An American living in the UK discovered the north-south divide and said it “baffled” him.
Kobie Jordan, who has lived in the UK for three years, says in a suggestive TikTok video that “it needs to be talked about.”
Walking through the streets of London, Kobie explains to the camera that in the United States people are friendly in the south and reserved in the north, but points out that in Britain it is the other way around.
Kobie, known online as @kjordyyytells his 182,000 followers that ‘back home in the South, things are a lot slower, people are a lot nicer and there’s more of a sense of community.’
Meanwhile, up north, she says people are “rude and reserved” and describes the atmosphere as much more “fast-paced” with “a lot of hustle and bustle.”
TikTok user Kobie Jordan explains that in the US people are friendly in the south and reserved in the north, but points out that in Britain it is the other way around.
Kobie says London (pictured) is the only place in the UK where “people look right through you”
He added: “There could be someone dying on the side of the road and people would just walk past.”
In the north of the UK, however, he notes, “people are much more realistic”.
Kobie claims that northerners, such as those from Newcastle or Liverpool, have the “craziest accents” and says: “I honestly don’t think I’ve ever come across a bad northerner.”
The content creator was particularly struck by the difference in the north during a trip to Manchester, where he says “everyone was so friendly”.
Describing her visit, she says: ‘I went to Poundland and the cashier said, ‘Are you okay, darling? How are you?’ And you never get that in London.
“We had a 25-minute conversation. It was amazing.”
In the south of the UK, however, he says, “people are much more reserved, much more distant”.
He adds: “Some people might even describe them as snobs. They have a much posher accent and are much ruder.”
Kobie says that in the south of the UK “people are much more reserved, much more standoffish”. Meanwhile, northerners, such as those from Newcastle or Liverpool, have “the craziest accents”, with Kobie adding: “I don’t really think I’ve come across a single bad northerner.”
Kobie was particularly struck by the north-south difference on a trip to Manchester (above), where he says “everyone was so friendly.”
Kobie notes that it is “not common” to engage in “polite casual conversations” with Southerners. “They are very independent and their humor is dry,” he says.
In London in particular, she has noticed a delay in socialisation.
He adds: “You don’t stop and say ‘hello’. Instead, you keep your gaze forward and walk past them.”
London is also the only place in the UK where, according to Kobie, “people look right through you”.
Her video was viewed nearly 300,000 times and users flooded the comments section with their thoughts on the split.
User ‘purpleshark21’ said: ‘I’m a southerner and now live in Liverpool. Best decision I’ve ever made! I love it here. I’ve been here 10 years and would never live in the south again.’
Others were quick to point out that London does not represent the whole of the south of the UK. User ‘antontevola’ said: “I think you’re describing London more than the south.”
User ‘anchoredwunderlust’ agreed: ‘Very true. But you could also try the South West – Somerset, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon.’
To which the creator replied: “I used to live in Bristol… all I have to say is: LUSH.”