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I moved from the US to Scotland. My social life looks much different here.

Sophia MitrokostasSep 20, 2024, 03:31 IST

I moved from the US to Scotland in 2017.f11photo/Shutterstock

I moved from the US to the UK, and there have been a few surprising changes to my social life.
Drinking in pubs is a bigger part of my day in the UK than it was in the US.

In 2017, I moved from the East Coast of the US to the UK and promptly met my Scottish husband.

Moving abroad presented many challenges, not least of which was navigating the particular foibles and intricacies of Scottish social culture.

Here are the biggest differences I've found between socializing in the US and the UK.

I've noticed that the British "stiff upper lip" is a real thing.

The British "stiff upper lip" often refers to stoicism.Pawal Libera/Getty Images

I spend more time around alcohol and pubs in the UK.

Pubs are a popular spot for social gatherings in the UK.Reuters

I talk about the weather constantly now.

There is more than one way to describe a rainy day in Scotland.Pecold / Shutterstock

Casually chatting about money isn't too common here.

Money is more of a private subject in the UK.VAKS-Stock Agency/Shutterstock

In my experience, mingling with strangers also isn't as common in the UK.

I don't see many people chatting with strangers in public.Imran's Photography/Shutterstock

Social interactions are less physical.

Touching seems to be reserved for more intimate relationships.Shutterstock

It has taken me a little longer to make close friends in the UK.

Making friends in the UK has been a slower process than it was in the US.Pra Chid/Shutterstock

I took a 13-hour flight to New Zealand from LA. Here are 8 mistakes I made.