So many elements make up a country’s culture, so what exactly is the culture of England? More specifically, what about London?

Of course, we might first think of tea, fish and chips, and dry humor. Although I would never turn down a lovely afternoon tea, that’s just scratching the surface.

To start, London is a city so incredibly rich in history. You can sense the deep-rooted heritage and tradition that exists within this city and this country– something so defining about the culture. This past weekend, I was able to explore one of the historical sites often most associated with London’s complex past: the Tower of London. Once a fortress, a palace, a prison, and a torture chamber, now a tourist attraction and the home of the Royal Crown jewels, the Tower of London exemplifies the profound appreciation for heritage that is so steeped in the English way of life. The Brits carry an immense sense of honor and duty in their traditions. I witnessed this during my tour of the Tower guided by a Yeoman Warder who was bursting with pride as they led us through the historic place, sharing details of the significance of what we saw.

English history is still somewhat surface level culture– it doesn’t take living here to gather that history is important to the Brits. There also exists deep culture, something that cannot be learned unless you live it first-hand. One aspect of deep culture that surprised me was how indirect the English are. They tend to use very vague or roundabout ways to ask for something or say what they mean. My boss, for example, is never entirely straightforward about what he is looking for from me. Although it is a challenge to not be sure what direction to go in for a task, it also allows for creative freedom to solve the problem however I see fit. Despite being rather indirect in conversation, they are very direct when it comes to commuting or walking from one place to another. People tend to keep their heads down and walk in their own worlds– you won’t catch them smiling at strangers or even saying “excuse me” or “bless you” to those around them.

The key to assimilating into another culture is observing. I always try to take a mental note of the behavior I see around me to get a better understanding of what to avoid doing and what I should perhaps continue to do. One major remark I have made to immediately spot the tourist is volume. Tourists tend to be very loud and often seemingly completely unaware of it, yet I can see in people’s faces that it irks them. Keeping an eye out to spot subtle social cues from locals is essential to better understanding the culture, and therefore better integrating into it.

Every interaction I have here plays a part in shaping my perception of the culture. In turn, because of the amount of time I am spending in the city surrounded by locals, it is only natural for me to also be shaped by the culture. In many ways, it is an extremely positive change. Taking the time to observe my environment helps me to increase my cultural sensitivity and awareness of others. Increasing my cultural intelligence can help me adapt better to my circumstances, which in turn helps develop me personally, socially, and professionally.

I still have a lot to learn from the Brits and I know in six weeks I am still only grasping the surface level elements of culture. I can’t wait to discover more!

And yes, I have grown quite fond of dry British humor and they are actually funny.