An American expat from California, now settled in London, highlights three key cultural differences that caught her off guard after moving to the UK. Andrea Celeste, with over 200,000 followers on TikTok, shares her insights into everyday British habits.

Unique Greetings Like ‘You Alright?’

Celeste points out that British greetings differ sharply from those in California. The casual ‘you alright?’ serves as a standard hello, but she first interpreted it as genuine concern for her well-being. She states, “One of the biggest culture shocks I had as a Californian living in England was how people greet each other.”

She contrasts this with home, where ‘how are you?’ functions as a polite formality without expecting a detailed reply. In the UK, however, people respond openly when asked.

Apologies for Everything

Another surprise involves the frequent use of ‘sorry’ in Britain. Celeste observes that locals apologize even for incidents not their fault, such as bumping into someone. She explains, “In England, people apologising for things that aren’t even their fault like you walk into them, they’ll apologise. It’s like sorry is less about guilt and more about keeping things smooth between people.”

In California, apologies remain reserved for actual wrongdoing.

Pubs as Social Hubs

Celeste emphasizes the central role pubs play in British life, which lacks a direct equivalent in California. While Americans might choose restaurants, coffee shops, or beaches for meetups, pubs serve as the default for after-work drinks, family Sunday roasts, or friend gatherings.

She describes the appeal: “There’s something cosy about the tradition of having a weekly Sunday roast with family and friends or going to a pub in a small village where everyone knows everyone.” Breweries come closest back home, but nothing matches the pub’s everyday prominence.

Her video sparked engagement, with viewers commenting, “My go to is ‘you alright’ or ‘hiya,'” and “How I miss England. I love your observations.”