British Health Care

Brits love their creaking, overburdened National Health Service. They love it more than they do the Queen and bangers and mash.

You can slag off (criticize) the prime minister, your host's favorite football (soccer) team, even his wife, but don't knock the National Health Service.

Even if you have to stand in line for two years for your bunions to be fixed or your hip to be replaced, Brits will wait patiently because they sincerely believe the system is fair and free.

If you attempt to tell them that health care in America is modern and immediate, they will bite back with the number of uninsured Americans, the huge insurance premiums paid by doctors, and the ridiculous number of expensive tests Americans are forced to go through before a doctor dare tells them they have a common cold.

Brits don't mind sharing a ward with wheezing, groaning geriatrics; they'll endure awful hospital food and ancient medical equipment because the National Health Service has become something that defines Britain as Britain.