England is beautiful. There's no denying it. You have the beaches of Dover, the hustle and bustle of London, and the amazing, mountainous region of the Lake District, just to few a name. England is extremely rich with history, architecture, art, and literature. Also it's the hub for Harry Potter culture so that's pretty boss. Living here for four months, I've experienced so much about this place and learned quite a bit about it. It has its really fun quirks, and I have definitely learned all about living in the rain. If you have studied or are studying abroad in England, here are some things you probably can relate to:
1. Hearing "You alright?" and not reacting with "Yes, I'm alright! Why? Do I not look alright?!" is an ongoing task for you.
In England, "You alright?" or "You okay?" is basically just "Hey, what's up?" But when you first get here, you're sorta paranoid that you somehow don't look alright.
2. Like, six different types of weather all happen within an hour.
Sun peeking through the clouds, pouring rain, hailstorm, super loud thunder, back to the sun and clouds. Repeat.
3. You've grown really accustomed to seasoning your own food.
Okay, I don't like playing into stereotypes but the English do season their food a lot less than most Americans are used to. But, you know, nothing a little salt and pepper can't fix.
4. Almost dying while crossing the road because of the cars coming from the "wrong" side has probably happened more times than you care to admit.
"Look both ways" has taken on a whole new meaning because here, you gotta do it the opposite way.
5. Sunshine is like a damn unicorn.
When it's a nice day out, you'll know because everyone is outside. This might never happen again! We have to enjoy it while it lasts! (And it never lasts, man.)
6. Even the tiniest bit of warm weather is the same way.
And by warm, I mean like 63 degrees Fahrenheit. That's warm here.
7. You have questioned how you survived on Hershey's chocolate for all these years because you discovered the majesty that is Cadbury.
I need to change the red hearts on the heart eyes emoji to purple so it matches the Cadbury wrapping.
8. Being a passenger in a car while sitting in the driver's seat that's actually the passenger's seat it still weird.
It's so disorienting. Like car-ception.
9. The wind has knocked you over a few times.
English wind wants to exact revenge on everything in its path, including you.
10. If you're around Liverpool, you've had to learn how to understand Scouse. (And trust me, that in and of itself is a feat.)
"Okay, can you say what you just said...but slower."
11. If you're around London, you have dealt with insane cost of literally everything in that city.
*tears pouring out from my wallet*
12. Football (the OG kind) is seriously religion here. Don't mess with it.
Don't do it, folks. You'll get hit.
13. Rain is inevitable, like student debt. You've just embraced it at this point.
You don't really ask why it's raining anymore so much as you ask why it isn't raining.
14. When discussing America with British people, they probably ask you first about Donald Trump and guns.
One time, someone asked me if America has vending machines that sold guns.
15. Learning all the quirky things that British people call things is fun. (i.e. hair clips are called clicky clacks and diapers are called nappies)
It's really neat, honestly.
16. Historic castles are a pretty casual thing. (There are so many, seriously.)
Ya know, just going to this castle for the day.
17. Rain boots are not a thing.
No one here wears them, despite how much it rains. They know you're an international person when you walk into the room with the thunk thunk of your galoshes.
