An American man who relocated to the United Kingdom with his family has confessed that he was unprepared for a particular aspect of British culture that he describes as 'brutal'. Zach Lincoln shared his experience in a TikTok video, explaining that the British tendency to engage in playful teasing and use strong language was a significant shock.
The Culture Shock
Zach Lincoln, who moved from the United States to the UK, said that one major culture shock for Americans is the way friends and family members interact. 'Friends and family members take the p*** out of each other,' he explained, noting that this involves harassment, mockery, and jokes in a playful manner. He admitted that he was initially 'too emotionally fragile' to handle it.
Lincoln elaborated that the British 'dry sense of humour' often sounds brutal and includes multiple four-letter words that are considered off-limits in American society. 'Sometimes it sounds pretty brutal,' he declared. 'They also use multiple four-letter words that are completely off limits in our society! So again, the first few times you hear these, you're like, 'You can't say that!' But they do!'
British Reactions
Commenters on TikTok responded to Lincoln's video, with one Brit quipping, 'It’s true - and the more you like someone the more mean!' Another added, 'If we are nice and friendly to each other it means we are not sure and not friends.' A third informed him that 'over complimenting someone and being over smiley is seen as being fake here, not everyone who smiles is your friend.' A fourth user noted, 'My family are absolutely ruthless but it’s character development and banter.'
Another Surprise
In a separate video, Lincoln revealed another aspect of British culture that his brain 'simply cannot process'—the practice of putting butter on sandwiches. He explained that after posting a picture of a turkey sandwich for his daughter, someone asked what kind of butter he used. Confused, he replied that he only used turkey, mayonnaise, and possibly cheese. The ensuing discussion revealed that many Brits add butter to their sandwiches, a concept Lincoln found shocking. 'I have not been the same since finding that information out. I've never done it and I'm not sure I am capable of it,' he said.
