Observations From Across the Pond ================================= By Paul Robert Lloyd Monday, 20 February 2006 I will no doubt update this list over the coming months, but here are some initial observations from my time spent in the states so far: * Everybody is incredibly friendly. * The ground floor is called the first floor. Whilst I can understand the reasoning, it has caused a little confusion at times. * Information on the back of pharmaceuticals has a standardised layout. What a good idea! * Talking about good ideas, the system of dividing a neighbourhood into blocks is just brilliant! * The trains run on time and to schedule, certainly from what small experience I've had so far. * In San Francisco, the in-store music gets turned up a notch whenever a George Michael song plays! In terms of television: * Jimmy Carr is on the television here too. Is there no escaping the man? * So is Harry Enfield--all be it advertising cheeseburgers for Burger King. How the mighty fall. * They have the Antiques Road show here too, and in primetime! * Every poor celebrity reality television show you can think of that airs in the UK has its respective version over here. The celebrities are just as Z-list as they are in the UK. * To be a female news anchor you need to sound like a man (or at least deepen your voice) * I no longer have any idea what's happening in the rest of the world. However I do have more than enough information about the weather and all criminal activity in the entire Bay Area. Need I say more about how I have been spending my evenings so far...