Signed with love (actually): A decade in the UK

In April, I celebrated 10 years since moving to the UK.

It was a full-on life shift – one that meant not just relocating to a new country yet also leaving behind the corporate world I had been part of for 26 years. I moved without a job lined up and without a clear plan. Just the excitement of a whole new chapter – personally and professionally.

It was my second international move, and after having lived in France for several years, I was more prepared for what the cultural impact could be – or, at least, that there would be a cultural impact.

My Austrian directness had already met its match in the subtlety of French communication, and then came the UK, adding its own twist: conversations here tend to tiptoe around things rather than stating them directly. That said, I definitely realise a difference between chatting with someone over coffee and navigating a meeting room.

In these ten years, I have learned a lot. I have developed a feel for this country, an instinct, and built a business that gives me purpose, beautifully drawing on everything I have done before. And I am still joyfully discovering new corners of this “island” (yes, I do know it’s more than one).

So, rather than giving you a list of “my top ten lessons from living in the UK”, let me share an exchange as it probably happens every day throughout the country, a snippet of conversation that illustrates one of the big surprises I encountered over the years. – Let’s imagine we are in a small local corner shop, somewhere in the South of England (and probably rather countryside than in the City of London):

  • Customer:     Morning!
  • Shopkeeper: Morning, my dear! You’re out early today.
  • Customer:     I know, I couldn’t sleep – I figured I’d get the shopping out of the way.
  • Shopkeeper: Good thinking, love. It’s quieter before the school run chaos kicks in.
  • Customer:     Exactly! Could I have a loaf of that lovely sourdough, please?
  • Shopkeeper: Of course, darling. Fresh in this morning – it’s still warm!
  • Customer:     Ooh, even better. And a bottle of oat milk, if you’ve got any left?
  • Shopkeeper: You’re in luck, my dear – last one on the shelf, just for you.
  • Customer:     Perfect. That’s all for today.
  • Shopkeeper: Right you are, love. That’ll be £3.80.
  • Customer:     Here you go. Keep the change.
  • Shopkeeper: Aw, thank you, darling. You have a lovely day now, won’t you?
  • Customer:     You too – see you tomorrow.
  • Shopkeeper: Bye, my dear!

These terms of endearment – especially common in familiar settings like markets, cafés – and, in my observation, more among older generations and in the medical field – are what most surprised me. Not the driving on the left, not the understatements – also not the elaborate conversations about the weather (See what I did here? Stereotyping is alive and thriving!). Having heard so often that ”the British only show affection towards dogs and horses” (not my words – see above), this is what really moves me when I hear it. Something deeply human that shows: Love. Actually. Is. All. Around.

So, here’s to new beginnings and anniversaries; to the courage to move, the gift of putting down roots – and the joy of discovering who you can become in a new environment.

💬 What are your experiences living abroad?