The traffic circles around here (New Hampshire) are actually referred to as 'roundabouts' and have one lane. They're great for losing tailgaters - you go around 1.5 times instead of .5, and there are never any left turns. They go around counter-clockwise, as opposed to the ones in the UK. I'd think both countries would go in the same direction as were in the same hemisphere.

On the article posted by John Hardly, I take it more as self-deprecating than a slam on American culture, because it has to do with his choices.

When I lived in the UK, the first time I went to visit London with a bunch of other Americans, all but two of us went to eat at...McDonalds. I, and a friend, sought out a restaurant serving English-style food. I had an enormous pork chop with peas and mashed potatoes, and I actually remember it.

Les Barker has a sort of guide to "Avoiding Motorway Service Areas, but an awful lot of the restaurants seemed to be named something like 'Tesco's'. You can go to Canada and eat at McDonalds or Tim Horton's. One good thing about food chains is that you know what to expect and can eat the same food wherever you are. One bad thing about them is...see above.

Once you get off the highway, and you can talk to local folks instead of fellow travellers. You can experience things unique to that area. Many folks want the speed and security of the highway versus slower winding roads and the risk of unknown food establishments, though.

And I LIKE Cracker Barrel! They aren't ubiquitous here, so eating at one feels like a treat. Will trade you one fried clam stand for one Cracker Barrel.