An American woman who swapped Texas for the English countryside has shared a classic moment of culture shock after misunderstanding a fundamental part of British communication.
The 'Alright' Misunderstanding
Lindsey, 24, moved from the United States to the Cotswolds in December 2025. She quickly took to TikTok to ask fellow expats if they had experienced the same confusion. Her revelation centred on the common British greeting, "alright?".
"Why didn't anyone tell me that in the UK, when someone asks if you are 'all right', they are not actually asking if you are alright?" Lindsey explained. Shortly after her arrival, someone posed the question to her, and she gave a sincere, lengthy answer about feeling stressed and disoriented.
She recounted her response: "I said, 'Actually, I am always stressed, I have no idea where I'm going, I didn't know I had to bring my shopping bags and I forgot my wallet'."
Lindsey soon learned the phrase is more a casual salutation than an inquiry into one's wellbeing. "Apparently the correct response is, 'Yeah, you?' - and you keep walking," she remarked, adding wryly, "I immediately failed small talk."
British Reactions and Advice
British TikTok users were quick to react. One quipped about the "look of horror" on the other person's face, to which Lindsey confessed, "They laughed at me. But I honestly think it was my American accent that caught them off guard. I was just walking to Aldi!"
Another user sympathised with the leap from America to the Cotswolds, joking it was akin to moving "to Pluto." Lindsey agreed the move had been stressful but praised the area's beauty, saying, "It's so pretty here! Can't wait for warmer days."
Locals also offered alternative responses to help her navigate future interactions. One suggested the sarcastic but common reply, "living the dream," which Lindsey loved, vowing to use it. Another shared the colloquial tip about the phrase "see you later," noting, "It’s a lie, we won't."
An Unexpectedly Aggressive Climate
In a follow-up video, Lindsey highlighted another aspect of life in the UK she wasn't prepared for: the weather. "The rain is aggressive here," she stated, having previously worked on a farm in Texas and endured storms.
"I thought everyone was joking when they said the UK has one season and that's rain, but no, this rain is persistent," she said. Lindsey even mused that Texan snow had followed her. Her new social circle had already advised an essential purchase: her first pair of 'wellies' – British rain boots.
Lindsey's experience underscores the subtle yet significant linguistic and cultural nuances expats encounter when moving to the UK. Her candid sharing provides both a humorous lesson in British etiquette and a relatable account of adapting to a new home, wellies and all.
