I’ve been in the U.K now for the past week and have found it quite similar to the culture in the U.S. Both the U.S and the U.K are industrialized Western countries so I did not expect a lot of differences. But of course, there are enough differences that have gave me a chuckle or two. First and foremost, I believe, is the problem of right of way. In the U.S, you drive and by extension, walk on the right side of the road or sidewalk respectively. This is of course flipped in the U.K where people drive on the left side of the road. While not really a problem, I have received some annoyed faces from the English who can’t understand why I keep getting in their way while I walk on the right side and they on the left, which is bound to create some cultural collision, literally. After viewing the disgruntled faces of the English for a while, I’ve since migrated to the left side of sidewalks and long walkways. I felt like I was beginning the process of cultural integration. This however, presented a new problem. Many Americans and others from around the world still walk on the right side anyway. Therefore, the challenge of unclogged walkways will always be a disaster, in my estimation anyhow. An American I met here has expressed the same frustration. First, you are the one who the English appeared annoyed at. Then you make the necessary changes to your walking patterns, only to realize that you are now the one who is now giving side eye to those who have failed to be as culturally sensitive as you. Shame, shame, shame, you think. Although this issue seems quite trivial, in some instances, it can result in injury. Along campus, there is a bike path that doubles as a trail for people going for a stroll or runners. At various points along the trail, there are blind corners that can be pretty steep. On several occasions, I’ve seen cyclist come down the corners, some on the left, while a few stragglers on the right. This while they are moving at 20+ mph. So, in the span of just one week, I have danced with death multiple times as a pick the left side of the trail and pray that no American is barreling towards me just around the corner.
