4 ms·

is there a reason why the uk is different from "the rest" of europe?

• kokey 15y ago
  Because it is different. It's not part of the Eurozone so doesn't use the Euro. (ok, other countries like Sweden also doesn't) More importantly, it's not part of the Schengen countries in Europe, which means that a visa that gets you into most EU member states won't get you into the UK. It also means there are border controls if you travel between the rest of Europe and the UK. You can travel all the way from France to Poland without having to show a passport or see an immigration officer. They also drive on the left of the road and measure in miles, unlike the rest of Europe. There are other cultural and historical reasons why the UK doesn't 'feel' like continental Europe, and I think these differences developed because of being an island and not physically connected to the rest of Europe. This makes the UK quite distinct from their neighbours, more than say Switzerland is different from their neighbours.
  • bnegreve 15y ago
    You are suggesting that there are more cultural differences between France and England, than between France and Poland. I wouldn't say so.
    • kokey 15y ago
      I wasn't suggesting that, but perhaps it comes across confusing. When it comes to cultural differences, I compare neighbours. The Eastern block also spent about half a century being isolated from the rest of Europe, so they have developed stronger cultural differences that are weakening again now.