Alice Johnston
I was born in the UK, and I had never been to the US until I visited LA at 26.
Even though I was consuming American content like "Sex and the City", I was still shocked at the differences.
It's amazing how the weather can be almost every day and how people seem to be more positive.
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Los Angeles has a lot more space than you might think.
The houses are larger and the roads are wider. Alice Johnston
When I arrived in LA from London, one of the first things that struck me was the amount of space available in LA.
It can be difficult to remember that you live on a tiny island in the UK with millions of people.
Almost every house has its own backyard and plenty of space inside. LA: A friend told me that they didn't realize expensive homes had to share walls. It was a shocking revelation.
This space can be translated to almost everything, including the food.
Everything is bigger, from pancakes to freeways. Alice Johnston
An ordinary-sized motorway has eight lanes, instead of six. The cars are bigger, and the food portions are enormous.
It is possible to take up space in LA. This is different from trying to squeeze yourself into every corner of Central Line London's underground railway for your morning commute.
Los Angeles lacks a good public transportation system.
Los Angeles has a lot of traffic. Alice Johnston
Los Angeles has no public transportation other than the one-stop metro train and buses.
Although this isn’t true for all Americans, the car is still king in America.
Although it can lead to pollution and congestion, it is still nice to be able to commute to work without having to smell someone else's armpit.
It seems that life is more relaxed.
I was invited to a wonderful breakfast spot by Alice Johnston at the last minute. Alice Johnston
Perhaps this sense of privacy and space is what explains why people here are more relaxed than in the UK.
Los Angeles is not a big deal for last-minute plans, but London is. I feel like I need to make arrangements to see my friends weeks ahead of time, just like purchasing tickets to a theatre.
People seem happier.
All around you are sunny dispositions. Alice Johnston
Los Angeles residents don't complain cynically all the time. This is strange to me.
It seems insincere to me as a Brit when someone takes your lunch order and smiles at you and wishes you a happy day. Although it may seem like it sometimes, they are often actually trying to convey their gratitude.
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It was truly a pleasant feeling to receive this positive reinforcement.
Conversations with strangers are more common.
LA seems to have more friendly and open-minded people. Alice Johnston
Strangers and acquaintances are more likely to chat, making it easier to make new friends.
This is a refreshing change from London where people treat you like a second person when you greet strangers.
Weather is just as good as people think.
Good weather makes everything just a little better. Alice Johnston
I used to wake up in London to see gray clouds and gloomy skies. Then, I would go to lunch and gaze at the dark sky until 4 p.m. Your soul feels like its dying.
This experience is almost nonexistent in LA. The good weather makes it less difficult.
However, if there is any chance of rain, plans can be canceled and traffic becomes chaotic. News anchors also report on mild precipitation as if it were a tornado.
Los Angeles seems to have a shorter day.
It was great to be able to get up early. Alice Johnston
The city's energy is dominated by the first half of each day. Most bars close at 2 a.m.
There are many places that you can grab breakfast at 6 AM.
All activities and amenities are designed to make your life easier.
It is quite common to find a drive-thru pharmacy. Alice Johnston
Many shops in London close at night. However, there are many grocery stores that are open 24 hours a day in the US.
You can also go to a drive-thru pharmacy if you don’t have the time to wait for a prescription.
Restaurants allow you to customize your order.
Nearly all requests are accepted. Alice Johnston
Most servers will not blink an eye if you request extra sauce or a specific ingredient. This is true even for the most expensive restaurants.
If you are trying to cut out alcohol, following Whole30, or if you have a gluten-free diet, you will be accepted.
This request is often met with a dirty stare and grumblings by staff in London.
It is a diverse and exciting food scene.
Flamin' Hot Cheetos is the best. Alice Johnston
Restaurants have a wide variety of produce, including some unusual fruits and vegetables.
Jicama is a sweet potato-like vegetable that can be eaten raw for a crisp, refreshing snack. It tastes like a combination of an apple and a water chestnut.
There are many snack foods that you can grab. Flamin' Hot Cheetos will make you feel like you're living a good life.
Tipping is a popular American practice.
Tipping is a must when you go out to eat or drink. Alice Johnston
Ask about the acceptable tipping rate.
I forgot all about tipping while out at a bar and signed my bill. With a raised eyebrow, the bartender pushed my receipt towards me.
It seems that weed is more prevalent than ever.
California legalizes marijuana. Alice Johnston
Los Angeles seems to have a lower alcohol consumption than Britain, which is not surprising. However, everyone seems to smoke weed or take CBD oil.
A 80-year old woman recommended a cannabis ointment for sore muscles.
Los Angeles will quickly teach you the difference between indica strains and sativa.
Overall, I was astonished at how completely different everything felt.
In-N-Out is a popular fast food restaurant. Alice Johnston
Growing up, the TV shows and songs that I loved featured American accents. I was naive to believe that I would not feel this culture shock after all my exposure.
Although there were plenty of palm trees, I was surprised at how different LA felt to the UK. It all felt foreign, even though the majority of people speak English.
It was obvious, from the cool night air to all the neon signs everywhere, that I was in a different part of the globe. I loved it.
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