Are you planning to move to the United Kingdom? Or do you have no concrete plans, but have a dream of maybe moving here someday? Although the stately island is close - especially when you look at the map - best get ready for a culture shock. These 10 things you'll definitely experience when you move to England.
1. Everyone drinks tea - including construction workers
A lot of tea is drunk in English households. You may be familiar with afternoon tea from TV, where sandwiches, scones and sweet bites are served. However, tea is drunk throughout the day, including by construction workers and other men. You will rarely have to pour coffee for visitors.
2. English dialects - that takes some getting used to
No matter how good your English is, it will probably take some getting used to, those English dialects. You often hear the English they speak in the Southeast of the country on television, but the more you travel north, the different the language sounds. It may take you a while to decipher a new English dialect. A good knowledge of the English language is a big help, though. Also prepare your children well, for example through a children's camp!
3. Drive on the left, not the right
You probably know this, but if you've never been to England or any other left-hand driving country, it's a new experience! You look right-left-right when you cross. When you drive a car, your steering wheel is on the "wrong" side, and at the traffic circle you turn left.
4. Favorite color is red
Is your favorite color red? Then you can indulge in the United Kingdom. A striking number of things here are red. Think of the red mailboxes in the English landscape, the characteristic red telephone boxes and the London double-decker buses that you should definitely take a ride in!
5. Not soccer, but golf and cricket
Are you a sports fanatic? Then you're in the right place in the United Kingdom. Chances are only that your colleague or neighbor doesn't want to talk about last night's soccer match, but would rather talk about that great golf or cricket match!
6. Going to the pub on weekends
The pub - this is where English nightlife takes place. Do you order a beer? That's quite a culture shock in itself. It is served at room temperature, does not have a two finger thick head of foam and contains less alcohol than a Dutch beer. Order a plate of fish & chips with it and your English pub experience is complete!
7. English breakfast - you have to try it once!
Movies and series sometimes lead us to believe that people in the United Kingdom eat a full English breakfast every day. It isn't. It is often consumed on weekends. Although sausages, white beans in tomato sauce, eggs, bacon, toast, tomatoes and mushrooms may be a bit heavy on your stomach first thing in the morning, you really must have tried it once!
8. No elbowing, but standing in line
Britons are known for their politeness and this is well reflected in their penchant for queuing. They seem to be able to form a nice "Queue" anywhere, even if it consists of only two people. It's better to leave the Dutch elbow work at home, then. Although you may be used to pushing yourself forward to get into the train, 'to jump the queue' is unheard of in the UK. In our youth camps we also dwell on politeness and respect for others, so your adolescent teenager will bring English manners back to Dutch life.
9. The class difference - it still exists!
Although some would have you believe that the class difference no longer exists, as a foreigner you will undoubtedly notice a difference. In the United Kingdom, status is much more important than in the Netherlands. It only shows itself in little things these days. For example, pouring the tea first and then the milk into the porcelain cup can be a form of convenience. On the other hand, it can also be the way someone shows that they have expensive porcelain that does not crack under the influence of red-hot tea.
10. Not euros but pounds
The United Kingdom invariably sticks to its national currency. Even when it was part of the European Union, the euro was not welcome on the island. So get used to counting in pounds!
