Why do Brits live in darkness except for December?

[Swedegirl48]

I am Swedish and at home if you walk down a street, most houses will have lamps in some of the windows, outside lights and usually people don’t draw curtains so you can see the lights from within the houses. I was asking British DH today why Brits tend to light up their houses so enthusiastically in December, but the rest of the year people draw their curtains and no one seems to put lamps in the windows (at least not where we live which is London). I am the only person in my street who has a lamp in every window of my house and leave some on overnight too. I think I am trying to overcompensate for my very dark street.

Now that is something I really would hate. Yes, it's never dark at 5 pm where I live.

Oh how upset some people have got about such an innocuous post!

Interesting OP, I’ve noticed that some other countries don’t close curtains as much as Brits do, I hadn’t realised it was such a clash of cultural norms.

For me, I was always brought up to close curtains as soon as it starts getting dark outside so no one can see in.

Christmas lights are mostly stuck on the outside, with curtains still firmly shut!

Honestly OP it’s because they are a bunch of grumpy gits who live on a rainy, miserable island with a quality of life that is cratering. (I’m not British). They like to be cold and dark as a badge of demented honor.

I am 😂😂😂😂 at the idea that you’re stealing wildlife habitats… in LONDON.

I'm sitting here, at 10.45 in the morning, in summer, with the light on (we don't call it the big light here), as it's cloudy outside and I like a bit of extra light. It really doesn't cost much to run a few light bulbs.

Shock! People in different countries have different customs!

Seriously OP, if the British are really so awful to live amongst there does seem to be an obvious solution...

This sounds lovely - I spend a lot of time in Sweden and have never noticed this. Albeit mainly in Stockholm centre; I assume that this is more evident in residential areas. We have lots of Swedes in my neighbourhood, I am surprised they don't do it.

Can you link the rechargeable lamps you use? I might buy a few and do the same thing.

I was so excited moving here from Sweden and “drawing the curtains” at night but no it’s too dark. We have lights on our windowsills and during autumn and Christmas fairy lights round them. Anything for the cosy feeling.

Craaaazy responses!

Yeah it's just not 'a thing' here - we pull the curtains for privacy/keeping in the warmth/not having a black space.

What a nice thing to have a little light for others from your house. We just wouldn't even think of this as a thing to do, that's all!! I guess I'd be thinking the street lamps cover it / there usually is some light coming from houses anyway in some way or other.

I suggest you start timing it to come on and off, we'd all be convinced you're a spy leaving a code for someone who walks past!

No. I think most people are not interested in my life and if they do walk passed my house and see me eating my dinner or playing a board game with my family, they just think that they will think it’s looks nice. I don’t think they are serial killers who wants to kill us all.

I agree, I'd also like more tips on this. I don't think we do cope well with the cold dark months in this country, and a lot of people talk about hating January and February, wishing two months of every year away.

No wonder some Brits are getting a bit defensive about their homeland when there’s people on here making comments like this!

Ohhh and I forgot to say! The “big light” is never turned on in front room unless it’s really
necessary!

We have dedicated dark sky areas in the UK countryside, no light pollution just the stars twinkling in the night sky, it's absolute bliss, not everything has to be lit up you know!

Big light on during the day?! Christ that would be completely unheard of in this house and it’s got absolutely nothing to do with cost

And there is always the one who can’t handle a lighthearted discussion, gets hugely offended, especially when it comes to those foreigners. Always one on threads like this on MN. Lucky us foreigners alteady know that most UK people are lovely people.

Local councils don’t give a shit about light pollution

I live in a north wales town and the stadium grass growing lights are on all fucking year round. The sky is bright orange all night. But hey Hollywoods brought money to the town ( city 😡) so that’s ok.

sorry on a tangent there

anyway op I don’t want to add to the light pollution here and it’s a waste of energy and money to have lamps on all the time

I love soft lighting and use it whenever the evenings draw in. I also would prefer to come home to a house with lamps lit rather than in darkness!
I use warm white fairy lights, a Turkish lamp, and also some coloured fairy lights. I love those pink salt lamps, and candles, too. Maybe it’s a faff but it’s much nicer than darkness or bright overhead lights.

@Swedegirl48 I agree that your aesthetic is nicer! But I also agree that curtains keep the heat in. I have soft lamps and draw my curtains, but if I’ve been out in the evening it’s lovely to come home to the lamps on.

Wow this thread 🙄 I think I’m going to start putting a little lamp in my window OP and embrace the Swedish way of doing things. I too have loved my lit up house and those around me over Christmas. I live in a city and have a bloody bright street lamp outside my house so light pollution isn’t going to get worse. LED bulbs use hardly any electricity.

Because there’s no culture of making the best of things by using superfluous and decorative lights.
Light pollution my arse. That’s not coming from domestic in-home sources 😂

I do wish fairy lights were up for the whole of winter and not just christmas. Its so gloomy.

thick curtains keep the heat I don’t they. That’s what I tell myself. Also don’t like the idea of people looking in, people are nosey round here.

shock horror - wildlife exists all over the UK - even in …. LONDON

The difference is that we don’t need to draw any curtains to keep the heat in. Or turn off our heating or lights. Different houses, cultures and electricity prices. So impossible to compare really.

No, it wasn't cool. It has been horrible to drive in.

I was horrified at the cars whizzing past me when leaving the M18 to join the M1 the other day. You could hardly see you hand in front of your face.

Who’s we? I really feel the difference if I do or don’t draw the curtains.