I already regret this video: my controversial opinions about the UK

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[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

As you watch this video, please know that I love the UK, I am very happy to have British citizenship and these are all in GOOD FUN and humo(u)r). Except for the washing up bowls bit, that is incredibly serious.

[@charlieyerrell9146]

The washing up bowl stops people crashing glass and crockery about in a metal sink and breaking them. Christmas pudding is OK it is not weird but looking at you tube we think that most Americans are weird.

[@bobbyboko6317]

The 30% that drive automatics are either young and lazy or like me old and knackered 😊

[@rachelpenny5165]

If I was to learn to drive I would need to drive an automatic because I have lack of sensation in my arms and legs due to multiple sclerosis. Automatic cars help those with limitations. I don't intend to learn to drive as the local public transport is okay.

[@user-xq2qh3tl1r]

That wasn't meant to be nasty, I do enjoy your channel

[@mkcam11]

Manual or automatic, it's like the Android or I-Phone debate. Everyone thinks there's is better. It is just a case of what you prefer or are used to. Washing up bowls, I think , is just because that's what we are used to as well. No way is wrong.

[@catherinebutler4819]

The design of UK shower screens was based on that of US toilet doors.

[@danbakf9]

I concur, not terrifically private.

[@potownrob]

This is not good 😂

[@johnwellbelove148]

I dislike American house renovation shows for exactly the same reason that you like them. Everything is such a drama! And they're always talking to each other so LOUDLY. There's no need to yell when you're standing next to someone! (And I think the 'renovations' always look so old fashioned to me)

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Haha, that makes sense as to why you don't like them! I'm used to the drama and over the top-ness and also I get told in the UK a lot to talk quieter even when I think I'm already being quiet so perhaps I'm part of the problem. ;)

[@pixie706]

Americans seem to like loud squealing whereas in UK we are calmer just as she says....easier on the ear 😊

[@davidjackson2580]

Agreed. The US versions seem awful to me. I don't want drama in a renovation programme.

[@davenwin1973]

I'm an American, and I don't like most renovation shows. I hate how open concept kitchens are a trend in most newer homes. I like my kitchen to be a separate room. Then there's sometimes ugly styles being put in homes. In the US, Extreme Makeover Home Edition was one of the worst shows out there, because the show built more homes that they knew people couldn't afford to maintain, and keep. Also, building modern mcmansions that did not belong in most neighborhoods. All this caused a majority of the people to lose their homes. If the show had built something similar to what people already had, that I believe most of the people could have kept their homes. There are people who want smaller homes, but many newer cities and towns are passing ordinances, preventing homes from being built under a certain size.

[@johnwellbelove148]

@@davenwin1973 My wife and hate the fashion for 'super open plan'; kitchen/diner/living room all as one. We see it a lot on 'Grand Designs' and 'Love It Or List It', especially when the stairs or even the bedrooms come straight off the open plan area. I just can imagine the issues when one is working in the kitchen, one is watching the TV and another is trying to get an early night.

[@mubbles1066]

Grand Designs is the show about house building that causes drama,bankruptcy and divorce

[@charleshedley4381]

And extra childbirth too.

[@user-gu2hk8sg1p]

That's the 30% who couldn't pass a full driving test.

[@lawrencegt2229]

We like to stay calm and use washing up bowls in order to wind up Americans, especially if they interrupt us when we are enjoying ourselves calmly painting a wall on a Bank Holiday.

[@keithwindow4435]

Here I go defending the washing up bowl. 1. It’s used to stop metal utensils and pans marking or damaging the sink especially ceramic/ butler sinks. 2. When all objects have been washed you take the dirty water outside and throw it / spray it over your Roses and other plants as it kills greenfly aphids etc. without using harmful chemicals. 3. When the poor neglected teenagers come home pissed and start saying they feel ill you give them the washing up bowl to throw up in. 4. Most washing up bowls are big enough to soak your feet in. 5. You can place cleaning items in it under the sink making it easier to select items by taking the bowl out rather than kneeling on the floor pulling individual items. 6. You can take a small amount of water to the area you need to clean rather than a bucket. 7. You can peel your fruit and veg in the bowl and then transport the peel to your composter / wormery . Cars manual for every day driving automatic for towing , I won’t talk about pre select gear boxes. Nearly all petrol stations around me are pay at pump. The few that aren’t are waiting for refurbishment. Feelings that’s what the Pubs are for, go into town and listen to what all the drunk shouting and crying is about.😂. And yes the ones fighting about football matters are people who are emotionally invested in their teams, believe me I do not follow football and have had friends crying because there team was relegated. (Never say it’s just a game) Notice how you have come from a country where they give you so little time off work and you are now moaning about having two bank holidays off in a month. Almost forgot Christmas Pudding think of it like Marmite it divides opinions.

[@bobtheskutterbot]

Love item 3 of the washing up bowl defence. Honestly- I have never used a bowl and now your arguments have convinced me to rethink.

[@perfectlydark1]

I think you just convinced me that the washing up bowl isnt entirely pointless.👏

[@neilbiggs1353]

I have a washing up bowl as it saves on the water used - to have a few inches deep of water I'd use maybe 50% more water to try and soak things like a saucepan. It's nice having the full sink to use for bigger items but for the most part the bowl is a better fit

[@alfresco8442]

If you don't have a secondary 'rinsing sink', then having a washing up bowl means you can throw the likes of tea and coffee slops straight down drain even if there's water in the bowl being used for something else.

[@elaineb7065]

Re the sink bowl: we have it because our kitchens have: just one sink, & no choppy thing in the drain. The just one sink means we can pour liquids down the side of the bowl where if we had 2 sinks the second would get the pour-outs (note: NEVER do this with anything more than a drop of oil, & with everything else flush it out). The no choppy thing in the drain means we have to gather up our peelings & whatnot for composting waste. Re the manual cars: we don't use them to go to Tesco: that's what our feet & buses are for. We use them to go round country back roads which are often not made for automatic driving unlike every freeway & stroad in the States.

[@FreshLounger]

"Keep Calm And Carry On" will always be better for mental health than "openness" which is just a euphemism for drama. By the way, I am American.

[@carltaylor6452]

Exactly. One of the reasons everyone's going crazy (apart from social media), is constantly focusing on mental health. It really shouldn't be encouraged: rumination is not healthy. This does not apply, of course, to genuine, serious mental illness. We should all be aware of and able to talk about that; but in general, feeling sad or anxious in response to events is natural and probably even beneficial in the long run.

[@missharry5727]

1. I learnt to drive in the 1980s and have never driven an automatic. I think I'm too old to change. Until recently, most automatics were huge luxury things. I like my little red Toyota Yaris. When you're used to a manual, it's almost automatic anyway - you don't really think about it most of the time. 2. I don't like Christmas pudding either. We have sherry trifle for Christmas. 3. There's no shower screen in my bath. It has a curtain which is long enough to tuck inside the bath. 4. I've never watched a home renovation programme.

[@chrispierce4003]

Pay at pump ~ garage owners want you to go inside their attached shop and make additional impulse purchases. Many make little on the fuel and rely on you buying the chocolate and crisps and coffee as well to make any profit. Hence why would they want to offer pay at pump ??

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Okay, if the reason for it is in the name of making more money, then this American is now in favor!

[@warden330]

There is an additional cost to installing a payment facility on every pump as well. Small, but as pointed out there is no incentive to do this. Filling stations are not very profitable on their own without added retail and there are many fewer than there were.

[@davenwin1973]

Except for pay at the pump, gas stations in the US are the same way, that they want you to go inside for additional purchases. Americans can no longer be trusted to pay for their fuel after pumping, after prices peaked local to me at $4.25 in 2008. Too many people drove off without paying. So now, if you're paying cash, or you're using a credit card that places a hold when paying at the pump, then you go inside to pay before you pump your fuel. Using your card inside does not place a hold on a specific amount, and only bills you what you pay. Paying at the pump will place up to a $150 hold (depending on bank that your card is issued from), until the bank gets the actual payment from the gas station.

[@kopynd1]

3 p per galleon but that's not profit its taxable

[@robwhite6057]

Pay at pump, how quaint. Where I live we pay by number plate if we want to

[@andyt8216]

If you don’t go inside to pay for your petrol ⛽️ how can you get that emergency Twirl that you didn’t know you needed?!

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Okay this is an excellent point - I love a Twirl!

[@SarahHickman-et4lt]

I eat Christmas pudding because to me it tastes delicious! One daughter loves it too, the other doesn’t. Think Marmite

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Ah ha, there you go - a polarizing Christmas dessert! I'll have to do a whole deep dive video into Christmas pudding, maybe that will help me come round to it. :)

[@jamiesimms7084]

​@@GirlGoneLondonofficialI have Christmas cake and Christmas pudding but don't always like it really. I have custard which makes it nicer. I agree with you though I feel like I have to like it 😮 There is a Jamaican version but they grind all the dried fruit so it all mixes in and tastes much nicer.

[@davidjackson2580]

I'm from the UK and I don't like Christmas pudding. Marmite indeed (although I love Marmite).

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

Christmas puds vary from the execrable to the sublime. As in most foods, it depends on ingredients and the baker/cook. Plump, golden sultanas, fresh diced figs, multigrain flour, crystalised fruits, freshly ground mace, allspice, cloves, and ginger, demarara sugar, treacle, eggs, desiccated apples, shredded suet, and a decent Calvados....the aroma and sapidity rise from the page as I write the ingredients. Add an Armagnac butter at serving, savour, and sit back languidly with a glass or two of vintage port while watching the grandsons play Diplomacy in front of the fire. The epitomy of Christmas overindulgence and family cosiness. 🍁

[@stevebarlow3154]

@@GirlGoneLondonofficial Personally I do like Christmas Pudding, but one problem people may have with it, it is incredibly dense. The very opposite of a light sponge cake.

[@vernonallen3370]

We used to have plenty of youth clubs and after school activities but austerity destroyed most of that

[@elaineb7065]

THIS!!! Austerity killed a lot of stuff we used to have, like community centres, half of our libraries, & so on. When I was a teen there were running clubs, drama clubs, community centres etc. The military still has its youth groups where you get to go on hikes, use a gun (about the only time I ever touched one), & depending on the branch, go sailing, fly a glider, or drive a quad bike (I got to fly a glider). However the community centres are lucky if they still exist...

[@Lily_The_Pink972]

The dates of Bank Holidays have nothing to do weather! They're to celebrate New Year, Easter, May Day, Whitsun and Christmas! Only the August bank holiday has no particular celebration attached to it. We can hardly change them!

[@Tim.Weaver]

I'm old enough to remember a time when the Early May bank holiday didn't exist. It was only invented in 1978, and in my opinion they put it in the wrong place. I feel that it would be much nicer to have a bank holiday in late autumn which coincided with the school half-term/halloween/bonfire night period, or just before the end of BST.

[@Lily_The_Pink972]

@Tim_Weaver Yes, you're right about May Day. I'm not particularly interested in an autumn Bank Holiday. Kids get a week off school anyway in October. And as a retiree I avoid going anywhere on Bank Holidays unless it's something very special.

[@danbakf9]

The August bank holiday was previously at the begining of the month and was designed to coincide with the summer shutdowns for maintainence of factories. I think it was moved to coincide with the end of School holidays, in Scotland its still the first monday in August as their kids go back to school mid august.

[@brigidsingleton1596]

​@@Tim.Weaver There should be an early May Bank Holiday (to celebrate May Day🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 - it's Pagan like our other bank holidays! Eostre, etc...🙂 (taken over by Christians, like Christmas 🥺)

[@IsisBarom]

Indeed, some of them go back to ancient pagan festivals.

[@user-xq2qh3tl1r]

I suggest if you don't like manual cars , don't drive one. If you don't like Christmas pudding, don't eat it. Don't use a sink bowl. Don't watch renovating shows. ETC ETC .

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Excellent suggestions, thank you.

[@Lily_The_Pink972]

😂

[@shaunfarrell3834]

Now, now, she has become British, if she followed your suggestion what would she have left to have a good grumble about?

[@robocop3961]

@@shaunfarrell3834the weather, kids, house, money, life, more bad weather 😂😂😂

[@shaunfarrell3834]

Well alright, what have the Romans ever done for us! 😀@@robocop3961

[@rgoonewardene380]

To be fair, if you need an ambulance in the US that would be a drama. Just saying. People do talk about their feelings, just to very close friends, and family. I was a teenager in the UK, a couple of decades ago. I did not think I lacked anything. Our friends, and ourselves liked snooker, and tennis. We were able to go to these places by ourselves. We didn’t have to rely on Bank Holidays to get a day off, because we can take one of the 20 or more other holiday days we have.

[@ian_of_glos]

It is all about anticipation. When I learned to drive my instructor told me that I should always be in the right gear to deal with what is coming next - so I am ready to to slow down, to accelerate, or to climb a hill for example. Automatic cars cannot anticipate. They wait until the engine is racing or labouring before changing up or down and by then it is too late.

[@irenepaulton3392]

Not with DSG boxes. My husband has to drive automatics because he is in a wheelchair (i.e. can't use his feet at all as they are paralysed) and his latest DSG car, had the ability for you to change the gear on the box by paddles on the steering wheel. They are harder for him to use, as he has to have one hand on the push/pull handle (Brake/Accelerate) and the other on the steering knob, but if he is using cruise control, he can easily use the paddles to anticipate all sorts of things way ahead, just like he used to with a manual gearbox before he became paralysed. I drive the same car and use the paddles all the time, simply because I can use my feet (the push pull brake/accelerate mechanism literally hooks around the pedals), thus leaving at least one hand free to use the paddles. Automatics these days - especially the DSG boxes - are massively better than they used to be and turn in MPG figures (no cheating) that are comparable with their manual cousins. We've been driving them for 40 years (out of necessity) and have seen stellar improvements in them over that time. I do drive manual as well from time to time but with the new boxes, I think I prefer automatic now and that's something I thought I would never say!

[@andyf4292]

the keeping calm thing is good.. ive seen the Americans on holiday, giving Cleetus junior the 'good job!' for taking 4 steps without swallowing his tongue

[@robocop3961]

😂😂😂

[@johnwellbelove148]

I love Christmas Pudding so much! I'm so disappointed that I can't get it in the shops during the rest of the year 😥.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

John!! Appreciate you standing up for Christmas pudding, someone's got to! Why not stockpile during Christmas for all year round? ;)

[@johnwellbelove148]

@@GirlGoneLondonofficial Good idea. They shouldn't go stale, as they've often been 'matured' for at least 12 to 18 months already.

[@catgladwell5684]

You could buy as many as you think you might eat during the year when you can get them at Christmas. They keep forever.

[@johnwellbelove148]

@@GirlGoneLondonofficial Do you have 'Crumble' in the USA? I miss my mum's Rhubarb Crumble.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

We do have a sort of crumble, but not sure we call it that! Planning on doing a deep dive video into pie/crumble differences soon!

[@tommorrison4189]

On washing up bowls I agree with you, but if you have a garden with roses the washing up water makes a good anti aphid wash. Also in a hose pipe ban you can use the water on the garden.

[@philroberts7238]

Exactly! Saves water. I have lived through a seven year drought in rural Australia and the only thing that kept the flowers alive during that time was grey water from the washing up and from the laundry. (Also, there seems to be slightly less chance of chipping crockery in a soft-sided bowl.)

[@grahamstubbs4962]

The stiff upper lip thing is just a variety of understatement. Where it does tend to fail us is in communications with military allies. A phrase like "our chaps are having a bit of a trying time". When translated, that means "we're being shot to pieces and could really *really* do with some help".

[@StuartH922]

I think that was the actual message sent to the American support unit to the Glosters in Korea.

[@grahamstubbs4962]

@@StuartH922 Yes, I think you're right. It's a while since I read "To the Last Round". It started out well for our team, but by day three you wouldn't have wanted to be there. I think only about 10% of 1 Glos. made it out of there.

[@tiggerwood8899]

I've driven manual cars for 40 years until 3 years ago. Due to arthritis I had to get an automatic car. I hate it, but needs must.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Aw, sorry to hear you don't like it - any particular reason? Just prefer the control of a manual?

[@tiggerwood8899]

@GirlGoneLondonofficial Thank you. There is no particular reason. It's just what I'm used to.

[@gtvgranberg]

I watch american truck KZbin's just for fun, and automatics always need all different drive modes. Its sport, hill, tow, eco, snow, sand mode and my head just go get a manual and use your brain! They are always testing the trucks automatic transmissions to see how smart it is. I still think I'm smarter then a car... :)

[@john9349]

I have an automatic car in the UK. I love it. I have driven manuals for nearly 40 years mainly because of availability and they are cheaper. Now I have an automatic which has paddle shifts on the steering wheel so I can change gears when I want, which I tried for a while but the car is so good at changing gears I don't bother. Also it has 8 forward gears so keeps the revs close to the right amount, low for causal driving and high for sporty driving. I don't know why more people don't drive autos.

[@KEITHMU]

Washing Up Bowls - My Grandparents lived in a village when I was a child that wasn't on mains drainage. They had septic tanks that used to cost a bit to get emptied. They used the bowl to wash up then once finished they tipped the water away over the garden so not to fill the tank further.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Oh, interesting reason for using a washing up bowl! And one that makes sense! Thanks for sharing!

[@continental_drift]

Yes, those are the only times I have seen a bowl in a kitchen sink, ;ack of plumbing.

[@julia2jules]

@@GirlGoneLondonofficialyes, long tradition of washing up bowls. Many buildings only had a shared cold water tap so carried it in bucket to room, heat in kettle over fire or stove then mix hot and cold water in bowl. Different bowls for dishes and laundry. Initially the bowls were metal. In the days of huge Belfast sinks a bowl made sense, but not now with modern designs.

[@lucie4185]

​@@GirlGoneLondonofficial When sinks were generally metal the plastic bowl keeps the water warmer for longer so save money that way too.

[@raindancer6111]

I'm not a fan of any restoration shows but the main difference, I would have thought, is due to the basic construction of the original building. If the house is basically wooden then tearing bits out of it is not going to be equivalent to knocking out a brick wall, inserting RSJs etc.

[@lemdixon01]

Automatic gearboxed cars used to be only for large cars in the 80's but now you can get them for small cars too. One disadvantage which still remains is that is cost more to repair the engine because an automatic is more complicated. We also drive many diesel cars which makes it more difficult to repair the engine.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Yes, true! My automatic does seem to cost more to maintain and there's fewer places that do it.

[@callit2008]

@@GirlGoneLondonofficialI've just bought my first automatic car after driving manual for over 25 years. Reason? Ease! I think we see autos as a luxury item, rather than the standard, and this is usually reflected in the price of a car when buying in the UK - entry level models will always be manual

[@simonlee7633]

Once I moved to London, auto cars became essential.

[@mdnickless]

After I tried the "forbidden fruit" of an automatic about 15 years ago, I never looked back. Driving a manual is like refusing to use a dishwasher or washing machine because you think you can do it better by hand!

[@lemdixon01]

@@mdnickless well I used to have an automatic and found it good for not having to constantly go in and out of gear in traffic jams and it makes hill starts easier but I've had manual cars since as it's not too big a deal for me to change gear and the cars I wanted to buy were manual.

[@terryhayward7905]

Your point about teenagers, In the US teenagers MUST be organised by the adults. In the UK, teenagers are allowed to do their own thing, they do not have to be overseen by adults all of the time.

[@bugtracker152]

As a guy who grew up in Europe I’ve learned to drive with manual transmission and I really appreciate that experience - it really made my driving transition in the US really smooth. Even though there are bad automatic transmissions, the good ones really help to focus on what’s important - on the road. Basically your attention is not dispersed on multiple things - your entire focus is on the road. It’s the same reason why I love driving using cruise control, especially adaptive one. Makes driving so much stress-less. Since it was so many years ago I drove manual I’m not sure I could do it now anymore without damaging a clutch. Sorry.

[@dougsheehan3585]

You don't need a full shower screen if you're using a proper plastic bath bowl inside your bath.

[@dougsheehan3585]

@@robertknight2556 it was a weak attempt at humour; if a washing up bowl is a sink within a sink, what if you had a bath within a bath.

[@wonhung]

☺🤣🤣🤣😂😁

[@neilbrennan4498]

Major house renovations in the US are often done on detached houses made of straw. You can basically rebuild it in a week. Houses in the UK are often semi detached and made of brick from 100 years ago. Not as easy to pull walls down. So we paint it 😁👍

[@terryhayward7905]

How often do you have an automatic gearbox serviced ? now how often do you have a manual serviced ? I have a 23 year old Volvo, it had the clutch changed ONCE.

[@jliscorpio]

I just had a 41 year old Ford Mustang automatic gearbox serviced. It cost $175 and drives like new again.

[@OldNintendoNerd]

Fair point about teenagers. When I take my primary school kids to school and a car stops to let them pass the driver always gives a smile or a wave. I told my kids this will definitely stop when they become teenagers and the driver is more likely to not give way (or swear at them! )

[@VaughanCockell]

Sorry to bring in politics, but I think much of this is a consequence of 14 years of Tory rule, particularly with the years of Austerity that it started. Before that there were many options available, partially funded by local authority resources. These were among the many things removed due to lack of funding over the years.

[@gillcawthorn7572]

A bowl in the sink for washing dishes saves water . Here in the UK we are concerned about the environment for everyone, so saving things like water is important. Water bills in the UK are mostly based on each households' water usage. I don`t know what the average cost is in America but , dammit, I'm not going to throw my hard earned cash to some big corporation , so their executives can drive about in automatic cars

[@jillianrussell3321]

How exactly does it save water? (Any logic you use can be applied to just plugging the sink and using it the same way as you would use a tub).

[@jillianrussell3321]

Manual cars are going to way of the dodo…we will all be in hybrid or electric ones soon.

[@AutoReport1]

How? Have a smaller sink.

[@gillcawthorn7572]

Why, when a bowl can be used some times and at other times a larger sink is useful?.@@AutoReport1

[@MisterStuzy]

@@jillianrussell3321they’re often smaller/narrower than the sink, so you can have a higher water level with less water. Useful for washing up.

[@trevorbaynham8810]

I refuse to pay at the pump since I used a credit card and it pre authorised £100 for around £30 of fuel - it took 4 days to credit my account with what I considered stolen funds. Imagine if that £70 was the amount I had budgeted for to buy food for my family including children, but then had nothing for the 4 days and had no food at home - as I had put fuel in the car while out shopping (luckily I did have alternate funds, but not everyone does - and sometimes it has been like that. - Now I insist on using a cashier - oddly enough they don't need to knock off £100 from my card for no reason.

[@gtvgranberg]

Get a second credit card? Debit cards are worse, the money is locked... I use my credit card on road trips so if something goes wrong I still have my money in my bank account.

[@davidhall4499]

Sometimes the only way an EV driver can recharge their car is to have a massive amount debited from their account to be repaid in the future

[@richt71]

Hey Kalyn. There was a lot to do as a teengager growing up. Youth clubs or social centres but a lot of them were closed in the 90's to cut costs.

[@0utcastAussie]

I'm with you on the auto transmissions. If my Civic had been available with auto box I'd have chosen it over manual. But I'm a truck driver that grew up with constant mesh gearboxes and loved it when Eaton Twin Splitters were introduced. They are now full auto's and do you think I miss doing probably 15k gear changes everyday ?

[@Frazpas]

If you get a card / account with shell, bp, Tesco you can pay at the pump. That probably covers 50% of the main fuel stations.

[@Mojinator101]

My next car will be automatic most likely, I’m not precious about it but it depends on what’s available at the time. I don’t eat Christmas pudding but if I do it’s covered in cream. I once pierced my sink because I dropped a knife point down but I still don’t use a bowl. My shower is separate to my bath so it’s fully enclosed.

[@Frazpas]

The reason for manual cars is they are more efficient with small engines. If you try a car with a 1 litre engine you will understand. We have both. It’s similar to why we don’t have trucks here.

[@idristaylor5093]

If you have a water meter the plastic bowl saves you money. 👍

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

A good point!

[@gtvgranberg]

How? Because it is smaller?

[@idristaylor5093]

@@gtvgranberg Yes. A typical kitchen sink has a surface area much larger than is needed for regular washing up so you might use 2 or 3 times the volume of water.

[@davidhall4499]

Don't have a water meter. I pay my water bill based on my council tax band and I use what I need

[@barneylaurance1865]

I wash up in a bowl and rinse things under the tap letting the water go down the side the bowl. Also I let things build up in the bowl a bit and it's nice to know that I can lift it all out in case I need to use the sink for something else. Even though I basically never actually do lift it out. Also when I run the tap to get some cold water for a drink or something I run it down the side of the bowl before I put my glass under.

[@elaineb7065]

Bingo!!! That's how I use mine too!!!

[@jeromemckenna7102]

When I was a child manual transmission were supposed to be more efficient than automatics, that hasn't been true for decades, certainly not since the 1980's. I don't enjoy driving, and I prefer an automatic. My father worked as the business manager for a car dealer, probably because of that I never cared for cars or driving.

[@andrewwhite3793]

Christmas pudding with custard is the absolute business . Also Christmas cake with a cuppa is amazing. Basically comfort food. Manual cars are more fuel efficient plus in the States you can drive for miles without changing gear. Never watched house renovation and the like so less TV is a good thing for mental health being. Washing up bowl is water efficient and in a water emergency or shortage can be used to flush the toilet or water the garden. Bank holidays . How can you complain when you get paid for the day off unlike the US .

[@CherylVogler]

I'm in the U.S. - when I was still working we got 12 paid holiday days off each year (plus I had in addition 3 weeks vacation to start with, then got an additional week after 15 years). I only mention the vacation because so many people believe we don't get many vacation days - some of us do.

[@andrewwhite3793]

@@CherylVogler Some of you do but in the UK and Europe it is mandatory that all gets them

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

Yes, I understand. As an 🇺🇲 the idea of being able to use both feet and two hands at the same time is foreign to you 😅. I do like automatic transmission on long drives, but standard transmission is far more efficient on windy, country lanes, and off-road 4x4 driving. The same is true of the hand brake. Manufacturers don't waste money on expensive safety features unless they have a purpose.

[@john_smith1471]

Automatic transmission is excellent the default for me now, no clutch pedal, auto handbrake and 50 mpg, more than 60% of new cars sold are automatic and many automatics have a switch to activate semi-auto mode, so you can still shift manually if you wish.

[@marka3239]

I only have a small sink so tif here is washing up in their I can't fill my kettle, the washing-up bowl allows me to fill my kettle without having to wash up first.

[@bsasteve]

As a mechanic I find stick shift gear box last longer and easy to maintain and automatic transmission only last about 150.000 miles and very expensive to fix or maintain when it go's wrong.

[@mikebarnes2294]

One issue to be aware of with the whole automatic versus manual driving thing is that in the US we have almost exclusively automatic vehicles - and we also have a large problem with people texting and driving at the same time (with associated accidents and deaths). The continued presence of stick sift vehicles in the UK may be a naturally protective barrier against this sort of thing being more common - and something you Brits should be aware of as automatics become more commonplace.

[@robocop3961]

Doesn’t stop a lot of people from changing gear and writing a msg!

[@MisterChrisInTheUK]

I tend to buy most of my fuel at Sainsbury's. When I pull up to refuel the screen on the pump offers me a choice of 'Pay at Pump' or 'Pay in Kiosk'. I always choose the kiosk because I am helping the person who works there to have a job.

[@davidmckie7128]

My wife and I have been happily driving automatic cars for many years now. It was especially useful when her knees were going and before she had replacement knees put in. However when we thought about renewing our car the manufacturer (American) was not doing them anymore as they were not environmentally friendly!!

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Oh, interesting that they got taken off because of the environment - that's one argument I do hear against automatics. But as you say, can be helpful for some people to make it much easier for them to get around. Thanks for watching!

[@EmiSuperTrans71]

I drove manual for years and resisted going automatic. Due to health reasons I have had to go automatic and now I wish I had done so years ago

[@BBKing1977]

Canadian here. I learned to drive in a manual, and I’m glad that’s how I learned because you get a feel for what the car is doing. That said, I’ve driven automatics for the last dozen years or so, and I prefer it in general.

[@garth56]

You drive what you want.. Just because you think they're dumb doesn't mean they are. In fact they are very practical and actually way more efficient on fuel than automatics. So not dumb just the drivers are dumb

[@MrGBH]

The reason you can't pay at the pump in every petrol station is because it's very expensive to replace the petrol machines Companies like Tesco can afford this. Franchise stations are owned by individuals and they're already paying for the franchise

[@grahamgresty8383]

You said it: the bowl is a sink within a sink. With space at a premium, the sink can be used for dirty washing (used to be soaking nappies, prior to disposables) and the bowl for cleaning dishes etc, that you eat off. " sinks are less common. As for automatic cars, wait 10 years. My electric car doesn't have gears to change and I pay at the charger every time! I can even 'fill up' at home and only pay 5% VAT!

[@drdrght]

Just discovered your channel. Really love your blunt and random opinions 🙂 Subscribed

[@trevorveail]

I do not wash the dishes in the sink. I use a dishwashing machine to wash them. It save water using a full ( afew days) dishwashing machine. It is also tidier storeing the dirty dishes in there.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Yes, I also tend to just use the dishwasher!

[@excuthiesboy]

Thank you for another great thought provoking presentation - When we "Pay at the Pump" we are doing somebody's son or daughter out of a job - The petrol station's owner or manager doesn't have to pay a person and we are doing that person's job for free.

[@pete48172]

There still needs to be someone in the kiosk, to keep an eye on the forecourt and make sure that people are dispensing the fuel safely. You might not realise that they’re in control of the pumps, but they are - a couple of times when filling fuel tanks for boats I’ve had them switch off the pump because they could see it wasn’t in the car’s fuel filler and weren’t sure what I was up to.

[@excuthiesboy]

Thank you Pete - Good input - My local station has 18 pumps - Nearly half of these are self service - These people don't want to wait in line to pay with only 1 or occasionally 2 cashiers in the kiosk - Without self service the owner would have to employ more people (there are 4 work stations in the kiosk) to manage the queue lengths - We all need a job, what's wrong with that.

[@gchecosse]

By having a car you're doing a farrier out of a job.

[@excuthiesboy]

Thank you for this powerful input - Want to buy a car?

[@gaynorhead2325]

Where I live in the UK most petrol stations have pumps where you can pay at the pump as well as where you self service, you can choose what you prefer.

[@elfedowen6452]

I bought an automatic car (only available in aitomatic) about seven years ago and I'll never go back to a manual again... its been a revelation.

[@jamiesimms7084]

I love watching up bowls and with the renovation shows, ut depends which ones your watching. The washing up bowls are good for filling things up with water and then ir you need to you can lift it out and still use the sink. I have a shower curtain but I know what you mean though

[@lemdixon01]

Those low budget shows renovating houses or Come Dine With Me, Cash in the Attic all started in the UK and was adapted in many countries invluding in the US. There used to be more big budget dramas with where you had to pay for actors, building sets, costume design, special effects but now you just pay the presenter, cameraman and a few other people.

[@Michael_Brock]

Washing up bowl. Do you drink washing up liquid or eat washing machine power or dish washing tablets? Unless you have a double sink (very American) the bowl allows you to hand wash (and soak) items then rinse the soap off into the sink alongside the washing bowl.

[@gtvgranberg]

UK houses don't have a double sink? I have never seen a house with a kitchen from the 1940 or newer without a double sink. But I'm in Sweden. Maybe one new modern kitchen with a single sink but that's just because people don't prepare foods from their gardens anymore, clean fish or chickens. When houses got electricity, water pumps and water heaters and electric stoves was installed, and most people still was farmers or born on a farm, and needed/wanted a practical kitchen. A lot of kitchens was rebuilt and houses got wood or oil fire central heating with water radiators.

[@neilbrennan4498]

I might invent a big plastic bath bowl to put in the bath 😁

[@alanj9391]

Paying at the pump - When I've been in the US, I've almost always had to go inside and leave my card at the till (which I definitely don't like) while I fill up, as the pump invariably needs a zip code before it can be authorised.

[@GrahamMNewton]

I found there are many variations on this for example you have to say up front how much gas you want, for a car you have had for a day or two so have no idea how much it needs, and then you have to go back in and pay the actual price. Also the pumps that play adverts (commercials) at you. I think they would be smashed up here.

[@potownrob]

I’ve never heard of having to leave your card at the register at a gas station here in the states - usually, you go in and say $20 on pump 2 then pump the gas - if you don’t use the whole $20, you go back in and get refunded.

[@GrahamMNewton]

@@potownrob In the UK you either put your card in the pump and enter the PIN number then refuel and go, or after refuelling you go to the register and put your card in the card machine and enter your pin number. There is no having to go to the register twice or having to enter ZIP codes which is why I'm surprised that @Girl Gone London thinks it's a hassle in the UK.

[@potownrob]

@@GrahamMNewton I don’t think they trust people to no drive off without paying here

[@davidz2690]

If my car was automatic I would never get up certain hills! I also don't understand why my mum uses a washing up bowl

[@potownrob]

Correction: manuals USED TO be more fuel efficient than automatics 😅

[@charleshedley4381]

I believe that EVs, by default, are automatic. So as we transfer to electric manual transmissions will gradually disappear.

[@potownrob]

@@charleshedley4381 very true. Manual hybrids exist, but the nature of the electric motor doesn’t lend to having gears like in an ICE car. I remember Honda having a manual civic hybrid back in the 2000s. EVs don’t need a transmission let alone gears at all.

[@terencesaunders1357]

I only use Tesco for my fuel. I know the prices there are comparable and I can pay at the pump and get points

[@johnkelly6538]

Hi Caitlin, I lived in New Jersey for 14 years, where it’s illegal to pump your own gas. you often have to pay in the store.

[@john_smith1471]

What I like about American house renovation shows is that because the houses are made of cardboard and timber, if they need to create patio doors they make the hole in the wall with a circular saw, completed in half a day.

[@Bedfordshireman]

That's interesting what you say about transmissions, because when I've been in America, loads of people told me they wished manuals were more common there. Personally, I think autos are _boring_ as hell! I like to feel involved when driving, have complete control over my rate of acceleration, not to mention having a bit more control at slower speeds. They're going to disappear with the introduction of electric cars though. You also have the point (and I'm sure you're well aware of this) that you cannot get a full licence in the UK unless you pass in a manual, so people opt to do their test in a manual, so they learn in a manual, and eventually go on to buy a manual, which contributes to its cultural status.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Oh that is interesting because most Americans I know don't know how to drive manuals! I get the "boring" argument - for some people, driving is actually enjoyable, as you say, and for some it's a way to get from Point A to Point B so I could see how people more interested in the actual fun/art of driving would like manuals more.

[@BigKelvPark]

So you would prefer to go into the 'gas station' to pay first than filling up first?

[@danowen79]

I think not paying at the pump is because you’re more likely to buy something from the shop if you have to go in there to pay.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Oh that's a good point!

[@pete48172]

@@GirlGoneLondonofficial I came here to say this too. I’m quite sure that’s why it’s not more common - if you pay at the pump they can’t make you stand next to a rack of chocolate bars while waiting to pay.

[@ritaboes]

​@@GirlGoneLondonofficialwanted to say the same thing. It's the same with going to the till in the supermarket. At the till there are always tasty last min additions for your grocerie haul, at the self service till there aren't. 😂

[@mdnickless]

This is a weak argument. With the increasing use of pay at the pump apps, it's easy to entice customers with extras. It's the same when you order a pizza online, and they try to get you to upsize or add a drink.

[@pete48172]

@@mdnickless I imagine they’re trying, but for me at least it’s a lot easier to ignore a button in an app than a bag of Candy Kittens or a block of Ritter Sport. And what sort of “extra” can they provide to me then and there at the pump in the few seconds before I drive off? In any case, while I do sometimes pay at the pump if they have a normal card reader (though none of the regular ones I use do), I wouldn’t bother with installing a special app for it.

[@grahamstubbs4962]

A manual gearbox was historically more efficient than an automatic. Not sure if that's still the case, but it's going to be a moot point once all vehicles are electric. I've got a milk float on order right now. 🙂

[@BlueTangWebSystems]

Possibly also a macho thing, used to be that you weren't a real driver or were possibly disabled if you drove an auto.

[@grahamstubbs4962]

@@BlueTangWebSystems Not sure what kind of a babe magnet a milk float is going to be, but I'm here to find out. 🙂 We do the research and we're serious about it.

[@lemdixon01]

I sort of agree with the washing up bowl thing because they get dirty underneath and so have to clean that and you have to tip the water out but I saw one with its own plug. We need washing up bowl covers 😅

[@linzk425]

Tip the water out and leave the bowl leaning at an angle against the side of the sink!

[@orchidhouse297]

Gear changes becomes instinctive after years of driving, although many drivers are comfortable in either. Most people will eat Christmas pudding any time of year, especially my family. Serious house renovation is educational , where people learn techniques for their own homes. List 50 uses for a washing up bowl ; should be easy. Pay at the pump - yes - I'm not tempted to buy anything else. Great to hear your opinions.

[@grahvis]

At one time automatics were not so good dealing with British driving conditions and roads. They have, however, become much improved, but since there are such a high percentage of manual cars and a licence for an automatic does not cover a manual, people still learn in a manual. Not every British person loves Christmas pudding or cake. Drama in house renovation shows, look at the difference between Gordon Ramsey's programmes in the US and the UK. The two bank holidays in May are traditional. The first one is a celebration of Spring, also marks Mayday a commemoration of workers. The second one marks the day after Pentecost or Whitsun, a religious holiday, the seventh Sunday after Easter Sunday. Neither, therefore, can be moved.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Excellent points. The difference between Gordon's programs in the UK and US is definitely so fascinating and very noticeable - I often wonder if Americans who only see his US shows would even believe me if I told them how much calmer he was on screen in the UK ones!

[@pixie706]

Much prefer a manual for our steep twisty roads in winter

[@zandvoort8616]

Insightful comments and I totally agree re your comments on manual cars. Life is too short to change gears.

[@grahamlavers8128]

I have 2 Asda supermarkets where I live, both petrol stations are pay at pump only, no kiosk to go to.

[@watcher24601]

For a few months, I had to share a kitchen with others. Sink was always full of pans and dishes waiting to be washed. Washing up bowl meant I could put it on top of whatever was in the sink, wash my dishes and get on with life without having to deal with their mess.

[@russelsellick316]

Well earlier automatic gearboxes gave you worse petrol consumption. I think that's changed. In traffic jams an automatic makes life safer amd easier. I've used both.

[@jessicaowen2603]

Gosh no on the house renovation one 😅 I love love love the calm of a British house renovation show, I’ll put them on to relax. Also I love my washing up bowl ❤ it is kinda cute tho, it’s sage green and white and collapsible and it has a pug in the bottom for easy draining.

[@jamiesimms7084]

As you mentioned teenagers, I think its a good point and very true. I also don't think elderly people are thought of properly. There's care homes when there could be other facilities, extra rooms, better care in the home and more things for elderly too do and things that are accessing to them

[@barneylaurance1865]

Had anyone made a combined manual-automatic car? Maybe something with an electronically controlled gearbox that allows manual or automated gear selection?

[@DJChrisNeon]

Manual cars are indeed dying out, mostly because of electric cars not needing to have a traditional gearbox. Automatic car driving tests are actually on the increase as a result, so one day you'll have your wish that there'll be far fewer manual cars on the road 🙂

[@robocop3961]

Imagine learning how to put the lever into ‘D’ 😂😂😂

[@bugtracker152]

Never tried English Xmas pudding but there’s a question, which really bothers me: why American deserts are so sweet? It seems to me that deserts in the US have twice more sugar than their European counterparts and not only deserts - same applicable to sodas. I almost stopped eating deserts here because I feel like I’m going to throw up since they are too sweet 😢

[@danbakf9]

Christmas Pud, I hate it but I dont like anything with dried fruit as an ingredient. it was a method of preserving fresh ingredients in the autumn for consumption in the winter, hence the large amount of alcohol in it. My Dad and sister really look forward to it!

[@benhodkinson6467]

This is the second video I have watched. You got liked and subscribed. Your really natural on camera, I feel like your very personable. Your 10 points in this video and the American video, are all very interesting and funny. As a Brit, I for one have NEVER seen the point in a washing-up bowl. Manual gears are absolutely necessary! And there is too much drama in all American t.v.

[@RogersRamblings]

Automatic transmission cars are for people who should be on the bus, they're for people who can't drive. If there's drama in a house renovation then it's because the people doing the job have screwed up. But then, we English expect Americans to be over dramatic. This also applies to showing one's feelings. Christmas pudding and washing up bowls are a matter of choice. Don't like? Don't use. On thing's for certain, Brits aren't going to give them up just because some random colonist who's decided to return to civilisation doesn't like them. Ineffective shower curtains and screens indicate a failure to make proper use of a tape measure. There's an old saying, measure twice cut once. In this case, measure twice, buy once. Many British people agree about the spread of bank holidays. We should have one to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar (21st October) when we could all splice the mainbrace. Not all petrol stations are pay at the pump because the retailer wants us to go into the shop and buy all the goodies they are offering. This is because they make very little profit on fuel sales. Time was when cars could be maintained by the owner that the petrol station only sold car spares, tools and accessories but as cars became more complicated they sold fewer of those items and eventually stopped. Agreed regarding teenagers. The reason is that teenagers don't have any money to spend and they don't vote so no one cares about them. Until, that is, they get up to mischief because they're bored. You obviously prefer it in England and with all this moaning you're obviously assimilating. 🤣🤣🤣

[@heraklesnothercules.]

With EV and hybrid cars you often get no option... they _only_ come with automatic gearboxes.

[@dereklupton5259]

completely agree about washing up bowls!

[@HootMaRoot]

Automatic cars belong in cities and towns I absolutely hate driving a manual in the city all the stopping and starting, but when out in the country manual gives you more control of the car especially in the snow or torrential rain. Drama is for Americans to keep them watching it's made for folk with not much in their lives, along with getting a whole recap of the program in the first 4min what's the point of watching the rest if you have been shown all the scripted drama sections that going to happen

[@jamesbeeching6138]

House renovation---American houses are mostly wood framed and just dry lining internally and so massive alterations are much easier than with proper brick built British homes!!!

[@StevenHughes-hr5hp]

Pretty sure they are mostly concrete block and stucco. Or maybe that is just because that is encouraged by zoning boards here in Florida due to hurricanes? Wood frame houses tend to be really old.

[@jamesbeeching6138]

@@StevenHughes-hr5hp internal walls will be wood frames and dry lining..The main outside 4 walls will at least have some breeze blocks!!

[@Stoater1]

Most people buy something else when they get petrol like a newspaper or a chocolate bar. Most large petrol stations have the facility to pay by card but you won't get that in a small village.

[@BlueTangWebSystems]

Here in the Scottish highlands you do come across petrol stations in the middle of nowhere that have been set up for pay at pump and run 24/7

[@SuperDebyO]

Christmas pudding with brandy butter…yum! Washing up bowls are so useful, for more than just dishes. I do prefer a shower curtain to be fair.

[@triplea25]

For city driving Manuel's are worthless and wear out clutches. There real worth is off road where their low end torque comes in handy . You can drop into a low gear much quicker than automatic.

[@simonsaunders8147]

I have never had an answer I can understand from an automatic car lover about what you can do to slow your vehicle down if the brakes fail. It's easy in a manual as you can go down through the gears. Generally, people who drive automatics do not know how to drive properly as they don't understand how the engine itself works.

[@DrIanRubenstein]

I haven’t a clue why most Brits don’t use automatic cars. In the old days, they were less efficient and as American cars used to be bigger they had more energy to spare. But modern computer controlled cars have automatic transmissions that are more efficient at judging when to change gear and are actually more efficient than an average driver using a manual shift. I refuse to drive a manual shift car.

[@allenwilliams1306]

We can't see the point of having a Bank Holiday when the weather's lousy. We should probably get rid of Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day, and shift those three to July/early August.

[@IsisBarom]

There is as much chance of it being lousy then too!

[@allenwilliams1306]

@@IsisBarom Not really: at least it will be warmer, with no chance of sleet, snow, or icy rain. It also won't be night for most of the time.

[@RonTodd-gb1eo]

Spot on with Christmas pudding. Too heavy for the end of a large meal. I prefer to show my feelings in a subtle way another Scot would pick on while allowing us both to pretend I did not reveal anything. If I have a washing-up bowl, I don’t need to clean the sink. I keep saying the first Monday of every month should be a Bank Holiday.

[@bobjenkins9944]

I agree with you about bank holidays, but nothing else. I haven’t got time to explain.

[@DavidGreen_au]

I prefer to drive a manual, but I have mostly driven automatics. This preference is driven by the better control granted. There is also the matter of options during an emergency. I also enjoy the experience. Christmas pudding tastes really good! I've seen really interesting renovation shows. You must have missed the good ones.

[@scrappystocks]

We were paying at the pump long before my American family in California were just as we had more electronic payment systems such as chip and pin and contactless card payments