Friends and family have been frequently asking me questions about what I find different about living here. I've been on this side of the pond for nearly 6 months now, and although I still encounter lots of stuff I didn't know I didn't know on a daily basis, I think I can better answer those questions. So let's "give it a go", shall we?
Things I've had to Adjust to:
- Traffic on the left side - I knew enough to expect it, but I didn't realize how completely ingrained I am in ways of the right-side... to the point of having to re-learn how to be a pedestrian. I'm still not 100% used to it!
- The inability to make certain phone calls without a BT landline (British Telecommunications) - It just so happens that I don't have access to a landline without walking a couple blocks to a payphone AND that I need to make these calls on a regular basis. Eg. making "reverse" calls (collect calls) or calling the international operator. Nothing like hauling ass in the pouring rain with all my banking information to a public pay phone to resolve issues with my bank/Visa!
- Nobody puts mustard on their sandwiches; they're so bland - Subway doesn't even have mustard as an option! No dijon, no honey mustard. Nadda.
- People say, "You alright?" when they see you instead of, "How are you?" - It's a subtle difference but it always makes me think that I look sad or ill and people are checking if I'm ok.
- Bedding packs don't come with a sheet! - You'll get a fitted sheet ok, but I had to REALLY go out of my way to buy a regular old flat (and now mis-matching) sheet. Weird.
- Machines talk to you instead of just beeping - My favourite was the backup alarm on a giant dump truck ("lorry") that repeated in a polite British female voice, "Caution, vehicle is reversing." But it did become rather annoying when the elevator was broken in my flat... I got to listen to the same voice repeat, "Doors open... Doors closing..." all night long.
- Chips are crisps and fries are chips - I'm getting better at this one!
- Customer service in general is awful. And I'm not a hard person to please.
- The indoor exercise facilities - both private and public, they're just not the caliber of North America. I think it's because outdoor activities like football are far more popular.
- The incredibly ineffective washer/dryer combo - That's right, because of lack of space, most people have one machine for both washing and drying clothes and it does neither of those things very well. Oh, and it's rare to have a separate laundry room so you can expect to do your laundry in the kitchen.
Best Things about Britain:
- CHEESE - the supermarkets are just filled with all kinds of interesting, fresh, and very delicious cheese. Anyone who knows my love of cheese can vouch that this makes me VERY excited!
- Reliable transit - well, more than at home anyway. Oh, and double decker buses. It just makes sense!
- British Airways - best economy class flying experience so far. Sorry, WestJet, but I've yet to fly overseas with you.
- Mild winters
- The NHS - Brits can talk at lengths about all the things wrong with their health care system, but they've really got it together compared to Health Canada. Also, my patient experience was SUPER efficient and awesome.
- The people - polite and a great sense of humour
- Everything everywhere has so much history
- Cell phones and mobile services are far superior.
- Booze is super cheap, even with the exchange rate
- The BBC (although I do miss CBC)
- If you want to get around, everything is so close! Even Europe!
- 3 weeks holiday at Easter - yes please :)
Posts
Really no Mustard? What's up with that? Do you need to go to Germany or France for mustard?
ReplyDeleteI KNEW you'd like the cheese! Give a re-listen to Monty Python's Cheese Shop routine! hahahaha!
If Brits are so polite, why don't they have better customer service? (Inquiring minds want to know?)
Maybe the "You alright?" is a Northern thingey. I've never heard of that expression, for a greeting, unless you are walking around looking sad all the time! :(
It's lorry for truck Laurie is like you gave it a personal name! Hahaha -- like Rhonda for your car!
And I agree the BBC is AWESOME! Did you see Spooks yet? Oh, well it's off the air now anyway, maybe they have re-runs!
Miss you!!! Thanks for updating your blog!
--Mom
Oops! Changed the lorry spelling, thanks.
ReplyDeleteIt's not that the customer service people are rude, it's just that they are fairly indifferent as to what kind of experience the customer is having. You certainly would not see a clerk in the shops go out of their way to help you. And if you ask a question, they may or may not know the answer, but they don't make it their business to find out either. And time is not an issue. There is no sense of urgency, which leads to unnecessarily massive "queues" at the checkout.
Hi Sarah
ReplyDeleteI stumbled across your blog having read your comment on Jaqueline Hudon-Verrelli's blog, regarding the headache of student visa applications... My boyfriend is also from Calgary and we've been waiting for months on his application so he could return to the UK to complete his PhD, only to discover yesterday that they don't have any record of it. Oh what a frustrating nightmare it is!
Anyway, your post about the differences you've found over here in the UK really made me chuckle! It's always interesting to see what others find different (be it amusing or the more frustrating things - believe me, we Brits find the whole BT thing infuriating too). I also loved your Thanksgiving e-date idea, that was fantastic! Chad and I have been on opposite sides of the pond since Christmas and the internet/video links are such a life line aren't they? We've yet to try having a dinner date though, I like that idea and may copy it!
I studied in Leeds too, in fact I'm just coming to the end of a long drawn out MPhil (but living back in my home town of Sheffield now). I hope you have enjoyed Leeds as much as I did. Kirkstall Abbey does open air theatre in the summer if you are still around and can spare and evening and a few ££... the ones I went to were very well done and it's lovely being able to go inside the ruins all lit up at night. If you enjoyed walking along the river there can I also suggest you make a trip up to Roundhay Park (NE of the centre, the no. 2 or 12 buses - circular routes - from town stop right outside the entrance, look out for the Roundhay Fox Pub) as it really is a very beautiful park with two lakes, just lovely to walk in. I used to work as a customer services assistant in the Edward Boyle Library which is no doubt a place you have spent some quality time this year!
Enough whittering from a complete stranger! I really enjoyed reading a couple of bits of your blog, and as a fellow Leeds student in long distance relationship, and lover of cheese, I just wanted to say hi, thank you for your amusing insights on life in the UK for a Canuck, and wish you luck with the end of your course.
Best wishes,
Katie Bell
Hello Katie,
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! We seem to have a lot in common! I'm so thrilled that you found my blog. And thanks for those excellent insider tips for seeing Leeds. There are just 3 busy weeks left for my dissertation but I plan to stick around for a couple of days afterwards to sightsee. Roundhay Park is definitely on my list of things to see!
I hope your boyfriend's application is sorted out soon. Sounds like quite the ordeal. And it must be extra frustrating not knowing how much longer you have to be apart.
All the best,
Sarah