We are officially out of our old flat, and we are moved into the new flat {yippee!}. Between the old and the new flat, we stayed in an Airbnb right down the block from our new place. While the move has been a bit stressful because of all the moving pieces {pun intended}, the Airbnb was quaint and {wait for it....wait for it....} IT HAD A TV!!! I mean, we haven't sat like a bump on a log, watching tv, for 9 months. Literally. For 9 months, we have been on the go, forcing ourselves out of the apartment because there is nothing to do. And oh.my.goodness have I missed mindless, reality shows that remind me that 1) I am a sane human being and 2) that my life is pretty darn good.
So, without further ado, let me tell you all I've learned about British pop culture {sprinkled in with some random lessons I've noted here and there!} from a relaxing, inactive weekend.
1. They use American actors to advertise British products. Kevin Bacon is the spokesman for a UK cellphone network.
2. They celebrate Guy Fawkes Day. Guy Fawkes tried to blow up Parliament. I honestly don't understand why they are memorializing someone who attempted to take down the government...
3. Savage, from what I've learned from British TV, means terrible.
4. Moving within London has to be the most complicated thing possible because this country's customer service consists of a bunch of box tickers. There is no flexibility for anything outside the box. We had trouble moving our utilities over {apparently our current place and our new place never existed in their system}. We had trouble with our bank {again}. Because of this, we are never moving again within London.
5. Movies are rated differently in the UK.
6. Butter at the movie theater doesn't exist. They only have salt or sweet popcorn.
7. Stephanie Pratt {you know, from The Hills?!?!} is in their popular, reality show, Made in Chelsea.
8. Leases don't start on the first of the month like it normally does in The States. They can start whenever {the 3rd, the 7th, the 17th...}. Which makes moving entirely difficult and hence, why we were in a temporary place before moving into our longterm rental. Again, because of this, we are never.moving.again {unless of, course it's home ;)}.
9. Profanity isn't a big deal in the UK because everyone curses. I don't know whether that is a good thing or bad thing, but students don't gasp when they hear profanity.
10. From coaching in a volleyball tourney this past week, I learned a) the term tourney doesn't exist in their vocabulary and b) I miss American sporting events. The American team we played against was boisterous and energetic {Brits would probably use the terms loud and obnoxious} but I loved everything about their cheers and team spirit.
11. Christmas is everywhere here. They don't recognize other religious holidays in their commercials, store displays, and language; everything is about Christmas and Christmas only.
12. Cream crackered {as in, I'm cream crackered} means tired. I know...I don't get it either.