I'm from the US, I want to study aboard in London, what are the cultural norms there?

Answer 1

I'm from Boston and I studied abroad in London (at Regents College) in 2003. I bought all these trendy clothes that I figured would really allow me to blend in with the British people, and no matter what I did, even if I didn't even utter a word, they would look at me and say "What part of the US are you from?" It was uncanny how they just knew!

They don't take ice in their drinks, so keep that in mind..you always have to ask for it.

They pay no mind to walking on the correct side of the sidewalk, eveyone just jumbles themselves into a crowd and pushes through.

The food is pretty terrible, ( tho try Wagamamas!!)

But really it's very much the same. Oh, their cab drivers are so much nicer than ours...they even speak English!! ha, go figure!

Definitely study abroad there!! It's expensive, but so worth it. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Answer 2

Cultural norms... well there are lots

I think that most visitors from the US find the British reserved and fairly stand-offish at first. We also have a more cynical attitude to the world than the US.

BUT, once you get to know us, we really don't bite!

As a student here, you would have a great time. I shared a flat with a student from Chicago and she had a great time over here, particularly because you can drink at 18 rather than 21 :-)

There is a large student community in London so there are lots of places to go and things to do that take account of the restricted budget students live on.

You'll definitely need to get to grips with pub culture in the UK. Pubs are an important social centre and there are subtleties to it that visitors aren't often aware of such as round-buying and getting served at the bar (rather than waitress service for example).

I think that study is different over here, the style of lectures and seminars may be something you'll need to get used to.

Generally speaking, the things that Brits consider the worst characteristics of the worst US visitors are things to be avoided... these are, of course, stereotypes, but helpful to bear in mind. For example being loud, over-familiar, brash, boastful and failing to acknowledge the achievements of other countries around the world... if you bear those things in mind you will settle in very quickly.

Hope you have a great stay.

Answer 3

Culturally, everythig is almost the same. What I've noticed is that walking on the street, here people tend to keep to theirself instead of just up and saying hi like a lot of people do in the us. but generally, they are nice.
Umm, dont' cut the line but u wouldn't do that in the us either, they dont really except that here.
can't really think of anything else drasically different. of course the uk does have a different culture than the us, so brush up a little, but u should have fun!
some different sayings-
a fag is a cigeratte
dont' say fanny pack, or just dont say fanny- not so good of a word
chips- fries
crisps-chips
youll figure out the differences as u go along.....

Answer 4

hi, London is a violent city with plenty extra street crime than long island. on an identical time as there is a good number of history to confirm it is fairly costly and grimy with beggars continually hassling you. The police seem extra fascinated in being politically astounding relatively than keeping the streets risk-free. purely as we communicate on the information a decide has not jailed a paedophile using fact the residing house Secretary not thinks that such crimes warrant detention center using overcrowding. Our united states faces muslim terrorists and a vulnerable government which seems incapable of ensuring your protection. Please bypass to the London attractions yet be careful and then seem to learn someplace else interior the united kingdom.

Answer 5

It has probably changed but if a guy offers to buy you a joint after he has a fag, don't panic. He has offered you a steak after he has a cigarette.

Also raising two fingers, like a peace sign, is comparable to raising the middle finger here.

Oh and "looking under the hood, miss" is "looking under the bonnet, love."

They also have different punctuation rules and sometimes misspell words they'll insist are correct. (But it is compleate colour of your stay.)

At least the sometimes use English.:)
Just remember that the US and Brittan are divided by a common language.

Answer 6

For most people its really not all that much different.