US vs UK Cultural Differences + Post Of The Month Club

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK

I just got wind of a discussion on November 4th at the London School of Economics

 American Sarah Lyall (New York Times London correspondent) sat down with 

Englishman Justin Webb (author and former BBC correspondent in the US) to scratch the surface 

of cultural differences between America and Britain

A few topics covered were politics, the media, raising children,
drinking, stoicism, recent protests, and religion

Touched on in the video, happiness is listed in

the American Declaration of Independence as an 'unalienable right' in
the well-known phrase, Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

To rephrase, the US government declares this state of mind not only a right and a valid pursuit
but also as important as life and liberty

Isn't that fascinating?

As a result, are Americans obsessed with happiness?

The title of my blog includes the word 'Happy'

Other blogs with the title 'Happy' tend to be written by Americans too

Americans say 'Happy Halloween' and 'Happy Thanksgiving'
{ Merry Christmas is a British phrase which dates back to at least 1565 }

Common American phrases include
'Whatever makes you happy' and 'I just want my kids to grow up and be happy'

Americans often make big decisions based on a happiness litmus test

Perhaps a US slogan could be 'Be Happy - Be, Pretend, Or Search'


I lived in Costa Rica for a few years, where their motto is 'Pura Vida'
which translates to 'Pure Life' meaning 'it's all good'


I can't put my finger on what the mantra for the UK would be
I'm sure my readers can help :)

For the readers in America, notice how often you hear the word 'happy' as you go through your day

Anyhoo, lots of food for thought in the interview

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts

The video is quite long, so view what you want...
Whatever makes you happy :)

* What is the red flower Justin Webb is wearing? Read about it here

* I believe in the video they are referencing Justin Webb's newest book, Notes on Them and Us: From the Mayflower to Obama - the British, the Americans and the Essential Relationship 

***

It's Post Of The Month Club time again, little muffins

I've extended it through the weekend, due to reader requests

I read every single entry, every single month :)

Just link up your best post from November - easy peasy

And if you'd like, add the button to your post or blog so more can join in

If you have a chance, drop by a few others to say 'hi'  {that's what makes it feel like a club}

A warm welcome to those new to linking in, those who occasionally do, and those who are here monthly

Your contribution makes the club what is it :) Thank you!

Wishing you a wonderful December!

Fernanda Marques

A arquiteta Fernanda Marques está na área desde 1995, com projetos cada vez mais bonitos e de tirar o fôlego. Seu estilo é marcado pela contemporaneidade e minimalismo, com inovações e sofisticação, que sempre garantem a satisfação de seus clientes.

Sou apaixonada pelos projetos dela! Lindos!!!

Casa de Praia em Laranjeiras

Casa Cor 2010

Cozinha e Lounge do Gourmet

Casa Trio 2009

Casa Cor 2008, Loft

Modern Bedroom Interior Design Ideas

Today we send a message to Modern, minimalist bedroom design, bedroom design that look is usually a mixture of simple furniture and those out of this world artistically designed Pieces.In modern, the bed is a modern style room is often side.In in which the platform new series of Beds. design.s rooms Like you liked this room design ideas, and give you injoy this House and House Design Ideas ..

Bedroom Interior Design

Bedroom Interior Design

Bedroom Interior Design

Bedroom Interior Design

Bedroom Interior Design

Iseami House por Robles Arquitetos

Esta casa isolada e ultra moderna, fica na Península de Osa, na Costa Rica, e é chamada de Casa Iseami, projetada pelo escritório de arquitetura Robles Arquitetos. Esta ideia foi uma obra de ciência, tanto quanto uma realização de projeto.

Para construir também um lar agradável, eles foram com um objetivo de projetar uma rede totalmente livre e com estrutura auto-sustentável que possa gerenciar as demandas desse ambiente quente e úmido.

Foi dado um design aberto e arejado que permite a brisa e ventos para manter uma temperatura confortável.

Quanto à aparência da casa, as fotos falam por si só. O aço branco e design de vidro produz vistas panorâmicas do ambiente e do mar. O primeiro nível é aberta para um grande pátio e piscina, ótimo para entreter e relaxar. O nível superior, levantou acima do chão da floresta, é uma residência privada com todos os confortos de um cenário urbano. Este, no entanto, é totalmente auto-sustentável e milhas de distância de sua maior cidade vizinha

Pé Direito Duplo

Um dos pontos chaves numa casa, para ele ficar ainda mais perfeito, sem dúvida é pé direito duplo,

um dos meus preferidos.

Ultimamente é um dos recursos mais presentes nos projetos contemporâneos. Ele amplia a sensação dos espaços, integra os ambientes e harmoniza a decoração.

PostScript: Happy Thanksgiving From The UK

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK

I thought you may enjoy some details of my English Thanksgiving yesterday

After dropping the kids off at school,

I skipped into London with some girlfriends to St Paul's Cathedral

for an American church service

Although there were quite a few tents with protester signs,

most appeared to be 'unoccupied'

Due to photography prohibited during the service,

you'll just have to picture the choir singing beautiful hymns

US servicemen bringing the American flag forward

the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom giving a speech

followed by an American pastor delivering a sermon in a typical humorous, casual American way 

As far as my eye could see, the cathedral was packed with Americans and other nationalities

We saw the secret service for the Ambassador

and maybe even some spies among us!

Being Thanksgiving, we had sushi for lunch of course :)

Yo! Sushi

I'd seen, but never tried, these conveyor belt sushi restaurants

where you pick up what you want as it passes by

The color of the container indicates price

It was fun and yummy :)

We headed home to collect our kiddos from school,

followed by cuddles for our newest family member

Bamboo, 8 weeks old

This is one cool kitty purr machine

We figured there is never a good time to get a kitten, so why not now?

He has brought squeals and giggles to our family,

ten fold

This little 'moggy' (non-pedigree) cat has a 75% chance of being hard of hearing due to its white genetics

which can create a chill'n cat who won't startle easily

Anyway, we headed over to the pub for an American Thanksgiving Dinner, 

which was loads of fun in a restaurant filled with our extended expat 'family'

I had to smile when the Yorkshire Pudding was passed around during our traditional meal

Maybe it's a little know fact the Pilgrims liked their Yorkshire Pudding?

I fell asleep on the couch, stuffed of course,

while my husband watched the Cowboy/Dolphin football game 

into the wee hours due to the time difference

It was a wonderful day to count our blessings

and certainly a memorable Thanksgiving abroad

Wishing you a weekend of thanksgiving, wherever you are!

***

Coming up Wednesday

Post Of The Month Club

with extended days

Hope to see you there :)

- all photos by me -

Linking to: Sweet Shot Tuesdays