I have one of those friends that knows everything about everything. Or thinks she does.
A few of us went out for a bit of a girly get together tonight (at the hilariously named Henry & Harry's Goat Hill Tavern - fab bar, 141 beers on tap and seriously strong mixed drinks).

We were discussing the new Health Care Reform Bill that's just been passed and discussing how it's going to work etc (bear in mind this involves insurance companies, not converting to an NHS type system).
Said friend decides to start babbling on about the NHS. We're in America. She's American. She's never visited the UK.

Naturally, I listen with ever growing amusement about how the people of Britain pay 70% in taxes to cover the NHS, and how even after treatment patients still have to pay part of the doctor and hospital bills, and that's why the Reform bill should not pass the next round because in America that's what we'll all be paying. Oh, and the bit about "even if you have cancer, you have to wait 3 years before you can get chemo"

By this point, a few other tables are listening in and joining the debate....meanwhile I've kept quiet. Our circle of friends are telling her to shut up, knowing exactly what's about to come out of my mouth if she doesn't.

She didn't. I pointed out the error of her ways and she still tried to tell me I was wrong - even after regaling her with my tales of NHS treatment! Another English guy was sat at the table behind us, tapped her on the shoulder and in broad Brummie re-iterated everything I had just said, with a few not so subtle *ya daft bint* type insults thrown in.
( Batshitmentalist is sane for once, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 8:11, 12 replies)

You have to say that
or the death panels will kill your grandma.
(apeloverage committed the vile act of onanism on, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 8:14, closed)

In California last year, I was often stopped by Americans and asked about the NHS.
'Is it true you can go to the Emergency Room more than twice in a week and not pay, even once?' was my favourite question, asked by a stoner/skateboarder type.
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 8:58, closed)

141 beers on tap?
This is an exaggeration, yes?
(Land of Green Ginger It's dreamy weather, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 9:32, closed)

If it isn't
I might be inclined to visit the States.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 10:20, closed)

probably all american beers though

( weaver., Tue 23 Mar 2010, 10:54, closed)

Surprisingly
Some American beers are actually quite good. Lots of micro breweries and bits. I was disbelieving but very pleased to be proved wrong.
(nebbie, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 13:19, closed)

Maybe 141 beers (bottled)

(Shippy likes linebreaks and doesn't care what you think, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 11:26, closed)

my experience of US pubs
has included several with long lines of beer taps (sometimes, oddly fixed above a big urinal acting as a drip tray.)
I've seen several with 40-50 lined up.
As they only take up about two inches each, you'd only need a 23 foot bar (approx) to fit 'em all on.
So it is possible.....
(greatoldone Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl f'tagn, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 12:26, closed)

I'd have thought.
That 140 barrels not being consumed enough, and subsequently going off would be more of an issue rather than bar real estate.
( Slippery Mick ‏, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 22:53, closed)

I think
that US barrels are generally smaller than ours.
They're also pressurised kegs rather than real ales, so have a much longer shelf (bar) life.

Of course, I could just be exhibiting an amazing display of ignorance!
(greatoldone Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl f'tagn, Wed 24 Mar 2010, 7:01, closed)

Americans and the NHS
All good fun. I've been having a lot of fun annoying Republican idiots on arguewitheveryone.com pointing out a few misconceptions in their warped world views.

Yes, I'm a cheeky cunt.
( jim_bob can herd cats., Tue 23 Mar 2010, 13:03, closed)

Yeah, like that whole bailing out the limeys during several conflicts, and the continued defense of their dumb asses on the false belief they may be useful at some distant point in the future.
(Slam63 I wasn't really peeking. Nice panties., Thu 25 Mar 2010, 5:55, closed)