A Swedish woman who moved to England for love has detailed the five aspects of British life that continue to baffle her, offering a fresh perspective on everyday UK culture.
From Scandinavia to Subway: A Food and Design Shock
Julia, a Swedish expat, relocated to the UK to be with her British boyfriend, but the transition has come with its share of surprises. In a candid TikTok video posted on January 13, 2026, she listed the top five things she still finds odd about British life.
First on her list is the nation's unwavering affection for baked beans. "I thought beans were a breakfast thing," Julia remarked, expressing her astonishment at finding them offered as a sandwich filling at the fast-food chain Subway. This common British practice remains an alien concept in her native Sweden.
Her second point of contention revolves around interior design. Sharing a photo of a typical British home, Julia highlighted the prevalence of wall-to-wall carpeting. "Living rooms, bedrooms... sometimes bathrooms??" she questioned, noting that as a Swede, she finds the lack of visible wooden or laminate flooring unusual. In Scandinavia, easy-to-clean, hard surfaces are preferred to combat dust and allergens.
Charming Anachronisms and Costly Commutes
Not all surprises were negative, however. Julia expressed delighted amazement that the tradition of the milkman delivering to your doorstep still thrives in parts of the UK. This service, she noted, is extremely rare in modern Sweden, where people typically shop at supermarkets.
The high cost of public transport, however, was a less welcome discovery. Mirroring the frustrations of many Britons, Julia lamented the price of train travel. "A short train ride costs... how much? Is this public transport or a luxury experience?" she wrote, highlighting the ongoing issue of rail fare affordability.
The Linguistic Labyrinth of British Place Names
Finally, Julia touched on the perennial challenge faced by newcomers: pronouncing British place names. She singled out the city of Worcester, puzzled by the discrepancy between its spelling and pronunciation. "What do you mean this is pronounced 'Wooster'? Why are the letters just decorative?" she pondered, capturing a common point of confusion for many foreigners and even some locals.
Julia's observations paint a picture of the subtle yet significant cultural adjustments required when moving to the UK. From dietary norms and domestic aesthetics to surprising living costs and linguistic quirks, her list provides a relatable snapshot of expat life and the enduring peculiarities of British culture.
