I can only speak for myself: I keep all my problems to myself till I get to know someone then it might come out in casual conversation. I don't have any real problems other then 1 health issue and I will only bring that up after awhile.
I know when I was in the UK a couple yrs ago that fuel prices were around $7.00 a gallon
As to the US it really depends where you live as to prices and what taxes are charged, In this state there is no sales tax on anything but the property taxes are very high to make up for a lack of sales tax and in other states it's low because they tax everything.
Born Yankee here, Everytime I've moved away from NE I come back, It's home. This has been a very long winter, I'm sure ppl are tired of it and getting cabin fever by now.
RE: What's The Weather Like In Your Area?
Cold and windy, Got 5" of snow over night (I'm sick of snow)