11 Reasons I love living in the UK

I’m disappointed that the UK will leave the EU not least because I’m German and my husband is French so things will definitely change for us.

We’ve been living in the UK for more than 10 years so I doubt that we will all of the sudden be kicked out (although some Estate Agents seem to think that it’s a good idea to call me and ask if I maybe want to sell my property)

“Mrs Joggyberry (good try, it’s Jaureguiberry) would you like us to come over to value your property for selling after the outcome of the EU Referendum?”

“Erm, no!”

I won’t take this personally – well maybe a bit – but the mood has definitely changed in this country which is such a shame.

Europeans (and probably most of the people over here now) think that the British shot themselves in the foot and it’s just going downhill from here! There are news of racial abuse all over the place which is pretty shocking and generally there is not much to be cheerful about at the moment (the constant rain in the last two months hasn’t helped)!

I don’t know how things will change but I want to take the opportunity to remember why I love this country and why I chose to live here in the first place.

And I mean the whole country, not just the South East! I have only ever lived in and around London but I used to travel a lot in my previous job and I have been to many places, cities, towns and villages and I fell in love with this country and its people a long time ago.

1. Your Manners

Would you awfully mind… (translation: I’d like you to do that now) Please, thank you, may I, could you, would you, should you, you’re welcome – yes we do have these words in German too but for some reason they are not used as extensively as in English!

Also “I’m sorry” or “excuse me” pretty much features in every second sentence! Do you realise that you apologise constantly? For anything! Even if someone bumps into you on purpose you will still apologise.

It’s lovely! It’s cute! You might think, well that’s just normal but it’s not! I see it in the way you bring up your children and I love that manners play such an important role.

2. London

For me there is no better place to live when you are young and single than London. I’m neither young nor single which is why I have moved to the suburbs but London is still my favourite city in the world.

There is much to see and to discover, amazing parks, trendy bars & restaurants. Free museums and people from all over the world which live happily alongside each other (I might be naive).

3. Driving in the UK

Ok, you do drive on the wrong side of the road but I don’t think I know of any country where drivers are so polite! There is all kids of handgestures to signal your fellow drivers that they can go first or that you’re sorry for whatever you have done and they probably haven’t realised.

You don’t believe me? Well, try driving in France or Germany!

4. Queuing

Once you’ve been on the tube in London you will never want to experience any underground system in any other country. It’s orderly, clean and efficient. If there is any pushing then you can be certain it’s probably tourists! And if anyone dares to stand on the left instead the right then it’s definitely a tourist!

5. The 3 P’s

Pimms, Porridge and Pie. Sorry I still don’t eat baked beans and I’ve got a problem with food drowning in gravy but the 3 P’s are pretty good!

6. Your love for tradition

Wearing hats at a wedding, anything to do with the Queen and generally keeping things as they are until they fall apart!

This hasn’t worked so well with the EU referendum of course but the general “muddling through” is definitely there. Houses will be re-decorated not renovated. And that for many many many years (play the game of how many layers of wallpaper can we find).

It’s good! It’s charming!

7. Your sense of humour

If you like it or not German sense of humour is quite similar to yours. You might think we don’t understand your humour but that’s probably because you talk so fast!!

8. Afternoon Tea

Any country that makes a celebration and a formal event out of drinking a cup of tea must be good! Not only that, there are cakes, scones and sandwiches! What’s not to love?

Calling “tea” a hot beverage and a meal-time is rather confusing, however.

9. Welcoming

I have personally always felt very welcome in this country. Maybe this is not everyone’s experience but it’s definitely mine.

In fact, you are so welcoming that your door mat is called welcome mat whereas we Germans call it a “wipe-your-feet-mat”!

Never ever have I been made feel unwelcome in this country.

10. Your tolerance and open-mindedness

I still believe in that. You value different cultures,

11. Music

I was going to stop at ten to be honest but music definitely needs a mention. Blur, Coldplay, the Beatles, Muse, Adele, Amy Winehouse, Queen, David Bowie, Kate Bush… I mean come on!

So that’s my list. Let me know what you think and if you’re not from the UK let me know what you love about living here!