The things you tend to do as an expat

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While I love posting about all the US verses UK comparisons big and small there's things I've started noticing about myself in relation to being British and away from the homeland. Plus with the recent Queen's Jubilee what's a better excuse then to think about all things English!

So as an expat here are some of the things you start to do;

● Listening to BBC Radio 2 far, far more then you use to because American radio stations often seem to be lacking that variety of music and news. In the USA unless they are a public broadcaster they tend to be commercial [which sucks]. Even though the BBC is based thousands of miles away - you end up getting your news, especially international news that way.

● Finding an "English Pub" in the next town and thinking up excuses for the need to visit there and drink "proper beer".

● When getting into a car you have to double check which side the steering wheel is on - just to remind yourself that everything is opposite.

● Following a car with a Union Jack sticker on the rear window or plate and getting way too excited. 

● Knowing exactly what the time is in the UK at any given point throughout the day and therefore knowing what would showing on the TV.

● Plans arise in your head to open a chippie shop to get your English fix of proper Fish n Chips.  Nothing compares to greasy fish n chips out of a tray with old newspaper keeping them warm. Not forgetting the wooden fork. Just the best thing ever.

● You stalk the PBS channels on a Sunday night for the latest English show to be shown in the states be it Downton Abbey or Sherlock. It's months behind but you need your English TV drama fix.

● Hearing an English voice on the TV/Radio or in the street is a source for excitement.

● You prefer writing addresses on envelopes the English way rather then cramming the town, the state and the zip code on one line. [In the UK we do everything on separate lines]. 

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● When describing the location of your hometown to Americans you make reference to it's locality to London.

● Being British you take the time to do your civic duty by trying to register to vote in elections while overseas. After getting directed by YouGov to the voting website you get told you need your application to be signed by a fellow British citizen who is living aboard [WTF?!]. The East Yorkshire website just wants you to fill out a simple form and that's it. Nevertheless a quick google search tells me the UK doesn't have to go to election till 2015 - I wasted my time. 

● You watch the golf channel because most of the commentators are predominately English and are therefore far more knowledgeable.

● Every time you visit a new supermarket you need to hunt out the English food aisle, drool and then be astonished at the prices they are charging for a bottle of brown sauce.

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● When shopping you feel the need to convert the dollar price back into UK pounds just to see how much it "really" is [and just for knowledge $1.50/£1].

● Trying to cross a road you have to sometimes stop and think which direction the traffic is coming from. Then look, look again, and have another look just in case. 

● You use English terms stubbornly in refusal of calling football soccer, boot as a trunk.

● Using the Queens Jubilee became an excuse to paint your nails red, white and blue. Americans may look at me thinking I've been playing with my nail varnishes but I know deep down I'm saluting the Queen!