It's 4th July, so happy Independence day everyone, well everyone of my American readers anyway. I'm not sure if I'm the only one that feels this, but it's a little odd being a Brit in America on Independence Day, after all it was this day back in 1776 when they fully declared their Independence from Great Britain ! So, I guess for me, the celebration is actually not Independence, but loosing a large part of our once great British Empire! Oh well, things come and things go!
The magical celebrations of this special day in American history have been non existent! Matt's had to work, in fact he had to get up earlier than he ever has since I have bee here, 9am! But it's the weather that's taken it's toll, it's pretty much a washout as the rain has been falling steadily from the steel grey skies since before dawn! I'm doubting the fireworks will fire and work as it's been so darn wet all over this area. Oh well never mind, I'm sure I can drink a toast a little later, Matt's working this evening with no telling when he's going to get off, or come home, so happy Independence day!
On to something else, oh and relax, it's not gonna be about Michael Jackson !
Having been down here in Southern Illinois for almost three months I've experienced the cultural differences between our two great nations first hand, some obvious and some not so obvious. Yes there is the different accents, but that's only to be expected, and, of course there is the completely different spellings of the same words! Colour and color as a prime example!
Over here you've got the different laws that vary from state to state, which can make things a little difficult for outsiders to understand - for example in Los Angeles, you cannot bathe two babies in the same tub at the same time. Or In Baltimore, it's illegal to take a lion to the movies. Don't forget some states still allow the death penalty, which can, in two states be by firing squad, if chosen!
86% or American men have fired at least one gun, compared to just 5% of English men. We are two different nations, America is land where bright white smiles with straight or straightened teeth are mandatory for anyone over the age of 17! While England is globally known as a bad teeth nation!
Another difference I've notice while over here is the appearance of prescriptive drugs advertised on television. I've never seen drug that have to be prescribed by the doctor advertised on terrestrial TV at home, yet over here they are common place. Usually it's some actor or another telling the benefits of the drug and then a long list of side effects, complications and other reasons why it 'may not be right for everyone!' Some have helplines and website that enable you to find a doctor, all of them basically say "Ask you physician if xxxxxx is right for you"
I'm not 100% sure but I think the only other country in the world that allows direct to consumer prescriptive drug advertisements is New Zealand. In a recent Consumer Reports' survey, they found that 20% of those regularly taking a prescription medication have requested a drug they had seen or heard advertised. And the majority - 67 % said their doctor did actually prescribe it!
So far I've seen adverts for Cymbalta, to sort out your depression, Boniva to ease your menopausal joint pain, Lipitor to lower your cholesterol. Abilify for depression, bipolar and schizophrenia, Celebrix for the old arthritis, Pristiq again for depression and loads of others. Everything from bladder problems to things to stop hyper tension and cure erectile dysfunction - oh yes indeed so, there are ads on prime time and day time TV here for Viagra and Cialis!
See all the current Viagra TV commercials here. Remember consult your doctor for erections lasting more that 4 hours, Viagra isn't for everyone, don't take it if your taking nitrates! Don't buy it from grubby Indian rent boys in Halfway to Heaven! I also love in the TV commercials it warns that taking Viagra will not protect from HIV or other sexual transmitted infections or stop pregnancy, just in case you had any doubts! These are real ads and not spoofs!
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