey and gloomy clouds, go to lunch whereas it's drizzling, and stare on the darkish sky by 4 p.m. My soul would really feel prefer it's dying.

That have is virtually nonexistent in LA, and the nice climate makes every part much less of a wrestle.

However within the off probability of rain, plans are canceled, site visitors grows monstrous, and information anchors report on a light quantity of precipitation prefer it's a twister. 

The times appear to begin earlier in LA.

Photo 10
It was good to get an early begin.

The vitality of town skews towards the primary half of the day, with a lot of the newest bars closing at a really well mannered 2 a.m.

However if you wish to seize breakfast at 6 a.m., there are many spots open.

Actions and facilities are geared towards comfort.

Photo 11
Drive-through pharmacies are fairly frequent.

In London, many retailers shut early, however on this a part of the US, grocery shops are sometimes open all day and supply two-hour supply.

And in case you don't have time to attend for a prescription, you’ll be able to head to a drive-thru pharmacy.

You’ll be able to simply customise your order at eating places.

Photo 12
Practically any request is accepted.

In order for you your meal with further sauce or with out a sure ingredient, most servers received't bat an eye fixed, even on the fanciest eating places.

You'll be accommodated in case you're slicing out alcohol, making an attempt a gluten-free weight loss plan, or following Whole30.

In London, this request will typically earn you a unclean look and mutterings from the employees.

The meals scene is fairly numerous and attention-grabbing.

Photo 13
There's nothing fairly like Flamin' Sizzling Cheetos.

In eating places, the produce is spectacular, with some distinctive vegatables and fruits.

Strive jicama, which seems like a potato however is eaten uncooked as a crispy, refreshing snack and tastes like one thing between an apple and a water chestnut.

Additionally, there are all types of snack meals to seize. You haven't lived till you've tried Flamin' Sizzling Cheetos. 

Tipping is a standard apply within the US.

Photo 14
Ensure that to tip if you exit for meals or drinks.

Be ready to ask what the accepted tipping price is.

Whereas out at a bar, I genuinely forgot concerning the customized and signed my invoice with out including a tip. The bartender rightly pushed the receipt again towards me with a raised eyebrow. 

Weed is
seemingly rather more frequent.

Photo 15.
Weed is authorized in California.

Folks seem to typically drink much less in LA than they do in Britain, however extra seemingly smoke weed or take CBD oil.

An 80-year-old gave me an awesome suggestion for a hashish ointment to assist sore muscle mass.

I rapidly discovered the distinction between indica and sativa.

General, I beloved how completely different all of it felt.

Photo 17
In-N-Out is a well-liked fast-food restaurant.

The TV exhibits and songs I beloved rising up featured American accents, and after a lifetime of consuming all of that content material, I naively thought I wouldn't really feel such a tradition shock. 

As anticipated, there have been palm bushes in all places, however I used to be nonetheless stunned by how a lot completely different LA felt in comparison with the UK. Despite the fact that each locations primarily converse English, all of it appeared overseas.

From the nice and cozy night time air to the wonderful neon indicators in all places, it was fantastically apparent that I used to be in a really completely different a part of the world — and I beloved it.

 

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