I found this entry hiding in ‘Drafts’. I forgot I had it. A few things have changed since I wrote it. B is now 4, I’m working and D and I have made friends…
…So, it has been a while since I posted. Primarily because I have felt that nothing of note has happened to blog about. I hang out with a 3.5 year old and what I do in a day is thrilling to him, but to me, not so much. That said, the main reason I started this blog was to allow everyone who is interested in my goings on, in on the day to day that is living this new adventure. So here goes..
We have been here for over six months. Which seems a little unreal. In part because I can’t believe that I’m not working yet, and in part because, once we settled in, the days just seemed to fly by. As a rule, the day goes like this, D goes to work, B and I have breakfast, we decide what kind of outing we are going to go on (playgroup, museum, explore a little village), we come home, I make dinner, we eat, put B to bed and then D and I hang out. On the surface, this seems rather dull and this is how I perceived it until recently.
About two weeks ago, I realised that it had been a while since I experienced a ‘culture shock event’. The kind that makes you think, That’s not how I’m used to doing it? What is going on here? Where can I get the handbook on how to fit in? (But let’s be honest, try as I might, fitting in was never my forte.) For example, I’m not used to people purposefully avoiding eye contact with me when I walk down the street (the Canadian protocol is to avoid eye contact until the last moment then look up all surprised that there is a person in front of you, smile and offer some sort of greeting) or excusing themselves mid-conversation by saying they have to go to the toilet (again, the Canadian tradition being, to stumble through by discussing the weather, where the other person is from and stating that you either have been there or you know someone from there-do you know them?). The awkwardness that comes with these brief interactions is unsettling. I don’t take this personally, this just seems to be the English way. (This may seem like a broad brush stroke, but I’ve just seen a wry commentary -Very British Problems on Netflix-on the English, by the English, that confirms my thoughts on the matter.)
So many ppl smoke (both nicotine and cannabis, I’m not sure which is more prevalent). The food is better, and by better I mean cheaper, fuller in flavour and delivered to my door. (I could write an entire entry on how superior the food here is.) The streets are dirtier, cigarette butts and spit mostly, but vomit and food Friday and Saturday nights. Fashion is legitimately current. Transport, while not as reliable and efficient as most of Europe, really is good (no one will admit this though). As an aside, I’m really surprised how may ppl drive here. Roughsleepers (homeless ppl) are far more prevalent. I don’t know if it is because of the town we live in or because of our proximity to London, but the number of ppl living on the streets is astounding to me. Of course, just as in Canada, those living on the street are seen as lesser or worse, invisible.
There are an innumerable amount of differences that I have observed, but I cannot end without mentioning the diversity of culture. I met someone the other day, from a country that I hadn’t heard of. {So embarrassing, to The Google I went. As it turns out there are a few more I had not heard of. Time for a brush up on world geography-face palm, as the kids say 😉 } I cannot remember if I have said it previously, but adjusting to life in the UK not only means adjusting to the locals, but everyone who has immigrated here. Initially, I thought that most people were either mad or annoyed with me when I spoke to them. As it turns out, that is not usually the case. I don’t even know if I can adequately explain the difference. The best I can do is to say I feel like I’m being loudly scolded. Demureness and decorousness as I know it, seems to be a rarity.
To be clear, I didn’t come here with the expectation that it would be just as I’m use to. We all are better ppl when exposed to the lives of others, no matter how similar or different they appear, appear being the operative word. That said, I miss the cultural cues I’m used to. It’s like learning a new language. I’m constantly translating, constantly taking a step back trying to put into context what I’m seeing and hearing. It’s quite the experience, being an immigrant. One that is so valuable, taxing, enlightening and thought provoking, all at the same time.
weRNtheBritzone 