First Trip Across the Pond - Any Advice? 3

[kat6787]

Hello Everybody,

Sorry if this is a re-post, I did a search but what I found was mainly about how to find jobs overseas. The job part I already have worked out, it’s the actual moving overseas that I am trying to figure out now. I will be leaving in about 6 weeks to work in my companies Aberdeen office for about a year (I’m currently in the Houston office), and I just wanted to see if anybody had in tips, tricks, hints, must-dos, must-haves (more in terms of clothing than anything else), favorite restaurants, etc. It will be my first trip overseas and more than anything I just don’t want to look like a complete idiot when I get there. Any advice is very much appreciated.

Cheers,
Kat

 

[Ussuri]

if you don't get a parking space with your flat and you have to pay for parking

It does depend where the flat is, if its right in the city centre, like mine then all the on street parking is paid. But as a resident you can get an exemption permit from the council. Its about £40 a year.

If the flat is a bit further out the on street parking might be free. However, there is a limit and finding a parking space can be a nightmare.

If you are in the suberbs areas, Dyce, Garthdee, Bridge of Don, or further afield you will have no bother getting a parkinng space.

 

[csd72]

Dont expect a large car.

A large car in the UK is considered a medium car in the US, A medium car in the UK is a small car in the US, and a small car in the UK doesnt really exist in the US.

There is a good reason for this. Roads are narrow, gas is expensive, and the smaller the car the more places you can park it!

csd

 

[plasgears]

Is this trip really necessary?

 

[kat6787]

Thanks for the advice on the car situation. I think I am going to take the car, even if I only use it once in a while.

plasgears,
Not really sure what you mean. But I am going as part of a young engineers exchange program with the company. This is the trial run to see how it works, and if it goes well the program will become a regular program within the company. Is it truly necessary? No, I don't have to go, but it is a great opportunity and I'm willing to put up with some hassles for the experience I will gain.

Cheers,
Kat

 

[csd72]

Kat,

Ignore the naysayers. It will be a bit of work but it is definately worth it. I am living in my third country (and my 4th city) since I started working 10 years ago.

You cannot understand another culture until you have lived there for a year or so. You may not want to leave!

Make sure you take full advantage of your time there.

csd

 

[epoisses]

Scotland is great.
Get a car, learn to drive on the left. Go places, explore the mountains, the whisky distilleries, take a picture of Nessie, hit the pub once a week...
Just one thing, the first time you try haggis, for gods sake have it in a good restaurant, never try canned haggis

"Is this trip really necessary?" heh heh... was Columbu's trip across the pond really necessary? :-D

 

[SomptingGuy]

"Get a car, learn to drive on the left."

Learn to drive a manual too if you can't already. Learning both at the same time in a strange car would be tricky.

 

[epoisses]

I guess it's easier to learn that from scratch than to learn it when you're used to a left-hand driven manual. Half of the time I open the window instead of shifting gears in the UK. :-D

 

[jistre]

Oh dear lord, are the pedals reversed as well? Learning to drive on the left side of the road would be rough. Learning to drive stick on the left side of the road would be worse. Hitting the gas when you want brake or clutch, well, that's just not fair.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Pedals have the same layout.

 

[sbozy25]

Kind of on topic.. but a bit off I suppose... How to Scottish people feel about Americans? I have had some bad experiences in Europe because I am an American.

 

[Pud]

sbozy25,

The Scots love Americans - usually grilled with a little mustard.......

Cheers


Harry

 

[ScottyUK]

Americans usually get a warm welcome over in the UK. The only reason I can think of why they wouldn't get a warm welcome is that they behave like the stereotyped loud, brash, dumb American, usually found alongside the equally stereotyped posh, stiff-upper-lip, frightfully respectable Englishman. Both exist; thankfully both are rare. Most of the American guys who I've worked with have been great, both at work and socially.


----------------------------------

Sometimes I only open my mouth to swap feet...

 

[kchayfie]

I agree with Scotty. And to add to that, American tourists are more likely to get a hard time than Americans living there and becoming part of the community. So you're not likely to have a problem. Adding in the fact that Aberdeen is already full of foreigners...

 

[KENAT]

Yeah, leave the loud hawian shirts, smart shorts and "God bless the USA" shirt/hat/pin etc. at home and you'll be fine.

Once you've been there a little while and start to adapt to the slight differences in culture you should be fine.

Oh yeah. Football in America is not football anywhere else, including Scotland.

Football in the rest of the world is of course Soccer in the US.

Closest thing to American Football are games like Rugby, Aussie rules, Gaelic football etc. The most important thing to note as that being far more rugged than American footballers the participants in these sports don’t wear helmets and shoulder pads etc.


KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[csd72]

As long as you take note of the cultural differences and dont expect it to be like the US then you will be accepted.

A few specific notes:

1. In the UK they will always form a line for anything (including fish and chips).
2. Brits are not as loud as Americans so try to make sure that you are not the loudest one in the room.
3. politeness is very important.
4. If someone flashes their lights at you on the road, it usually means that they are giving way to you.
5. Use your indicators always!

csd

 

[KENAT]

Ooh good one.

On multlane highways (dual carriage ways and motorways) keep to the left unless overtaking or getting over to let someone merge or the like.

It's not like in the US where the lanes are just a free for all. Everyone keeps left except as above.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[JAE]

This is interesting from a US point of view.

csd72, - all your five items are pretty common to me in the US except for 2 - there ARE loud Americans. Most people here respect lines - though there will be some always who try to cheat. 4 is different - here it usually means there is a speed trap ahead so beware.

KENAT - the unwritten rule in the US is to keep right if you are slower. Not all do it but many do.

 

[csd72]

JAE,
yes to a certain extent, but all these items are exagerated in the UK.

As per item 5. I have heard that Americans that use their indicators do exist but I usually dont see many of them on the roads.

csd

 

[KENAT]

JAE, I actually live in the US now, I know in theory slower traffic should keep right but it doesn't happen that often around here (central/southern CA).

In fact passengers used to get upset with me for always moving over after I'd passed someone.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...