9 Weird Things British People Do (that they think is normal!)

As a foreigner living in the UK, I've been observing the British people for a long time!! Here's 9 weird things Brits do that they think is normal!

I love learning about British culture and once I think I know everything... something happens that surprises me.

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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 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

[tonyves]

Was in a pub once when the barman referred to a female customer as "love". She bridled and told him not to call her "love". "Sorry darling, " was his reply.

[musicgarryj]

If you're watching Morris dancers and you feel it's time to leave, you can't slap your knees because they'll just think you're joining in! :)

[WheelyHeidi]

In a pub, there is an applause or cheer when someone drops a glass. :)

[johnturner]

The knee slap only applies when one is sitting. For standing, both hands are firmly clasped together with a slight rubbing motion of the palms while saying “right then”. Not only is this the signal that one is leaving but also warms the hands a little so the following handshake is not too clammy.

[DevonRex]

The first "goodbye" on a phone is really the equivalent of last orders in a pub.

[averagebare]

Number 5, sun’s out: guns out is probably a vitamin D deficiency, we get so few of those golden rays, that some of us stock up for the winter

[tychoinshadows]

Morris dancing started when one Brit slapped their knees and said. "Right! We best be off." Then another Brit slapped their knees and said. "I should go too, with bells on." Then it just escalated from there.
Some Morris dancers have been trying to leave the same party for over 10 years now.

[peterjf]

Oh I never realised that Morris dancing was as modern as 1448, I had assumed it was an old tradition.

[michaelbaker]

"My bus has been late, not surprising" lol

[thefragrantwookiee]

No. 7 is down to the fact that irony/sarcasm is so fundamental to the British psyche that we're not even conscious of it half the time. So we say the most horrible things to the people we think the most of because it's programmed into us that it's being done ironically.
I think it's the true divide in the English-speaking world. Brits, Aussies and Kiwis all take the piss out of those they like whilst Americans and Canadians tend to be a bit more straightforward in their affections.

[aucourant]

I was in Bristol once with my girlfriend and she asked someone the way to where we were going. The guy replied, and instead of 'love' or 'darling' he called her 'sausage'.

[DeanBall]

Worth noting that the 'suns out shirts off' thing isnt really classed as socially acceptable by the majority of Brits. Usually demonstrated by men you wouldnt want to sit next to at a dinner party.

[matthewwalker]

Back when I was a kid, no joke, we used to have sugar sandwiches. Whenever someone pointed out that it was a bit weird my Mum would just say "its just a jam sandwich without the fruit ..." 🤣. They sound rank but if you get the right mix of butter to sugar they're actually pretty tasty ... if you are 10 years old anyway

[gvigary]

The "multiple goodbyes" thing really got me. It reminded me of when we'd go to my grandmother's house. She lived on a street which was one way, and the way back was the other side of a grassy area, and she'd ALWAYS stand on the doorstep, even in the rain or freezing cold, to wave to us again as we drove back past, and we kids would love it and wave back. So sweet.

[zoniyxf]

As a Brit, a Pot Noodle sandwich has NEVER been a thing over here.

[josiebridle]

I agree that if someone is being icily polite, they hate you. You can only insult people that you like & are friends with.

[coatman]

how many times do I say goodbye. about a million times when on the phone with my mum, you can say bye and 10 mins your still talking, it's as if goodbye means, what else you want to talk about. but I still love her

[nataliabirchall]

Pot noodle sandwich! Never! Not ever in my Northern life time 😂

[Wotsitorlabart]

My Yorkshire son lives in New York and a few years back was walking through Central Park and chatting to us on his mobile phone when he suddenly said "Hang on a minute, there are some morris dancers over there". Being a journalist he had a quick word with them and discovered they were Canadian and, if my memory serves me correctly, from Toronto.
So, yes, there are morris dancers in Canada!

[Andrew]

I think it's hilarious how they announce election results with all the candidates lined up and you have the Prime Minister standing near Lord Buckethead or a guy in an Elmo suit.