New Zealand Expat Details Four Major UK Culture Shocks After Two-Year Relocation
Having relocated from New Zealand to London two years ago, I have embraced life in one of the world's most vibrant and multicultural cities. While the United Kingdom offers tremendous advantages and opportunities, the transition has unveiled several cultural surprises that continue to astonish me, even after twenty-four months of residence.
Overwhelming Plastic Waste in Supermarkets
The first major shock upon settling into my new British existence was the sheer volume of plastic waste encountered during supermarket shopping trips. In New Zealand, where food shopping can be prohibitively expensive compared to the more affordable UK grocery hauls, single-use plastic is far less prevalent. New Zealand banned single-use plastic bags as early as 2019, making reusable bags a standard practice for all shoppers.
In England, however, single-use plastic bags remain ubiquitous, and virtually every fruit or vegetable item arrives encased in plastic packaging. Convenience appears paramount here, with pre-prepared vegetables widely available across all major supermarket chains. Even when attempting to avoid plastic, consumers often have no alternative but to select produce packaged in it. Items like potatoes, mushrooms, tomatoes, and onions typically come in damp little bags destined for immediate disposal. This plastic proliferation was a revelation upon my arrival and continues to astound me daily.
Ubiquitous Gambling Advertisements
The second culture shock involves the omnipresence of gambling advertisements throughout British society. From film trailers and television commercials to underground stations and billboards, gambling promotions appear wherever possible. I remain utterly flabbergasted that such potentially harmful activities are permitted to be advertised so freely and extensively.
In my London neighborhood, betting shops are commonplace, accompanied by a saturation of related advertisements. There appears to be a troubling correlation between the abundance of these establishments and areas of lower socioeconomic status, creating an exploitative dynamic. Contrastingly, affluent areas like Notting Hill demonstrate nowhere near the same level of gambling advertisement saturation, a disparity I find deeply unsettling.
According to a parliamentary submission from May 2025, the Department of Health and Social Care has called on the government to limit gambling advertising across the UK. However, current government plans appear minimal. A Labour spokesperson stated that while the government recognizes more work is needed to prevent harmful gambling, there are no immediate plans to legislate advertising restrictions.
Pubs Serving Alcohol Without Food Requirements
The third aspect of UK life that left me gobsmacked involves licensing regulations for pubs and bars. In New Zealand, liquor licenses stipulate that establishments must provide non-alcoholic alternatives, complimentary water, and substantial food options when serving alcohol. Simply offering a bowl of chips does not suffice—a proper menu must be available whenever alcohol is served to patrons.
My first encounter with a British bar completely devoid of a food menu felt like stepping into a parallel universe where such rules didn't exist. Personally, I support the concept that venues serving drinks should also offer food options, largely because I'm perpetually hungry, but also because it promotes responsible drinking practices.
Public Transport Efficiency With Significant Drawbacks
The final culture shock relates to public transportation systems. UK public transport is light years ahead of anything available in New Zealand, with buses generally running like clockwork and train networks capable of transporting passengers not only across the country but even internationally. This level of efficiency is practically unheard of back home.
However, there's a significant flip side to this efficiency. I continue struggling to comprehend how paying approximately £60 for a train journey doesn't guarantee a seat. Last summer, I boarded a standard-fare train from Bristol to London only to discover the entire carriage overflowing with passengers, forcing me to stand for the entire ninety-minute journey.
To compound matters, the passenger standing beside me was evidently developing a cold and sneezed on me repeatedly throughout the journey home, resulting in my own subsequent illness. While the UK's public transport system offers remarkable connectivity, these practical drawbacks present genuine challenges for regular commuters.
Overall, my existence in the United Kingdom remains wonderful and fulfilling. That doesn't mean it's free from quirks and peculiarities—there's certainly scope for enhancement in various areas—but I wouldn't alter my decision to relocate here for anything in the world.
