Moved East

[markowe]

OK, here are some of the things I get asked about on a regular basis, usually by people who've spent some time in Britain:

1) WHY are there separate hot and cold taps, when a mixer tap just makes far more sense?

- I have no idea about this, but I found it weird, while I was still living in the UK, even as a kid. If you wanted to wash your hands you had to sort of run both taps, one of them icy cold, the other scalding hot, and then kind of alternate your hands between them, collecting a little bit of water from each to get the right temperature. Yes, I know you can fill the basin, but that is just SO... British...!

2) Why are British houses so cold?!

- ha, the Brits seem to have a higher tolerance for cold generally, but also heating costs a fortune - it is not supplied at below cost-price by the state like some (most) East European countries I could mention!

3) Is it true that the British do not rinse dishes after washing them?!

- unfortunately, to my own dismay, yes, this is frequently the case. I have no idea where this appalling habit came from, but it is beyond my comprehension how they (I have never done this!) can swill their dishes around in that dirty soapy water, and then just leave them to stand! I mean, do you soap yourself in the shower and then just get out and dry yourself, without washing the soap off?! I rest my case...

Well, that's just a few to get us started, but there is much more British weirdness about - feel free to share some of your own observations!
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It's Gotta Be Red Buy red stuff, see red things and learn all about the wonderful colour red!
MTB-Serbia - Mountain-biking where it's wild and free

[adam562]

Here's a typical British habit. British people will avoid all contact with other passengers on public transport - bus or train. If you approach a British person and talk to them on a train, generally, they'll be extremely uncomfortable and think you're a crazy person. No one likes to be stuck to the crazy 'talking' person! But, contact is allowed in certain cases with other passengers. Such as in situations which call for collective moaning or complaining - like when the train beaks down. Passengers who have avoided at all costs each other will look each other in the eyes, tut, grumble or say 'typical'. Generally, soon afterwards everyone is back to avoding contact at all costs.

Another one is when someone walks into a British person in the street, by accident of course, BOTH the 'bumpee' and the 'bumper' say sorry. British people will say 'sorry' every time someone walks into THEM.

There's a whole book on the observations of English behaviour which really is a fascinating read and it's all so true! You should check it out. I can't recall what it's called at the moment tho.

Adam
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Balkan File
http://balkanfile.blogspot.com/

[markowe]

Very well observed! There are very strict rules, it would seem, about when you can start a random conversation with the British. I imagine there is some kind of inverse square rule, where the closer you are forced together physically, the less acceptable conversation becomes. This equation approaches infinity when a group of people are in a lift together.

By the way, the book you are thinking of might be How to be an Alien - quite funny, even though a little dated.
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It's Gotta Be Red Buy red stuff, see red things and learn all about the wonderful colour red!
MTB-Serbia - Mountain-biking where it's wild and free

[adam562]

Hehe. It does seem so that way. The book I was thinking about was Watching the English by Kate Fox. It really hits the mark. From why the British discuss the weather so much to our obsession with queuing!

Which reminds of another point. The British always form queues, for buses, at counters, even at bars (though this particular queue is invisible to the untrained eye). I think the Serbs got a good look at this particular phenomenon at Exit this year. The campsite has these shower cubicles and for every three there was one queue (full of Brits obviously). Last year it was a free-for-all at the showers amongst the Serbs and the far fewer Brits!
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Balkan File
http://balkanfile.blogspot.com/

[Krsto]

[markowe]