Aaah, that I did not know. Thank you for telling me. Now I can see why the system exists, should have figured that one out by myself.

Dave Barry, a US humour newspaper columnist and author, once wrote of a trip to London something about 'mutant coins whose size and shape bear no relation to their value.' lol. But once the understanding sets in that they are so designed to aid the blind, it makes more sense. Hence why UK currency notes are different sizes also.

The £ confuses and stresses me when I do trips to London. All the coins(!) and I have no clue what to combine to pay what and people look at me like I'm a idiot tourist and start sighing. Painful

Yes. The US has had decimalized currency a very long time, if not practically forever, The UK has only had it about 40 years.

Ah, my parents moved to Sweden when they were young from Finland. Finland had the Mark as currency but changed later to Euro. Every store has every price in Euro, followed by a little note on the side where the price is in Mark.
Hard to change something that you have had for so long.

UK stopped using Imperial measure in product labelling some time ago (don't know exactly when) but I could go to a deli/cheese stall in a supermarket, the local traditional butcher's, or veg stall at the local market and ask for a weight in Imperial measure. Usually only used now by those middle-aged & older, though, or those who've grown up with it or consider it quintessentially 'British.'

Hm, I think? Elaborate if you want to. I might be wrong in my interpretation of it. I like that last quote Very true.

The US is the UK's rebellious child, in an socio-anthropologically timed-reality sense (did that make sense?) Personally, 'the borders of my country run around the soles of my feet.'

Don't worry. I have a hyperactive metabolism and have a low blood sugar and low colestarol (is it spelled like that?). They rise but not much when I eat fatty food and chow down big doses of calories.
I do though avoid sugar, fat and salt just to make sure I will be healthy when I get older.
We do have the same peanut butter here. There are stores that sell the exact same thing here.
Speaking of the states, why do they use the imperial system for measuring?! I can't get it!

Well, don't go giving yourself a coronary now! My arteries harden just thinking about it.
US peanut butter. The nuts are roasted first and it makes all the difference in the flavour, in comparison with peanut butter here. Unfortunately it also has added sugar.

Hmm, I gotta try it sometime. Along with every other junk food the states has to offer. Anything else that makes you nostalgic, foodwise?

It certainly is popular in both forms.

I remember that it used to be better (= nostalgic), or at least different, what I had of it in my part of the US (Seattle area). Here in the UK they use a completely different batter, soft and spicy. It was crunchy, almost granola-like without the oats/fruit that I had as a child.

I have never eaten KFC, is it as good as people say?

I will but it will also take time for me to write it, it's a huge subject and I have a tendency to space out and start writing about nonsense. I would also like to talk shamanism with you, and your views.
Take care and we'll write again soon.

PM me if you like as I also find this subject fascinating, from the point of view of a poor, confused INtJ just trying to make sense of it all. In the meantime I must leave you lot and actually get some domestic chores done. I'll be back, guaranteed. What INTJ could get enough of this place?

The dumbing down of people has been something I've been studying closely in private and looking at how and why people tend to mock intelligence. I don't want to take a discussion like that over guestbook messages.
But the fact that the world is being "dumbified" has also to do with technological progress. Things get easier, everything is simplified so the bar of learning is lowered.
There is so much more to this subject so we could fill out this entire server.

Sorry for upsetting you, just stating the facts. You can see why I had to get out though. What would you rather discuss?

From my own personal observations, the main difference seems to be more socialist vs. more capitalist attitudes, which in turn seem to colour all else within those systems. There also seemed to be a concerted effort in the States to encourage a general 'dumbing down' of the populace, instead of encouraging 'free thinkers.' It all amounts to 'INTJ Hell.' Unfortunately in the last 15 years or so, the UK/USA alliance has allowed more and more negative Stateside attitudes and ways of doing things to infiltrate over here. It seems I just can't escape!