On another note, Brits here keep asking me about the election, Obama/McCain, and Palin.  They, like most thinking people of the world, see her as a very scary joke that could be the next President if 72 year old McCain dies in office.  If we lose this election, America’s prestige around the world will dip even further.  As someone that enjoys traveling around the world, I don’t want everyone to hate on our country even more.  If nothing else, elect Obama so Americans can be proud of their country while abroad.

2.  How come nobody talks on public trasportation?  Public transportation is often silent except for the sound of the train moving.  In America and other countries, people don’t lose their social skills when they step on the subway.  In the UK, it feeels that way.

3.   With such great public services generally, I don’t understand why the British don’t invest in more uniform and easily readable street signs to clearly indicate the names of streets

4.  Why can’t I buy groceries in larger sized packages?  Don’t some people in the UK have big families?  I go through my small carton of OJ every few days and wish I could buy a bigger size.  Aren’t bigger containters more eco-friendly and isn’t the UK more eco-concious than America?

5.  Why is the smallest bill a five pound note (slightly over 10 USD)?  Don’t the Brits find having to carry around loads of change as annoying as I do?  Its hard to organize in a wallet and it would seem to make more sense (and use less resources) to print one pound notes.