People who have lived abroad

LadyMacBeth_

So, my fellow AHers, I am on the move, off to England after Christmas. Not exactly a big leap, but I am already considering some important cultural differences. Have ye ever lived abroad and do ye have any tips for me? Bear in mind that I'm a Corkonian as well so the culture shock will be doubled. How did you survive without Barry's tea and Taytos? Will the bus driver look at me funny when I thank him/her? Will anyone be able to pronounce my Irish name? Do I have to stop interrogating people into drinking tea/coffee/having some food when they come to my house?

I have already decided that I will staunchly refer to the hotpress as the hotpress, and there will be no airing cupboard in my house I tell you.

When you're home at Christmas, make sure to tell everyone how great living abroad is and how things are just like, 'better', over there

Electric Sheep

LadyMacBeth_ wrote: »

So, my fellow AHers, I am on the move, off to England after Christmas. Not exactly a big leap, but I am already considering some important cultural differences. Have ye ever lived abroad and do ye have any tips for me? Bear in mind that I'm a Corkonian as well so the culture shock will be doubled. How did you survive without Barry's tea and Taytos? Will the bus driver look at me funny when I thank him/her? Will anyone be able to pronounce my Irish name? Do I have to stop interrogating people into drinking tea/coffee/having some food when they come to my house?

I have already decided that I will staunchly refer to the hotpress as the hotpress, and there will be no airing cupboard in my house I tell you.

The good thing about living abroad is that you learn not to conform to stereotypes like the above;)

RWCNT

Thanking bus drivers is also the norm there.

NickNickleby

LadyMacBeth_ wrote: »

So, my fellow AHers, I am on the move, off to England after Christmas. Not exactly a big leap, but I am already considering some important cultural differences. Have ye ever lived abroad and do ye have any tips for me? Bear in mind that I'm a Corkonian as well so the culture shock will be doubled. How did you survive without Barry's tea and Taytos? Will the bus driver look at me funny when I thank him/her? Will anyone be able to pronounce my Irish name? Do I have to stop interrogating people into drinking tea/coffee/having some food when they come to my house?

I have already decided that I will staunchly refer to the hotpress as the hotpress, and there will be no airing cupboard in my house I tell you.

Aha! you won't last long.

Lived there as a child, remember winters being quite "parky", no brown sauce, only HP or Daddies sauce. On departing, remember its "tarraaahhhhhh!"
Chips are chips, none of that French fried sh!te. Used to be "six of chips please" because a single cost 6d. Obviously none of this will help you being 50+ years ago, I just took the opportunity to stroll down memory lane.

I know young people who have gone there in recent years and they all love it over there. You'll be fine. Enjoy!

Beasty

LadyMacBeth_ wrote: »

Bear in mind that I'm a Corkonian as well so the culture shock will be doubled.

Head to Yorkshire. Should be a pretty good fit there....

Donald Trump

RWCNT wrote: »

Thanking bus drivers is also the norm there.

Always remember to thank the Tube drivers. You'll need to run up and bang on the window of their carriage though. They love that

Donald Trump

LadyMacBeth_ wrote: »

So, my fellow AHers, I am on the move, off to England after Christmas. Not exactly a big leap, but I am already considering some important cultural differences. Have ye ever lived abroad and do ye have any tips for me? Bear in mind that I'm a Corkonian as well so the culture shock will be doubled. How did you survive without Barry's tea and Taytos? Will the bus driver look at me funny when I thank him/her? Will anyone be able to pronounce my Irish name? Do I have to stop interrogating people into drinking tea/coffee/having some food when they come to my house?

I have already decided that I will staunchly refer to the hotpress as the hotpress, and there will be no airing cupboard in my house I tell you.

Houses over there tend not to be made of straw so you might need one to dry your clothes

dirtyden

The uk is grand, generally friendly everywhere and not huge differences culturally. Be prepared to have your accent and pronunciations ridiculed, in a light hearted but persistent manner.

LadyMacBeth_

Beasty wrote: »

Head to Yorkshire. Should be a pretty good fit there....

Do they hate everyone in Yorkshire too?

jester77

Not sure how it is in the UK, but where I live you get in at the front of the bus and get off at the middle/rear doors, so no possibility to thank the driver.

You'll quickly discover how over rated Barry's and Tayto are, much better alternatives out there.

You will probably end up talking a little slower over time, not a bad thing either as we tend to mumble our sentences a bit.

All you need in your house is a few crates of good beer for when people are over. Beer is cheap in most countries outside of Ireland (Scandanavia being an exception)

Hotpress is an Irish thing, modern EU houses have under floor heating or radiators.

Just integrate with the locals and you'll be more than fine.

seachto7

Plenty of English markets in England. You'll feel at home. Shur half of Preston North End FC are from Cork!

Islander13

Prepare for lots of substandard crisps..

Boom_Bap

Once you learn the language you'll be grand

LadyMacBeth_

hmm now I'm wondering if I confused the letting agent with my questions about the immersion!

LadyMacBeth_

Boom_Bap wrote: »

Once you learn the language you'll be grand

Cad??

Afroshack

Lived there for a few years, great quality of life there! Some small tips that might help you:

Get proof of address before you move over - like an Irish bank statement sent to your new address. Makes setting up much easier with regards to banking, a phone contract, registering with a GP etc.

If you're ever asked to spell something out, the way we pronounce the letter "R" is totally lost on them and they won't understand it. Best say it like "awh"

Runners don't exist. Presses don't exist. Copies don't exist. Hotpresses don't exist. Deli counters and chicken fillet rolls don't exist.

Memorise your NI number - turns out its important for accessing services over there

Banks open on Saturdays there

There's a two week wait for most GP appointments so look up your nearest walk in clinic

Memorise postcodes. Taxi drivers, postmen and delivery drivers have limited local knowledge and asking for directions can be impossible unless you know precise postcodes that you can Google map.

Contactless bank cards can be used on most buses, tubes and trains.

Finally, enjoy! Food, drink and shopping works out much cheaper and there's always more to do. Have fun

GalwayGrrrrrl

The UK is far more multicultural than Ireland so you won't be the only "foreigner" unless you are moving to a tiny village. I've come the opposite way (am English living in Ireland) and manage fine. Every now and then someone will comment on my accent but most of the time I forget I'm in foreign lands. Good luck with the move.(and I used to have airing cupboard with immersion in my house near London!)

Boom_Bap

They love Greggs over there.

LadyMacBeth_

Afroshack wrote: »

Lived there for a few years, great quality of life there! Some small tips that might help you:

Get proof of address before you move over - like an Irish bank statement sent to your new address. Makes setting up much easier with regards to banking, a phone contract, registering with a GP etc.

If you're ever asked to spell something out, the way we pronounce the letter "R" is totally lost on them and they won't understand it. Best say it like "awh"

Runners don't exist. Presses don't exist. Copies don't exist. Hotpresses don't exist. Deli counters and chicken fillet rolls don't exist.

Memorise your NI number - turns out its important for accessing services over there

Banks open on Saturdays there

There's a two week wait for most GP appointments so look up your nearest walk in clinic

Memorise postcodes. Taxi drivers, postmen and delivery drivers have limited local knowledge and asking for directions can be impossible unless you know precise postcodes that you can Google map.

Contactless bank cards can be used on most buses, tubes and trains.

Finally, enjoy! Food, drink and shopping works out much cheaper and there's always more to do. Have fun

This is actually a very informative and useful list, thank you! I've already had trouble with the ''R'' pronunciation which is a problem as there is an ''R'' in my name. Will try ''awh''!

Must remember not to say runners. Must also try not to cry about the lack of chicken fillet rolls. Must remember my NI number and postcode.

RhubarbCrumble

Islander13 wrote: »

Prepare for lots of substandard crisps..

My Irish friend has lived in the UK for about twenty years. If I'm going over to see her I'm always reminded 'don't forget the taytos'. Last Xmas I bought a box of 24 cheese and onion. Have never seen anyone so delighted.

What part are you moving to op? My friend lived in London for about ten years then moved up near Newcastle. She finds the Geordies much friendlier. She has a hybrid accent at this stage.

Beasty

LadyMacBeth_ wrote: »

Do they hate everyone in Yorkshire too?

Yorkshire was named God's own county for a reason. People from the original People's Republic never need reminding of their superiority in all areas. They will certainly outclass Corkonians in all areas those Corkonians believe they have the upper hand in....

LadyMacBeth_

RhubarbCrumble wrote: »

My Irish friend has lived in the UK for about twenty years. If I'm going over to see her I'm always reminded 'don't forget the taytos'. Last Xmas I bought a box of 24 cheese and onion. Have never seen anyone so delighted.

What part are you moving to op? My friend lived in London for about ten years then moved up near Newcastle. She finds the Geordies much friendlier. She has a hybrid accent at this stage.

I have told everyone to send me boxes of Barry's already or I won't survive. Now come to think of it I'm wondering if they have soda bread there :eek:

I'm moving to Reading, I've heard that people are friendlier up north alright, a bit more like Irish people. I'll be down south near the Londoners though!

NickNickleby

Boom_Bap wrote: »

They love Greggs over there.

Oh my God, went to one of those and the food quality was crap, but thankfully the very surly staff made up for it..:eek:

to be fair, that was Scotland.

GalwayGrrrrrl

"If you're ever asked to spell something out, the way we pronounce the letter "R" is totally lost on them and they won't understand it. Best say it like "awh"

And English ears can't recognise the sound Irish people make for the letter A. English say "Ay" to rhyme with Hay but I was totally confused when I moved to Ireland and people said "arrrh" like Car. In my job people often spell their names for me so my first few weeks were like?????

Confused yet?

Valmont

I've been in England for seven years now and there are a few very important points to consider:

1. The Irish transcend most class boundaries in the UK; for some reason nobody can ever really tell if you're middle or working class so you can move easily in both circles.

2. People will tell you they love your accent constantly and you will get a big head and start to love yourself.

3. You must immediately tell off anyone who makes a potato joke -- it's the one line I embarrass people for crossing.

4. You will gradually lose your sense of connection with the homeland and compensate by drinking more Guinness and telling people you can speak Irish (what do they know caca milis?).

5. A terribly surprising number of people do not actually know the Republic of Ireland is an independent state. A few years ago I overheard three of my colleagues talk about how it was great not having to bring a passport or get their money changed for a visit to Dublin. Two of these colleagues are now doctors of clinical psychology--take from that what you will.

6. If you're moving to London ignore all this because Londoners don't give a **** where you're from.

Good luck.

GalwayGrrrrrl

"I'm moving to Reading, I've heard that people are friendlier up north alright, a bit more like Irish people. I'll be down south near the Londoners though!"
I grew up near Reading and actually met my Irish husband there! You won't be the only Irish person.
If you get homesick go to the Irish parts of London like Kilburn (20 mins fast train then tube)- they have Irish shops that sell all your favourite brands.

You'll be pleased to know London Irish Rugby team play in Reading stadium. It'll feel like home

Odhinn

LadyMacBeth_ wrote: »

So, my fellow AHers, I am on the move, off to England after Christmas. Not exactly a big leap, but I am already considering some important cultural differences. Have ye ever lived abroad and do ye have any tips for me? Bear in mind that I'm a Corkonian as well so the culture shock will be doubled. How did you survive without Barry's tea and Taytos? Will the bus driver look at me funny when I thank him/her? Will anyone be able to pronounce my Irish name? Do I have to stop interrogating people into drinking tea/coffee/having some food when they come to my house?

I have already decided that I will staunchly refer to the hotpress as the hotpress, and there will be no airing cupboard in my house I tell you.

All Cork people feel a migrating urge for a period in their lives - once they've been abroad a few years and assured themselves that there really is no place like Cork, they return for the rest of their life cycle.

LadyMacBeth_

Odhinn wrote: »

All Cork people feel a migrating urge for a period in their lives - once they've been abroad a few years and assured themselves that there really is no place like Cork, they return for the rest of their life cycle.

Hmm like a sort of Amish rumspringa.

HalloweenJack

Go to the UK first and then further afield and you'll see how similar we are to them, especially up North, compared to other parts of the world.

Enjoy it!

ForestFire

Why do you think they will have a problem pronouncing your name

I think you'll find that will have no problem with 'Lady MacBeth' to be honest:D

They wrote that stuff over there:o

Aineoil

Afroshack wrote: »

There's a two week wait for most GP appointments so look up your nearest walk in clinic

Wow a two week wait. That's way too long.

Afroshack

Are you by any chance under 25? If so, you get cheaper rail travel and you can get 2for1 deals on stuff in London if you use the commuter rail to travel into the city (I lived near Reading and used to head into London every weekend)

Afroshack

Aineoil wrote: »

Wow a two week wait. That's way too long.

Agreed. The NHS is a fantastic service but it is totally and utterly stretched.

gingernut79

Boom_Bap wrote: »

They love Greggs over there.

I was in Greggs over the summer. Their Cornish pasties arent even called Cornish pasties anymore, and they taste awful!

LadyMacBeth_

Afroshack wrote: »

Are you by any chance under 25? If so, you get cheaper rail travel and you can get 2for1 deals on stuff in London if you use the commuter rail to travel into the city (I lived near Reading and used to head into London every weekend)

Sadly I am 29 but thank you for the tip anyway. I have a free travel pass because I have a disability so it's going to be a shocker for me having to pay for travel again :eek: I'm wondering if getting amorous with the bus drivers will be of any benefit :pac:

Rawr

jester77 wrote: »

Beer is cheap in most countries outside of Ireland (Scandanavia being an exception)

Yea, you got that right.

(Takes a small sip of his Norwegian beer)

Sigh...there goes another Euro....

However, the bright side of living in Scandinavia is that your Irishness is suddenly very 'exotic'...but also often confused with Scottish. It's like I used to be a can of Club Orange, but here I'm a can a Lilt! (Which I can't get here either...damn!)

Everyone will love your accent, but you might find your pronunciation change over the next few years depending on where you live.

You will have to call presses cupboards or no one will know what you're talking about. Also, a pan is what you fry something in, not a loaf of bread. The messages aren't groceries, but information passed onto you from other people. I used to think a hot press was Irishtalk for an iron. Most people won't be unfamiliar with an immersion, but they'll probably be less concerned about it's use.

I can coach you in a little rhyming slang if the need arises. It probably won't.

Yorkshire tea is a reasonable substitute for Barrys.

Mushy peas aren't something you want to try, don't be tempted.

People outside London don't move at the same manic pace - like most big cities - and will have more inclination to stop and chat, unless you move to a small village (particularly in the South), where you will be resident for 40 years and still considered an outsider.

Northern girls never wear coats, they've evolved to never feel cold.

If someone calls you a bleedin' mare, it's not a female horse they're calling you but a nightmare.

Register with a GP asap.

humberklog

Lived there for a few years, London and South coast.

Phone rings one day...

Me just in from shops: Yeah I'll call you back, I'm busy putting my messages away in the press, yeah, yeah. I'll see yous in the Lizard Lounge about 8.

Lizard Lounge at 8

Me: Hey, Hey, Hey! What're we all having?

English Mates:Are you in the IRA?

somefeen

You'll learn to love the NHS. When I was over there I went to doctor about 3 times more than I do here. Felt rude not to.

Its a weird place though, despite being very similar a lot of things are very alien. Or at least they were to me.
The sheer cultural diversity of England compared to Cork is mind blowing and seeing the army everywhere is a bit mad. Stuff like that reminded me how quaint and small Ireland is.

Oldtree

Dint worry about the crisps, kerrygold and cidona, there are many "Irish" shops over there, just find them. Was one around tooting somewhere from what I remember.

Don't dwell on the homesickness, just get out there. Plenty if clubs with similar interests to your own.

I would guess thar Skype and the like will make everything seem less further away than in my day.

Have a ball, it's a place for young people.

FatherTed

Go with an open mind, explore your area and don't get stuck in the Irish centres/pub scene. Forget about the so-called "good" irish products like Taytos, Barrys tea etc. You don't need it.

LadyMacBeth_

Candie wrote: »

You will have to call presses cupboards or no one will know what you're talking about. Also, a pan is what you fry something in, not a loaf of bread. The messages aren't groceries, but information passed onto you from other people. I used to think a hot press was Irishtalk for an iron. Most people won't be unfamiliar with an immersion, but they'll probably be less concerned about it's use.

I can coach you in a little rhyming slang if the need arises. It probably won't.

Yorkshire tea is a reasonable substitute for Barrys.

Mushy peas aren't something you want to try, don't be tempted.

People outside London don't move at the same manic pace - like most big cities - and will have more inclination to stop and chat, unless you move to a small village (particularly in the South), where you will be resident for 40 years and still considered an outsider.

Northern girls never wear coats, they've evolved to never feel cold.

If someone calls you a bleedin' mare, it's not a female horse they're calling you but a nightmare.

Register with a GP asap.

I don't think my mother will allow me to live it down if I develop an English accent, I moved to Dublin and within months she was telling me I had a D4 accent, I lived in Kimmage :pac: I already spend most of my time with a German so my accent is fecked anyway.

I've actually never called cupboards presses or groceries messages so I'm already at an advantage!

Ooh some rhyming cockney slang? That would be fun to know!

But we have mushy peas here too, are they the same?

I think that Irish women with their open toed heels in the middle of winter can rival those northern ladies!

I definitely will register with a GP right away because I have a billion prescriptions that need to be filled out!!

Xaracatz

Congratulations on the move!

It's a lot of fun to move around. Really good advice on bank accounts before you go, and having any paperwork that you need ready, already. Lots of banks want proof of address before you can open an account - although, you can navigate around this if you have a letter from an Irish employer saying that you're working there for a while - if you're still working for an Irish company.

The different currencies always throw me a bit - you're so accustomed to certain currency, and then you're standing in a shop, peering at a coin. I think I tried to pay with a button from my wallet one time. You get used to it fair quickly though.

If you're picking a place to live, I'd say try Air BnB for the first month or two if you can. Get to know the city and where you'd actually like to stay. If you're there for a year or so, stay central. If it's more long-term, you could find somewhere to settle down a bit. I'm not sure about AirBnB in England (and maybe you've already found yourself a place), but it's a good way to scope out where would be good for you.

Hmmmm - find yourself some good Supermarkets, markets (kinda like Farmers' Markets), where's good to shop. Don't fall into the - it's a Spar, I'll shop there today and then find somewhere better tomorrow" trap. I went to Spar for the first month living abroad - as I "knew" it.

Join some Meetups - you can do anything from theatre, to digital analytics, to tag rugby - good way to meet new people in a new city - and I'd say to get yourself out there as - my experience is - you can meet people and get into the city very early, or you can get caught in a rut.

shaunr68

HalloweenJack wrote: »

Go to the UK first and then further afield and you'll see how similar we are to them, especially up North, compared to other parts of the world.

Enjoy it!

True this, I moved the other way, from Liverpool originally which of course has a significant Irish heritage. Since moving here and having travelled a bit I can see the cultural similarities, from the healthy disrespect for authority to some of the sayings, music, humour and unfortunately driving standards

RhubarbCrumble

Re: accent. It really depends on the person. My Irish friend in Newcastle has a hybrid accent after almost twenty years and she was originally a Corkonian too!
However I have a friend from the south of England who's been living in Ireland for about 15 years now and still has the strongest English accent ever.
I have a horrendous culchie one myself which I don't think I'll ever lose.

Spanish Eyes

They will love the Cork accent. up Cork boy.

Seriously, they don't care who you are or where you are from they are used to all that.

Not sure what part of England you going to, but let's say London. Heaving place, no eye contact on the tube, no chat at the bustop or you'll be sectioned!

Joking, most people are fine but a little quieter than you will be used to in Cork. That's a village though. London is an international city. Take note!

lazybones32

1: stfu about xmas. Halloween is just over and here you are already...
2: take as many of your fellow corkonians with you as possible.

Dr Crayfish

Am I the only Irish person that doesn't know what an immersion is? Des Bishop made a career out of the word.

Dr Crayfish

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

Am I the only Irish person that doesn't know what an immersion is? Des Bishop made a career out of the word.

It refers to that heating element device, immersed in a tank of water and operated by an unholy switch capable of turning the average Irish parent into an hysterical smurf if left on accidentally. I've seen my placid Irish Grandmother reduced to a state of impotent rage at it's misuse.



Plot twist: I'm English.

server down

Candie wrote: »

It refers to that heating element device, immersed in a tank of water and operated by an unholy switch capable of turning the average Irish parent into an hysterical smurf if left on accidentally. I've seen my placid Irish Grandmother reduced to a state of impotent rage at it's misuse.



Plot twist: I'm English.

The English have that under an assumed name. My hot press isn’t hot btw. I think that’s a good thing these days. Insulation, innit.