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Topic: LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known  (Read 180424 times)

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Re: LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known
« Reply #495 on: August 15, 2018, 09:59:10 AM »
You do occasionally get a nutter here where I am who actually has the audacity to try to speak to me out of the blue! (/s)

It doesn't happen often but it does happen. I was walking my dog past a neighbours house who happened to be standing outside. They smiled and said "morning!" and I was so dumbfounded I definitely responded looking like a tw*t because I was caught so off guard haha. I just had an awkward but surprised smile and nodded and did and awkward half-mouthed/half-speaking "hiya". I then spent the next 5 minutes of the walk trying to figure out why I responded like such a weirdo!

It's really common here.  People are very outgoing and engaging.  I've been caught in conversations at Aldi several times.  We live outside of a very small town, so I don't have non-Aldi experiences to speak of, but pretty much every time I go out to shop there, I end up in a friendly chat.
9/1/2013 - "fiancée" (marriage) visa issued
4/6/2013 - married (certificate issued same-day)
5/6/2013 - FLR(M)#1 in person -- approved!
8/1/2016 - FLR(M)#2 by post -- approved!
8/5/2018 - ILR in person -- approved!
22/11/2018 - Citizenship (online, with NDRS+JCAP) -- approved!
14/12/2018 - I became a British citizen.  :)


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Re: LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known
« Reply #496 on: August 15, 2018, 10:08:01 AM »
XoD, at the spa last night, my friend and I went into a hot tub that had one other woman in it.  We talked for an hour!  And genuinely all had a lovely time and good chat/laughter.  I was like, "Where am I?"  She even said when she left, "normally people act like I don't exist when I'm here by myself."   :D


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Re: LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known
« Reply #497 on: August 15, 2018, 10:26:26 AM »
XoD, at the spa last night, my friend and I went into a hot tub that had one other woman in it.  We talked for an hour!  And genuinely all had a lovely time and good chat/laughter.  I was like, "Where am I?"  She even said when she left, "normally people act like I don't exist when I'm here by myself."   :D

Were you not initially looking around to see if there was another friend she was chatting to because she couldn't possibly be looking to chat with strangers? I know that's what I would've done! hahaha
My, how time flies....

* Married in the US and applied for first spousal visa August 2013
* Moved to the UK on said visa October 2013
* FLR(M) applied for  May 2016. Biometrics requested June 2016. Approval given July 2016.
* ILR applied for January 2019 (using priority processing). Approved February 2019.
* Citizenship applied for May  2019
* Citizenship approved on July 4th 2019
* Ceremony conducted on August 28th 2019

'Mommy, Wow! I'm a legit Brit now!'


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Re: LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known
« Reply #498 on: August 15, 2018, 10:34:27 AM »
I have found the Scots to be exceptionally friendly and chatty.

I have the best conversations with my customers. It only takes them hearing my accent and they chat me right up.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk



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Re: LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known
« Reply #499 on: August 15, 2018, 11:53:54 AM »
Same.  ;D


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Re: LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known
« Reply #500 on: August 15, 2018, 01:50:46 PM »
North West of England - people are friendly and chatty.

I got the train (35 minute drive) into Liverpool last week  The couple in front of me were elderly, had moved to the area, and amazed at how friendly people were - and we had a good chat about it.

A couple across the aisle had a dog with them.  We chatted about this being the first time the dog had been on a train and how good she was.  The couple in front of me joined in.  Then another woman sat next to me and joined in.  When i got off to leave the train I had five of them waving to me and saying goodbye.

This is quite a normal event here in the North West.


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Re: LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known
« Reply #501 on: August 15, 2018, 02:01:06 PM »
In fairness, I've been very fortunate to come across very genuinely nice people down here in the south and have engaged in lots of random chit-chat with strangers. I always feel bad when I hear of other expats talking about how cold they find brits to be in general because I've had such positive experiences that it just makes me sad they haven't.
My, how time flies....

* Married in the US and applied for first spousal visa August 2013
* Moved to the UK on said visa October 2013
* FLR(M) applied for  May 2016. Biometrics requested June 2016. Approval given July 2016.
* ILR applied for January 2019 (using priority processing). Approved February 2019.
* Citizenship applied for May  2019
* Citizenship approved on July 4th 2019
* Ceremony conducted on August 28th 2019

'Mommy, Wow! I'm a legit Brit now!'


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Re: LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known
« Reply #502 on: August 15, 2018, 03:41:47 PM »
Last winter when it was really cold and miserable, I  sat down on the train in a middle seat between two big guys.  I moved my elbows to make a bit more room and one of the guys elbowed me back.  I  gave him one back a little harder and the next thing you knew, we were throwing elbows like ten year olds on the playground. 
That's the closest thing you'll get to a conversation on the train down here in the big smoke.


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Re: LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known
« Reply #503 on: August 15, 2018, 04:39:30 PM »
You cat lovers may giggle

I've never gotten food on my underpants!
Work permit (2007) to British Citizen (2014)
You're stuck with me!


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Re: LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known
« Reply #504 on: August 15, 2018, 04:59:52 PM »
Need more cats!


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Re: LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known
« Reply #505 on: August 15, 2018, 07:25:44 PM »
Last winter when it was really cold and miserable, I  sat down on the train in a middle seat between two big guys.  I moved my elbows to make a bit more room and one of the guys elbowed me back.  I  gave him one back a little harder and the next thing you knew, we were throwing elbows like ten year olds on the playground. 
That's the closest thing you'll get to a conversation on the train down here in the big smoke.
Actual photo of this incident.



Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk



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Re: LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known
« Reply #506 on: August 15, 2018, 07:33:03 PM »
Look at those kittens!  Are they gorgeous!


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Re: LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known
« Reply #507 on: August 16, 2018, 08:17:29 AM »
Tami is on a mission to reply to every one of my posts with a cat picture. 


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Re: LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known
« Reply #508 on: August 16, 2018, 08:22:22 AM »
I'd say she's doing a pretty good job of it, too.


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Re: LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known
« Reply #509 on: August 16, 2018, 08:25:53 AM »
Tami is on a mission to reply to every one of my posts with a cat picture.

We won't be happy until you get a cat(s) of your own!  ;D



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