Foreigners who have moved to the UK, what are your culture shocks?
Posted by Certified_Loner1391@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 84 comments
I'll start first.
Life is slow here, people take things less seriously, especially Work (things like Early Friday Finish could be common).
People always say thank you when they get off the bus.
Most people here are extroverted, sometimes a bit too extroverted. You will meet people on the streets who will approach strangers out of the blue and want to talk to you. But if you ignore them, things might turn ugly haha. Because they feel it's rude.
People will sit next to you on benches. From where I'm from, people usually avoid sitting with strangers. But here, people won't care, as long as there is empty spot.
A driving licence is very important, even needed for applying for regular jobs.
The famous "You Alright?" means "How are you?" in British English and not "Are you sick?". The causal use of "Love" for strangers :D
Trains are sometimes even more expensive than flights
So much Greenery
Affordable groceries overpriced takeaways
What cultural shocks have you experienced that are different from your home country, and how did you overcome them?
PracticalMention8134@reddit
I live in Glasgow and I thought we were speaking English :) here but heavy accents combined with slang was impossible for the first 3 years. Phone calls were impossible to understand.
But, the only thing is I still feel awkward when they do not say hi how are you, nice to meet you etc.
I realized older people in affluent areas are not talking that way and I feel so much more comfortable when conversing with them.
Weird that I get along better with wealthy retirees in Ayr or West End :)
jamisonbabes@reddit
The lack of screens on windows and ac! I can’t leave my windows open because of ginormous spiders that crawl in at night. (Learned the hard way when we first arrived). I live in the south of England and it’s been warm pretty much all summer and it’s rough without ac/fresh air in the evenings.
In school sports and competitions were a bit of a culture shock also. In the states sports are competitive outside of school, but here the schools made it compulsory and the kids compete a lot, even if they aren’t into it. I’m talking from the age of 6).
Leaving school at 16 being an option is still something I’m trying to wrap my head around!
Purple-Banana-8791@reddit
We don't like spiders either so we have netting over our windows that fasten with Velcro, so you can open it a little and open/close the window. It's been a gamechanger! We bought it from Amazon
Agreeable_Cow_7230@reddit
same
jamisonbabes@reddit
Thanks for the tip!!
ClassicOk7872@reddit
Nonsense. The largest spider native to the UK is the cardinal spider, with a maximum body length of 20 mm.
jamisonbabes@reddit
I’m sorry but 20mm body size doesn’t account for the large ass legs. They are huge compared to where I’m from and I hate them. When they are on your pillow running full speed at your face… ew.
WideProject2813@reddit
Still too big imo
coastalkid92@reddit
I think it depends on where you come from and where you live in the UK specifically.
I'm from Toronto and I've lived in Edinburgh, London and now Northampton. So the idea that life is "slow here" really depends on where you're at because I'd agree to that in the midlands/country side but definitely not in London or Edinburgh.
But on a whole from Canada to the UK, it's not been a massive shock to the system. There's definitely a slang and general style difference but that's about it. The only major difference really is winter. Canada is prepared to socialize and has an outdoor culture in the winter months whereas the UK doesn't really so it can feel pretty dreary.
PolyphonicMenace@reddit
Toronto…Edinburgh…London…and then NORTHAMPTON?! I am sorry to hear this has happened to you!
coastalkid92@reddit
Haha less than ideal but good rent and shockingly found a good one here 😂
littlemissdreamgirl@reddit
What's wrong with Northampton? It looks beautiful.
Character_Whereas123@reddit
it isn’t, trust me
mkroberta@reddit
Northampton???? So many questions!!
ThisIsSpata@reddit
Also live there haha what's so shocking about it?
coastalkid92@reddit
lol ask away
beavershaw@reddit
I'm from Ottawa (have also lived in Toronto) and live in London.
Culture shock from Toronto to London is pretty minimal, except the public transit is miles better here.
And personally I much prefer the winters here.
Love being able to take my kids to a park in January, instead of worrying about a million layers of clothes and having to go inside after 10 mins because the kids are cold.
Feisty_Koala_853@reddit
I’m actually a Canadian who’s considered moving to the UK. If you wouldn’t mind answering, what were the biggest shocks between living in Toronto, and Edinburgh/London?
ZodiacStinger@reddit
The biggest cultural shock that I've struggled with for years was the way English people communicate (in almost every environment, especially professional). It's something you can definitely learn from. The excessive politeness in almost every situation is a strong social skill they hold. Very often strategic. And they are allergic to a straightforward communication.
Being South-Eastern European, I'm used to being direct, yet diplomatic. But I admit that I was misled so many times by the way they would answer the questions. And 90% of the time, they would not tell you what they truly think.
But hey, despite that, I cherish my fellow blunt English friends and co-workers and hold on to them. (Also, I've noticed how many Scottish & Irish people I've met tend to have a similar way of thinking and communicating as me 👀. Love them)
Daidrion@reddit
Having worked with some English people, it was draining to deal with to be honest.
yingdong@reddit
Curious on this one... do you have an easy example to share?
heelek@reddit
That’s a very good point, and I quite see why you’d ask. The thing is, there are a fair few examples one could pick, each making sense in its own way. It rather depends on which aspect you’d like to lean into, if you see what I mean.
twitchaddiction@reddit
im loving what you did here and the fact its going over peoples heads lmaooo
eeeking@reddit
The TV series "Yes Minister" is a master class in how cryptic communications in the UK can be. Here is one excellent example:
ZodiacStinger@reddit
Oh, sounds like a good watch 😉
ZodiacStinger@reddit
As everyone else mentioned, I think it depends on the context. But overall, what is needed in order to learn how to do the “code switch” is to immerse yourself into the culture, learn the lingo, try to work as much as possible with the natives (and observe them always) and leave a bit of your own cultural identity behind (this one is highly important because personally, I believe you cannot integrate in any different culture/society if you don’t.) At the same time, be genuine, Brits can you read you well and sense if you’re not.
Daidrion@reddit
I wouldn't have a specific example, but it just felt like discussions were done in a roundabout manner and it was a bit difficult to read whether the person was acting genuine.
ginger_beer_m@reddit
I know exactly what you meant. They would say a LOT of words in a discussion, and we need to read between the lines to decipher what they actually say.
ZodiacStinger@reddit
Definitely draining. A code switch is needed to survive, haha.
eeeking@reddit
You might say that, but I couldn't possibly comment.
tinatortilla@reddit
Gray carpets, eveywhere.
livingiice@reddit
Customer service just doesn’t exist. I get shocked if someone is genuinely energetic and nice to me at a shop. I also found people to be very oldfashioned and quite obsessed with purchasing houses, no matter the value or circumstances. People seem very class-conscious when talking about themselves, which I found strange. The same English words mean different things. Many people do things under the name of "politeness," but it doesn’t feel that way in reality. People genuinely don’t seem to be bothered by food much, it’s more of a means of socialization and fuel. I just cook for myself at home for the best flavor.
ambergresian@reddit
It definitely depends where you're from.
Thanking bus drivers, sitting next to you on benches, chatting you up (especially elderly women), saying "morning" on walks, giving a little wave while passing, those all reminded me of the friendliness of home which I loved and was looking for.
Honestly I can't say I've had much of a culture shock... not up north in Scotland at least. Some of those things may not be the norm down south.
I really struggle trying to think about a culture shock. I think when I first met my fiancé, he jumped a bit too soon into the banter than I was used to which made me think he was being mean. I would have been ok with that with someone I had more rapport with, but when it happened I was like hold on, and we discussed it, which was a little too soon and so I didn't get it. now we take the piss at each other a ton. maybe he just warmed up to me quicker than I did lol
there's a bit more crabs in a bucket or humbleness, those are both different attitudes, but where I'm from is more let's celebrate the fuck out of you. so I've had to consider toning down accomplishments. not always, but I'm more mindful of it. maybe I was in more of a bubble of privilege before too so idk.
but really, place feels like home and it's been easy and natural.
marvelousnicbeau@reddit
I love the weather too! And the ScotRail.
Big shocks for me though were the lack of window screens and the drinking culture. Socializing seems to revolve around alcohol here.
Certified_Loner1391@reddit (OP)
Good for you!
ambergresian@reddit
thank you! love it and never want to leave ❤️ found my better home away from home
Minimum_Rice555@reddit
I personally wouldn't say most people are extroverted in the UK at all. I think those who you talk about are revellers, either drunk or mentally ill. I don't think it's normal to start a conversation randomly, those people want something from you.
hermesandhemingway@reddit
I think it depends on location. In certain towns, villages and even suburbs of London people are friendly and enjoy some lighthearted chit chat with strangers. It’s friendly and totally normal. If randoms are talking to you on Oxford St, then yeah, they likely have issues or you’re likely a target of pickpocketing lol.
Mabbernathy@reddit
Yeah, it's the little small town local places I've experienced this at.
NgaruawahiaApuleius@reddit
Nah mate we just fancy a bit of a whinge or a chat or a bit of banter to keep the old social wheels greased.
We dont want to become like finland where people stand 3 metres apart from eachother.
Or korea where people think strangers approaching in public are always proselytizing.
Minimum_Rice555@reddit
Of course, but banter with a colleague or in Aldi queue is different than what OP mentioned: people approaching you on the street, basically unignorable Casablanca/Marrakesh-style.
NgaruawahiaApuleius@reddit
Got ya
Mabbernathy@reddit
If someone is "feeling poorly", it means they have a terminal disease.
letitrollpanda@reddit
As a South African living here, I find the lack of directness baffling. Sometimes I miss what people mean because they are so subtle.
Saying "sat" instead of "sitting" when describing a past continuous form is grammatically incorrect, but it's accepted in English dialect.
I find it odd that people seem keen to meet out, but going to someone house is not commonplace. In my culture, we are always welcome at each other's houses.
Real_Sir_3655@reddit
I had reverse culture shock last time I went home to the US. I thought it was super weird that at barbecues everyone waits until everything is done to eat.
Where I live we eat stuff as it comes right off the grill.
Fluid_Door7148@reddit
The first thing that surprised me was just how full the dinghy was when I left France
eeeking@reddit
Seriously... why do you bother to post this kind of comment?
OpenScore@reddit
One way Calais - Dover trip...
sdsquish@reddit
Brits walk so close behind you while out and about. Even if you're walking fast, they'll cruise up right behind you and stay there, chatting on their phone loudly. I don't think it's a regional thing and have noticed it everywhere. Drives me mental!
Certified_Loner1391@reddit (OP)
Lol haha. I know some teenagers here like to play jumpscare a lot, so that might be it.
spekoek@reddit
Potholes.
Bugatsas11@reddit
My culture shock is that I do not have to do my taxes anymore.....
kdot122@reddit
that's my favourite!
Daidrion@reddit
I think having to do taxes yourself is a feature, not a bug. People should see how much of their money they government gobbles.
probablyaythrowaway@reddit
We literally get a letter every year from HMRC with graphs and charts showing us exactly where our money was spent that tax year.
Daidrion@reddit
That's different, I also my tax contributions in pay slips and stuff. But that's a passive thing, and if you fill your taxes yourself, you're forced to see how much you giving up.
Choice-Ad1477@reddit
If you want to find out, you can.
ambergresian@reddit
I have to do even more 😭 US..
dreamerwakeup@reddit
The biggest one for me which has become an ongoing gripe is how people walk on ALL sides of the street vs. in the states (NY) where I'm used to people walking on the right side of the street so no one is at risk of walking into one another. There is a huge passive aggressive vibe that goes with it too here and it's super frustrating.
beetrootfarmer@reddit
The friendly people are definitely drunk or something else. Most English people are grumpy unless they're trying to sell you something or drunk.
yingdong@reddit
Nah. Obviously you didn't spend time in the north.
beetrootfarmer@reddit
I am Northern and live in the North.
jami354@reddit
I second the whole “you alright?” thing. Where I’m from, saying that to someone implies that there is something visibly wrong with them and they might need a safe space or ride to the hospital 😅
Good_Two_6924@reddit
First morning at my girlfriend’s (now wife) house in Canada - “you alright” I said to her 70 year old father.
“Yes, I’m fine” he said with a quizzing look of concern.
dmvgal96@reddit
I still don’t know how to answer people when they ask that like “yeah I’m good do i not look okay?” LOL 😂
WideProject2813@reddit
You say “yeah, you?” And that’s the end lmao
Certified_Loner1391@reddit (OP)
High five on that :D
Beepshooka@reddit
The way people dress for a night out, in the north. Just had a weekend in Newcastle 😮😯😲. Outside of circuses and drag shows, I've never seen so much flesh, make up and sequins anywhere in the world.
probablyaythrowaway@reddit
Geordies are built different
whysweetpea@reddit
Haha I was so confused when I first heard the “you alright?” But then got a job at a construction college in East London and got used to saying it 138371827381 times a day.
I’m a Canadian in London and my culture shock was having to memorise how everyone takes their tea. Also how comfortable everyone seems to be with having their mugs permanently tea stained. And the concept of the dishwashing basin…like you put a sink-shaped container in the sink to wash your dishes? What is the point?
Certified_Loner1391@reddit (OP)
What's that lol? Tell us a bit more about that.
phunkmaster2001@reddit
I'm not from the UK, but my American grandmothers did that, filled with fresh soapy water every morning. Then they'd put their dishes in it all day and wash them at night.
Certified_Loner1391@reddit (OP)
Ah, I see. Interesting!
Certified_Loner1391@reddit (OP)
What's that lol. Tell us a bit more about that.
philatw@reddit
Lunch break at motorway services
theoneandonlyvesper@reddit
-Have to pack your own groceries -Massages and spa are seen as luxury not a necessity -shops closing early on Sundays while back home we are open from 10am-10pm 365 days -shops/supermarkets offer deliveries within 30mins and don’t have to book a slot -the culture of late night food stalls even when you’re hungry at 3am there’s still food available out there -other transportation options other than taxis or trains/bus -people are easily friendly and neighbours talk to each other
wgeco@reddit
I'm from Italy and moved to the UK.
People here get so pissed off if you don't say thank you if they wait their turn to walk on the pavement and they let you pass first. Or if you don't wait for them to pass. Like ok calm down no one is going to be hurt.
In Italy if you say thank you too many times, especially with family or friends, they think you're being weird or hiding something. Here it's rude if you don't say thank you for literally everything and five times in a row.
I won't talk about the food culture and how sugar is everywhere.
Every city and town is literally the same. Same shops (e.g. Greggs, Boots, etc). So I stopped travelling and exploring cities because you get the same vibe almost anywhere, with just a few exceptions.
DirtyAnusSnorter@reddit
Is it that hard to be polite, and be thankful for a service another human being is offering you? I can't get my head around the concept, as an Irish person, of demanding something of someone else in a service, i.e. "GIVE ME A PINT", "I'LL HAVE THE..." like, christ, just be a human being.
wgeco@reddit
Being polite is different than saying thank you for everything though. I always say thank you and please, however i think it is overly used here and like you said it becomes robotic
Certified_Loner1391@reddit (OP)
I see where you're coming from. Sometimes, people even get annoyed and might give you side-eyes if they don't receive a thank you back because they're expecting one.
I personally don't mind, as long as someone gives me a smile and speaks nicely, without being rude. I am fine with it :)
But again, it depends on the local culture. Better know the norms haha.
deetoni@reddit
I think saying thank you and I am sorry are always good things. I think the culture is the same but there are quirky places.
Zealousideal_Rub6758@reddit
It’s true about the lack of independent shops and the dominance of chains. I moved abroad and aside from McDonald’s, Burger King, there are very few options for chains - particularly for places you’d go out for coffee or dinner.
deetoni@reddit
Sounds great to me!
MadeThisUpToComment@reddit
The drinking.