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Calling all immigrants. Any aspects of British culture you struggle with?

531 replies

FishCanFly · 27/08/2019 12:58

I will start:

  • Kids bedtimes. I've been called neglectful.
  • School uniforms. I could buy many more clothes within reasonable fashion.
  • Film\game ratings. Like if Skyrim would harm a 12yo
OP posts:
CendrillonSings · 30/08/2019 12:22

They genuinely love inequality. Bizarre.

We do. I suspect the only reason the class system has endured so long is because all classes are equally invested in it (subconsciously or otherwise!).

zwellers · 30/08/2019 12:23

yoursweatersonbackwards racist much. Go through the whole bbc1 bbc1 or itv evening tv schedule and tell me how much of it is american bought in programiming.

WalkersAreNotTheOnlyCrisps · 30/08/2019 12:36

EdnaAdaSmith yep, I always do an eye-roll when I read comments like that.

BrittleJoys · 30/08/2019 12:38

We do. I suspect the only reason the class system has endured so long is because all classes are equally invested in it (subconsciously or otherwise!).

Yes, I think that's true, @CendrillonSings, only it is very puzzling even for longtime resident foreigners who have got very good at reading UK class shibboleths/markers to figure out why many of those who enjoy less class privilege are nonetheless so invested in the system.

joyfullittlehippo · 30/08/2019 12:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

joyfullittlehippo · 30/08/2019 12:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SilverySurfer · 30/08/2019 13:17

Surely most of you are remiss in not telling us your home country so we can tell you what we might struggle with in your culture, if we have been there?

woodhill · 30/08/2019 13:31

DSf actually likes the separate taps as they are cheaper to maintain and easy to repair. We have mixers.

I remember my dgps flat with a boiler by the sink with a hot tap on it going into sink

CSharpLemon · 30/08/2019 13:34

Crisps.
So many crisps.
Why such a reliance on crisps?
Also single taps and the immersion to heat water.
I made a plumber install a thing so that we could press a button and have immersion on for 15 minutes to an hour depending on our water needs.
It took 10 minutes before he was convinced such a thing existed. In 30 years this was the first time someone had asked.
Washing up bowls.
Dressing small children up as tiny businessmen in school uniforms when they’re 5.

BlingLoving · 30/08/2019 13:42

Surely most of you are remiss in not telling us your home country so we can tell you what we might struggle with in your culture, if we have been there?

why don't you start a thread? "Weird cultural things I found odd as a Brit when living/visiting other countries"?

Genderfree · 30/08/2019 13:45

Zafferana you can’t have a shorter live expectancy and be a burden on society at the same time. The biggest burden on UK society is people living longer and therefore having more complex needs. If fatter people live a shorter life then that decreases the time they’re a burden.

As for the view that telling people they’re fat is helpful. There are plenty of studies that say the exact opposite.

Osquito · 30/08/2019 14:04

I’m British through my father, but was born & raised overseas and moved here a decade ago.

Definitely the cards thing - even now I have to remind myself to get a card for each of DPs family members even though we exchange these whilst together on Christmas Day/whatever Hmm I grew up with quintessential Brit/Eng habits (endless tea, Sunday roast, over-politeness...) but my dad forgot to ingrain the card habit in me.

mbosnz · 30/08/2019 14:11

My home country is NZ.

The thing that apparently catches many people out when they shift there (not just Brits, although it caught my inlaws out, who are Brits), is the instruction 'ladies, bring a plate'. It means bring a plate of sandwiches, scones, whatever, to contribute. Many, many immigrants ruefully recall how everyone laughed when they brought a plate, as per instructions - with nothing on it.

Also, people who move to NZ are often dismayed at how poor our older housing stock is - poorly insulated, and cold, and damp.

And how expensive everything is.

And how Te Reo Maori is taught in schools, and used in broadcasting, despite very few people being fluent, or knowing any of it much. Quite a few people (not just immigrants) are very hostile and resistant to that. And to Maori and Maori culture and history being celebrated and taught, as being the tangata whenua (people of the land- so them what was there first), and a treaty partner of equal status to the English.

And how parochial we are, with a very big chip on our shoulder, and far too much in the way of cultural cringe.

And just how much the rugby matters.

BrittleJoys · 30/08/2019 14:13

Surely most of you are remiss in not telling us your home country so we can tell you what we might struggle with in your culture, if we have been there?

Start a thread? And, needless to say, 'having been there' is not the same as being an immigrant into a country, as the OP of this thread specifies. I've lived in the UK since 1997, but have had people favour me with their 'insights' into my home country after spending a long weekend there.

drsausage · 30/08/2019 14:27

Surely most of you are remiss in not telling us your home country so we can tell you what we might struggle with in your culture, if we have been there?

Don't you mean 'if we have lived there'?

NoTheresa · 30/08/2019 14:56

Ladies bring a plate? Huh? LADIES, bring a plate!!!!

Tut.

DGRossetti · 30/08/2019 14:56

Crisps. So many crisps. Why such a reliance on crisps?

It's your daily allowance of saturated fats in one easy package - very economical ....

apples24 · 30/08/2019 14:57

Like quite a few others have said, the lack of straightforwardness. Please, for the love of god, just say it as it is. I'm so tired of the "polite" passive aggressiveness.

I'm sure I must come across like a bull in a china shop to the British. But at least with me, what you see is what you get, no hidden agendas or meanings. For what it's worth, I'm half continental European, half Scandinavian and was brought up in Scandinavia.

mbosnz · 30/08/2019 15:01

LOL, NoTheresa, it derives from the fifties, so then it was very much 'ladies'. A man couldn't possible be expected to make a sandwich or a bacon and egg pie, don't you know?

(I think 'ladies' hopefullygets left off now though!)

origamiunicorn · 30/08/2019 15:09

I suspect not all folk from Gods Own Country would be happy to be called "English" grin

Yorkshire is in England though. Or are they trying to be Cornwall?

NoTheresa · 30/08/2019 15:13

The Passive Aggressive List
What the British Say
What the British mean
22. I might join you later
I’m not leaving the house today unless it’s on fire
23. Excuse me, sorry, is anyone sitting here?
You have three seconds to move your bag before I end you.
24. Not to worry
I will never forget this
25. Bit wet out there
You’re going to need a snorkel because it’s absolutely pissing it down.
26. Ending an email with “Thanks”
A warning that you’re perilously close to losing your temper
27. Right then, I suppose I really should start thinking about possibly making a move
Bye
28. It’s fine
It really could not possibly get any worse, but no doubt it will do
29. Perfect
Well that’s that ruined then
30. A bit of a pickle
A catastrophically bad situation with potentially fatal consequences.

Haha

mbosnz · 30/08/2019 15:14

I never realised just how very British my DH is, until I read that NoTheresa!

NoTheresa · 30/08/2019 15:16
  1. Not too bad, actually I’m probably the happiest I’ve ever been
  2. Honestly, it doesn’t matter Nothing has ever mattered more than this
  3. You’ve caught the sun You look like you’ve been swimming in a volcano
  4. That’s certainly one way of looking at it That’s certainly the wrong way of looking at it
  5. If you say so I’m afraid that what you’re saying is the height of idiocy
  6. With all due respect You have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about
  7. Saying “you’re welcome” as quietly as possible to people that don’t say thank you Used as a form of punishment
  8. Meanings of “I beg your pardon”
  1. I didn’t hear you
  2. I apologise
  3. What you’re saying is making me absolutely livid
39. It could be worse It couldn’t possibly be any worse 40. Each to their own You’re wrong, but never mind 41. Pop round anytime Please stay away from my house 42 I’m just popping out for lunch, does anyone want anything? I’m getting my own lunch now, please remain silent 43. No no, honestly, my fault It was exceedingly your fault and we both know it 44. No yeah that’s very interesting You are boring me to death 45. Just whenever you get a minute Now 46 No harm done You have caused complete and utter chaos 47. I’m sure it’ll be fine I fully expect the situation to deteriorate rapidly 48. Sorry, I think you might have dropped something You have definitely dropped that specific item
NoTheresa · 30/08/2019 15:18

It’s a whole new language, guys!

🙂