Wise x Joe Thomas’ guide to the ultimate stag or hen do
Thinking of combining your pre-nuptial celebrations in a sten do? Read expert tips from Wise and Inbetweeners' actor Joe Thomas on a united stag and hen do.
How to adjust to life as a Brit abroad
More and more Brits are taking the plunge and moving abroad, with 400,000 leaving each year.
With over 5.5 million Brits now abroad, how do they adjust to life in their new countries?
We got together a group of our team and customers to talk through their biggest surprises when they decided to leave the UK.
From queuing, to finding a decent roast dinner, this is what you can expect when you move abroad as a Brit:
Missing the rain
So you made the move to the sunshine? Dreamy.
But then one day, as you sip Sangria by the pool something odd happens. You start to miss home.
While Britain might be the home of drizzle, you'll still miss it, no matter how much you love your adopted home.
Luckily the budget airlines have got you covered and a trip home shouldn't cost the world.
Finding British Cuisine
From Cumberland sausages to your mum’s home cooked roast dinner; it’s a challenge for us.
Whilst we may not be the gastronomical leaders of world cuisine we like our food to taste like ‘ome.
But then, it somehow doesn't seem right to eat bangers and mash while you lounge by the pool. Or does it?
Queuing
The Brits have a queue for everything, and trust me we are good at it.
We understand that when we want something, from a coffee to fairground rides, we form orderly queues and wait our turn. Anybody who steps out of line (no pun intended!) or pushes their way to the front will be scowled at and will notice the tuts and murmurs of “how rude”.
Needless to say when we Brits move abroad we soon find that to wait in the queue will be a long wait to get anything done. It’s time to begin the gladiatorial quest of getting to be seen without upsetting others along the way to the front!
Learning local languages
Possibly top challenge that many Brits have when moving abroad.
And it’s not that we don’t want to try. Many of us moved abroad to study, work or live with a loved one. Usually the language spoken at home is still English, providing us limited opportunities to practice our new language skills.
If you want some help, check out these apps for learning a new language.
Chatting about the weather, sport et al
Yes, it’s true. Us Brits do love a chat about the weather.
For us discussing how are we are going to get from A to B without getting wet and cold is essential. Not to forget when it’s hot, how are we going to celebrate some warmth!?
If you're living overseas you may find that the locals don't share your passion for the weather - and that's probably because the weather is predictable. Unlike Britain.
The same with football. Learn to accept the locals will know little about your local teams (Hull, Accrington Stanley, Burnley etc.) and wont get why you don’t support Manchester United or Chelsea.
Finding a decent pub
Pub culture could be construed as British culture.
It’s where us Brits go for a pint and discuss everything mentioned in this article. Often shabby, always familiar decor, and the the heart of the community - British pubs are an institution. Come to terms with the loss of your local by scouting out a decent pub in your new home. Irish bars are a good place to start... (And they're everywhere).
Also, a pint is rarely a pint outside of the UK. Terrible.
Banking
Opening a new bank account can be difficult no matter what country you emigrate to.
Often you can't open a bank account with our a local address. And you can't get a place to live in without a local bank account. It's a Catch 22, but take a look at our Travel tips section for more on opening bank accounts overseas.
Sending or receiving money from home
The banks can have high fees for sending money.
If you need to transfer or receive money from abroad, Wise could be a cheaper alternative to using your bank.
Download it for Android or iOS and start saving!
Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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