British families.

Mojisola

Riley_G said:

I'm really sorry I don't want to cause any trouble.

You're not.

The people who seem to think you're trolling don't have to read or contribute to the thread - if they do, ignore them.

Comms69

Just drink too much, grab a kebab on the way home and kick off about something at 2am. - proper Bri'ish! 

[Deleted User]

AskAsk said:

Torry_Quine said:

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.

i only know the scots hate the english because my husband used to date a scottish lady and she said that the scots hate the english because of the past, your rob roy and all that  , but that on an individual level, a scot can be friends with someone english, so the animosity is not at the personal level but the national level.

One person told you this and this woman was the spokesperson for every single Scot as if we’re some sort of collective Borg? 

SaintJudy

MovingForwards said:

@JamoLew hum will be black country, wolves, Walsall accent as I've never heard a Brummie say it any other way than ham.

Spot on. Black country pronunciation is 'Burmingum', or sometimes even 'Burminum' where I come from, but either way there's never really any emphasis on the 'h'    

Teapot55

@Riley_G Americans are well-known in the UK for being very polite. This is because by contrast some people here are incredibly rude. To your face people in this country are generally polite (although some say nice things & say that nothing is a problem but in reality they are too weak to say what they really need or feel & will instead talk about you behind your back, so beware). Unfortunately on internet forums such as this one there are too many who hide behind the anonymity & use this to insult people. They are generally those who are unable to comprehend that others may have different experiences from their own & resent the intrusion of people who are aren't 'like them' onto their computer screens, even though it is a public forum & open to all.

I do hope you haven't stopped reading the answers to your post & that you see this comment.

You are very lucky to be having your first experience of the UK in Manchester, because, as others have said, the north is a very friendly place to live. Do be aware of certain areas that are not a good idea to be in for too long, as in any city. I would not be walking along the street with my mobile phone in my hand & I probably wouldn't be carrying a handbag if walking, but I don't generally do that anywhere nowadays.

I hope your time here will be happy & exciting in equal measure!

NBLondon

I'm surprised that a New Yorker is being so polite...

kimwp

Riley_G said:

I'm really sorry I don't want to cause any trouble.

I am just trying to fit in. I was big on the money saving back home, (Lived off coupons when shopping!) Getting the best deal and my boyfriend actually told me about this place. 

If I had known I was going to cause trouble I'd have kept away. 

For the record I had asked my boyfriend about the UK, but I do like asking others too. I'm sorry if thats wrong or not the "British" way. I'm only trying to fit in.

Hi there @Riley_G and welcome to the UK
Don't worry about having "started" anything, just ask what you need to and don't worry about the unhelpful people - they provide entertainment for the rest of us, but otherwise not worth spending time on.
NB, having a "mash" or "mashing" the tea is a local (not sure to where) thing, others will be a bit surprised if you say that.

LillythePink

When I've been to the US on holiday i always come back happier - I know for a lot of people when they serve you be it in a shop or restaurant etc, it's drummed into them to say "have a nice day" but whether it's meant or part of the job, it's something that makes me smile.

As for expat forums etc - yes there's information and yes, some of it will be as per what has been asked and answered, but also there is normally a forum for questions and answers from members - is this not the same thing?  Just because it's a different type of site doesn't make the fact that you're talking with real people who have contributions to make like a lot of people have done here.

OP - ignore the rude people, there will always be doubters and think that topics are a wind up, but as someone else has said, you're not out to wind people up or start an argument, so carry on posting

Riley_G

Teapot55 said:

@Riley_G Americans are well-known in the UK for being very polite. This is because by contrast some people here are incredibly rude. To your face people in this country are generally polite (although some say nice things & say that nothing is a problem but in reality they are too weak to say what they really need or feel & will instead talk about you behind your back, so beware). Unfortunately on internet forums such as this one there are too many who hide behind the anonymity & use this to insult people. They are generally those who are unable to comprehend that others may have different experiences from their own & resent the intrusion of people who are aren't 'like them' onto their computer screens, even though it is a public forum & open to all.

I do hope you haven't stopped reading the answers to your post & that you see this comment.

You are very lucky to be having your first experience of the UK in Manchester, because, as others have said, the north is a very friendly place to live. Do be aware of certain areas that are not a good idea to be in for too long, as in any city. I would not be walking along the street with my mobile phone in my hand & I probably wouldn't be carrying a handbag if walking, but I don't generally do that anywhere nowadays.

I hope your time here will be happy & exciting in equal measure!

Thank you!
I've heard a lot of good things about Manchester. In terms of safety and areas it is a bit like NY so I am used to those areas!

NBLondon said:

I'm surprised that a New Yorker is being so polite...

Hey we are not all bad! 

kimwp said:

Riley_G said:

I'm really sorry I don't want to cause any trouble.

I am just trying to fit in. I was big on the money saving back home, (Lived off coupons when shopping!) Getting the best deal and my boyfriend actually told me about this place. 

If I had known I was going to cause trouble I'd have kept away. 

For the record I had asked my boyfriend about the UK, but I do like asking others too. I'm sorry if thats wrong or not the "British" way. I'm only trying to fit in.

Hi there @Riley_G and welcome to the UK
Don't worry about having "started" anything, just ask what you need to and don't worry about the unhelpful people - they provide entertainment for the rest of us, but otherwise not worth spending time on.
NB, having a "mash" or "mashing" the tea is a local (not sure to where) thing, others will be a bit surprised if you say that.

Mash the tea? What do you do on that?

I went to a pub earlier and asked for some chips for after my meal. I forgot chips are french fries here! Oh well might as well start my lockdown body now! 

MovingForwards

Chips are chunky potatoes (or spuds for short)
Fries are the skinny things usually from McD, KFC etc.

Crisps (UK) = chips (USA)