Categories: Expat Life

Considering a Move to the UK? Learn about the Culture

Even if you don’t have to learn a new language, there will still be things to learn about the culture, which can be helpful to know in advance. So, if you think you’ve got what it takes to move to the UK and blend right in, then you’ll want to read on about popular past-times, foods, and activities that the Brits take part in.

Find Your Local Pub Immediately

Whether you enjoy going out for a drink with friends or not, in the UK this is absolute must. If you plan on socialising, meeting new people, hanging out with co-workers, and just immersing yourself in the culture in general, then you’re going to want to get acquainted with the local pub. What’s great is that there tends to be a number of them to choose from, and many will be within walking distance of your flat, so it’s much more convenient than in other countries.

Besides drinks, the pub is also a wonderful place to grab some traditional British grub allowing you to sample all kinds of local favourites.

A Taste of Britain

Speaking of food, this is another area that you should prepare yourself before you arrive. If you are moving from other areas of Europe or North America, then you’re in for some pretty big surprises where cuisine is concerned. British food isn’t like food from any other culture, it’s rather unique. It’s also one of those cuisines that tends to mesh all different cuisines into one.

The UK is rather multi-cultural, so with that said, you get a lot of different styles of cooking blending together and creating some really intriguing dishes. Many people describe British food as bland and boring, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. It really depends on the dish itself and how much you’re willing to step outside your comfort level.

Of course, some of the more traditional dishes include bangers and mash, fish and chips, and kidney pie. All of these dishes are quite rich and heavy, so they probably aren’t something you’re going to want to eat on a daily basis.

What About Sports and Entertainment?

While the Brits are very hard workers, they also like to enjoy their downtime with a variety of sports and hobbies. Some of the top sports include golfing, swimming, rugby, and tennis.

As far as entertainment goes, you’ll find there is a huge range of options in the UK. There are always a huge number of plays and stage productions to take in, both in the small towns and villages and the larger cities. In the larger cities, it’s not unusual to see big-name celebrities guest-star in the productions.

Another big entertainment hit is bingo, yep you read that right. It doesn’t matter if you like to play bingo in a traditional bingo hall, or online at one of the many great websites available, Brits just absolutely can’t get enough of bingo. With all the new bingo sites set to launch in 2017, this is a trend that is sure to keep growing. If you’d rather play bingo in person, you can purchase tickets to live bingo events complete with music, drinks, big prizes, and entertainment.

Preparing Yourself Will Help

Just like with any big move, preparing yourself in advance by getting to know the culture a bit will certainly help you make the right decision. It can also help you settle in that much faster when you do arrive.

 

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