In the UK in my youth [I am now 67] a constant warning was given by adults to children; in school by teachers, and even on TV; of "Don't talk to strangers!". I think that drives some of the hesitancy about talking to strangers, with a spoonful of shyness, and a ladle full of "It's none of your business!"
Northener's will always talk to you, i live in Sheffield, you cannot go anywhere, without someone, striking up a conversation, i love it, painting the front fence, took me hour's, due to everyone stopping to talk, i love it.
Same in Lancashire and Greater Manchester 😁 people I see regularly (strangers), we have a good natter about stuff. I think it's more because I "look" approachable, or I do something they do themselves 😁
I think the British, even Londoners, really do enjoy talking to strangers, it's just that they won't initiate the conversation nor expect it if you initiate it. If you can find a humorous opening or something you can both complain about, they will open up to you.
Southerner here. I have 2 dogs who I take out for walks every day, often meeting other people walking their dogs, usually the same ones, I know everything about their dogs, name, background, full medical history, diet, etc. The dog owners? Don’t even know their names.
I looked after another person's dog for a few months, whenever I was in town with her, I would constantly have to stop while strangers , knowing her name , said hello to her and gave her a fuss.
There are others like the alright. “Did you have a nice Christmas” always answered with “yes, just a quiet one” “Did you have a nice weekend”, “yes, you” “How are you?” , “Fine thanks, you?”
I've lived in Kent for 30 years, and people are friendly and talkative, but we often need a reason to start up a conversation. Typically a dog (much easier to talk to first, then their human), but can be other things. In the two months I spent fitting out my campervan outside the house, I got to know more neighbours than in the previous 20 years!
The second point about talking to strangers is touched upon by Bill Bryson in his "Notes from a Big Country," written from the perspective of moving back to the US after having lived in the UK for many years. He was taken aback when phoning a customer service department and being addressed as "Bill." For all his time in the UK, customer service personnel had always addressed him as "Mr Bryson," and as the American counterpart was talking to him ("Hi Bill, my name is Bob" etc.) all he could think was "Thanks Bob, but all I need is some help with my credit card; I'm not looking to start a relationship." There is more of a first-name basis to business conversation in the UK now than there was 30 or 40 years ago, but formality is still very much ingrained on the British consciousness, especially in the South where the big businesses tend to be found. It's also worth noting that we Brits have long been observed as valuing our privacy very highly, thus the striking up of personal conversation in a business context doesn't sit well. Technically, there *is* a British accent: judging by its use by British characters in American films, Received Pronunciation (RP) would be identified by non-Brits as "a British accent," though it tends to be in over-the-top drama or comedy.
As a travelling Canadian, I ran into the "you alright?"renting a car in the North. I was thinking that I must have looked like I had something wrong with me! I assured him I was okay. He just carried on! Nice video today.
“Y’alright?” is a fine example of what is known in linguistics as “Phatic Communication” - a form of communication whose purpose is social rather than informative - scene-setting, mood-creating small talk as a means of introduction, relationship building etc. The British, especially the southern English (a larger proportion of the U.K. population than that might sound) tend to be “high context” communicators - ie the way they communicate tends to be indirect and non-confrontational (not forthright) and can sound ambivalent or even vague and non committal to people from low context cultures (eg Americans, Dutch, Germans). Phatic communication is more common in high context cultures because of the need to establish mutual social comfort before talking about anything serious. Americans, Germans etc working in the U.K. will often remark on what (to them) seems like the time-wasting social chit-chat for the first 5-10 minutes of a meeting (eg the shared moaning about how awful the trains/traffic/weather is today), but for the Brits it’s a necessary introduction, a shared need to create fellow feeling, often jokingly ended with something likes “well that’s all jolly interesting I’m sure but we really ought to do some work” signalling the beginning of the actual business.
@Nicky L Sort of. I studied the theory at Uni (extremely mature student) but only because I had observed the practical reality in my business career and wanted to understand it better. I then spent my last working years helping others to understand it to enable them to make a success of multinational teams.
Don't talk to strangers is just a South East thing (with the exception of Brighton and its surrounding areas), particularly bad in London. And generally, even in the south east that isn't london, it comes from a place of shy/reserved place, not a place of fear, so if you strike up a conversation on a bus, noone will mind. People are on average a lot more guarded/busy/stressed/fearful/uninterested in London. This is probablly internationally relevant advice but if you're looking for a really interesting and enthusiastically recieved chat, try sitting next to an elderly woman on a bus. Nine times out of ten that person is dying to talk to anyone about anything.
Alanna cracks me up, she never fails to make me either smile to chuckle to myself in mist of her videos. She definitely knows her onions about us Brits, gotta love her
Alanna, believe me when I say that it can be just as jarring for us Brits when we suddenly find ourselves in a conversation with someone who has a broad regional accent - it can take a minute to adjust your ears 😂 you're spot on with everything in this video, though, which made it kinda hilarious to watch.
Well there is one way someone can respond too the “you’re alright” greeting with a more negative term to it too actually answer people that no you don’t feel good today without going into context. Here’s how you could do it, someone you know (it has to be someone you know not a stranger) greets you with saying the of course “you’re alright” or just “alright” and then you respond with “no not really, how about you?” and they then say either “yah I’m fine” or something like “yah same here” and then either you or the other person would just say this “well hope you feel better then” and then the next person would say “yah thanks” or “same to you” and then you each just wave at each other or just say something like “see you” and then carry on walking. That’s one way someone can say that they actually not “fine” when greeting someone who used “alright” as a greeting, just don’t do this with a stranger or go into context about it, just say say nope and just a perlite say bye, that’s it.
In my part of West Yorkshire (Bradford), there used to be a convention used by old men to their acquaintances. It went like this: OM 1: "Na then, John." OM 2: "Na then, then."
My God is Alanna ever right! First week knowing my, now husband, I thought he hated me. Hed want to hang out but would tell me not to be 'daft' or he would jokingly call me a 'dickhead' or 'dont be a knobend'. Totally oblivious to any sort of English slang...I was like....WTF is this guys problem with me. But here we are...daily banter back and forth. I'd never have it any other way. Canadian banter...definitely different, lol. Great video Alanna!
Hey Alanna, I agree with all of these, especially “man u sucks”! One more to add: apologise. Need to talk to a stranger? Start with “I’m sorry...”. Someone’s in your way? Start with “Sorry can you...”. Fall over and land on your face at someone’s feet? Get up and through your newly broken teeth mumble “I’m sorry”
I remember my mother bumping into a door in the house and saying 'Oh, I'm so sorry...' And that brings to mind another story, in Woolworths on a Saturday morning it was always absolutely crammed with people, and I found myself shuffling along right behind her in the crowd. I was 13 and not as tall as her so I pulled myself up on tiptoe and said in my most officious voice ' Madam would you move along please, you're holding everybody up'. She turned round, furious, and then immediately burst into laughter. Happy times, fifty years ago!
My husband ran into our neighbour carrying his wife that was very drunk, the next morning she came and apologized - but she really had nothing to apologize for. I found that really interesting, but also a great way to end the embarracement, shut any bad mouth and get on with your day.
Born in Wales to a Welsh mother of English and Irish heritage, and a Northern Irish father of Scots-Irish background, I am more than happy to describe myself as British. The only people who would object to being called British are likely to be dyed in the wool nationalists.
I was brought up on the Isle of Wight (very south) and there it's perfectly normal to talk to strangers. I assume because it's a given that we would end up talking to tourists in one way or another, either in the pub or just giving them directions. Thinking about it, a lot of the tourists would be chatty northerners.
You only talk to foreigners on the Isle of shi£e, because if you don't try to get new blood into your island dna, you regress back to the 80s inbreeding 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Northerners are the best and friendliest. Durham Newcastle. I give myself 5 friendly hellos out 5. Saying hello and striking a conversation with strangers is what its all about.
Canadians do have a great sense of humour, nearly as good as ours! (That's why we love you Allana) We noticed, literally crossing the border at Niagara Falls.
A word of advice to any foreigner - Do not attempt banter unless you are fully conversant with its rules and nuances because you will offend in very short order. There is a very fine line between being offensive and saying something that is primarily a joke.
That advice applies to anyone who's British too as your definition of banter is almost certainly not the same as mine. I've had people want to fight me in pubs because I was saying things about their football team that I considered to be 'banter' but they considered it to be 'fighting talk'.
You also forget - only do it with friends. In particular friends that you know don't take offence. Because there are people out there who can get offended at absolutely anything.
Hi Alanna, thanks for all the interesting information. The way of speaking to people can vary from state to state here in Australia. When moving here in Melbourne from Sydney, I found that various ways of speaking in Sydney were less appropriate here in Melbourne. We do have different accents here in Australia, though they seem to be far more suttle than they can be in other countries. Anyway, all the very best. Rob.
Alanna's foreigner to British, British to foreigner guide, absolutely brilliant, I chuckled to myself all the way through it. This should be turned into a book or a Google translate app maybe, it would be a winner.. 🤣🤣🤣
The banter & sarcasm stuff was on point, I would say that almost every British person is like an online troll from as soon as they start school till the day they die and I love it!
@@renejean2523 I have met Americans and made light-hearted comments that I suspect they found borderline offensive. This is a bit perturbing as most people call me a really nice guy.
"Banter" or piss taking is definitely brutal haha, I have friends in the US who still don't get it! And you are right, good friends to the casual observer could come across as sworn enemies sometimes
Banter in the work place is different level. As a shy teenager I was working with a 95% female workforce and they were merciless in trying to get me embarrassed. If I tried to answer back in a similar manner they just upped it another level. Totally harmless stuff and all in good heart, but very character building 🤣
In south Derbyshire you will often refer to other people as "duck". It doesn't matter whether you're talking to a man, woman or child, or if it's a man or woman talking. I live about 15 miles from south Derbyshire and no-one would ever use that word in that particular way here, although some people do within about 5 miles of the area.
As a Brit living in the US, I love these kinds of videos and I've watched a lot of them. They're all interesting, but this is the best of the lot so far. Looking forward to catching up on your content. Now I'm wondering if my friends think I talk about the weather a lot... 😎
I am English and have lived in the north (west and east), the midlands and the south west. In all of those areas it is fine to talk to people you don't know. In fact I would go so far as to say it is normal. Your comments make me wonder where in the UK you are living?
Hi Alanna, love the accents information as well as the being rude beyond belief but with your best friends mostly, I don't know if it is because you are from "outside the UK" sorry for that but I couldn't think of how else to say it, but you are very sharp and knowledgeable, you explained both situations better than most Brits could, but then I feel that's because we don't even think about it so we don't need to explain it to anyone really, you would make a wonderful teacher "college/Uni" level, you have a gift when it comes to communication, you probably don't believe that you do, but I have been subscribed to your channel for some years now, well before the pandemic, you really are very good at engaging with people, getting their interest and keeping it, I have never stayed with a UA-camr so long as I have with yourself, they become stale, but you are much better than that, so thank you, take care :)
Another absolutely CRACKING video, Alanna. (My maternal grandmother lived with my family until I left home to get married. We only got a telephone when I was half way through University. When she answered the phone to me the first time, that was the first time I realised she had a strong south Wales accent. Living with her for many years until then I hadn't noticed it, but it seems the telephone accentuates accents).
Nailed it ! your so right....but, I don't mind being called British. Although born in London and English of course, it's something to be proud of for me... luv your videos and sense of humour. ☺
Office banter can definitely seem to be brutal, but after a while you don't even notice it's happening. Sadly over the years I've seen just a few poor souls that really just don't get it and that can be really awkward. Thanks for another Friday favourite Alanna!
To be pedantic Alana, if you say "You all right?" you have a chance of getting a bit, a tiny bit, of a full(ish) answer in most parts of the UK. Here in Yorkshire we just say and pronounce it as "rai't" but do not pronounce the t, it becomes a glottal stop !! For a Yorkshire person this is a full on conversation meaning "Hello, how are you? Are there any problems you want to share with me? Can I help you with anything" A genuine Yorkie merely replies "rai't" meaning "All is good in my world (Keep out of my business), is there anything I can do for you? (I don't really care but I'll ask any way)" This is acknowledged by a very small nod. There is nothing else to say as everything is good in both worlds.
When I first met my Canadian friend I greeted her with “y’alright?” and she looked at me quizzically and said “what?” 😭 Thanks for the very entertaining and educational vid, Alanna!
I was truly missing your videos. They're culturally very rich and interesting and I have learned a lot about the Brits even though I have never been there. Thank you so much.
If you are talking to someone who sounds as though they are singing to you, they are probably Welsh, if you cannot understand a word they are saying they are Scottish, the Northern Irish tend to role all their words into on anyone else is English...
This made me laugh! Even though I'm a Scot, there's times when I struggle to tell a Scots accent from an Irish accent (NI or IE) when they are speaking quickly! 🤣
Love your vids! Great definition of banter. Banter is what gets us through the day! But never call someone by “Oi” unless they’ve wronged you! As they will probably not answer nicely, if at all!
Hi Alanna, it is very sunny here today.... You made me laugh with some of your observations. I am an English Brit living in Spain. I can also identify with some of your comments living with the Spanish. For example, I was working on a building site, and asked a fellow worker if he was Spanish. "No", he said, "I am Andaluz". Andaluz = some one from Andalucía, an autonomous region of Spain. It reminded me of the difference between British and English/ Welsh/ Scottish etc. Also your comments about accent are relevant. There are many regional differences, plus of course American Spanish, which also has regional variations. When you call customer service, sometimes you get a poor quality phone line to a South American call centre. That really is fun! I'm glad you enjoy living in Kent. It is a nice part of the world. I look forward to your next installment.
Hi Alanna. Good video and well observed! Just a comment on your "Alright?" observation. I'm a Brit living in Hong Kong for many years. Hong Kongers have a similar passive question which is surprising. They say "Have you had your lunch yet?" No answer is expected. However, when I first arrived, I sometimes gave a complete description of my lunch and then received completely startled looks!!! I soon learned to just nod politely.
2nd point definitely. A Canadian person started at my work the other day. She sat next to me while I was having my coffee and talked to me. I nearly had a stroke.
Another belter of a video which had me laughing out loud - especially when you said “just observe British people in their natural habitat”. David Attenborough would be proud of you! 😄
you are right about most people from the South not speaking to strangers but i always say hello or good morning\afternoon and converse as do a few others ive seen. Accents around where I live are Somerset, Bristonian and Devonshire but obviously lots of others who moved to my Town in Weston-Super-Mare are londonders and Brummies. Also because my town is a seaside resort, people come from Wales, London way and Midlands for a holiday.
From Barnsley, I say good morning or whatever if someone makes eye contact or proffers a greeting themselves. Talk is small talk, don't burden strangers with your problems. Last stranger chat I had was in a queue and about queuing.. My main greetings are Y'oreight and Eyup.
2: Stranger thing, it goes either way here.....''Don't talk to strangers' is a rule growing up, but it varies in each location. This one does affect the towns mostly. Rural areas, countrysides, people are a little more friendlier.
Excellent review!! This HAS to be one of your best analyses ever of us Brits and especially of our strange inter-relationships! I am an English Northerner living in the South (Hertfordshire) and I certainly regard myself as British before English. Indeed, there is a very slight 'suspicion' of those who don't like to be called British - simply because those in Scotland, Wales and (though in some circumstances less in) NI are rather more proud of their country of origin than we in England often are. Those in Orkney and Shetland sometimes don't even like to be called Scots (!) - as Americans say so succinctly 'Go Figure'. Those excellent people who live in the 'Crown Dependencies' ( IOM, Jersey Guernsey) certainly don't like to be called English and usually will accept 'British' more than you might think. They of course are the real British since it was one of theirs (William the Conqueror) who annexed the British Isles in 1066. Memories don't die here!!
There are two words, used mostly by the English, that have a wealth of meanings. Those two words are, "Oh really." Depending on the inflexion in the way those words are used the can mean a person is interested in what you are saying. Or, they can mean you are boring and want you to go away. Or they can be used as a question. As examples.
We also have very localised variations and dialects within each regional accent. For instance, Yorkshire is split into 4 parts(called ridings), North, South, East and West, with each Riding having it's own distinct accent. It sometimes goes even further still, as the accent can even change slightly from one part of town to another, or from one village to the next village.
Wrong...there is no such place as East Yorkshire. Ridings means thirdings hence 3 parts of the original county. Yes the accents do change almost from town to town.
I’m from the Lake District, it’s even more pronounced there as the accents follow the various valleys so you can cross a mountain and get a completely different accent in villages that are less than 5 miles apart.
I'm from the East Midlands and I always say hello to people I see in the street. It's just being polite and friendly. I'm sorry...what !? Mall, Apple store, genius bar ? British customer service...based in India !
There are two stock responses to "You alright?": "Not three bad" or "No, I'm half left". They're such lame jokes that eventually people stop asking and you can just get on with your day. ...and you are right about accents. I was introduced to a Welsh lady in Manchester the other day and pinned her faint accent to the Pwllheli area, though she hadn't lived there for years. Having worked there I can still just about distinguish Caernarfon, Bangor, Holyhead and Llangefni/mid-Anglesey.
I was wondering about variations in Welsh accents. Interesting. Obviously, there's a huge difference in Scottish accents too. A soft Scottish borders brogue is nothing like a thick, harsh Glasgow accent.
@@renejean2523 I'm no expert but I have heard Welsh people say that there isn't really a Welsh accent, but there is a South Wales accent and a North Wales one.
My Mum, when she was working, had a colleague who lost her hearing when she was a girl in Wales. Despite this and living in England for many years she apparently still had a recognisably Welsh accent.
Hi Alana. Enjoyed the video as usual. You mentioned dealing with the local council. Could you post a video explaining what it is like dealing with a council for what Canadians would call municipal services? And possibly the recent council elections in a non political way. The UK media painted the recent contest as life and death struggle for all of humanity.
You are very perceptive, Alanna. The things you talk about in your videos are the very things that made travel so thrilling for me when I was travelling for work. I hated being by myself and all those loooooooong flights from Australia, but observing all the cultural variations more than compensated. Australia has a lot of commonality with the UK as you’d expect with our history Our slang and abbreviations are legendary though and can get us into trouble with foreigners sometimes. Explaining to an American that being called a Seppo is an affectionate friendly term is a challenge. I’ll have a go. You might enjoy this …. American >> yank. Even if they’re from Alabama or Mississippi. If you’re still friends with them explain that yank >> tank >> septic tank. That’s rhyming slang. So we call our American friend a septic tank (I.e. a cess pit). Now our American thinks it can be nothing else than an insult. There’s more. We abbreviate a lot of words, so Septic tank becomes Seppo. So a tourist from Atlanta I like would be called my new Seppo friend
Wow interesting. There is something I would really like to know about Australia: can you really get arrested and get into serious trouble if you do the equivalent of the like sign with your hand ( thumbs up)? I am very concerned because of this. One gets so used to do this signal, with good intentions, and it's so natural one does it without thinking and poof you get into trouble. So it that thing real and still true for Australia that one should avoid using the thumbs up signal at all costs? It would be so nice if it changed. Greetings from Hungary.
@@june.w.1288 The quick answer to your question is 'no'. I've only been in Australia since 1981 when i came here from New Zealand, but as far as I know the thumbs up gesture has never been illegal. In fact i dont think there is any gesture that would be illegal. I can't imagine how such a law would be framed. I think someone might have been having a little joke with you when you were told that. At most you might make a gesture that means one thing to you and another thing to an Australian but the worst consequence of that would be you have a misunderstanding that's all. You certainly wont be arrested for it. But the thumbs-up gesture means 'good' or "i agree' or 'hello' depending on the circumstances. It's always a good gesture not an insult.
@@afpwebworks thank you for the answer. Well then, maybe someone did play a joke on me. They said the thumbs up means something like the middle finger in Australia, and a tourist was arrested because he showed that sign to a policeman. So you are from NZ? That is a beautiful country too. I am a big fan of Lord of the Rings and it's my big dream to visit the scenery for Hobbiton one day. I heard it's the second happiest and safest country on Earth after Iceland.
@@june.w.1288 I'm afraid you were treated to a little joke. It's how we are. We love to "pull people's legs" We would rather have a chuckle together than take things seriioiusly. Life is pretty relaxed in this part of the world compared to most of the northern hemisphere. In all my life I have never felt the need to have a gun, and i dont know anyone who has one, except for farmers who need to shoot predators on their livestock.
Listening to your acute observations of the British (of whom I am one) in their natural habitat reminds me that we are just animals in a kind of zoo and watched and commented on by amused people from other countries (not to say foreigners!)
So many different accents with different ways of saying things for such a small island and Alana manages to nail them all. One to practise; where I am from when we say goodbye……. “ta ra love”
I hear you on accents because it's not just foreigners that struggle. I was born here and I still struggle with peoples accents and, yes, even more so over the telephone. Great video Alanna, had me laughing all through it. 👍😃
Haha, I’ve met a few people who respond like this (usually from the US or Canada, truth to tell 😉), very intense - after trying to make a polite non-committal response I’ve usually backed away as quickly as I could without being rude and made my escape. Alana is so accurate about this 👍.
People will and do strike up conversations but I think it's a lost art, phone fixation has taken over. England has often been criticised for benefiting the most from the union (financially) and I understand the resentment when key Scottish and Welsh industrial sites, sources of income and work are closed on the whim of the English capital. There are so many more accents than the ones you mentioned my favorite being the West Country accent, it became the go to for movie pirates thanks to Robert Newton using it Treasure Island.
Thank you, fun as always and some insightful pointers. You’re spot on about insults between friends, but I’ve seen a few foreigners get themselves in a real mess, insulting virtual strangers in the belief they’re being friendly! The British equivalent would be speaking to non-English speakers as if they were 8. The intention’s good, but it’s not going to end well!
@@dunebasher1971 Is it rational to disparage a person for being proud of thier national identity on the one hand yet commend others for the same thing and to fly their national flag in salute of that pride the other person has no I am consistent you are not .
Depends where you live in the UK; the further north you go the more likely you are find yourself being chatted to by people you don't know, in the bus queue, whilst waiting in the shop for your fish and chips to be ready, etc.
NO. IT'S NOT THAT BRITISH PEOPLE, LIKE TAKING ABOUT THE WEATHER, IT'S JUST OUR WAY OF STARTING A CONVERSATION OR JUST NEEDING TO SAY SOMETHING, WHEN WE CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY.
Your right about sitting on a bus next to an elderly woman, I am one and I will talk to anyone and everyone and just love it. I have made some nice friends too just by a random chat. It’s always a pleasure to meet someone new. Give it a go sometime.
I'd agree that speaking to strangers is easier the further north you go, probably because historically it was a harder life there and mutual help and cooperation was a survival tactic. On being British, I agree, I fill in forms and tick "English" where possible. I think those who do call themselves British tend to be immigrants without ancestral roots in the UK, the rest cling on to their "tribal" history, even to the point of sub-dividing their nationality I.e. "are you British", "no I'm a Geordie, Brummy, Cornish" etc. You can possibly trace this back as far as the old kingdoms like Wessex, Mercia, Northumbria. The same with accents, a lot of Norse, Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, Norman French variations have carried on through the ages until the industrial revolution when populations really began to move around and mix. Before then, your ancestors had most likely been in the same area for many, many generations withoutoutside influencies. Fascinating subject, loving your take on our national quirks, very entertaining, keep it up.
I tend to find I can tune in to an accent better if it is local to me. For example I struggle to differentiate between a Kent or Essex accent, and most Scottish accents sound the same to me (with the exception of Glasgow), whereas I could tell the difference between a Wiltshire, Somerset, Bristol etc. accent easily because that's where I'm from.
On the "You alright?" front, if you're talking to someone you know, you can respond with a negative. Obviously, don't go off on a huge side story as you said, but it is OK to say that something's not alright. Spot on with what you said if talking to a stranger, though!
👍 Easyer to think of every village valley, city and town as having a different types of accent and some city's have sub var of them e.g. Speke, Crosby, Whiston or Anfield, all different.
Northerners will of course say they are friendlier because most of them have never experienced the bulk of southern England, and think central London is how you guage the whole of the south. Plus, with the whole north/south rivalry, of course they will promote themselves. Simple fact is, it does not matter where you are in England, there will be friendlier areas and not so friendly areas. There are plenty of places in places like Liverpool, Newcastle or Manchester that are well known for being nasty areas, just as there are nasty areas in London in the south or Birmingham in the midlands. Friendliness is not defined by a point on a compass.
I don't think Newcastle is known for being nasty. People couldn't do enough for you here. These rules don't apply to anyone in England either. They are ridiculous. Sorry to say. Just treat people how you wanna be treat. You'll meet dicks, you'll meet nice people just like you would anywhere in the world. BrIrish or american has literally nothing to do with it. It's dependant on how the individual person is. You can't jump an entire country of people together like this... please just delete this video..
@Nicky L exactly. No big city does not have it's rougher areas. Just as no city is all bad. The north south rivalry is mostly just in jest anyway, but some take it to the extremes like anything in life.
Go to where your called "Me duck", it's kinda weird but actually grows on you. I won't tell you where it is the suprise when it happens will be priceless!
Put content warnings in for this sort of thing please! When you started playing out a scenario where someone honestly and fully answers "You alright love?" I nearly hyperventilated with embarrassment! 😅🤣🤣
Sport wise, there's one thing above all that will amuse you (get you in trouble if you can't handle yourself) and that is that almost to a man/woman, all football fans/supporters not from Liverpool, hate Liverpool football club with a PASSION! The hours I have spent happily ragging on the waks with a like minded soul who I just met that afternoon over a pint down the pub.
In the UK in my youth [I am now 67] a constant warning was given by adults to children; in school by teachers, and even on TV; of "Don't talk to strangers!". I think that drives some of the hesitancy about talking to strangers, with a spoonful of shyness, and a ladle full of "It's none of your business!"
Northener's will always talk to you, i live in Sheffield, you cannot go anywhere, without someone, striking up a conversation, i love it, painting the front fence, took me hour's, due to everyone stopping to talk, i love it.
Same in Lancashire and Greater Manchester 😁 people I see regularly (strangers), we have a good natter about stuff.
I think it's more because I "look" approachable, or I do something they do themselves 😁
I think the British, even Londoners, really do enjoy talking to strangers, it's just that they won't initiate the conversation nor expect it if you initiate it. If you can find a humorous opening or something you can both complain about, they will open up to you.
Southerner here. I have 2 dogs who I take out for walks every day, often meeting other people walking their dogs, usually the same ones, I know everything about their dogs, name, background, full medical history, diet, etc. The dog owners? Don’t even know their names.
Allanna should get herself a dog to walk. They all acknowledge each other and chat. Even in Kent.
Paul Hill : That's me exactly.
When my Cooper passed away I suddenly became invisible! Without a dog I was just this strange man walking through the park !
I looked after another person's dog for a few months, whenever I was in town with her, I would constantly have to stop while strangers , knowing her name , said hello to her and gave her a fuss.
Story of my life.
At Ely railway station there's a bench with a sign above it stating that this bench is for people who want to talk to others. No one sits on it.
My wife is Scottish, she talks to everyone. I've lived round here for over 50 years, but within 20 years she knows far more people than me.
There are others like the alright.
“Did you have a nice Christmas” always answered with “yes, just a quiet one”
“Did you have a nice weekend”, “yes, you”
“How are you?” , “Fine thanks, you?”
I've lived in Kent for 30 years, and people are friendly and talkative, but we often need a reason to start up a conversation. Typically a dog (much easier to talk to first, then their human), but can be other things. In the two months I spent fitting out my campervan outside the house, I got to know more neighbours than in the previous 20 years!
The second point about talking to strangers is touched upon by Bill Bryson in his "Notes from a Big Country," written from the perspective of moving back to the US after having lived in the UK for many years. He was taken aback when phoning a customer service department and being addressed as "Bill." For all his time in the UK, customer service personnel had always addressed him as "Mr Bryson," and as the American counterpart was talking to him ("Hi Bill, my name is Bob" etc.) all he could think was "Thanks Bob, but all I need is some help with my credit card; I'm not looking to start a relationship." There is more of a first-name basis to business conversation in the UK now than there was 30 or 40 years ago, but formality is still very much ingrained on the British consciousness, especially in the South where the big businesses tend to be found. It's also worth noting that we Brits have long been observed as valuing our privacy very highly, thus the striking up of personal conversation in a business context doesn't sit well.
Technically, there *is* a British accent: judging by its use by British characters in American films, Received Pronunciation (RP) would be identified by non-Brits as "a British accent," though it tends to be in over-the-top drama or comedy.
Casual conversations with strangers, my own personal rules
1. No Sport
2. No Politics
3. No Religion
Londoner here and I totally agree - Northerners are just so much warmer, approachable and friendly.
As a travelling Canadian, I ran into the "you alright?"renting a car in the North. I was thinking that I must have looked like I had something wrong with me! I assured him I was okay. He just carried on! Nice video today.
“Y’alright?” is a fine example of what is known in linguistics as “Phatic Communication” - a form of communication whose purpose is social rather than informative - scene-setting, mood-creating small talk as a means of introduction, relationship building etc. The British, especially the southern English (a larger proportion of the U.K. population than that might sound) tend to be “high context” communicators - ie the way they communicate tends to be indirect and non-confrontational (not forthright) and can sound ambivalent or even vague and non committal to people from low context cultures (eg Americans, Dutch, Germans). Phatic communication is more common in high context cultures because of the need to establish mutual social comfort before talking about anything serious. Americans, Germans etc working in the U.K. will often remark on what (to them) seems like the time-wasting social chit-chat for the first 5-10 minutes of a meeting (eg the shared moaning about how awful the trains/traffic/weather is today), but for the Brits it’s a necessary introduction, a shared need to create fellow feeling, often jokingly ended with something likes “well that’s all jolly interesting I’m sure but we really ought to do some work” signalling the beginning of the actual business.
@Nicky L Sort of. I studied the theory at Uni (extremely mature student) but only because I had observed the practical reality in my business career and wanted to understand it better. I then spent my last working years helping others to understand it to enable them to make a success of multinational teams.
No, no, no! Not talking to strangers is most definitely a South East thing, London in particular! I'm from the West Country and we speak to anyone!
I moved to the South East from up north they are chatty might be because it's a small town.
I’ve moved to the SW a couple of years ago and I find it a joy how chatty and friendly people are here.
If you come to Northwest England, certainly Liverpool or Manchester, the correct answer to the greeting “Alright?” Is …… “Alright”.
same here on the south coast alright m8 alright
Give it a brief tilt up of the head when asking that 😁
Don't talk to strangers is just a South East thing (with the exception of Brighton and its surrounding areas), particularly bad in London. And generally, even in the south east that isn't london, it comes from a place of shy/reserved place, not a place of fear, so if you strike up a conversation on a bus, noone will mind. People are on average a lot more guarded/busy/stressed/fearful/uninterested in London. This is probablly internationally relevant advice but if you're looking for a really interesting and enthusiastically recieved chat, try sitting next to an elderly woman on a bus. Nine times out of ten that person is dying to talk to anyone about anything.
Alanna cracks me up, she never fails to make me either smile to chuckle to myself in mist of her videos. She definitely knows her onions about us Brits, gotta love her
Brilliantly observed Alanna!. When the Canadian government needs a new British ambassador, they could do worse than come knocking on your door 🙂
😂 Thank you!!
Alanna, believe me when I say that it can be just as jarring for us Brits when we suddenly find ourselves in a conversation with someone who has a broad regional accent - it can take a minute to adjust your ears 😂 you're spot on with everything in this video, though, which made it kinda hilarious to watch.
😂 thanks so much!!
Well there is one way someone can respond too the “you’re alright” greeting with a more negative term to it too actually answer people that no you don’t feel good today without going into context.
Here’s how you could do it, someone you know (it has to be someone you know not a stranger) greets you with saying the of course “you’re alright” or just “alright” and then you respond with “no not really, how about you?” and they then say either “yah I’m fine” or something like “yah same here” and then either you or the other person would just say this “well hope you feel better then” and then the next person would say “yah thanks” or “same to you” and then you each just wave at each other or just say something like “see you” and then carry on walking.
That’s one way someone can say that they actually not “fine” when greeting someone who used “alright” as a greeting, just don’t do this with a stranger or go into context about it, just say say nope and just a perlite say bye, that’s it.
In my part of West Yorkshire (Bradford), there used to be a convention used by old men to their acquaintances. It went like this:
OM 1: "Na then, John."
OM 2: "Na then, then."
We do that in Lancashire sometimes, too 😁
Your intelligence and warmth always comes through in your content ❤
My God is Alanna ever right! First week knowing my, now husband, I thought he hated me. Hed want to hang out but would tell me not to be 'daft' or he would jokingly call me a 'dickhead' or 'dont be a knobend'. Totally oblivious to any sort of English slang...I was like....WTF is this guys problem with me. But here we are...daily banter back and forth. I'd never have it any other way. Canadian banter...definitely different, lol.
Great video Alanna!
He was clearly crazy about you!
@@trickygoose2 thank you! I sure hope so because I'm still crazy about him after 6 years of being together and almost 3 years of marriage 🤗
you always forget 'Aye Up' (instead of the 'alright'). When i first moved 'up north' i was and am constantly greeted with this.
Hey Alanna, I agree with all of these, especially “man u sucks”!
One more to add: apologise. Need to talk to a stranger? Start with “I’m sorry...”. Someone’s in your way? Start with “Sorry can you...”. Fall over and land on your face at someone’s feet? Get up and through your newly broken teeth mumble “I’m sorry”
😂 You're totally right!
I remember my mother bumping into a door in the house and saying 'Oh, I'm so sorry...' And that brings to mind another story, in Woolworths on a Saturday morning it was always absolutely crammed with people, and I found myself shuffling along right behind her in the crowd. I was 13 and not as tall as her so I pulled myself up on tiptoe and said in my most officious voice ' Madam would you move along please, you're holding everybody up'. She turned round, furious, and then immediately burst into laughter. Happy times, fifty years ago!
My husband ran into our neighbour carrying his wife that was very drunk, the next morning she came and apologized - but she really had nothing to apologize for. I found that really interesting, but also a great way to end the embarracement, shut any bad mouth and get on with your day.
Born in Wales to a Welsh mother of English and Irish heritage, and a Northern Irish father of Scots-Irish background, I am more than happy to describe myself as British. The only people who would object to being called British are likely to be dyed in the wool nationalists.
I was brought up on the Isle of Wight (very south) and there it's perfectly normal to talk to strangers. I assume because it's a given that we would end up talking to tourists in one way or another, either in the pub or just giving them directions. Thinking about it, a lot of the tourists would be chatty northerners.
You only talk to foreigners on the Isle of shi£e, because if you don't try to get new blood into your island dna, you regress back to the 80s inbreeding 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Northerners are the best and friendliest. Durham Newcastle. I give myself 5 friendly hellos out 5. Saying hello and striking a conversation with strangers is what its all about.
Also! Whenever I get a client on the phone here in Canada and they have a UK accent...I have to fight the urge to ask them where they are from, lol.
@Nicky L hahaha I could talk to ppl from the UK alllll day my friend 🤗
Canadians do have a great sense of humour, nearly as good as ours! (That's why we love you Allana)
We noticed, literally crossing the border at Niagara Falls.
A word of advice to any foreigner - Do not attempt banter unless you are fully conversant with its rules and nuances because you will offend in very short order. There is a very fine line between being offensive and saying something that is primarily a joke.
That advice applies to anyone who's British too as your definition of banter is almost certainly not the same as mine. I've had people want to fight me in pubs because I was saying things about their football team that I considered to be 'banter' but they considered it to be 'fighting talk'.
Are you bonkers?
You also forget - only do it with friends. In particular friends that you know don't take offence. Because there are people out there who can get offended at absolutely anything.
Hi Alanna, thanks for all the interesting information. The way of speaking to people can vary from state to state here in Australia. When moving here in Melbourne from Sydney, I found that various ways of speaking in Sydney were less appropriate here in Melbourne. We do have different accents here in Australia, though they seem to be far more suttle than they can be in other countries. Anyway, all the very best. Rob.
Alanna's foreigner to British, British to foreigner guide, absolutely brilliant, I chuckled to myself all the way through it. This should be turned into a book or a Google translate app maybe, it would be a winner.. 🤣🤣🤣
😂 You're too kind!
The banter & sarcasm stuff was on point, I would say that almost every British person is like an online troll from as soon as they start school till the day they die and I love it!
Pretty much. You don't realize how much Brits do it until you come here and live in the US.
@@renejean2523 I have met Americans and made light-hearted comments that I suspect they found borderline offensive. This is a bit perturbing as most people call me a really nice guy.
@@trickygoose2 - lol Yeah, I've often found myself in that situation.
"Banter" or piss taking is definitely brutal haha, I have friends in the US who still don't get it! And you are right, good friends to the casual observer could come across as sworn enemies sometimes
Banter in the work place is different level. As a shy teenager I was working with a 95% female workforce and they were merciless in trying to get me embarrassed. If I tried to answer back in a similar manner they just upped it another level. Totally harmless stuff and all in good heart, but very character building 🤣
In south Derbyshire you will often refer to other people as "duck". It doesn't matter whether you're talking to a man, woman or child, or if it's a man or woman talking. I live about 15 miles from south Derbyshire and no-one would ever use that word in that particular way here, although some people do within about 5 miles of the area.
Same in Nottingham.
Derbyshire represent baby!!!!
@@monsieurbertillon9570 Very common in Lincolnshire too
Grew up between Nottingham and Mansfield. Always used "Ay up". My nan used to say "Ay up me duck" and she was from Nuneaton way.
@@ratspike8017 My nan used to say 'ight me duck' to end a phone call aha but she was from Cavan
As a Brit living in the US, I love these kinds of videos and I've watched a lot of them. They're all interesting, but this is the best of the lot so far. Looking forward to catching up on your content. Now I'm wondering if my friends think I talk about the weather a lot... 😎
Awesome, thank you!
when someone says "alright?" to me i either say "alright?" back or "alright, not bad thanks yourself?"
I think what really confuses some foreign visitors is how accents can sometimes vary from town to town.
Absolutely!
I am English and have lived in the north (west and east), the midlands and the south west. In all of those areas it is fine to talk to people you don't know. In fact I would go so far as to say it is normal.
Your comments make me wonder where in the UK you are living?
Hi Alanna, love the accents information as well as the being rude beyond belief but with your best friends mostly, I don't know if it is because you are from "outside the UK" sorry for that but I couldn't think of how else to say it, but you are very sharp and knowledgeable, you explained both situations better than most Brits could, but then I feel that's because we don't even think about it so we don't need to explain it to anyone really, you would make a wonderful teacher "college/Uni" level, you have a gift when it comes to communication, you probably don't believe that you do, but I have been subscribed to your channel for some years now, well before the pandemic, you really are very good at engaging with people, getting their interest and keeping it, I have never stayed with a UA-camr so long as I have with yourself, they become stale, but you are much better than that, so thank you, take care :)
Another absolutely CRACKING video, Alanna. (My maternal grandmother lived with my family until I left home to get married. We only got a telephone when I was half way through University. When she answered the phone to me the first time, that was the first time I realised she had a strong south Wales accent. Living with her for many years until then I hadn't noticed it, but it seems the telephone accentuates accents).
Thank you!!
Nailed it ! your so right....but, I don't mind being called British. Although born in London and English of course, it's something to be proud of for me... luv your videos and sense of humour. ☺
Thank you so much!
Office banter can definitely seem to be brutal, but after a while you don't even notice it's happening. Sadly over the years I've seen just a few poor souls that really just don't get it and that can be really awkward. Thanks for another Friday favourite Alanna!
Thanks Malcolm!
To be pedantic Alana, if you say "You all right?" you have a chance of getting a bit, a tiny bit, of a full(ish) answer in most parts of the UK. Here in Yorkshire we just say and pronounce it as "rai't" but do not pronounce the t, it becomes a glottal stop !! For a Yorkshire person this is a full on conversation meaning "Hello, how are you? Are there any problems you want to share with me? Can I help you with anything" A genuine Yorkie merely replies "rai't" meaning "All is good in my world (Keep out of my business), is there anything I can do for you? (I don't really care but I'll ask any way)" This is acknowledged by a very small nod. There is nothing else to say as everything is good in both worlds.
Replying with a nod and an “aye” is far too much information!
Here in Bristol we say “reeeeet my lover?”
in Nottingham, 'eyup m'duck'... I live in Canada and one of my client's blurted this out one day
In London we avoid talking to anyone at all 🤣
bout'ye.? is the Belfast version. 🤣
When I first met my Canadian friend I greeted her with “y’alright?” and she looked at me quizzically and said “what?” 😭 Thanks for the very entertaining and educational vid, Alanna!
😂 I've been there!
@@AdventuresAndNaps What's up? is dreadful, makes me feel as if I look ill and need help.
13:24 I lived in one place in South Wales for 22 years now, and I still hear the different accents.
I was truly missing your videos. They're culturally very rich and interesting and I have learned a lot about the Brits even though I have never been there. Thank you so much.
If you are talking to someone who sounds as though they are singing to you, they are probably Welsh, if you cannot understand a word they are saying they are Scottish, the Northern Irish tend to role all their words into on anyone else is English...
This made me laugh! Even though I'm a Scot, there's times when I struggle to tell a Scots accent from an Irish accent (NI or IE) when they are speaking quickly! 🤣
@@wilmaknickersfit Thanks Wilma, it was meant in jest, tbh I struggle with Geordie, Scouse and rural Somerset!😉😉
Love your vids! Great definition of banter. Banter is what gets us through the day! But never call someone by “Oi” unless they’ve wronged you! As they will probably not answer nicely, if at all!
Of all the sports quotes you choose "man u sucks". Ngl that was funny 🤣. Nice to see you growing into having a British sense of humour. 😄
Hi Alanna, it is very sunny here today.... You made me laugh with some of your observations. I am an English Brit living in Spain. I can also identify with some of your comments living with the Spanish. For example, I was working on a building site, and asked a fellow worker if he was Spanish. "No", he said, "I am Andaluz". Andaluz = some one from Andalucía, an autonomous region of Spain. It reminded me of the difference between British and English/ Welsh/ Scottish etc. Also your comments about accent are relevant. There are many regional differences, plus of course American Spanish, which also has regional variations. When you call customer service, sometimes you get a poor quality phone line to a South American call centre. That really is fun! I'm glad you enjoy living in Kent. It is a nice part of the world. I look forward to your next installment.
Absolutely brilliant Alanna, I've been laughing with self-recognition all the way through this.
Wonderful video...thanks.
😂🤣 Regardless of wether your English, Irish, Scotch or Welsh, you struggle when you get connected to a Geordie or Scouse call centre! !
Unlikely to get a Scouser in a call centre because that would entail working.
Hi Alanna. Good video and well observed! Just a comment on your "Alright?" observation. I'm a Brit living in Hong Kong for many years. Hong Kongers have a similar passive question which is surprising. They say "Have you had your lunch yet?" No answer is expected. However, when I first arrived, I sometimes gave a complete description of my lunch and then received completely startled looks!!! I soon learned to just nod politely.
2nd point definitely. A Canadian person started at my work the other day. She sat next to me while I was having my coffee and talked to me.
I nearly had a stroke.
That would have been a bit much. Just shake hands
Another belter of a video which had me laughing out loud - especially when you said “just observe British people in their natural habitat”. David Attenborough would be proud of you! 😄
😂
Same same, we need David! WHERE'S DAVID? 🤣😂
you are right about most people from the South not speaking to strangers but i always say hello or good morning\afternoon and converse as do a few others ive seen. Accents around where I live are Somerset, Bristonian and Devonshire but obviously lots of others who moved to my Town in Weston-Super-Mare are londonders and Brummies. Also because my town is a seaside resort, people come from Wales, London way and Midlands for a holiday.
“Alright my lovely “ is often said in Devon but in Devonian which is hard to understand sometimes check out Devon accents
Love loved this video! So informative and educational. You outdid yourself girl! ❤️
From Barnsley, I say good morning or whatever if someone makes eye contact or proffers a greeting themselves. Talk is small talk, don't burden strangers with your problems. Last stranger chat I had was in a queue and about queuing.. My main greetings are Y'oreight and Eyup.
2: Stranger thing, it goes either way here.....''Don't talk to strangers' is a rule growing up, but it varies in each location. This one does affect the towns mostly. Rural areas, countrysides, people are a little more friendlier.
Nice one, Alannah! 😍
In Liverpool Everybody talks to strangers and its really welcoming and not weird at all.
Spot on, Alanna! I only realised recently how many accents we have in the UK compared to most countries in the world. Love the videos!
I’m a Brit and really enjoyed watching this
There’s a Canadian bar in Covent Garden. Great place to go when the hockey is on. There’s not much hockey on.
Excellent review!! This HAS to be one of your best analyses ever of us Brits and especially of our strange inter-relationships! I am an English Northerner living in the South (Hertfordshire) and I certainly regard myself as British before English. Indeed, there is a very slight 'suspicion' of those who don't like to be called British - simply because those in Scotland, Wales and (though in some circumstances less in) NI are rather more proud of their country of origin than we in England often are. Those in Orkney and Shetland sometimes don't even like to be called Scots (!) - as Americans say so succinctly 'Go Figure'. Those excellent people who live in the 'Crown Dependencies' ( IOM, Jersey Guernsey) certainly don't like to be called English and usually will accept 'British' more than you might think. They of course are the real British since it was one of theirs (William the Conqueror) who annexed the British Isles in 1066. Memories don't die here!!
There are two words, used mostly by the English, that have a wealth of meanings. Those two words are, "Oh really." Depending on the inflexion in the way those words are used the can mean a person is interested in what you are saying. Or, they can mean you are boring and want you to go away. Or they can be used as a question. As examples.
We also have very localised variations and dialects within each regional accent. For instance, Yorkshire is split into 4 parts(called ridings), North, South, East and West, with each Riding having it's own distinct accent. It sometimes goes even further still, as the accent can even change slightly from one part of town to another, or from one village to the next village.
Wrong...there is no such place as East Yorkshire. Ridings means thirdings hence 3 parts of the original county. Yes the accents do change almost from town to town.
I’m from the Lake District, it’s even more pronounced there as the accents follow the various valleys so you can cross a mountain and get a completely different accent in villages that are less than 5 miles apart.
I'm from the East Midlands and I always say hello to people I see in the street. It's just being polite and friendly.
I'm sorry...what !? Mall, Apple store, genius bar ?
British customer service...based in India !
There are two stock responses to "You alright?": "Not three bad" or "No, I'm half left". They're such lame jokes that eventually people stop asking and you can just get on with your day. ...and you are right about accents. I was introduced to a Welsh lady in Manchester the other day and pinned her faint accent to the Pwllheli area, though she hadn't lived there for years. Having worked there I can still just about distinguish Caernarfon, Bangor, Holyhead and Llangefni/mid-Anglesey.
It should be "not three bad, could be four better" surely?
I was wondering about variations in Welsh accents. Interesting. Obviously, there's a huge difference in Scottish accents too. A soft Scottish borders brogue is nothing like a thick, harsh Glasgow accent.
@@renejean2523 I'm no expert but I have heard Welsh people say that there isn't really a Welsh accent, but there is a South Wales accent and a North Wales one.
My Mum, when she was working, had a colleague who lost her hearing when she was a girl in Wales. Despite this and living in England for many years she apparently still had a recognisably Welsh accent.
Tbh I just go with "Yeah, not too shabby"
Hi Alana. Enjoyed the video as usual. You mentioned dealing with the local council. Could you post a video explaining what it is like dealing with a council for what Canadians would call municipal services? And possibly the recent council elections in a non political way. The UK media painted the recent contest as life and death struggle for all of humanity.
You are very perceptive, Alanna. The things you talk about in your videos are the very things that made travel so thrilling for me when I was travelling for work. I hated being by myself and all those loooooooong flights from Australia, but observing all the cultural variations more than compensated. Australia has a lot of commonality with the UK as you’d expect with our history Our slang and abbreviations are legendary though and can get us into trouble with foreigners sometimes. Explaining to an American that being called a Seppo is an affectionate friendly term is a challenge. I’ll have a go. You might enjoy this …. American >> yank. Even if they’re from Alabama or Mississippi. If you’re still friends with them explain that yank >> tank >> septic tank. That’s rhyming slang. So we call our American friend a septic tank (I.e. a cess pit). Now our American thinks it can be nothing else than an insult. There’s more. We abbreviate a lot of words, so Septic tank becomes Seppo. So a tourist from Atlanta I like would be called my new Seppo friend
@Nicky L Which part are you not understanding?
Wow interesting. There is something I would really like to know about Australia: can you really get arrested and get into serious trouble if you do the equivalent of the like sign with your hand ( thumbs up)? I am very concerned because of this. One gets so used to do this signal, with good intentions, and it's so natural one does it without thinking and poof you get into trouble. So it that thing real and still true for Australia that one should avoid using the thumbs up signal at all costs? It would be so nice if it changed. Greetings from Hungary.
@@june.w.1288 The quick answer to your question is 'no'. I've only been in Australia since 1981 when i came here from New Zealand, but as far as I know the thumbs up gesture has never been illegal. In fact i dont think there is any gesture that would be illegal. I can't imagine how such a law would be framed. I think someone might have been having a little joke with you when you were told that. At most you might make a gesture that means one thing to you and another thing to an Australian but the worst consequence of that would be you have a misunderstanding that's all. You certainly wont be arrested for it. But the thumbs-up gesture means 'good' or "i agree' or 'hello' depending on the circumstances. It's always a good gesture not an insult.
@@afpwebworks thank you for the answer. Well then, maybe someone did play a joke on me. They said the thumbs up means something like the middle finger in Australia, and a tourist was arrested because he showed that sign to a policeman. So you are from NZ? That is a beautiful country too. I am a big fan of Lord of the Rings and it's my big dream to visit the scenery for Hobbiton one day. I heard it's the second happiest and safest country on Earth after Iceland.
@@june.w.1288 I'm afraid you were treated to a little joke. It's how we are. We love to "pull people's legs" We would rather have a chuckle together than take things seriioiusly. Life is pretty relaxed in this part of the world compared to most of the northern hemisphere. In all my life I have never felt the need to have a gun, and i dont know anyone who has one, except for farmers who need to shoot predators on their livestock.
Listening to your acute observations of the British (of whom I am one) in their natural habitat reminds me that we are just animals in a kind of zoo and watched and commented on by amused people from other countries (not to say foreigners!)
Hi, Alanna, very entertaining. Yes we have so many accents here considering how small we are. Hope everything is going well.
Thank you!
So many different accents with different ways of saying things for such a small island and Alana manages to nail them all.
One to practise; where I am from when we say goodbye……. “ta ra love”
I hear you on accents because it's not just foreigners that struggle. I was born here and I still struggle with peoples accents and, yes, even more so over the telephone. Great video Alanna, had me laughing all through it. 👍😃
A legitimate alternative to talking about the weather (for men) is to ask how they got there. Men love describing the route they took :)
😂 You're absolutely right!
Wow at 7:30 You 100% nailed my current struggles. It was almost shocking how accurate you described my situation 😐
Haha, I’ve met a few people who respond like this (usually from the US or Canada, truth to tell 😉), very intense - after trying to make a polite non-committal response I’ve usually backed away as quickly as I could without being rude and made my escape. Alana is so accurate about this 👍.
People will and do strike up conversations but I think it's a lost art, phone fixation has taken over. England has often been criticised for benefiting the most from the union (financially) and I understand the resentment when key Scottish and Welsh industrial sites, sources of income and work are closed on the whim of the English capital. There are so many more accents than the ones you mentioned my favorite being the West Country accent, it became the go to for movie pirates thanks to Robert Newton using it Treasure Island.
Alanna, Thanks for another fun and helpful A&N episode...🇬🇧🇨🇦😊
Thank you!!
Thank you, fun as always and some insightful pointers. You’re spot on about insults between friends, but I’ve seen a few foreigners get themselves in a real mess, insulting virtual strangers in the belief they’re being friendly! The British equivalent would be speaking to non-English speakers as if they were 8. The intention’s good, but it’s not going to end well!
I'm both English and British and proud of both
Is it rational to be proud of something that's down to pure biological chance?
@@dunebasher1971 Is it rational to disparage a person for being proud of thier national identity on the one hand yet commend others for the same thing and to fly their national flag in salute of that pride the other person has no I am consistent you are not .
I'm part Southern and northern LOL (mum is a londoner and dad a geordie) totally no controversy there....
@@CrypticHowl when spurs play Newcastle it's awkward eh
@@leohoward7282 🤣
Depends where you live in the UK; the further north you go the more likely you are find yourself being chatted to by people you don't know, in the bus queue, whilst waiting in the shop for your fish and chips to be ready, etc.
NO. IT'S NOT THAT BRITISH PEOPLE, LIKE TAKING ABOUT THE WEATHER, IT'S JUST OUR WAY OF STARTING A CONVERSATION OR
JUST NEEDING TO SAY SOMETHING, WHEN WE CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY.
Why are you shouting?
Not just Northerners. We talk to strangers in the South West too. It’s really just the south east where they have this problem
We don't have any problems in the South East, we own the world.
Your right about sitting on a bus next to an elderly woman, I am one and I will talk to anyone and everyone and just love it. I have made some nice friends too just by a random chat. It’s always a pleasure to meet someone new. Give it a go sometime.
I'd agree that speaking to strangers is easier the further north you go, probably because historically it was a harder life there and mutual help and cooperation was a survival tactic. On being British, I agree, I fill in forms and tick "English" where possible. I think those who do call themselves British tend to be immigrants without ancestral roots in the UK, the rest cling on to their "tribal" history, even to the point of sub-dividing their nationality I.e. "are you British", "no I'm a Geordie, Brummy, Cornish" etc. You can possibly trace this back as far as the old kingdoms like Wessex, Mercia, Northumbria. The same with accents, a lot of Norse, Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, Norman French variations have carried on through the ages until the industrial revolution when populations really began to move around and mix. Before then, your ancestors had most likely been in the same area for many, many generations withoutoutside influencies. Fascinating subject, loving your take on our national quirks, very entertaining, keep it up.
Another great video love
I tend to find I can tune in to an accent better if it is local to me. For example I struggle to differentiate between a Kent or Essex accent, and most Scottish accents sound the same to me (with the exception of Glasgow), whereas I could tell the difference between a Wiltshire, Somerset, Bristol etc. accent easily because that's where I'm from.
On the "You alright?" front, if you're talking to someone you know, you can respond with a negative. Obviously, don't go off on a huge side story as you said, but it is OK to say that something's not alright. Spot on with what you said if talking to a stranger, though!
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Easyer to think of every village valley, city and town as having a different types of accent and some city's have sub var of them e.g. Speke, Crosby, Whiston or Anfield, all different.
Northerners will of course say they are friendlier because most of them have never experienced the bulk of southern England, and think central London is how you guage the whole of the south.
Plus, with the whole north/south rivalry, of course they will promote themselves.
Simple fact is, it does not matter where you are in England, there will be friendlier areas and not so friendly areas. There are plenty of places in places like Liverpool, Newcastle or Manchester that are well known for being nasty areas, just as there are nasty areas in London in the south or Birmingham in the midlands. Friendliness is not defined by a point on a compass.
I don't think Newcastle is known for being nasty. People couldn't do enough for you here.
These rules don't apply to anyone in England either. They are ridiculous. Sorry to say. Just treat people how you wanna be treat. You'll meet dicks, you'll meet nice people just like you would anywhere in the world. BrIrish or american has literally nothing to do with it. It's dependant on how the individual person is. You can't jump an entire country of people together like this... please just delete this video..
@Nicky L thats fair
@Nicky L exactly. No big city does not have it's rougher areas. Just as no city is all bad. The north south rivalry is mostly just in jest anyway, but some take it to the extremes like anything in life.
You really do like to tread amongst the mines! It's a good job your cuteness keeps you out of trouble!
Go to where your called "Me duck", it's kinda weird but actually grows on you.
I won't tell you where it is the suprise when it happens will be priceless!
Put content warnings in for this sort of thing please! When you started playing out a scenario where someone honestly and fully answers "You alright love?" I nearly hyperventilated with embarrassment! 😅🤣🤣
Reminds me of the scene in Hot fuzz were nick frost and an older policeman have to work in tandom to translate a very thick farmer's accent!
Sport wise, there's one thing above all that will amuse you (get you in trouble if you can't handle yourself) and that is that almost to a man/woman, all football fans/supporters not from Liverpool, hate Liverpool football club with a PASSION! The hours I have spent happily ragging on the waks with a like minded soul who I just met that afternoon over a pint down the pub.