In an informal survey, 20 Americans spending the summer in Great Britain said life in the U.K. is healthier and safer than in the U.S. 

Asked to name one thing that is better in England, the respondents listed health care and related items, such as nutrition and bans on food additives and preservatives. They said British tea and bread are better. Cleanliness and transportation also were among the responses.

The respondents said cities in the U.K. are safer, and gun violence and police brutality are less of a threat.

On the flipside, the Americans had varied responses when asked to name one thing that is better in the U.S.

A few individuals expressed a preference for health care in the U.S. Among the other items listed were education, taxes, government, career opportunities and the military.

The responses for what is better in the U.S. also included affordable golf, more trashcans in public restrooms, fast food and access to water.

The informal survey was conducted as part of a Media and Democracy course that St. Bonaventure University Professor Richard A. Lee is teaching at Trinity College, Oxford University, this summer as part of the university’s Francis E. Kelley Oxford Program. Students in the class polled 20 Americans at Trinity as part of an assignment on polling.

Categories: Jandoli Institute, Research, Richard Lee