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Understanding the British Royal Family: A Fascination for Visitors and Locals Alike (British Quirks /30)
As someone who grew up with presidents rather than kings, the level of admiration (and sometimes obsession) for the royal family can be surprising. From commemorative tea towels to royal documentaries, from wedding watch parties to souvenir shops filled with Charles and Camilla mugs—royal fever is real.
hicksondiaries
Jul 283 min read


Pub Life: What I’ve Learned About Britain’s Most Sacred Institution (Besides the NHS) (British Quirks 12/30)
One of the first truly disorienting moments I had after moving to the UK was stepping into a car and realizing… everything felt backward. The driver’s seat was on the right side. The gear stick (in a manual, no less) was to my left. And perhaps most jarringly, I was expected to drive on the left side of the road.
As an American, I grew up driving on the right like 70% of the world does. So, switching sides wasn’t just a mild adjustment—it was like suddenly being asked to e
hicksondiaries
Jul 73 min read


The Great British Tap Mystery: Why Are There Two?! (British Quirks 11/30)
One of the first truly disorienting moments I had after moving to the UK was stepping into a car and realizing… everything felt backward. The driver’s seat was on the right side. The gear stick (in a manual, no less) was to my left. And perhaps most jarringly, I was expected to drive on the left side of the road.
As an American, I grew up driving on the right like 70% of the world does. So, switching sides wasn’t just a mild adjustment—it was like suddenly being asked to e
hicksondiaries
Jun 303 min read


Escalator Etiquette: The Unspoken (But Very Real) Rules of British Civility. (British Quirks 10/30)
One of the first truly disorienting moments I had after moving to the UK was stepping into a car and realizing… everything felt backward. The driver’s seat was on the right side. The gear stick (in a manual, no less) was to my left. And perhaps most jarringly, I was expected to drive on the left side of the road.
As an American, I grew up driving on the right like 70% of the world does. So, switching sides wasn’t just a mild adjustment—it was like suddenly being asked to e
hicksondiaries
Jun 233 min read


🚇 Mind the Gap (and the Grumbling): An American's Take on the London Underground. (British Quirks 9/30)
When I first moved from the U.S. to London, I approached the city’s famed subway system—affectionately (and sometimes grudgingly) known as the Tube—with a mix of awe, confusion, and low-level panic. As a newcomer, the colorful, spaghetti-like map of stations looked more like abstract art than an actual transportation guide. I remember standing in a station clutching my Oyster card, blinking at the sign that read “This station has no step-free access”, and wondering how on ear
hicksondiaries
Jun 163 min read


British Quirks that Confuse Americans 3/30
Excessive Politeness As an American living in the UK , there’s one thing that caught me off guard almost immediately — the relentless...
hicksondiaries
May 53 min read


British Quirks the Confuse Americans (2/30):
The Unspoken Art of Queuing: A Deep Dive into Britain’s Weirdest (and Most Sacred) Ritual If there’s one thing the Brits really know...
hicksondiaries
Apr 284 min read


British Quirks that Confuse Americans (1/30)
Introduction: Britain might be a small island, but when it comes to quirky traditions, baffling rules, and outright confusing concepts,...
hicksondiaries
Apr 213 min read
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