When I moved here in 1997, the US seemed ahead in all sorts of ways. Since then, the UK seems to have caught up. Grocery shops sell salad dressing and ground coffee, and they’re open on Sunday. People say “kids” and “Merry Christmas”. Men don’t wear ties much, and cyclists do wear bike helmets. There are coffee shops everywhere with excellent wifi, and you get a lid on your cup at the motorway service area.

Here’s what it feels like. It has been my curious fortune to live in Britain during precisely the quarter-century when the two countries became aligned.

Of course, there is another possibility. In September I’ll be moving back to Massachusetts, and I am nervous.

[2 May 2023]