An expatriate American residing in the United Kingdom has shared her insights on what she finds peculiar about British customs, citing a costly recurring mistake she has made. Kristen Howell-Brear relocated to the UK to pursue a master’s degree in archaeology and has since decided to remain in the country.
Identifying herself as an “honorary Brit” after five years in the UK, the 27-year-old highlights several cultural disparities that have left her feeling perplexed.
Regarding language discrepancies, Kristen encountered confusion when a fellow student requested a “rubber” in their university study group, with the American initially interpreting it as a request for a condom due to the differing meanings of the term. She humorously commented on the unique British usage of terms like “garden” instead of “backyard” and expressed bewilderment at the distinctions in language.
Kristen also touched on the challenges she faced in adapting to British time conventions, particularly the use of military time, which led to scheduling mishaps and misunderstandings. Furthermore, she found the UK date format perplexing and shared her struggles in adjusting to it, particularly when filling out paperwork.
In terms of culinary experiences, Kristen emphasized the distinctions between British and American food items, noting differences in taste between Chinese cuisine in the two countries. She also highlighted the misconceptions she encountered, such as the belief that British biscuits are equivalent to American scones.
One of Kristen’s costly blunders involved clothing purchases, where she repeatedly ordered items in her US size instead of her UK size, resulting in ill-fitting garments and financial losses. She expressed frustration at the recurring mistake and the financial implications it had on her wardrobe.
In conclusion, Kristen advises travelers to pay close attention to these cultural nuances to avoid confusion and disappointment, drawing from her own encounters as a foreign resident in the UK.