British Culture: Quite Surprising

Even though the American and the British speak the same language, their culture is not alike at all. The problem is that I, who is quite used to the American lifestyle, sometimes forget that fact which leads to rather interesting “culture surprises”. (Yes, I know it's supposed to be culture shocks, but since I'm not living  in some sort of freaky jungle where I have to eat sheep brains all day, I thought saying that would be kind of exaggerating.)

First of all, the British language had caused some problems in general. Their fancy little accent just annoys me: every time I speak after them, it makes me feel like I'm some sort of hillbilly from texas or something.

(Ha, and I thought I was ever going to speak that accent.. uh no.) It is also just hard to understand them, but I guess by their facial expressions that they feel the same way about me. I try hard to adapt to the British Language, but it just doesn't seem to work out for me really. Sometimes I try to change my vocabulary when I speak though, just like last week....

(Me:)"Excuse me, I need to go to the 'loo'."  

(Those British) "Uh.. what?" (Okay okay, I admit: in real they're actually extremely polite, which doesn't help with that 'me feeling like a hillbilly-thing' much either.. So lets just pretend they were rude morons, just to make me feel better.)

(Me:)"The loo-hoo!," starting to feel slightly awkward now, because I probably can't pronounce it right.. an-noy-ing. 

No reaction of the British, just staring, odd looks. (You see, another lovely british word..)

(Me:) THE TOILET FOR GOD'S SAKE. 

(The British) "O, the loooooh!" saying it with their poshy accent again.

*awkward moment*- lets not talk about it anymore.

See what I mean? Think I'd be better off giving up on the British accent..

Their fashion seems to be quite different too. Yesterday, my host-family took me out for shopping in Gilford, which is a lovely town nearby, located on a hill and just gives you a very cozy feeling. I was just walking through the street when I saw all the girls wearing leggings, without a skirt. Yes, you've read that correctly: no skirt! Did they lose it or something? Apparently it seems to be very popular to wear it like that here in the UK, o well..!

Maybe I'll find out some more interesting things about the British culture this week, we'll see..!