Here they come – the year abroad-ers, the cultured linguists who’ve spent the last 7 months eating, living and breathing their second (and maybe third) languages. But beneath all that bravado and new found confidence I’m sure there’s a few things they’ve missed about their beautiful home nation. Jelly, hugs and the new Compare the Meerkat: it’s good to be home!
1. Queuing
No touching, polite and reassuring smiles, and the occasional eye roll if people break the sacred queuing rules.
2. TV Ads
My family are very much enjoying each time I show any kind of emotion towards an ad I’m seeing for the first time. The same goes for music – some songs just haven’t quite made it across the channel to me. Hey, at least it’ll make Ocean exciting!
3. Primark
No, I will not invest £19.99 in that hand crafted undergarment, I just want a £1.50 white vest top to have a disappointingly short relationship with.
4. Voucher codes.
Following that, I don’t want to pay full price for my meal. Thank you Britain for always giving me the option to opt-in to a buy one main, get the other free deal.
5. Jelly
After offering to make jelly shots for a friend’s birthday this year, I soon realised that I’d also offered to traipse around every shop in town looking for jelly that didn’t have peas or carrots in it… now I’m back in the UK, the simplicity and accessibility of Hartleys is a gift I will never take for granted again.
I mean…
6. Cider
“Just a simple Kopparberg please sir. I know that it’s the land of wine, but just this once I want some refreshing mixed berry goodness.”
7. Sunday Roast
Again, the wine is fab, but what is good wine on a Sunday without a Yorkshire pudding to go along beside it. I’ve missed you, Betty.
8. Sunday shopping
And after I’ve devoured that thoroughly British feast? I head to the shops, because in the UK the day of rest means nothing to retail opening hours.
9. Hugs (and personal space)
So. Many. Kisses.
10. Weather small talk
Finally, as a Brit there is something undeniably reassuring about having the fall back of weather chat if a conversation falls flat. After several failed attempts of ‘ooooh it’s a bit breezy today’, it’s nice to finally be back in the homeland of the small talk. And yes, it is a bit overcast today.
Sources
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Edited by Nicole Jones