American man in the UK shares 5 ‘confusing’ British habits

An American man who has relocated to the UK has named five aspects of life in Britain which still take him by surprise. From the manner in which we greet each other, to our habit of apologising even when we haven’t done anything wrong, he detailed a series of things which he said “Americans find confusing”.

Zach Lincoln has more than 31,000 followers on Instagram, where he is known as zachmovesabroad and regularly posts insights into his life as an American here in the UK. He recently shared a series of images of five things about Britain which he said he found difficult to comprehend. Writing in the post’s caption, Zach said: “Being two cultures separated by the same language, you will be walking through an uncanny valley of things that are almost familiar, but totally on the other side of the road at the same time.”

The first was simply an image of a barrier to a public toilet, with a £1 entry notice. While many public toilets are free to use, some in locations such as major train stations require payment to enter, with the income used to cover the costs of cleaning and maintaining the facilities.

For the second thing he found peculiar, Zach said: “‘You alright?’ = Hello.” He added: “The craziest thing about this is that often the correct answer is: ‘Thanks, you?'”

The third point relates to something every Brit can identify with, even if we’d rather not. Zach stated: “Saying ‘sorry’ for everything. If you bump into them, they will apologise. I encourage you to try it once or twice for science, it’s hilarious.” In the caption of the post he added: “I was apologised to so much in the first week of being here that I started apologising to things for literally no reason out of obligation.”

Zach went on to say that having separate hot and cold taps had been a surprise when he first relocated from America, where most sinks have one tap with an adjustable temperature, reports the Mirror. Posting a picture of a hot tap, he said: “Whatever this thing is, the fluid that comes out of it will melt steel. The other one is one degree above frozen, and that’s what you have to work with.”

He adde in the caption: “Be careful with the two taps, people will tell you they don’t exist, and they can’t hurt you, but they are very real, and very much a threat.”

Lastly, he said: “Light switches outside the bathroom. I see the point, but if you have children, prepare for a few dark showers in your future.”

Others contributed their own particularly British quirks in the comments. One said: “Holding your hand out to stop a bus!” Another said: “Being seated and lightly slapping your thighs or the table, saying ‘right’ and then just leaving the room.” And someone else said: “The delicate art of the British ‘tut’ needs to get its own reel.”

A different user wrote: “Tea solves everything – bad day? I’ll put the kettle on.” Another person responded: “Also to celebrate. Good day? Put the kettle on.”

Another remarked: “Complaining about the weather. Either saying it too cold or too warm. We are never happy.”

A different user shared their own experiences of life in the UK as a foreigner. They stated: “25 years ago when I moved to England, I felt like I was in the show ‘Sliders’ or ‘Twilight Zone’. Things felt familiar but slightly off. At times it could be overwhelming and at other times just part of this wonderful adventure. Even after all these years, something pops up to make me feel like that again.”

And another simply said: “Never mind the switch being on the outside. I remember when the loo was outside… in the garden!!”