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.

I don't know where you've been in Britain, because for most of us having "the big light" on - as the ceiling light is colloquially known - is practically a sin! Unless you're looking for something... but then you have to announce it ("sorry, just need to put the big light on for a second...") and turn it off as soon as possible.

Im glad I don’t live next to you OP, I like darkness. Just worry about your own house

Well that's a fire waiting to happen, isn't it?

What? How can light bulbs cause a fire? I hope you don't have a tumble dryer.

Yes dh always moans if I turn ‘the big light’ on.
I do have twinkly solar powered lights in my garden too.

Well if I did, I wouldn't stick it in my window and leave it on overnight...

They are lights that leak into public space and into the view of people who do not want them, robbing them of their darkness. Also into the habitat of wildlife that is harmed by them.

Night time is for darkness.

You want to impose your choice on everyone and everything else.

My curtains are closed as soon as it starts to get dark all year round. We have a nosey family in our street who like to have a look in peoples windows as they walk past.

When we first moved here they actually told us they like the autumn as people put lights on for a while before they close the curtains for the night. It meant They can get a good look inside as they walk past !
So we close our curtains as soon as we can !

I use a lot of rechargeable lambs so no need for wires. Yes they all match the rooms. I can start a different lamp thread perhaps 😀

Hooray for considerate people who close their curtains, blinds, or shutters.

I don't think that's how serial killers operate, and I'm just thinking of the British ones.

I was pondering this today, OP.

I really like the idea of having home lights that can be seen from the street during the dark evenings. A couple of years ago I placed a battery candle in one of my front windows and I call it my Swedish candle😁. A couple of my neighbours have now done the same. I wouldn't go as far as leaving the shutters open though.

Another neighbour has a string of little lights attached to his outside railings all year round.

It gives a feeling of comfort.

Nope, big light is for emergencies and finding lost things

I have a light in my window downstairs, but sadly you can't see it from the road as we have a big drive and there is a fence in front of that bay window. The outside light is usually on too (because it's either on or off, no timer or sensor).
I do draw the curtains upstairs quite early though, because we live on a bit of a slope so if we don't draw them it's quite easy for people to see into our bedroom.

Ive always had lamps on the windowsills in properties Ive lived in and they're automatic so come on when its dark. I also ensure I have an outside light, I cant stand propertis that dont, I have to visit people for my job and its dangerous that people dont light up their driveway or at least the area around their front door.

I live in a dark skies area - which means light pollution is kept to a minimum. You should see the stars! It’s better for the wildlife and for the environment too.

You definitely shouldn’t move to Sweden. If you do visit, pack some vitamin D. Because since the sun basically doesn’t rise here right now, it’s dark as in dark. Night time all day. We need our lights in our houses.

Wildlife is thriving here, and I can drink the water out of the river it’s that clean.

I'm currently sitting here moaning that the big light is nowhere bright enough for my cross stitch. Never found the big light too bright or even bright enough sometimes

I could say the same for you. When I lived in Sweden until very recently, it felt much safer walking home at night with people putting little lamps in their window to guide you home. It feels very unfriendly on UK streets. This is my view, but today I have learnt that I am a light polluter who steals people’s and wildlife’s darkness, don’t care about the environment and will be a victim of a burglary or/ and serial killer if I don’t die ina fire first ☺️

But the Swedish ones are deeper. Many UK houses have UPVC windows and little sill

Yes I did think rechargeable lamps after I posted… I have one rechargeable but it’s by the kettle in the kitchen. I’m going to move it to the window to see how I feel 🤣🤣

You can still see the lights through most curtains especially when people have the big light on

Why on earth would you keep your curtains open and put lights in every window?
I don't want my front room lit up to outsiders like it's a John Lewis window.

Next time pay the electricity bill, don't leave it to your husband, and you will get your answer.

UK streets aren't "unfriendly".
They are usually lit by street lamps.

I’m confused about the lamp in every window, is this a tradition? A habit?

I will say though for me as someone from southern Europe, I find the streets baffling dark. I assume it’s because here no one goes for a walk after dinner, it’s a shame because if it was less dark I’d definitely go.