🇬🇧 How To Speak To British People (yes, really)

Moving to the UK can be intimidating when it comes to speaking with British people.. so how can you blend in with British culture? Check out all the dos and don'ts for talking with British people!

FOLLOW THE ADVENTURE

Hey! I'm Alanna - a twenty-something documenting my life as a Canadian living in England.

I share the ups and downs of an expat living abroad and what it's really like living in the UK. It's not always easy, but there's been so many wonderful experiences, too. I post a Youtube video every Tuesday & Friday plus an additional video every Saturday on my Patreon account. I also livestream every Wednesday and Sunday at 5:30pm GMT/BST on Twitch.

Alanna x

[Jonboyx]

In the UK in my youth [I am now 67] a constant warning was given by adults to children; in school by teachers, and even on TV; of "Don't talk to strangers!". I think that drives some of the hesitancy about talking to strangers, with a spoonful of shyness, and a ladle full of "It's none of your business!"

[michelleford]

Northener's will always talk to you, i live in Sheffield, you cannot go anywhere, without someone, striking up a conversation, i love it, painting the front fence, took me hour's, due to everyone stopping to talk, i love it.

[joegrey]

I've lived in Kent for 30 years, and people are friendly and talkative, but we often need a reason to start up a conversation. Typically a dog (much easier to talk to first, then their human), but can be other things. In the two months I spent fitting out my campervan outside the house, I got to know more neighbours than in the previous 20 years!

[shalpin]

I think the British, even Londoners, really do enjoy talking to strangers, it's just that they won't initiate the conversation nor expect it if you initiate it. If you can find a humorous opening or something you can both complain about, they will open up to you.

[BattleMatt]

My wife is Scottish, she talks to everyone. I've lived round here for over 50 years, but within 20 years she knows far more people than me.

[josephh]

As a travelling Canadian, I ran into the "you alright?"renting a car in the North. I was thinking that I must have looked like I had something wrong with me! I assured him I was okay. He just carried on! Nice video today.

[MS-]

The second point about talking to strangers is touched upon by Bill Bryson in his "Notes from a Big Country, " written from the perspective of moving back to the US after having lived in the UK for many years. He was taken aback when phoning a customer service department and being addressed as "Bill." For all his time in the UK, customer service personnel had always addressed him as "Mr Bryson, " and as the American counterpart was talking to him ("Hi Bill, my name is Bob" etc.) all he could think was "Thanks Bob, but all I need is some help with my credit card; I'm not looking to start a relationship." There is more of a first-name basis to business conversation in the UK now than there was 30 or 40 years ago, but formality is still very much ingrained on the British consciousness, especially in the South where the big businesses tend to be found. It's also worth noting that we Brits have long been observed as valuing our privacy very highly, thus the striking up of personal conversation in a business context doesn't sit well.

Technically, there *is* a British accent: judging by its use by British characters in American films, Received Pronunciation (RP) would be identified by non-Brits as "a British accent, " though it tends to be in over-the-top drama or comedy.

[bikesandcats]

There are others like the alright.
“Did you have a nice Christmas” always answered with “yes, just a quiet one”
“Did you have a nice weekend”, “yes, you”
“How are you?”, “Fine thanks, you?”

[kjdempsey]

Alanna cracks me up, she never fails to make me either smile to chuckle to myself in mist of her videos. She definitely knows her onions about us Brits, gotta love her

[paulhill]

Southerner here. I have 2 dogs who I take out for walks every day, often meeting other people walking their dogs, usually the same ones, I know everything about their dogs, name, background, full medical history, diet, etc. The dog owners? Don’t even know their names.

[stuarts]

Brilliantly observed Alanna!. When the Canadian government needs a new British ambassador, they could do worse than come knocking on your door 🙂

[milkywaychild]

Your intelligence and warmth always comes through in your content ❤

[fleabug]

Don't talk to strangers is just a South East thing (with the exception of Brighton and its surrounding areas), particularly bad in London. And generally, even in the south east that isn't london, it comes from a place of shy/reserved place, not a place of fear, so if you strike up a conversation on a bus, noone will mind. People are on average a lot more in London. This is probablly internationally relevant advice but if you're looking for a really interesting and enthusiastically recieved chat, try sitting next to an elderly woman on a bus. Nine times out of ten that person is dying to talk to anyone about anything.

[glazersout]

Londoner here and I totally agree - Northerners are just so much warmer, approachable and friendly.

[joshbrailsford]

Alanna, believe me when I say that it can be just as jarring for us Brits when we suddenly find ourselves in a conversation with someone who has a broad regional accent - it can take a minute to adjust your ears 😂 you're spot on with everything in this video, though, which made it kinda hilarious to watch.

[geoffpoole]

At Ely railway station there's a bench with a sign above it stating that this bench is for people who want to talk to others. No one sits on it.

[Mrs.J]

My God is Alanna ever right! First week knowing my, now husband, I thought he hated me. Hed want to hang out but would tell me not to be 'daft' or he would jokingly call me a 'dickhead' or 'dont be a knobend'. Totally oblivious to any sort of English slang...I was like....WTF is this guys problem with me. But here we are...daily banter back and forth. I'd never have it any other way. Canadian banter...definitely different, lol.

Great video Alanna!

[shlibbermacshlibber]

Casual conversations with strangers, my own personal rules
1. No Sport
2. No Politics
3. No Religion

[richardhargrave]

Canadians do have a great sense of humour, nearly as good as ours! (That's why we love you Allana)
We noticed, literally crossing the border at Niagara Falls.

[renejean]

As a Brit living in the US, I love these kinds of videos and I've watched a lot of them. They're all interesting, but this is the best of the lot so far. Looking forward to catching up on your content. Now I'm wondering if my friends think I talk about the weather a lot... 😎