Expats, tell me what aspect or social norm of your new country was strange to you?

[AjasLipstick]

I am a Brit in Oz and for me, the hardest thing to get used to was Sunday trading hours being like the UK in the 70s.

The weirdest thing was how much less formal people are...kids are dressed very informally and parties for children never have kids dressed up in party dresses but in shorts and t shirts. I like it now I'm used to it though.

Shifty, your description made me laugh 😃 Spot on!

“The British way (or maybe just English?) way of selling houses?! “

It’s different in Scotland, I don’t really understand how it works in England because I’ve never bought a house there and reading about it makes no sense.

In Scotland if you accept an offer, it’s sold... pretty much, you could technically back out at that point, but not easily and it rarely happens. It’s not totally sold until completion - but as far as most things go, it’s sold when you’ve agreed the offer.

Finally, surprisingly I found the Irish psyche very similar to the Russian psyche. The love of drink alone and its central place in the culture. Also closely knit families, constant talk about politics. Bizarrely, there were places in Dublin (modern built up areas) which could have been in a city in Russia, the layout, architecture, use of space etc. I was very surprised at that.

Yea no gazumping in Scotland not sure about NI and Wales

"Oh my goodness yes! The British way (or maybe just English?) way of selling houses?!"

England and Wales (and possibly Northern Ireland, although I'm not sure about NI) are stuck with our bizarre way of house sales/purchases. Scotland, fortunately, has a different way. I'm sure that Eire has its own system too.

An Englishwoman living in small French village. It is expected that you go to the funeral if someone dies even if you've never met them.

A Scot living in oz. the casual racism. The unfriendliness of Aussies and the expectation that I know everything about the UK!

Moving to the UK 20 years ago - the separate hot and cold taps!! Still gets me. And being made to feel guilty for wasting hot water on rinsing soapy dishes. On numerous occasions...
To a PP, ditto to writing a whole book about Japan. Where does one start...possibly best to watch or read Fear and Trembling.

Boxthefox, of course the contents of the 'doggy bag' are for the people.

'Doggy bag' is a charming term used to disguise that fact.

panpan I read your response, but I don't agree. Standing on the right allows movement on the left.

Agree a bit with Toomany

On moving to South of England i ve been to houses where your lucky to get offered a cup of tea never mind anything extra. Visitors at home would be pressed straight away non stop with drinks, biscuits, cakes and my mum always had a spare tin of salmon to make sandwiches.

The English are also huge on net curtains.

@ConferencePear

I don't think that applies only to rural France.

In Ireland for example everyone goes to a local funeral, no matter what. It is a community thing. Doesn't matter if you knew the deceased or not, you meet up with others you know, and go to the highly catered funeral reception after if you wish.

No invitation required. Priest/minister/celebrant will announce that refreshments will be served in X hotel afterwards, and all are welcome. All perfectly normal.

Well the Normans invaded Ireland so it must come from them!

Wobble - I'm south england and don't think I've ever been in a house and not offered tea/coffee/something when I've walked in. It's just Not Done not to offer a drink!!

Omg, yes on the taps. What do Brits have against warm water?

Also agree about the British perception of them being polite, found them on par with Americans and just as bad when traveling overseas.

I think it is a bit wrong to say that British people do not offer refreshments to their visitors.

It may not be a four course meal or mezze but it will ALWAYS involve tea and a chat and at the very least a few bikkies and/or sandwiches. Shakes head......

Well that is my experience anyway.

boxthefox and conferencepear I think it is a Catholic thing. My mum would have no issues with going to a stranger's funeral and Catholics tend to be more the merrier (something to do with taking communion for the dead person I think?). My Protestant in-laws would never dream of it in a million years!

OMG the cards.

Birthdays I can understand but Thank You cards are fucking bizarre! Why not just call them?? In Russia, for birthdays you just get an onslaught of phonecalls all day. Also, everyone tries to be the first one of the day, so you'll get them from like 8am.

I remember going to a girl's birthday party in Year 4 or so. Some of her parent's friends gave her a present, and she took it and ran away upstairs without saying anything. I asked her "why didn't you say thank you?" and she said "oh I'll write them a card later". Just SO BIZARRE.

Same for wedding present thank-you cards - why not call or text?

@Gennz18

That is very interesting about your Protestant in laws and funerals. Well we are after all talking about cultural differences in one way or another!

Do you have any idea why there is a difference religion wise? I am so curious. Thank you.

Maybe it is a bit of Puritanism or something I don't know.

I think it is a bit wrong to say that British people do not offer refreshments to their visitors.

Agree - if they don't offer you anything then the message they are (in a very British way) sending you is 'Why are you even here?'

I'm south england and don't think I've ever been in a house and not offered tea/coffee/something when I've walked in. It's just Not Done not to offer a drink!!

Stickstick - i can only say that ime i felt i noticed a difference in hospitality from where I’m from. It just seemed/felt different and why some folk really relate to Mrs Doyle from Father Ted.

Moanranger - excuse me but did you just say 'great cheese' for the + of the UK??? Sorry can't get my head round that (French in the UK)

@genz18
I'm sure there's something in the religion but I'm not sure what.
I was brought up a protestant and in my very rural village it would have been seen as nosey to go to the funeral of someone you didn't know. There is often a funeral meal (and sometimes quite a lot to drink ) afterwards though.

Oh yes they may not like food on you (I'd hate that) but it's really Very English to be offered tea or coffee when you go into a house. It would be very odd not to- or as YouCant says perhaps don't want you there! Even then you'd usually get offered at least one round of drinks!

Like/push

Oblada- the UK produces hundreds more varieties of cheese than France!

Certainly someone coming from America would notice the difference - when I travelled to North America "proper " cheese was in the speciality space and sliced cheese /kraft/canned cheese was more common. Of course you could get what I think of as cheese but it was expensive and less common!