Even if you think you are a fast walker you’re still likely to be passed by young mother pushing a stroller
Dogs are almost universally well behaved even when off leash
Even though people usually ignore others when they meet on a sidewalk (called “pavement”) if you’re a couple in your 70s holding hands they will smile
No outlets in bathrooms
Public bathrooms are called toilets… Or the loo, or gents – but not bathrooms unless you can take a bath (or shower) in them
Just because it is raining it doesn’t mean the sun won’t be out in a minute or two… Or the reverse
Americans tend to be louder than Brits in public settings
Because of TV Brits know most American ways of speaking, but at first, they may have to ask you to repeat so they can adjust their listening for an American accent (which is okay, I often have to ask for a repeat too)
From what I can see Brits like coffee better than tea
People in the UK like lots of milk (not cream or creamer) in their coffee
UK bus drivers are amazing
Brits have no idea what side of the pavement to walk on – most every time you meet an oncoming walker you have a moment of figuring out which side is correct for this specific encounter
When an ESL student from Asia doesn’t understand you repeating it in Spanish doesn’t help
Nazarenes in the UK sing with more enthusiasm than we sing in the United States
At any given time you will see people wearing tee shirts and shorts and others in heavy hooded coats – over the next 30 minutes or so, both will be properly dressed for the weather
Tylenol is paracetamol here, it is cheap, but you can only buy small packages of bubble cards of them, and no more than two packs at a time. Prescription meds come the same way
$13 will buy enough Chinese food to feed two people for two meals each
You never have change in your pocket because everyone everywhere does credit card tap and go, my smallest charge so far was 60 cents – I think this might be especially tough on street people asking for change
Using grocery delivery makes all kinds of sense when you would otherwise have to carry it all home about a third of a mile
