An American father who relocated his family across the Atlantic has shared the one simple British habit that has profoundly surprised and touched him since arriving in the UK.
The 'Wild' Difference in British Sociability
Zach Lincoln, who documents his expat life for over 23,300 Instagram followers, explained that the openness of strangers in Britain stands in stark contrast to his experience back in the United States. In a recent video, he described how the willingness of British people to engage and offer compliments has been a revelation.
"Where we're from, back in the States, people aren't very sociable to strangers," Zach explained. "It's not like they flat-out ignore you, but people don't really talk to you. People don't really come up to me and say anything, basically ever."
A Cascade of Unexpected Compliments
Since moving, however, Zach and his family have been on the receiving end of frequent, warm interactions. He cited examples where a stranger offered to take a family photo and complimented his "beautiful family". Other encounters have included people praising his jumper, his cologne, and his parenting skills.
Zach noted that in five years of parenting in the US, he could "probably count on one hand" the number of similar compliments he received. Astonishingly, he estimated it has happened "like a dozen times" in just two months living in the UK. "It's wild how being seen – really seen – feels so different here," he added in his post's caption.
Public Reaction and Shared Experiences
The heartfelt post resonated widely, amassing over 13,400 likes. Many British commenters confirmed this is simply part of their culture. One person wrote: "I compliment people all the time without thinking about it! It's just something we do."
Other expats shared similar stories. One individual who moved from the US to Yorkshire two years ago commented on the incredible friendliness of the region. Another stated: "Every time I have given a compliment I meant it. It’s part of the Britain I know and love."
The experience highlights a subtle but powerful cultural difference that can define the expatriate experience. For Zach Lincoln, this aspect of British lifestyle has made his family's transition not just easier, but unexpectedly heartwarming.
