U.K. vs U.S. - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Stargazer1976 · 21st December 2004, 07:10 AM

I am working on an idea for a short story that involves many of the differences between the U.K. and U.S.
I just wanted to get some verification from some of you ( even those not in the U.K. can help )

As we all know most of the world uses metric system for measuring while we americans still use inches feet yards miles onces pounds and Farehnheit ect. there are many other differences I am confident I know enough about without having to ask a question but not the two below,

The 1st question I have pertains to driving. Which side of the car is your steering wheel on and which side of the road do you drive on. In the States ( from the perspective of the cars driver ) we have the steering wheel on the lefthand side and drive on the right side of the road. ( I'm just not sure how common that is outside the US and I believe Canada.

2nd Today is December 21st 2004 Here in the U.S. we write it 12-21-04
Am I right to believe that most other countries write it 21-12-04. This is the question that I would like as many countries as possible to answer. I have never really been sure if the U.S. is the oddball here like they are with systems of measurement, or if the U.K. is one of the only ones who write Day Month Year in that order.

As many answers as possible would be wonderful. Thanks in advance.

Foxbat · 21st December 2004, 08:08 AM

In the UK the wheel is on the right and we drive on the left side of the road.

We write the date as 21-12-04 over here.

knivesout · 21st December 2004, 11:29 AM

Same here in India. Wheel on right, drive on left, dd/mm/yy.

AmonRa · 21st December 2004, 12:56 PM

Apparently theres only a few countries that drive on the left, those being, UK, india and a few countries in africa.

everywhere else drives on the right

Leto · 21st December 2004, 01:03 PM

Basically except US and Canada, all former UK colony drive to the left side of the road.
And Thailand too, which has never been a colony.

There's also some vocabulary differences : lorry and truck for example.

I, Brian · 21st December 2004, 02:53 PM

Movie and film.

Stargazer1976 · 21st December 2004, 03:38 PM

As long as a couple people have mentioned vocabulary differences Is it common in the U.K. to say fish and chips when speaking of what we americans call french fries?

Leto · 21st December 2004, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stargazer1976

As long as a couple people have mentioned vocabulary differences Is it common in the U.K. to say fish and chips when speaking of what we americans call french fries?

Fish and chips is more a kind of fast food : fish (cod or other) served with fries (called chips) and vinegar.
And they call crips what we (french) call chips. And french fries are not french but actually belgian.

Foxbat · 21st December 2004, 07:36 PM

Well, whoever invented chips (french fries) should give themselves a pat on the back - they are magnificent(especially with brown sauce)

Leto · 21st December 2004, 07:43 PM

Yuck. Dijon mustard at worst. Or ketchup in a fast food.

Oh me, I'm hungry again.

Foxbat · 21st December 2004, 07:45 PM

I prefer Dijon with a good Sirloin Steak myself

Leto · 21st December 2004, 07:48 PM

a schallot sauce is also a good alternative.

21st December 2004, 07:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
Stargazer1976 Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 92	U.K. vs U.S. I am working on an idea for a short story that involves many of the differences between the U.K. and U.S. I just wanted to get some verification from some of you ( even those not in the U.K. can help ) As we all know most of the world uses metric system for measuring while we americans still use inches feet yards miles onces pounds and Farehnheit ect. there are many other differences I am confident I know enough about without having to ask a question but not the two below, The 1st question I have pertains to driving. Which side of the car is your steering wheel on and which side of the road do you drive on. In the States ( from the perspective of the cars driver ) we have the steering wheel on the lefthand side and drive on the right side of the road. ( I'm just not sure how common that is outside the US and I believe Canada. 2nd Today is December 21st 2004 Here in the U.S. we write it 12-21-04 Am I right to believe that most other countries write it 21-12-04. This is the question that I would like as many countries as possible to answer. I have never really been sure if the U.S. is the oddball here like they are with systems of measurement, or if the U.K. is one of the only ones who write Day Month Year in that order. As many answers as possible would be wonderful. Thanks in advance.

21st December 2004, 08:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
Foxbat Haggis Connoisseur Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 2,352	Re: U.K. vs U.S. In the UK the wheel is on the right and we drive on the left side of the road. We write the date as 21-12-04 over here.

21st December 2004, 11:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
knivesout cheap,flashy little crook Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,998	Re: U.K. vs U.S. Same here in India. Wheel on right, drive on left, dd/mm/yy.

21st December 2004, 12:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
AmonRa Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 135	Re: U.K. vs U.S. Apparently theres only a few countries that drive on the left, those being, UK, india and a few countries in africa. everywhere else drives on the right

21st December 2004, 01:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
Leto Outside Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,332	Re: U.K. vs U.S. Basically except US and Canada, all former UK colony drive to the left side of the road. And Thailand too, which has never been a colony. There's also some vocabulary differences : lorry and truck for example.

21st December 2004, 02:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
I, Brian Admin and Tea-boy Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: UK: SCOTLAND: Posts: 5,372	Re: U.K. vs U.S. Movie and film.

21st December 2004, 03:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
Stargazer1976 Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 92	Re: U.K. vs U.S. As long as a couple people have mentioned vocabulary differences Is it common in the U.K. to say fish and chips when speaking of what we americans call french fries?

21st December 2004, 07:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
Foxbat Haggis Connoisseur Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 2,352	Re: U.K. vs U.S. Well, whoever invented chips (french fries) should give themselves a pat on the back - they are magnificent(especially with brown sauce)

21st December 2004, 07:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
Leto Outside Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,332	Re: U.K. vs U.S. Yuck. Dijon mustard at worst. Or ketchup in a fast food. Oh me, I'm hungry again.

21st December 2004, 07:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
Foxbat Haggis Connoisseur Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 2,352	Re: U.K. vs U.S. I prefer Dijon with a good Sirloin Steak myself

21st December 2004, 07:48 PM	#12 (permalink)
Leto Outside Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,332	Re: U.K. vs U.S. a schallot sauce is also a good alternative.

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