Living in the UK

In the beginning...
So many things were different than the USA! I am so glad that I documented our arrival to the UK because it is really fun to go back and read through the experiences. We are still learning new things, so more posts to come!
Buy a Car
Getting a Mobile Phone
Washing/Drying Clothes, Running in the Rain, Eating Out - one of my favorite posts
NHS: National Health Service
Getting a UK Driving License
Communication Methods from Across the Pond
House Hunting in Aberdeen, Scotland: Part 1 and Part 2 (Aug 2012-Apr 2013)
House Hunting in London, England: Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3
Our Home in London with stuff in it (Apr 2013-Jan 2015)
Our New Home in Central London (Jan 2015-present)
My reaction to our first visit back to The States

Random things I've learned living the UK...
These could go on forever!
1.) Washers and Dryers take a ridiculously long time to perform their duty.
2.) I have to specify "tap water", so I don't pay for water.
3.) My car WILL fit in that spot or down that street. No hesitation.
4.) Rarely do restaurants offer free refills for soft drinks.
5.) I specify that I am using a "SWIPE CARD" when I use my credit card.
6.) The bees are huge and the flies are slow.
7.) Most dogs are very well trained.
8.) There are still Starbucksii on every corner, but also other coffee shops too.
9.) Walking in the rain isn't so bad.
10.) The way you drive is not how everyone walks on a sidewalk. Oh, and how to run into people.

Be Careful What You Say
Everyone knows that countries all have different meanings for different words. Although, the US and the UK both speak English, various words have different meanings. Here are just a few of the words/phrases that we have learned to use and say since we have been in the UK:
take-away: to-go
collect a pizza: pick up a pizza
"Can I get a lift?": a very important one, don't say "Can I get a ride?"
Cheers: a way to say thank you
spiral fries are curly fries
chips are actually french fries
crisps are American style chips     (oh so very confusing)
Lemonade: name for Sprite
toilets: restroom and bathroom are not common names
loo: specific to England, term for toilet (I still haven't picked up on this one)
chicken burger: a chicken sandwich, menus don't always specific if it is griller or fried
biscuits: cookies, unless they are labeled "savory" then they are crackers
courgettes: actual name for zucchini
boot of a car is the trunk of the car
aubergine: actual name for eggplant
rocket: actual name for arugula
coriander: best substitute for cilantro
holiday: vacation
pavement: sidewalk
lorry: like an 18-wheelers or just a big truck
trousers: pants
pants: underwear
ASDA is wal-mart
bin: trash can
candy floss is cotton candy
car park: parking lot
cinema: term for movie theater
dodgy: shady
pram: stroller for a child
flat: apartment
hen-do is a bachelorette party
stag-do is a bachelor party
leaving-do is a going away party
high street: main street
lift: elevator
mobile: cell phone, no one here says cell
petrol: fuel for a vehicle, many people have deisel engines which is NOT gas
postcode: zip code but it includes letters like AB10 7FR
pudding: name for dessert
quid: slang term for the Great British Pound, like a buck is for a dollar
rubber... an eraser!
rubbish is garbage
trainers: tennis, jogging, etc type shoes
starter: an appetizer for a meal

3 comments:

  1. That’s true. You can really learn a lot of good things when you move to another country. It can be quite challenging at first, since you have to familiarize yourself with the place. And at the same time, you also have to look for a place to stay, if you haven't already before the move. Though it seems that you have already settled in quite nicely since last year. Good for you!

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