9 Unexpected ways I've become British (after 9 years living in the UK)

I can't believe I've lived in the UK for 9 years... it's truly been a wild ride. Here's 9 unexpected ways I've become British after calling the UK home for nearly a decade!

0:00 nine years!!!!!
0:52 cheeky pint?
5:44 let me explain lol
7:27 queue up
8:21 the dreaded tut
9:46 art of small talk
11:46 food preferences 
15:42 I can't accept it (yet)
17:01 cheers love x
19:01 hard to explain but hear me out (literally)
20:56 personal rant

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FOLLOW THE ADVENTURE

Hey! I'm Alanna - a thirty-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 plus an additional video every Saturday on Patreon + YT Memberships. I also livestream every Wednesday and Sunday at 5:30pm GMT/BST on Twitch.

Alanna x

[rudolfecker]

Come on Alanna - just accept it - you're no longer a foreigner - you've become English - and it's lovely!

[karink]

I was born in Europe but we emigrated to Canada when I was a kid. Spent junior high to university in Toronto. Came to the UK after uni for a two year adventure.. 22 years later I'm still here! It's not even an identity crisis - your sense of belonging just becomes more fluid.
Thanks for sharing with us.

[steveberwick]

I was at a bus stop and there were six other people under the shelter.
When the bus arrived we all got on the bus in time arrived order.
Not a word was said, it was all done automatically.
Love it.

[SlicksterUK]

"One of us, one of us!" You have definitely assimilated and the UK has been a better place for the last 9 years thanks to your being here Alana. Thank you. 🤗

[slytheringingerwitch]

You sound so British when you say Kent. So glad that you are now tutting at will.

[TheSpacepigeon]

You read my mind as a northerner, every dog gets a tickle! The UK is a better place having you here, congrats on 9 years!

[bushchatd]

Its a gradual process but you are naturalising into your environment and its been a pleasure to watch over all the years. And, some things you've not even realised - you talked naturally about biscuits.... not cookies :-) For me, the most appreciated point however is that I don't recall you ever 'doing ' a British accent. Its offensive and a guaranteed 'do not recommend channel' for me as soon after the first rendition as physically possible. Rant over - keep doing what you are doing Alanna you are a part of our Tuesdays and something we look forward to. 'x' 🙂

[johnturner]

Love the way you said Mum rather than Mom!

[jackjames]

Congratulations on passing your nine year mile stone Alana!

I was so sad when I heard some people had said horrible things to you in the past so I want you to know that far MORE people think NICE things about you - we just don’t go around shouting these nice things to people we hardly know

But because of the above I’d like you to know now

I LOVE you being here

Canadas loss is our gain

You help enrich our country and I hope you NEVER leave

So there (!)

Mwah x ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉

[DaveGreen-gwew]

Re: your accent. My wife is French and as been in this country for nearly 40 years and you can still tell she is French when she speaks. When we visit France and go into whatever shop they always, without fail, say her French is very good. When she tells them that she was born in France they find it a little hard to believe. I've had a giggle about that more a few times.

[adrianmcgrath]

Firstly, congratulations on nine years!
If you find yourself needing a dog fix, shelters are often pleased to have volunteer walkers, so that the dogs get some stimulation and exercise. Alternately an older person might appreciate their dog getting a walk now and again if they are no longer able to walk so far. - another option might be to go and introduce yourself to the local McMillan's group? They are an astounding charity in the scope of what they offer. You might find that they have a client who due to chemo or other treatments has a a day or two on a fairly regular basis, when they are not up to walking their dogs. It needn’t be a huge commitment, treatments may only require a few months and only a few days a month, and they will have their schedule well ahead of time.

[marksnellingphotography]

Awesome on the 9 years Alanna, that went fast! Doesn't really matter at the end of day where you live in the World, it's where you happy that counts, and even through the ups and downs you've fought to stay here and the UK is better for having you in it. Keep smiling and laughing, you one of us now.

[simonmetcalfe]

You were always a Commonwealth cousin, now you're one of us. 🇨🇦-🇬🇧
✌️❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[A-St.George_the_Dragon]

Noticably, dear Alanna, you said 'Anyway' and not 'Anyhoo' at the end of the vid. 😂😂 Glad that you could join us 😊

[richardrubert]

So glad that you are, and thank you for bringing us along the journey. I remember the first videos, and the gray couch.

[stinajones]

I didn't realize how sweet our bread was in the US until I visited the UK. Now I can't go back haha. It's a struggle finding bread without sugar too. I hate it here!!

[philhallbrook]

Alanna love, with dogs just say to the owner 'is it ok if i say hello?' and even in Kent (i lived in Westerham, next town from you, although I'm a Northerner) you'll 99% of the time get a positive response. I also had a Canadian partner for 6 years, I absolutely love you lot. I recognise so much in your observations. X 😅

[SteveMikre]

Congratulations on reaching this milestone. I think the next 9 years is going to be very happy and exciting for you...🥳🍾🇬🇧

[redrumtruecrime]

@Alanna 🎉🥳Happy 🎈🍾 Anniversary‼️We are humbly honoured to have you.
I saw your video today where you back in Canada during covid and I could tell you were really homesick for Blighty, even though you were trying to be upbeat. I could tell you were deeply sad, so it's great to see you're buzzin' ‼️Have you seen the meme pic of Brits queuing serpentine style for a music concert WITHOUT any barriers or guidance to do so. It was organised perfection and the poster titled the overhead pic "I've never been so proud to be British!!" It was hundreds of people doing precisely what needed doing in a calm, respectful manner‼️
As for our food the FSA govern what fats, sugars, portion sizes etc are allowed on our shelves. Many fizzy drink companies had to cut out fake ass colourants, reduce the sugar and use actual fruit or natural source of colouring....
If not, it's simple their products aren't allowed to be distributed in the country‼️ God bless ya mate, you're much loved here🎈🎉🍾😊❤🇬🇧

[davebicker]

I have friends in Kent with eight dogs, three of which are blind, as is my old lad. They're happy for their dogs being fussed, as am I.
However, it is always appreciated if people ask first, as some dogs can be nervous or reactive.
My dog Rufus is happy to be stroked threadbare.