An American father who relocated his family across the Atlantic has shared the one simple British habit that has profoundly surprised and delighted him since arriving in the UK.
The 'Wild' Difference in British Social Etiquette
Zach Lincoln, who documents his expat journey for his 23,300 Instagram followers, explained in a recent video how daily interactions in Britain starkly contrast with his experience back in the United States. He described a culture of unexpected warmth and openness that has left a lasting impression.
"I just realised that there's this British thing that we've been experiencing that has slowly been blowing my mind," Zach said in the clip filmed on January 1, 2026. "Honestly it's been extremely touching and I didn't realise how warm it was making me feel until someone pointed it out."
From Strangers to Compliments: A New Social Norm
Zach contrasted his old life, where people "aren't very sociable to strangers," with his new reality in the UK. He highlighted that not only do people talk to him, but they also offer frequent, genuine compliments.
He gave examples of the kind remarks he now regularly receives, from comments on his clothing like "Nice jumper" to praise for his parenting skills. One poignant instance involved a stranger who offered to take a family photo and then complimented him on his "beautiful family."
"It's happened like a dozen times since we've been here in the last two months," Zach revealed, noting that similar interactions were so rare in five years of parenting in the US he could "probably count on one hand."
A Nation's Response: 'It's Just Something We Do'
The post resonated widely, amassing over 13,400 likes and a flood of comments from Brits affirming the behaviour. One follower wrote, "I compliment people all the time without thinking about it! It's just something we do."
Another expat who moved from the US to Yorkshire echoed the sentiment, praising the incredible friendliness of the region. The discussion highlighted a collective appreciation for small acts of kindness, with one person stating, "be happy, make a stranger's day! You never know how much good one random act of kindness might do."
For Zach, the cumulative effect of these interactions has been significant. He summarised the feeling in his caption: "It’s wild how being seen – really seen – feels so different here." His experience underscores a subtle yet powerful cultural difference that can define the expatriate experience in Britain.
