Hello again!
This week I would like to tell you about Paige. She is an Anthropology student at Brigham Young University. She came to England last year during a study abroad program to experience the culture more fully. Her study abroad was based on theatre, which has always been a passion of hers. She says she “relished the chance to see shows at the Globe, in the West End, and other great English Theatres!!”
Like Brenna, I asked Paige some of the differences she saw while in England.
The main ones Paige saw had to do with going out on the town. Restaurant etiquette is a bit more formal, for lack of a better word. The differences that can be seen are rather similar to other European countries. The waiters are “not as attentive or constantly in your face as in the states, often when you need them you’ll have to signal”. They do this so there is no pressure on the customer to push them through the system. It is a matter of respect. They want you to enjoy your meal and do not want to rush you. The most obvious example to me is asking for the check, or in England cheque. In America, generally the check will arrive as you finish your meal which can often lead me to pay my bill and leave there and then. In England you have to ask for it when you are ready to leave. It gives you more time to relax after the meal and complete it in your own time.
Other things that are similar to Europe is asking for water and “if you don’t want to be charged for it, you need to specifically order tap”. This has once or twice lead to me ordering bottled water, which while nice, was not exactly what I was looking for. We are on student budgets after all 😉 However, unlike the rest of Europe, England will give you FREE tap water. While I was traveling around countries like Italy, you might as well order lemonade or orange juice because it costs as much as the water. Water is not free elsewhere, so it is much appreciated that England gives it out free. Along the same lines, another question that may come up when asking for water is “sparkling or flat?” Sparkling water is carbonated water, which is likely not what you’re looking for. Flat is regular water. My sister got a bit confused when she came to visit and I had to explain. It is such an obvious question in England, so that’s an inside scoop of how not to look like a tourist 😉
A very amusing issue that can arise is pronouncing some of the English locations. Like Paige says the “words and destinations are not always pronounced the way you think they are I.e. ‘Leicester’”. It is hilarious to try to pronounce some of their words. This is another thing that will give away that you are not from the area or country.
Here are some examples of the ones I have come across:
Edinburgh – “Edinburah”
Gloucester – “Gloster”
Greenwich – “Grenich”
Leicester- “Lester”
Lewes – “Loowis”
Norwich – “Norrich”
Plymouth – “Plimuth”
Slough – Slow (to rhyme with how/now)
The last main difference that Paige comes across is the promptness of the English. In America, I noticed people tend to turn up 10-15 minutes before the actual time, in England it is a bit different. Paige says “people usually arrive exactly on time or right before an event like a play or a movie. Usually people are not especially early”. It took me a little bit to realize that turning up on the dot was the standard practice. I would arrive to lectures and dance practices early and start to wonder if I was in the right place! I can now count on that about 5 minutes before the start time, a wave of people will arrive.
I then moved on to asking her about her favorite things. First and foremost the response was the “accents, obviously”. My guy friends in England constantly ask me why Americans love the English accent and if they went to America if they would be swooned over by all the ladies… they may be English, but they are still typical college boys!
Paige went exploring throughout the UK while she was in England and made it out into the countryside. She says that “in the English countryside everyone was super super friendly”. I find going to explore outside of the big cities very important. When I tell people I go to school in England, the first response I get is “Oh how’s London?” I laugh and say that it is probably doing just fine and that I actually live in Guildford. England is not just London.
There is a difference from visiting England and actually living in England and the distinction is very important. When you live in England you get to experience the highs and lows of the culture. You learn how people interact, what the norms in society are, and what is going on in their everyday lives. You get to see the depth and breadth of what the country has to offer.
I have learnt so much about what it means to be English from being here and in parallel I have learnt what it means to be American. Adventuring out into the different cities, towns, and villages (yes, villages actually still exist) show you how differently people live. When in the small villages you get to experience the community and learn about how this place identifies itself from the village that is a few minutes down the country lanes.
England is special. The country is not very big which allows each place to be known for something. Essex, for example, is like the Jersey Shore of America. It has people called “chavs” and bright orange feisty people looking for a good night out. Brighton, is like the Seattle of America. It has the most beautiful coast and very alternative hippie people mixed with very fancy homes that the celebrities live in.
Exploring is essential and whether you are just visiting or actually living some where it is important to get to know not just the big city and not just the touristy areas. There is just so much more that helps connect you to the country and broadens the perspective of what type of people live where. The English are certainly not just fancy dressed, tea drinkers, who ride through the countryside on horses, and live in castles. They are a diverse and fascinating group of people who you just can’t find the likes of in America.
Here are some of the places that Paige has gone to visit:
Bath
Brighton
Dublin, Ireland
As an anthropology major, someone who studies people and culture, her study abroad “immensely helped [her] learn not only about English culture, but other cultures as well”. With such diversity that can be found not just in London, but in the University of Surrey, England is “truly a cultural melting pot and [she] got to meet and interact with people from all over the world”. She “grew more understanding of cultural differences” and became “far more open to different cultures”.
As always I asked her if she would recommend studying abroad in England to others. Her answer: “No question. It changes your view of the world entirely, as well as the view of your own country and culture. I would LOVE to live in England … once again at some point in my life”.
Soon I’ll introduce you to Audrey who has made a big life decision based on her time in England.
As always if you have any questions email me!
Holly
