An American woman currently house-hunting in the UK has revealed three aspects of British homes that have left her feeling baffled. Ashley Jackson, 42, relocated from Texas to Manchester in 2022 and is now searching for a property with her husband. She says she is 'learning as they go' but struggles to understand certain peculiarities of English homes.
Fireplaces and Mantelpieces
Ashley was puzzled by fireplaces and mantelpieces, explaining that in every property she has viewed, she is eager to establish whether it is a 'real fireplace' and whether it is an 'original' feature of the house. She asked: 'Why is it so far out, if so? If not, is there a real fireplace back there? Why cover it up? And how easy can I remove it?' Naturally, when viewing a property, buyers can ask estate agents about the fireplace's originality.
Boxed-in Structures
Another element that left Ashley baffled is the 'strange boxed-in structure upstairs,' which likely conceals the staircase. 'What the heck do people do with this space with the box?' she questioned, given limited storage options. She found it difficult to imagine how to make it aesthetically pleasing.
Dishwasher Issues
Her greatest culture shock occurred in the kitchen upon learning that many UK properties lack dishwashers. She declared she did not 'want to hand-wash all the dishes,' and neither does her husband. She fumed: 'I'm in my 40s, I'm not adjusting on this. The seller's estate agent said it wouldn't be a problem to have the plumbing moved around and have it installed. Any truth or tips on this?'
In the comments section, Brits quickly stepped in to clarify the peculiarities. One user wrote: 'You can definitely move things around in the kitchen to accommodate a dishwasher. It should be relatively simple to do – ask a plumber for advice. There's probably a fire or a back boiler behind that faux fireplace, rip it out and see. The 'box' is hiding the head of the staircase, so is wasted space really, but you can pretty it up with cushions to make a reading nook or make it functional with storage.'
Another commenter advised her to 'get used to doing the dishes manually,' emphasising that she is 'in England,' where it is normal to pull on rubber gloves and tackle the washing-up. One commenter insisted: 'A dishwasher is essential! I'm English, 70 and have had a dishwasher for at least 45 years.' A fellow Brit confessed that hand-washing dishes turns their stomach, citing the unpleasant 'greasy water' involved.
