Its called trousers...

Only being in the UK for 3 months and a bit and being South African (and probably just because I am South African), I find certain aspects of the UK and London life rather... how shall I say...interesting? Things which are just "everyday" for the English, are like totally not the everyday for any South African.

So here is a list of little things I've noticed about the UK, which made me smile all too often to myself :)

1. People here, generally abide. No, really. They stand in queues and wait forever if they have to, they dont cause havoc on tube platforms, they mostly keep quiet on tubes, they always follow the escalator rule of standing on the right, walking on the left; they follow road rules...
Ok, there are student riots at the moment and murders now and then, and drunk drivers on the road, but really, compared to SA? Sorry, but I'm from Cape Town. Order is not the default!

2. What is probably all too familiar and unbelievable for a South African in the UK, is actually living in the same city/country as world famous celebrities. South Africans tend to live in a little bubble, of: "those people you see on TV.. they are far far away". I watch TV and still believe those celebs like Posh Beckham, Prince William, Bono and Kate Moss are somewhere overseas..but they're actually somewhere around here... close to me....living in the next neighbourhood.... Im so South African.

3. The politeness astounds me. The British vulgar is really not vulgar. They might think so, because their levels are different. But if you are used to hearing vulgar South African slang, you could almost scoff at any British stranger trying to scare you or steal something from you in fact. Maybe I should try some really vulgar Afrikaans swear words when they do try something of the sort. Can you imagine that?

4. Shopping here is amazing, really. Capetonians would probably go into shock. The girls would scream like those on the Heineken ad when they see the shoe options here. You will not, I repeat, you will not.. ever struggle to find a shoe/boot/sandal you like, ever. The equivalent of Woolies here, which is Marks and Spencer, even sell TV's and other electronics. Actually most big department stores, sell everything. Some grocery stores have a full aisle dedicated to just bread..yes just bread, really. There's never really a statement such as: "Its really difficult to find ABC". I promise, you will find ABC in 10 different stores, in 5 different brands and possibly in 5 different sizes too. And if you really cant find it - google it, buy it online and you'll have it on your doorstep in the next 2 days.

4. Speaking of bread - the slices are huge! and now I am so used to it, I will probably frown at SA's small little slices.

5. Some rolls are pre-sliced. You know, like sliced bread? Sliced rolls. And they don't dry out. Yes lots of them preservatives.

6. There's no such thing really, as worrying too much over the quality of something, especially when it comes to household items. As South Africans, we tend to look for what is a quality lounge suite and dining room set for example, so that they can last at least 10 years. Well, theres no such concept here. Reason being, you can find almost anything, quickly, cheaply and conveniently and delivered to your doorstep within days. It seems almost illogical as to why you have to buy something expensive and top quality, unless of course, you just have to have the finer things in life.
And the stuff you can buy for cheap, are decent and modern and there are tons of shops selling them. Most of them are better than the modern ranges you have back in SA and the variety is massive.

7. Speaking of which, internet usage is crazy here. I quite like it actually. Everything is online and shopping can be delivered to you very quickly. When I need to check how long it will take me to get from A to B with public transport and which train and bus to take when, I can do that online, print it and off I go. And the data is real-time. The internet is kind of forced upon you, which I think is a good thing. We should employ that strategy in SA.

8. Everything is also a phonecall away. eg. if you need new flooring, you phone a number, you ask for what you want, you get it done within 48hrs. In Cape Town you only get somewhere fast if you have connections and if you "know where to go".

9. Almost no-one, owns a house in London. As in.. a normal detached house. Almost every home you see, is a semi-detached house, even if its a huge corner property. London is so sort after, that space and property costs are exorbitant. Even one of the most well known medical specialists in London, whose house has marbled floors and pillars lives in a semi-detached house. Those who do own houses in London are multi millionaires, billionaires and the like, such as celebrities. Kylie Minogue and Kate Moss have houses here. The rest of us, live in apartments, flats, rooms..

10. Snail mail actually works this side people. If something was posted to you, you can get it the next day. no kidding.

11. One thing I really like about the UK, is the convenience of everything. They are really good at making things convenient for you. I guess thats why they are a first world country. For example: they have black bags with built-in little handle thingies which you pull out, so you can close and tie the top.
There are just little gadgets to make everything easy peasy for you. (There are definitely disadvantages to this as well, I know..)

12. Super cool and super fast trains are just an everyday thing here.

13. You pack your own groceries, and throw in your own petrol. Hey, theres even a self checkout till, where you do everything yourself, without the need for a cashier. This will never work in SA at the moment. Just being truthful :) Although this might not appeal to South Africans(because we are spoilt in those departments), the thing is, if something goes wrong, its really your own fault. You have control over everything and you know that some stranger is not going to mess with you and your stuff. At some restaurants, you pack your own doggy bag too.

14. I like how the postal codes here, take you directly to where you need to be. A postal code covers a very small area, like a particular block or road. Directions and sign boards are everywhere..even on the walkways. Its basically very difficult to get lost here, in my opinion.

15. I think as South Africans, we should be happy as hell with our country - we have basically sorted out the racism issue (believe me), we feel free to practice religion proudly (and boy, do we practice religion back home), we also know what it means to work hard to get where we need to be and we have a very happy-go-lucky attitude (think World Cup). I cant really say the same for the UK regarding any of the above. I'm not badmouthing the UK, I'm just stating an observation, which saddened me a bit. Like they say: every country has its politics.

16. It was weird and a little hilarious, but now its rather cool and very useful, to walk down a street in London, and see the same shop thrice. You will buy some coffee at Starbucks, take the next corner and find another Starbucks at the end of the road and maybe two Costas and a Pret A Manger right next to you. That scenario is duplicated if you walk another 200m and another and another... Im not exaggerating.

17. I also find it easier to manage the cold here in London, as opposed to back home, even though its sub zero temperatures. The indoor heating everywhere works well. All you have to worry about is layering properly and making sure you have a decent coat, cap, boots and scarf for when you do need to walk outside in the cold, which are usually short periods of time. As soon as you're in a bus, tube, car, shop, house, etc, you're fine and warm. In Cape Town, your house can be colder than outside and you have to find a decent heater, otherwise you're screwed.

18. Pants are underwear. What we call pants, are called trousers over here. You'd be really laughed at, if you call trousers, pants :)

Thats it for now. There are many more interesting things about living here, but I wont go any further.
Im already getting used to this life, faster than I imagined. When everything seems ordinary again, then you know its becoming a part of you.

Aside - I really need to take more London photos. This place is photo heaven.