a week's worth of inital observations

Just a week ago we were arriving to Sheffield after a long day of traveling from Minneapolis via London.  Seven days later and we feel much more comfortable here.  God's given us lots of mercies and help!  Currently Gray and Jacks are running around in their diapers playing with blocks! They've adapted so well, which has made everything easier.

Andrew and I have talked a lot about cultural differences.  It's so interesting! When you think about England, you'd assume it would be one of the more similar places to the US.  While that might be so, it is still entirely different!  England much more associates with Europe rather than the US, and in many ways scoffs at some parts American culture (or at least stereotypes).  One pastor we talked with said "Think Amsterdam when you think of England." He has seen many Americans shocked (and disheartened) by the differences between here and England.

You might also assume that another English speaking place would be so easy!  But many times we still can't understand people! We really do at times have to concentrate when we listen to people!  I almost always ask someone to repeat what they're saying multiple times in a conversation! Andrew and I have had to ask people to explain terms or what they mean more than we'd like to think...simple idioms, or just different words used in another way.  For example, the word "precious" here can be used to describe someone's attitude, which more means they're very particular about everything.

We're currently reading "Watching the English" by Kate Fox.  It was given to us by one of the church pastors who's really taken us under his wing.  He's from Australia and said is really helped him understand fundamental cultural differences despite similar-seeming cultures on the surface.

Here are some of the highlights of the book about British culture so far:

• It's a social norm to talk about the weather with people in conversation; not because everyone cares immensely about the weather but it's a "safe" topic all should be able to agree on in order to start a conversation or bond with someone.  This reveals their dislike for disagreement
• It considered brash and sometimes offensive to introduce oneself in a very straightforward way.  Like we would in the States.  Asking straight up questions can feel "too personal" right away.  They'd on the whole prefer to slowly get to know someone by beating around the bush and then casually catch someone's name at the end of an initial conversation. 
• Humor is also different and is subtle and ironic.  They're very proud of their humor and many foreigners are always left wondering wether or not a Brit was joking or not...that's a mark of good humor. Quite different from the slapstick and in-your-face humor we're used to in the US.

Anyway, this is just the start.  It's been fun to read with Andrew and then go on about our day and see if we can catch any of these observations.  Though despite the generalizations of being cold, reserved-natured, very private, the church we're connected to has been warm and inviting, though still very British! We are grateful!