As an American moving to the UK, it doesn’t take long to learn that there really is an English way. Known for their accents, the Queen, driving on the left, queuing, the Beckhams, and fish and chips, what else does anyone really need to know about the quirky nation to start living in it? 💂🏻♀️
While I’d like to say nothing, learning the ways of the Brits quickly is incredibly helpful if you choose to live in the UK. Most British habits aren’t a big deal. In fact, some are quite useful and will make you wonder why Americans don’t do them, too.
There are the cute habits, the confusing habits and everything in between. They don’t change a thing about how cool living in England is, and definitely not going to help you develop an English accent. But knowing these quirky British habits will help you navigate a conversation, text or even pass a driving test.
Here are 13 quirky British habits explained…sort of.
1 – Dry January or #Ginuary
At the start of every new year, the UK kicks off “Dry January”. It’s a month long booze-free challenge across the nation. Loads of people participate.
Running in parallel to Dry January is Ginuary. A different gin every day? Or is it week?
Either way, the Brits have two extremes to get through January: totally dry or totally wet. 🥃
2 – Are you alright?
It sounds more like “Are you awwrriiigggghhhhhtttttt?”
It’s the standard British greeting from everyone – customer service, friend, acquaintance, stranger. The first time I heard it I thought they were genuinely wondering if something was wrong with me. It took me a bit of time to realize that it’s the British way of saying “How are you?” In America.
3 – xx
“xx” is understood as sending kisses to someone when used in America, and traditionally only used in incredibly personal exchanges. However, these little xx’s appear in nearly every female text or email exchange with someone that’s British.
In England, adding xx is a simple friendly gesture, normal, and not as personal as receiving from someone in America. So, rock it if you want to. xx
4 – Flashing headlights
Flashing headlights is likely the most noticeable and helpful British habit to pick up. I had no idea what it meant till I had to rely on it as a driver.
The Brits flash their car lights to signal presence to go ahead or as a “thank you” gesture if you let them pass first.
Technically and legally, flashing is only meant to acknowledge the presence of others, but the Brits use it far more than that. It’s the only way to navigate one-lane roads. 🚘
5 – Sorted
Fairly certain “sorted” is within the top 5 most used British words of all time. Americans sort their laundry. But Brits use “sort” in every conversation about anything: utilities, technology, groceries, children, house, train, toilet….I could go on.
The word “sorted” is used so often that it’s rather frustrating as an American getting settled in the UK. And because of that, “sorted” becomes a part of everyday American expat language, too. 🙈
6 – Brill!
Short for brilliant, “brill” is an expression used in all sorts (see, I told ya!) of engaging colloquialisms. It’s a welcoming addition to America’s use of awesome, amazing, fabulous, and wicked (if you’re from New England). 🤛🏻
7 – Baked beans and peas
There really are more than just baked beans and peas in England but you wouldn’t think so if you never went to an English grocery store. The Brits have a fascination with baked beans for brekky and peas at every other meal. 🍽
8 – Sunday roast
Sunday afternoons are in fact not about NFL, but all about the roast. So much so in fact that if you try to eat after 4pm on a Sunday in England, you’ll find yourself with the only option but pizza delivery.
Unlike the US where restaurants are typically open all day on Sundays, there is a nationwide understanding that Sunday afternoons in England are about the roast. And if you miss the roast, well, you’re $%&# out of luck.
9 – Walk on the left or the right?
Britains are masters on the rules of queuing and driving on the left, but oddly fall short when it comes to walking etiquette. It can be total chaos walking along a footpath, a hallway or even climbing stairs.
Typically the side of the road you drive on rules the side you walk on, but not in the UK. And to complicate matters, you stand to the right on escalators. 😂
10 – Order of things
Cream, butter or sugar first? In the US, no one cares. There is no official order of things when it comes to buttering a biscuit or making a cup of coffee in America.
But depending upon where you live in the UK, if you do it wrong, you might have an argument on your hand. Not sure what to do? Check this cream tea instruction.
11 – Stones
A stone is how the Brits refer to weight. Forget about trying to do the conversion of pounds to kilos. The Brits don’t care about kg despite it being the formal unit of measure. It’s all about the stone…one stone is 14 pounds. You do the math. ⚖️
12 – Quid
Because doing the USD to GBP isn’t hard enough?!? The British pound is also referred to as “quid” by the Brits. “It’s about 10 quid.” Not squid. Say what?
13 – Sorry
Sorry, but this is the last British habit on my list. The Brits say sorry on average 8 times a day, sometimes up to 20, according to the BBC. Americans could probably learn a thing or two from this overly polite nation.
Brill! We are at the end. 13 quirky British habits sorted. Sorry if I missed one. xx
Looking for more resources to settle into British life? Try these.
- 12 Must-Have Books for Kids Moving to London
- 10 Best Things To Do In England
- Moving abroad? Download the moving abroad checklist!
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