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9 Oddest Things About The UK, As Told By An American

All the things BBC America never told me.

Jane Niland

Feb 01, 2019

Millennials of New Jersey

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9 Oddest Things About The UK, As Told By An American

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I'm not one of those ignorant Americans who think that everything has to be the same as at home, I swear. Still, as normal a country as it seems to me, I wasn't at all prepared for some of the differences.

1. Public Transport

Yes, we have it in America, but this is oddly less headache inducing and very economical. Oyster Cards are 5 pounds (About $6.70 in American dollars) upfront and all one has to do is put more money on them when they run out. Plus, if you have one, they can't charge over a certain amount a day if you need to use a lot of public transport... Plus, the trains and buses are mainly on time...

2. Plugs

Okay, here there's extra wattage, so it's not surprising that the plugs are shaped differently, but for some reason, it just bothers me. Why are they upside down? Why are the prongs flat? Just... Why?

3. Plastic Bags

Apparently, you get charged extra for asking for a plastic bag while shopping. Well... kudos for trying harder than America to save the planet, I guess?

4. "Chips" and "Crisps"

I'd like to know how the Brits came up with these terms. Crisps I kind of understand, since chips are supposed to be crispy and crunchy. But fries as chips? I don't understand. Please, tell me how this got started.

5. The Food.

British food is really not as bad as the rest of the world says it is. In fact, it not being overloaded with god-knows-what does the supertaster and picky eater in me a favor. But maybe a little bit of spice wouldn't hurt? Or a little more sugar? It's probably an acquired taste, my American-born mouth is used to something stronger, I guess.

6. Added Sales Tax

Let me just say thank you. THANK YOU, UK, FOR LETTING ME PAY THE PRICE ON THE TAG.

7. How Big (And Clean) London Is

I'm in London, but not Central London, which is what most people think of when they hear "London." I'm actually between Twickenham and Teddington, which are about a 30 minute train ride away from there, but I've been there just a few days ago. As littered with tourists as it is, it's beautiful and surprisingly clean. I've never been to a big city in America with two of those qualities at the same time...

8. Professors on a First Name Basis

I've heard this is a European thing, but I honestly didn't expect it here in England. Back home, you'd get looked at funny if you called your professor something other than Dr. whatever-their-name-is. Then again, people here look at us Americans funny for doing just that.

9. People Like Americans?

I was under the impression that the rest of the world hated America. (Well... it's not like they have no reason to.) Yet, most people here to far haven't referred to me in a condescending way as a "yank" or passed judgement because of my very not British accent. Or are they just being passive aggressive? Or is it all behind my back. Will have to investigate for sure...

Maybe by the time May rolls around, these won't be as weird, or maybe I'll find weirder things around the UK, or maybe the rest of Europe.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

9 Oddest Things About The UK, As Told By An American

All the things BBC America never told me.

1. Public Transport

2. Plugs

3. Plastic Bags

4. "Chips" and "Crisps"

5. The Food.

6. Added Sales Tax

7. How Big (And Clean) London Is

8. Professors on a First Name Basis

9. People Like Americans?

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

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10. How to work for what I want.

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13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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