I’m a Canadian living in London – here’s what’s weird about life in the UK, what’s great, how Britain could improve (and the key phrases visitors MUST learn to get along with locals)

“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life,” said the writer Samuel Johnson.

And Canadian expat Christina Ford agrees.

Christina, 63, moved to London in 2016. But despite her love for her new life in the Big Smoke, there were some things she found difficult to get used to.

Lifestyle blogger here (a-spacious-in-london) and author of the award-winning book Finding Mr. Darcy: Lessons Learned in the Search for Happily Ever After shares his thoughts on the good, the bad and the just plain weird about the UK.

She reveals her thoughts on door handles, unrefrigerated eggs, jaywalking, stop signs and public transport, and reveals the key British phrases visitors “need to know to stay out of trouble.”

WHAT ARE THE STRANGER ASPECTS OF LIFE IN THE UK?

No door handles

‘Instead, there is a prominent door handle to close the door behind you. But it’s the turn of the key that opens the door, not the doorknob.’

unrefrigerated eggs

‘In the UK, eggs can be anywhere in the supermarket except where I normally find them, in the chilled section. Plus, you occasionally find a feather or two stuck to them, which I have to admit grossed me out the first time.

There are no stop signs

Christina is pictured above at the Tower of London. He says that the best way to get around the capital is by public transport

‘This could be life-saving information. When I say “there are no stop signs,” it is not because they are replaced by traffic lights or roundabouts. Cars simply have to slow down, not legally stop, when approaching an intersection. Of course, there are some stop signs, but far fewer than you might imagine.’

jaywalkers

‘Londoners will wait for a gap in traffic and then cross the road with confidence. It’s important to keep this in mind: just because the herd is moving doesn’t mean all the cows are safe. Look up from your phone and pay attention when crossing the street.’

The obsession with football (soccer)

“I thought British women over 50, that incredible demographic, would be as interested as I was in a football match between Newcastle and Manchester United, but they’re not. I was wrong. Although I have to say this girl loved Ted Lasso , but I’ve learned that doesn’t count. And while women aren’t fans of boisterous, loud-singing, beer-raising, boisterous guys, make no mistake: this country is crazy about football. And if you want to fit in, You better get an answer to the inevitable question: “Who’s your team?”

WHAT DOES THE UK DO WELL?

Public transport

“Complain about this all you want, but most of the time it’s the quickest and safest way to get around London.”

queue

“Line up for everything, and I mean everything.”

Would Christina recommend London as a place to live? She says: ”Yes. As the saying goes: “He who is bored in London is bored with life.”

mail delivery

“Usually the next day in the UK.”

garbage collection

‘Twice a week. Recycling once a week. (This varies depending on where you live in London.)

Normalize alcohol consumption

‘Pub culture is socially acceptable and quite expected, compared to hanging out at a local US bar. “I’m still undecided if this is a good or bad thing.”

talk about the weather

‘I mean, every day, all day.’

Art and theater

‘All galleries and museums are free!’

so much vegetation

Christina rightly points out that London has so many trees that it is technically a forest, which she considers “simply stunning.”

Would you recommend London as a place to live?

‘Yeah. As the saying goes: “He who is bored in London is bored with life.”

HOW COULD THE UK IMPROVE?

More affordable housing

“For a single person on a decent salary, it is still almost impossible to afford a one-bedroom flat in London.”

Londoners should make eye contact

“The British aren’t exactly known for being the most welcoming to strangers. “They could be friendlier… and not just to our dogs.”