when crossing the road, you look right, start to step out, then feel hands pulling you back to the curb because a car is coming from the other direction.
people look at you funny when you call the vacuum 'hoover', the trash container 'rubbish bin', the trunk 'boot', and the shopping cart 'trolley'.
you get annoyed that they don't serve tea and coffee after church.
you put cream on your pudding/dessert.
you have to explain to people that they do speak english in Scotland.
you say things like 'wee' 'gobsmacked' 'aye' and 'fab'
you nearly keel over when looking at the cost of owning a mobile/cell phone.
you are overwhelmed with joy to have a closet.
coworkers think you are odd because you bring a birthday cake to work for your "own" birthday.
your hairdresser looks at you strange when you ask her to trim your fringe.
eating a delicious breakfast at a restaurant is an exciting and wonderful experience.
you are suprised that there is enough food leftover to take home from the restaurant.
you freak out that the guy driving the car isnt holding on to the wheel and is eating... only to realize he isnt the driver.
you are convinced the world needs more roundabouts!!!!! Keep the traffic flowing people.
you walk into a store to ask for something and sit there completely stumped as to what they call it there as you can only remember the British word for it. You end up gesturing and drawing a picture until they finally guess it and you say "Yes! That's what I meant."
You are asked if you are from England.
you enjoy doing laundry again.
you get to rediscover one stop shopping.
you find tinned pumpkin at the grocery store and hoard it.
you look up the grocery stores online to see how much delivery is.
the cashier is annoyed with you because you are staring into your change purse trying to figure out how to make 70 cents in change.
you keep reaching for a quarter in your change purse thinking it is a 2p coin.
you are tired of constantly explaining to the cashier that you have your own bags...then they just stand there and stare at you in amazement while you pack your own bags.
Thank you to my friend at americanexpats.co.uk who helped me come up with some of these. ;)
*a repat is someone who has returned to their 'home' country after living in another country. Someone who has repatriated.
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2 comments:
This was really fun to read!
Steph
Great list! I think my "repat" experience may have been muted by moving to Canada since so many things here feel like a mix of US/UK.
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