LIST: Things about The UK you wish you had known

Great  -  You'd think that if they know it's a hotspot for theft they'd make the effort to have a cop on the beat there to reduce the crime rate rather than just putting up signs.   

Then again, the way that sign is worded you could be forgiven for thinking that it's the West Yorkshire Police who will be doing the stealing.....   

Great  -  You'd think that if they know it's a hotspot for theft they'd make the effort to have a cop on the beat there to reduce the crime rate rather than just putting up signs.   

Then again, the way that sign is worded you could be forgiven for thinking that it's the West Yorkshire Police who will be doing the stealing.....   

Yes, our take on it is that the police would be doing the stealing - lol!  (like that's their promise to us)  It's just a quiet country road actually, so I've a hard time believing it's a hotbed of crime out there.

Many MANY banking differences that take time to adjust to:

1. Different code numbers are important in the UK than in the US.

2. Being that we came over for my husband's job, and I am still looking for a job, and although we supposedly have a "joint bank account," I do not have the same rights as my husband. I have to constantly get his permission to do the things that were permissable for joint account holders in the US.

So, I finally get a credit card in the mail--with my name on it--and I call to activate the card. But apparently my husband has to call the bank in order to activate the card. HSBC UK needs his blessing. This is a little rough for me because I usually have a much more active hand in money management. But, another example, I tried to change our account type a month ago--and they would not do it--they, again, wanted my husband's permission.

I keep running into this problem, again and again. This morning I was so angered, I decided I had to take some time to do yoga and meditate!

Better luck to others!

Many MANY banking differences that take time to adjust to:

1. Different code numbers are important in the UK than in the US.

2. Being that we came over for my husband's job, and I am still looking for a job, and although we supposedly have a "joint bank account," I do not have the same rights as my husband. I have to constantly get his permission to do the things that were permissable for joint account holders in the US.

So, I finally get a credit card in the mail--with my name on it--and I call to activate the card. But apparently my husband has to call the bank in order to activate the card. HSBC UK needs his blessing. This is a little rough for me because I usually have a much more active hand in money management. But, another example, I tried to change our account type a month ago--and they would not do it--they, again, wanted my husband's permission.

I keep running into this problem, again and again. This morning I was so angered, I decided I had to take some time to do yoga and meditate!

Better luck to others!

Are you sure that's a joint bank account and that you're not an additional account holder on his account?
Also if you get him to write a "letter of authority" and take it into the bank (with him) you can be his nominated person to deal with all his accounts and have the same rights as the  main account holder.
I normally recommend all married couples with separate accounts do this in case of accident or illness, you may never need to use it, but it's very useful to be able to get into, discuss your partner's bank details if they are incapacitated or unavailable.

Many MANY banking differences that take time to adjust to.

How aggravating! Sounds like things haven't changed much since I first arrived (eons ago).
The bank was very suspicious of setting up a joint account unless I used my married name (I had intended to keep my maiden name).  Then when I tried to deposit wedding present cheques made out to "Mr. and Mrs. XYZ" they balked because "how do we know it isn't meant for your husband and his mother" 

Cheesebiscuit, thank you for mentioning the "letter of authority," we will look into it. The bank called it a joint account, but I'll verify the language more carefully. They indicated that through the account I am building a separate credit rating here, so I had thought that meant joint. But, check and recheck!

BostonDiner, your husband's mother is a lucky woman--she probably did not need to write thank you notes!

Ask your bank which type of joint account you have been given. 

There is one type which requires the authority of both parties for anything (e.g. both must sign a check), and another type where transactions can be authorized by either party alone (e.g. only one signature required on a check).

Yes, our take on it is that the police would be doing the stealing - lol!  (like that's their promise to us)  It's just a quiet country road actually, so I've a hard time believing it's a hotbed of crime out there.

I know I'm late to this, but I liked how the sign read "property will be stolen" and not "may be stolen" as that made it even more of a personal guarantee!

I know I'm late to this, but I liked how the sign read "property will be stolen" and not "may be stolen" as that made it even more of a personal guarantee!

So if you return to your car and find all your property still inside it, make a complaint to the police!   

im laughing so hard at all of this as a southern born florida girl with a HUGE twang and im as slow as molasses this is all going to be hilarious when we get there

About the not rinsing thing: something interesting.

When I first moved to the UK, I lived with my MIL, FIL, SIL, BIL and husband.

People who rinsed the dishes: MIL, Husband, Me
People who did not: FIL, SIL
Uncertain: BIL

My MIL was so grossed out at the fact that my FIL did not rinse the dishes! And FIL was like why should I??? This tickled me so much.

My husband, BIL, and SIL are awful dish washers, but they had absolutely, positively zero chores growing up.

The Tescos Superstore with a BIG 24/7 sign...  It closes at 4PM on Sunday and opens again at 8AM on Monday.  You ask them about it and they say, "Well!  OBVIOUSLY we're closed on Sunday evenings!"

And among my personal favorites:

Handwritten sign:  "Escalator is out of order owing to a defect"

Tube announcement:  "There are severe delays on the Central Line caused by earlier delays"

And among my personal favorites:

Handwritten sign:  "Escalator is out of order owing to a defect"

Tube announcement:  "There are severe delays on the Central Line caused by earlier delays"

 

A neighbor told me once that you only rinsed dishes when there was a lot of suds caused by using too much dish liquid.

I just kept my mouth shut, and kept on rinsing......

Yes, and don't wash the tea pot. It's supposed to be all grungey inside!