Asian here not sure where to ask.

I’ve noticed something interesting while interacting with people in hobby groups from different countries, and I’m curious whether others have noticed this too.

A lot of British people and other Europeans seem start conversation with a greeting, have the conversation, then finish with a sign-off. It is very noticeable on Facebook replies and comments too especially if the poster is middle age or older.

For example, Germans might write “Hallo” at the beginning and “Viele Grüße” or “Gruß” at the end. British people often use “Hi” and “Cheers.” And this seems to happen not just in formal emails, but also in casual messages, social media comments, replies and sometimes even when people are already in an ongoing conversation.

I’ve found this especially noticeable compared with many Americans, who sometimes seem more comfortable jumping straight into the point without a greeting or sign-off.

I attended a concert last night in Edinburgh and the whole vibe was weird for me.

It was a jazz concert and normally when a band member riffs, you clap and cheer afterwards to acknowledge their talent. Instead it was silence. The artist was trying to interact with the crowd by getting them to sing and only a few joined in. So on the 2nd half, me and the person next to me started clapping and singing too. This got others around us doing the same.

Then after the concert was over, I started saying encore and instead everyone started standing up.

This was a broadway/jazz artist from the US (so am I) and so the above is normally what happens there and the ones (especially jazz) that I have attended in France and Mexico. I will add, I attended a Broadway show here and I completely understand that culture, as it is the same in the US. This is my first time attending a concert here and I just want to know the proper etiquette here for future shows, especially when an artist is inviting the crowd to participate.

Thanks in advance!

I'm 18 and doing driving lessons, and my test is in March. It's a 5-6 month wait for a test ( at least that's the wait time where I am), which is pretty universal for the whole country, unfortunately.

I was venting saying how much more pressure it puts on me to pass because it means a 6 month wait for another test, not to mention my theory could expire. I said she was lucky doing it in 2018 when the wait was 1 month max.

She then started ranting and said:

" You're 18 learning to drive! When I did my test I was in my 30s and had 3 fucking kids to look after you have zero pressure on you at all you're 18 and have no responsibilities I had children to look after! That's pressure."

I responded, saying

" doesn't change the fact that if I fail, I'll have to wait another 6 months. At least you could get another test in a month or less."

She blew up on me and started getting really angry, and I just walked off.

I understand she's going through menopause but I think this was a complete overreaction, and I don't see why this was appropriate to comment on how worse she had it.

Are anyone else's parents like this?

Im from Estonia, im 18 and I want to work for some time abroad in a farm, who do I contact? Should I just travel somewhere UK or Wales and make contacts/friends?

Maybe you're neurodivergent, maybe you just have particular tastes when it comes to eating utensils, but you know who you are and you know the problem I'm having.

I just can't find good forks anywhere. The trend just now seems to be for chunky/weighty forks, with wider tines, often with separate handles instead of just one single piece of metal, or in weird colours (I like weird colours, just not for cutlery).

I like a slender fork, petite, narrower tines, where it's just one solid piece of metal (because the ones with a different material handle gross me out because all I can think about is what sort of grime could get trapped in the joins).

I'm down to my last one that I "accidentally" pinched from an old property I used to rent so I have no idea where they came from originally, but I can't seem to find any that are pleasing. I have other forks of course, but it just means that there's always a hunt for "the good one" before dinner.

People seemed to be obsessed with Costco and seem to think it's some sort of great cheap shop. A lot of the things they have are similarly priced to the standard supermarkets and they don't really have anything different or great. What's the big deal about it?

I am currently in central Europe (Czechia) and have visited two different spas in the last week one of which was today, both of which do not allow swimwear at all. In the past I've visited similar nude spas in European countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, and Poland.

The first time was a bit daunting but I can honestly say that I now much prefer these spa experiences to the ones back home. There is something about nude spas that means it is treated much more like a bathing ritual. The whole process feels cleaner and frankly more purposeful, like it's being treated with more respect. It also really makes you notice the difference between feeling the hot sauna air directly on your skin and not traipsing around in wet swimwear.

People are respectful, there's no weird staring or unwanted behaviour, you can just go about your business despite the fact that you're naked. There's people of all ages and genders too and it's not in any way associated with naturism, people wear a towel if they want when wandering around outside the sauna or pools.

In the UK it seems the default is to tag a sauna and steam room onto a pool and call it a spa, or you're looking at extortionately expensive spa weekends to get into somewhere decent.

You can spend £20-£40 to get into a really nice little spa that has no pool but a few of saunas/steam rooms, plunge pools/snow showers, and a hot tub/hydrotherapy pool of some description with the option to order a massage or get some food.

I'd rather fly to Europe for a spa break than go anywhere in the UK.

So, if the UK had a good quality little spa with a European culture of no swimwear, would you go?

I have lived in the same house share for 4 years in London, and one of the guys is moving out so we're interviewing new people. The other housemates are being too keen on someone that they have common interests with and would become a friend, and making digs at me for 'not being around much' when I work a lot and like my private space/time when I'm at home. I have said I just want someone sane and who can pay the bills on time. They're now considering contacting the landlord to hold off 1/4 of the rent next month until we find someone suitable.

I get on with the housemates, but I have no interest in being their best mate and spending all my free time together. I'll have small talk in the kitchen and go to the pub when the offer comes up, but I don't put myself out by setting night out up. My main passion is my work (the reason I moved to London) and as a result all my friends here are in my bubble.

I just want to know, is there an expectation that house shares are supposed to be really sociable? Or am I okay with just living here because it's all I can afford in the city? The small comments are starting to bother me and I can tell they are talking about me when I'm not around.

Just trying to get an idea of how much you are expected to give a child these days, in this economy.

After an argument at dinner yesterday, i hoped the internet could help me settle this once and for all. i’m a firm believer you keep the skin-on and should keep the skin on, however my mother cut the skin off the breast pieces, is this as much as a cardinal sin as i believe it to be?

I woul love to know what you would choose!?

Its not easy thats for sure!

Hello!

I'm currently in uni and despite having student finance I need to find a way to make more money and I'm having a nightmare. Job market's dry, I've chose an industry in which money is made by luck (music) and my online music services haven't been seen nor requested despite strenuous promotion

I need to get enough together to at least rent a studio flat with my girlfriend as she's in a refuge (domestic violence family case) and they've messed up her funding and might end up fully homeless soon, she can't go into work because she was automatically popped on UC. And although she's looking for work now, she's having an absolute nightmare just like me

I've tried everything, gardening, online music services, vigorous job hunting and so much more and I can't seem to find a single way to bring in a few quid.

I don't want to lean into benefits, I'm hard working and it just wouldnt feel right to get money for nothing

Thanks in advance 👍

I just went to the GP for an emergency appointment after a 111 call yesterday and at the end she turned a screen around mentioned using AI and I saw the software summarise the consultation. She edited it for accuracy and that was that. I've heard this was coming but I can't believe I wasn't asked for consent to record. And didn't expect to be confronted with it like that.

Has anyone else had this happen? I don't like it one bit. No advanced notice or anything. My main thing here is consent. I wasn't asked and feel like I should have been. I think it's something I should be able to opt out of.

I hate how AI is seeping into every area of our lives and I appreciate that this tool makes it easier for their records and note taking. I know time and efficiency is important but I don't think it should trump my desire to not have my voice recorded. I know GPs do a lot for us, I really appreciate the NHS and don't take it for granted but this just makes me feel uncomfortable.

Is it asking to much to want to have the ability to opt out of, or am I being unreasonable?

It normally gets black alot earlier than this. Is it because of the storm? If so how? What is scientifically y causing this vibrant midnighy blueness? It isnt light pollution

I recently watched clayface in Cineworld but there was not enough leg room so what would you guys recommend?

Everything is stupid. BBC Breakfast? Dog doo doo. Traitors? You mean amongus. Peaky blinders? It came out last decade.

Are people seriously watching the Shrek movies on loop? Why would anyone pay for any of this omg and who is watching the itv Christmas TV collection before it's even Halloween???

It doesn't automatically have to be something that your parents, religion or society has instilled in you, but if it is then that's absolutely fine, I'm just trying to get a take on people's honest opinions without judgement 🙂

i’ve worked in nurseries for years and my hair has never been a problem. i like to express myself through my hair and i’ve had hair colours all across the spectrum, from blue to purple to red

i’ve been attempting to branch out and apply to schools instead and i had an interview as a TA. at the end of the interview they told me that the job was mine if i was willing to change my hair colour to something more natural. it’s not fully dyed, it’s just got pink strands in it

they went on to say that it would upset children and parents alike and that it reflected badly on the school. i was a bit surprised because at my last nursery i had wonderful relationships with the parents. i babysat for quite a few of them and my hair was never an issue. the kids loved it too and called me a mermaid

i mentioned this and they told me that nurseries were less professional than schools and they didn’t want to risk any complaints. at that point i was done and told them i didn’t want the job and walked out

i genuinely never thought i’d be met with such hostility over a bit of hair dye. so parents, would you be upset if your child’s teacher had an unnatural hair colour? it’s a good thing i wore long sleeves to hide my tattoos lol

For the past 6/7 years I have used Mealime but it has just closed. It was perfect for what I needed. I select however many meals and it creates a list of ingredients. The recipes were added to each month and it had quite a large library. You could favourite the regular recipes into a custom list. It wasn't linked to any specific supermarkets and was generally just really easy to use!

I've just looked at Cherrypick but it seems to be forcing you to Sainsburys, added a simple recipe and the list was 10p of onions at £0.95/kg, guess you have to do your own maths to work out how many you need! Was similar for nearly every ingredient. £0.89 of green pesto at £4.68/kg... I switched it to Tesco but it omitted almost every ingredient and said the experience was better with Sainsburys.

So, Is there anything thats fits the bill? Anyone else use Mealime and are now switching to something else?

Those who are due in the office tomorrow but can WFH, will you be going in?

Hi everyone, I have been working as a residential support worker in a children's home for the last 3 months (probation period is 6 months).My employment contract says notice period is 4 weeks and does not specify anything about notice periods during probation. I love the job and the team members are amazing. I want to quit because of serious concerns about my safety. A young person I support has repeatedly targeted me and has been physically aggressive (hitting me with metal rods, trying to stab me with pens, punching me in the chest while threatening to kill me) and racially abusive to me. I don't feel safe working in this environment anymore. Is there anyway I can quit without having to serve a 4 week notice period? I'm scared that I might get seriously injured if I continue working here any longer so looking to quit ASAP. How do I leave on good terms? I feel like management is going to say I'm over exaggerating things and be disappointed in me. When things are calm this job is amazing but when incidents happen my coworkers do try to protect me but at the end of the day I'm leaving my shifts with multiple bruises that are all about 2-3 inches big.

Please I am really struggling any advice is helpful. Thank you!

Have you ever been in a physical fight like fist fight and if so what was the outcome did you win, did you lose, were there multiple people involved, were there weapons involved and what was the reason for the fight in the first place?

i'm talking like the kind of thing most people learn as kids and just... never struggle with again. for me it's peeling garlic without absolutely destroying it. i always end up with half the clove stuck under my fingernail and i genuinely don't know what i'm doing wrong. what's yours?

I saw an Instagram post today talking about how stock photos that photographers have taken of taxis/buses driving down Oxford Street will be made worthless.

To be honest, I didn't think about the small effects. Are there any others positive or negative that people don't consider? I'm curious!

Was listening to old XFM with Ricky Gervais, Steve Merchant and Karl Pilkington. Karl uses the word 'grid' in a sentence and is corrected by Ricky, 'he means grate'.

I live in NW England and have always called it a grid (or drain), eg 'I dropped my keys down the grid' - I think most people would gather what was meant by that sentence even if they didn't call it a grid themselves.

Any other offerings? Is it region specific?