British families.

strawb_shortcake

I have family in the Greater Manchester area, it's a very friendly place. 
The TV show Phoenix Nights is one of my favourites, a sitcom set in a Bolton social club, having spent many an evening in such an establishment made it even better

Mojisola

AskAsk said:

JamoLew said:

oh yes to this - learn the difference between Great Britain and The United Kingdom as well

what is the difference, lol? 

www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/The-UK-Great-Britain-Whats-the-Difference/

Riley_G

TBagpuss said:

- Meeting the parents, back home I would take a gift to them and it wouldn't be formal. I've been told here that its very prim and proper. Can anyone give me the low down?
 Depends on the family. I think that *in general* , people here tend to be a little more formal than in the US but of course there will be lots of exceptions. I would ask your boyfriend, as he's the one who knows his parents!  A  small gift such as flowers, chocolates or wine wouldn't go amiss, especially if you are meeting them in their own home. If eating out (when that is allowed again) 
- Why do I have to get a sponsor/reference to get a bank account. My boyfriend had to vouch for me at his bank. is this normal? Will I have to always get a vouch or will I be allowed to apply on my own. Do I have to pay to use a bank branch?
Because you've never lived here so don't have any credit history or address history in this country.  Once you have established some history here you should be able to go it alone. You might be able to get a 'basic' account even without someone vouching for you. (they are designed for those with poor credit, or who have been bankrupt, and normally don't allow any form of overdraft)
You don't pay to use bank branches here. You also don't normally get charged for withdrawing money from an ATM not owned by your bank, although machines in motorway service areas and convenience stores may charge you, but have to show up front what the charge will be.  Some accounts charge a fee (Normally offering perks like 'free' insurance, preferential rates for other products and so on) but it isn't standard to pay a monthly or yearly fee for a bank account. Cheques are free (but old fashioned. I can't remember the last time I wrote, or received, a personal cheque) 

- Can you get prepaid phones here? I was reading there is T-Mobile in the UK, I have T-Mobile in the states can I move my account over to the UK? My boyfriend said they became EE? He has an account at EE and he has said he will add me to his account, is that with my T-Mobile US account?
Yes, you can get pre-pay (Pay as You go) phones where you top up your credit as and when you need it. I don't know if you can move your US account to the UK - I'd suggest contacting T-Mobile directly to ask. If your boyfriend adds you I would expect that to be a new account so your number would change. You may need aa new Sim as well, depending how old your phone is. 
- Does credit work in the same way as it does in the US? I had a credit card I bought all my every day purchases on it and paid it off at the end of the month by check, I was told my score would increase, is that the same here?
Having a credit card and paying it off every month can be useful as it means you show up for the credit referencing agencies. It makes sense to ensure that you are also on the electoral roll, and on the council tax bill, too. However none of those things alone will make your score increase.
- Anything else I should know?
GP stands for General Practitioner - they are the doctor you contact in the first instance if you are unwell, and for routine things. They will refer you on to specialists if/when necessary. Most surgeries also have nurse practioners who you may see for things like  routine blood tests, cervical screening, monitoring of ongoing conditions such as asthma or diabetes (if relevant) and  may be able to see you for initial appointments sometimes.  If you have an urgent appointment you may see a different GP (at the same office) as the person you are registered with. 

You will also need to register separately with a dentist.  Seeing a GP is free (you will pay £9 per item for any prescriptions, paid to the pharmacist when you collect the medication, free for people on certain means-tested benefits, the young, the old and the pregnant) Dentists may be private or NHS (often the same dentists do both) - for NHS treatment you pay a low, set amount (again, free for some) . In some areas it can be hard to find an NHS dentist, it makes sense to find one as soon as you can, don't wait until you have toothache! 

ID - there is no requirement to carry ID. You will need it for things like opening a bank account, getting a job, or renting a car, and ay get 'carded' if buying alcohol, tobacco or knives, if you are, or look as f you may be, under 25 (you need to be over 18 but a lot of retailers have  policy of checking if someone looks under 25, and can ask for proof of age from anyone. 

Tax - as others have said, sales tax (VAT) is included on the stocker price of items in shops. However, lots of professional services will quote figures excluding VAT so you may see a quote that is (say) £500 + VAT. VAT is 20% although lower rates apply to some kinds of goods.
Restaurants - tipping is not compulsory - smaller / more casual places may have a tip jar and fancier places will generally add a 12.5% service charge (which is not compulsory, but you would need to ask to take it off id you are not willing to pay) and there is often also a charge for larger groups.  
It's common to tip taxi drivers by rounding up the fare, and if you stay in a good hotel it would be common to leave a small time each day for housekeeping staff, and to tip a porter or concierge if you use their services. However, unlike the US,  tipping isn't anything like as common and people's incomes don't depend on in it the same way. 

Thank you! So helpful!

gt568 said:

Riley_G said:

gt568 said:

This is windup thread right?  or a child off school??

No?

Sorry didn't realize this forum was for the select few.

I can't believe a sane adult would ask these questions.

I didn't mean to come in to this exclusive group. I am sane thank you for asking. It seems you don't want me here.

AskAsk

gt568 said:

Riley_G said:

gt568 said:

This is windup thread right?  or a child off school??

No?

Sorry didn't realize this forum was for the select few.

I can't believe a sane adult would ask these questions.

the questions are actually legit as they are the sort of questions that a foreigner would have when they relocate to a different country.  what is more made up is the scenario in which the questions are asked, as the OP is asking a bunch of strangers about something that her boyfriend would easily be able to answer, thinking that we will be able to answer the questions much better than he can.

Riley_G

annabanana82 said:

I have family in the Greater Manchester area, it's a very friendly place. 
The TV show Phoenix Nights is one of my favourites, a sitcom set in a Bolton social club, having spent many an evening in such an establishment made it even better

I am near to there! I am yet to experience a true pub. My boyfriend says he will take me for a quick drink in one before Thursday. When as he says "Boris is grounding us all again"

 

AskAsk

Riley_G said:

WickedWitch123 said:

AskAsk said:

Savvy_Sue said:

Riley_G said:

Savvy_Sue said:

What I don't quite understand is why your boyfriend isn't giving you a reverse cultural induction to the one he must have had when he came to the USA.

He tried. Oh he tried. I prefer learning my own way. 

I don't know anyone else in the UK. I've never been to the UK. Boyfriend has told me to do some things. 

PLEASE make some friends yourself. I know it's not the the best of times, but whatever YOUR interests are make time for them and try to connect with like-minded people. 

it is actually not that easy to make friends in the UK as people are more reserved and are more cautious around strangers, particularly foreigners.  but yes, the OP should try to make friends as it is pretty lonely just to depend on her boyfriend.

best way to make friends is to join some sort of activity club where you can meet people who like similar things to you.

Hey that may be true if you're from 'down South' but up here in Manchester we are an extremely friendly and approachable bunch.  OP you seem outgoing and confident - you'll have no trouble making friends in Manchester. Obviously not a great time with COVID but you'll be fine.  Any other questions, ask away and welcome to the UK xx

Thank you, people on the tram were lovely. I had a nice chat with a lovely old lady who advised me to avoid an area with an "accent like mine". 

I try and be outgoing and confident sometimes I am the scared New Yorker in a new city. You guys seem to take COVID a lot more seriously than we do in the states, which is great!

I have to say your cell companies are also cheaper! I went to the cell phone store and got a new phone. They gave me £10 off a month, A free carry case and a screen protector. I have a shiny new UK phone, I can use back in NY at no charge.

You are all lovely! Thank you!

I do have another question what do all the rainbow drawings mean? My boyfriend said its to clap for keyworkers due to covid. I just think they look really cute.

I also hear my boyfriend talk about down south and loads of people have mentioned it, Does the north not like the south?

only the scots hate the english as far as i am aware.  the rest of the northerners think the southerners are a bit stuck up and unfriendly.  the southerners don't hate the northerners, we just think they have a funny accent 

silverwhistle

JamoLew said:     And i was taught ALWAYS milk second - so you don't overheat it and cause curdling

NOO! Milk FIRST, for exactly the reason you state. The temperature change is more gradual if you add the hot tea to the milk rather than the small amount of milk to the mass of hot tea...

Look what you've started OP! :-)

Other recommendations: try the famous echo in the British Museum reading room.. In Scotland the men's toilets show someone wearing a kilt, always take everything we say seriously...

strawb_shortcake

Riley_G said:

annabanana82 said:

I have family in the Greater Manchester area, it's a very friendly place. 
The TV show Phoenix Nights is one of my favourites, a sitcom set in a Bolton social club, having spent many an evening in such an establishment made it even better

I am near to there! I am yet to experience a true pub. My boyfriend says he will take me for a quick drink in one before Thursday. When as he says "Boris is grounding us all again"

 

Pubs and social clubs are completely different. 
My Uncle was a member of the conservative and labour club just for the cheap beer.
I like the northern pubs, far cheaper than we pay down south. My Dad's parents had a pub in Bury many many moons ago, I do like to go in where we are local as well as a trip to Bury market but it's been a long time since I've fone either. 

Torry_Quine

AskAsk said:

Riley_G said:

WickedWitch123 said:

AskAsk said:

Savvy_Sue said:

Riley_G said:

Savvy_Sue said:

What I don't quite understand is why your boyfriend isn't giving you a reverse cultural induction to the one he must have had when he came to the USA.

He tried. Oh he tried. I prefer learning my own way. 

I don't know anyone else in the UK. I've never been to the UK. Boyfriend has told me to do some things. 

PLEASE make some friends yourself. I know it's not the the best of times, but whatever YOUR interests are make time for them and try to connect with like-minded people. 

it is actually not that easy to make friends in the UK as people are more reserved and are more cautious around strangers, particularly foreigners.  but yes, the OP should try to make friends as it is pretty lonely just to depend on her boyfriend.

best way to make friends is to join some sort of activity club where you can meet people who like similar things to you.

Hey that may be true if you're from 'down South' but up here in Manchester we are an extremely friendly and approachable bunch.  OP you seem outgoing and confident - you'll have no trouble making friends in Manchester. Obviously not a great time with COVID but you'll be fine.  Any other questions, ask away and welcome to the UK xx

Thank you, people on the tram were lovely. I had a nice chat with a lovely old lady who advised me to avoid an area with an "accent like mine". 

I try and be outgoing and confident sometimes I am the scared New Yorker in a new city. You guys seem to take COVID a lot more seriously than we do in the states, which is great!

I have to say your cell companies are also cheaper! I went to the cell phone store and got a new phone. They gave me £10 off a month, A free carry case and a screen protector. I have a shiny new UK phone, I can use back in NY at no charge.

You are all lovely! Thank you!

I do have another question what do all the rainbow drawings mean? My boyfriend said its to clap for keyworkers due to covid. I just think they look really cute.

I also hear my boyfriend talk about down south and loads of people have mentioned it, Does the north not like the south?

only the scots hate the english as far as i am aware.  the rest of the northerners think the southerners are a bit stuck up and unfriendly.  the southerners don't hate the northerners, we just think they have a funny accent 

Well this Scot doesn't hate the English. It's annoying when something is described as national when it's English though.

sazaccount

gt568 said:

I can't believe a sane adult would ask these questions.

I really hope you never move to a new country and are trying to figure things out, these questions are pretty common on online expat/working holiday communities around the world, especially for someone starting out and new to being overseas.