An American who moved to London says daily life in the UK has been more uncomfortable than expected.
He explained that after settling in London, he noticed social habits that felt impolite to him. In particular, he said people often do not say “please” or “thank you” in everyday situations, such as when someone holds a door. While he acknowledged this is not true everywhere, he said it happened often enough to stand out.
He also struggled to connect with British humor. He described it as very dry and sarcastic, saying he often could not tell when someone was joking. Friends told him American humor is too obvious, but he said clarity is what makes humor enjoyable for him.
Customer service was another issue. He felt interactions in shops and cafés were abrupt and lacked warmth. He suggested that because tipping is uncommon, staff may feel less pressure to be friendly, which differs from what he is used to in the US.
Politics made him uncomfortable as well. He said strangers often ask direct questions about American political figures, something he considers personal and intrusive. He explained that this would be unusual in the US.
His comments sparked debate online, with many people pointing out that London does not represent all of Britain, while others agreed cultural differences can feel jarring at first.