When people think about Brits, they often picture the Southern traditions of the South, which is a shame because the North has so much to offer. Despite this, most Southerners find the habits of Northerners rather odd, just like with the following 18 examples.
Drinking Tea Strong and with a Splash of Milk
As The Guardian reports, northerners prefer their tea to be seriously strong, generally using Yorkshire teabags and often with just a slight splash of milk. This strong brew is a staple in many households, creating a distinctly different experience from the more delicate, milky, and subtle teas enjoyed down South.
Greeting Strangers on the Street
Anyone Southerner who has visited up North will know that friendly greetings to strangers on the street are common, something they will generally be uncomfortable with. This is because Southerners are generally used to a more reserved demeanor, therefore finding this openness surprising, especially when making small talk with complete strangers.
Holding Doors Open for Extended Periods
People often think that the South is very polite, but in reality, the North is polite, especially when it comes to holding doors. Southerners are often baffled by their custom to hold doors open for others in excess, even if it means waiting longer than expected. This gesture of politeness can seem overly accommodating to Southerners, who won’t be accustomed to such extended courtesies, especially if they’re from London.
Love for Gravy on Everything
Enter a fish and chip shop up North, and you’ll quickly see how gravy is a beloved condiment, often accompanying a variety of dishes, especially chips and pies. Southerners might find this habit unusual, as their culinary preferences tend to use gravy more sparingly, usually with a roast dinner.
Passion for Local Pubs
Local pubs serve as central social hubs in both Southern and Northern communities, but the North is particularly passionate about this. They have a very strong pub culture, with regular visits and a sense of community being the norm, which is quite different from the more transient and quiet pub-going habits seen in the South.
Using the Word “Dinner” for Lunch
Another Northern habit that Southerners find odd is how Northerners often refer to lunch as “dinner” and dinner as “tea.” This reversal in basic terminology can be confusing for Southerners, who are used to a more straightforward naming convention for their meals. So, always remember that if a Northerner invites you for tea, you should bring your appetite.
Wearing Shorts in Cold Weather
It’s very common to see Northerners wearing shorts even in chilly weather, something that is completely baffling to what Northerners would call “Soft Southerners.” This habit reflects a certain hardiness and resistance to cold that is less common in the milder southern climate, who will no doubt be wearing their long johns.
Eating Chips with Curry Sauce
While gravy is certainly the top pick for a condiment up North, curry sauce comes as a close second, especially as an accompaniment for chips. While Southerners certainly love curry, they tend to find this combination odd, as they are more accustomed to traditional condiments with their chips, like ketchup or vinegar.
Strong Regional Accents
The whole of the UK has an enormous variety of regional accents, but Northern accents are generally more pronounced and vary significantly from one area to another. Southerners often find these strong regional accents difficult to understand, adding a layer of complexity to communication, especially when they seemingly change every 20 miles.
Using the Word “Love” as a Term of Endearment
Don’t be surprised if you’re a Southerner and get addressed by people as “love” when you’re up North. This is a totally normal term of endearment that is used frequently, even with strangers, and can seem overly familiar to those from the South. However, they’re just trying to be friendly, so have no fear.
Having a Sunday Roast in the Middle of the Day
Down South, most people typically enjoy their Sunday Roast in the late afternoon or evening, but that’s not how they do things up North. Instead, they typically eat their Sunday Roast in the daytime, often resulting in just a small snack being needed for tea, which is always confusing to Southerners.
Strong Community Spirit
Northern communities often exhibit a strong sense of togetherness and support, where neighbors know and help each other, which is truly beautiful. Sadly, this can be a contrast to the more individualistic lifestyle often found in the South; we think this is certainly something that Southerners should be working on improving.
Celebrating Bonfire Night with Great Enthusiasm
Every Brit loves Bonfire Night, but up North, it’s celebrated with an intensity not found down south. Southerners might be surprised by the scale and enthusiasm of these celebrations, which include significantly larger bonfires, fireworks, and community gatherings.
Calling Everyone “Mate”
Southerners often think that they use the word “mate” a lot, but this is nothing in comparison to the Northerners. In fact, their casual use of “mate” to address others is so extensive that even Southerners might find it overbearing, especially in more formal situations.
Taking Pride in Local Football Teams
There’s no denying that all regions of the UK love football equally, but support for local football teams is definitely higher in northern England and in Scotland. Southerners might find the level of passion and local rivalry surrounding these teams to be unusually energetic compared to their own sporting loyalties, although they’ll no doubt join in after a while.
Preference for Pie and Peas
One of the most beloved Northern meals in the UK is pie and peas, often served with, you guessed it, gravy. Despite loving all of this stuff, it’s a meal that you just don’t seem to find down South as much; they’re much more likely to have bangers, mash, and peas instead.
Strong Love for Fish and Chips
While fish and chips are popular throughout the whole of the UK, the North has a particular affection for this classic dish. The prominence of fish and chip shops and the specific ways it should be enjoyed can seem unique to those from the South, but once they finally embrace gravy as a condiment, they’ll understand.
Having a “Brew” Means a Cup of Tea
One of the most iconic differences that Southerners find amusing about the North is how, when they’re offering you a cup of tea, they ask if you want a “brew.” This slang can be confusing for Southerners, or even more so, tourists, who might associate the term more with beer, coffee, or other beverages.