I really like my life right here, nevertheless it wasn’t with out its tradition shocks – and these 4 issues nonetheless shock me two years on.
Life within the UK is nice – however there are some quirks (Picture: Vita Molyneux)
In 2024, I relocated from the underside of the world to one in every of its largest cities. I made the transfer from New Zealand to London and have loved the advantages of a life in one of many greatest, most various cities on this planet.
Nevertheless, the transfer hasn’t been with out its tradition shocks. New Zealand and England have a variety of similarities — in any case, New Zealand was colonised by Britain — however there are additionally some key variations that also shock me, even after two years of residing right here. The very first thing that struck me after I bought settled into my new life over right here was the sheer scale of plastic waste in supermarkets.
In New Zealand, groceries is likely to be prohibitively costly (consider it or not, it’s truly far cheaper within the UK for a grocery store) however there’s nowhere close to the extent of single use plastic. New Zealand banned single use plastic luggage all the best way again in 2019, and bringing a reusable bag shortly grew to become second nature for everybody heading to the grocery store.
In England, not solely are there single-use plastic luggage all over the place, however each second fruit or vegetable comes wrapped in plastic. Comfort is essential right here, and pre-chopped greens are ubiquitous throughout all of the grocery store chains. Even in case you attempt to keep away from plastic, typically you don’t have any alternative however to select up produce wrapped in it.
Issues like potatoes, mushrooms, tomatoes and onions — nearly each vegetable is available in its personal sweaty little bag that simply will get chucked within the bin. It blew my thoughts after I arrived right here, and it nonetheless does now.
The second factor that shocked me was seeing adverts for playing actually all over the place. Within the previews for movies, on the tube, on the tv, on billboards — wherever that the UK can promote playing, it is going to.
I used to be, and nonetheless am, completely gobsmacked that one thing that may be so damaging is allowed to be promoted wherever, anytime. The place I stay in London, there are betting retailers all over the place, and much more adverts for them. There seems to be a correlation between the prevalence of betting retailers and decrease socioeconomic areas that feels predatory. After I wander by way of Notting Hill, there’s nowhere close to the identical stage of saturation as in my neighbourhood, and I discover that genuinely disturbing.
In keeping with a Could 2025 submission to Parliament, the Division of Well being and Social Care is urging the Authorities to limit promoting for playing within the UK. Nevertheless, the federal government has few plans to take action. A Labour spokesperson is quoted by the Guardian as saying: “The federal government doesn’t presently have plans to legislate for restrictions to playing promoting. Nevertheless, we recognise that extra work must be accomplished to make sure that playing promoting doesn’t result in dangerous playing.”
The third factor I discover stunning in regards to the UK is the truth that hospitality venues can serve alcohol with out providing meals. In New Zealand, it’s a requirement of a liquor licence that venues supply non-alcoholic choices, free water and “substantial” meals.
Which means it’s not sufficient to simply serve a bowl of fries and name it a day — you want an actual menu on supply at any time when you’re serving individuals alcohol.
The primary time I noticed a bar with no meals menu I felt like I had entered an alternate universe the place there have been no guidelines. I personally completely agree that wherever serving booze ought to serve meals — however that’s as a result of I’m always ravenous.
My closing tradition shock was to do with public transport. Within the UK, public transport is way extra superior than something we’ve got in New Zealand.
This nation is nice – however some issues have blown my thoughts (Picture: Vita Molyneux)
For instance buses, by and huge, run on time and I can get a prepare not solely throughout the UK, however even abroad. That stage of effectivity is exceptional in New Zealand. Nevertheless, there’s a draw back.
I can not consider that it’s thought-about comparatively regular to pay round £60 for a prepare someplace, and you continue to aren’t 100% assured a seat.
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Final summer time, I hopped on a prepare from Bristol again to London that I had paid full value for. Think about my shock when I discovered your entire prepare rammed with individuals, and I needed to get up for the entire hour and a half. So as to add insult to damage, the particular person I used to be crammed in subsequent to was clearly creating a chilly and sneezed on me the entire approach house, which led to me additionally catching a chilly. Fabulous.
All in all, my life within the UK is wonderful. That doesn’t imply it’s with out its foibles — there’s room for enchancment all over the place, in any case — however I wouldn’t change my resolution to maneuver right here for something.
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