American TikTok user Haley revealed a number of “culture shocks” she’s experienced during her time living in the UK in a tongue-in-cheek video – and it’s left her followers in fits of laughter
An American revealed what it’s really like living away from home.
TikTok user Haley is currently living in the UK, having moved from the US to start her new life. She boasts 39,000 followers on her platform where she discusses her life across from the pond – and in her latest post, she shared her “culture shocks”.
In the tongue-in-cheek clip, which garnered 94,300 likes and 4,800 comments, she said: “I’m an American that lives in the UK and I wanted to share some of the biggest culture shocks that I’ve had since living here ’cause I don’t know, you might find them interesting.”
She began with the National Tea Alarm, a fictional concept which is often joked about online. It refers to a supposed nationwide alert which would sound at the traditional “tea time”, around 4pm, to remind everyone to make a cuppa.
Haley joked: “First one took me by surprise so much the first time it happened, I was like what is going on. But it’s at 11am every day when the National Tea Alarm goes off and you have to stop everything you’re doing and just relax and have a cup of tea.
“It’s like it’s really nice and chill but like, it’s quite a shocking sound that just blares across the entire country, it’s kind of crazy.” Next she claimed there’s a certain number of beans on toast per year which you must consume, another fictional concept.
“If you don’t hit that minimum, you actually have to pay a fine,” she joked. “So like every time you have beans on toast for lunch, there’s a dedicated government app, they also have an NHS app too, it’s similar to that.”
She went on: “You take a snapshot of it and it seems it to the government so they know you’ve eaten it, they know you’re good. And if by December 31st you haven’t had the number, it changes every year I think.”
The next “culture shock” which surprised Haley is when the weather is hot, apparently all men are required to take their shirts off and walk around topless, another prank which is often joked about online.
She admitted to finding it “sexiest at first”, but joked: “It’s just the way it is, it’s the rules.” And finally, Haley claimed every room in your home must have a picture of the Monarch in it. While it’s common to have a photo of the King in your home, it’s not the law.
Although one person on Quora said: “Yes, it’s the law. Every house in the United Kingdom MUST have a portrait on display. We are also required to display a Union Jack flag in the house, as well as fly one from a flagpole outside the property.”
Since Haley shared her comical points in the TikTok video, many people rushed to the comments section. One said: “This is the BEST American living in the UK by far.” While another added: “She’s truly immersed into the culture omg.”
A third joked: “My nan’s in prison because she missed the tea alarm.” And a fourth posted: “Your humour is very English now, I love it.” Meanwhile others knew Haley was joking about all the four points.
