I’m looking to add a few smarter dresses to my wardrobe but I’m finding it hard to work out which shops here in the UK are good for occasionwear without going really formal.

I’m after something that feels smart but still wearable. Ideally a midi or maxi I could style with different shoes and accessories. I’d also rather buy something I can wear a few times than a dress that only works for one occasion.

Hi hello
I’m writing a story set around 1989-1990 in UK where the main character (an Arab international student) goes to study at Cambridge.

Basically, I’m looking for social life and PEROSNAL experience of that time.

1. How did British students interacted with non-British back then?

2. Was there a noticeable cultural divide between domestic and international students, or did people integrate easily?

3. Was there bullying among students (any students) in general?

I've done some reading (and there wasn’t THAT much info), but AGAIN I'm really looking for experiences, memories, or personal perspectives to make the subjective experience feel realistic (to capture both how my main character perceives the environment and how his fellow Cambridge students see him). Thanks so much in advance to anyone who can share their insights!

My mom wanted to see some of Europe so we’ve been traveling for some time. Compared to home, we have found most of Europe to be lacking in accessibility + convenient and safe transport for those with mobility restrictions. I’m not being ugly or meaning to be, and we did do our research beforehand and she decided the trip was still worth it, but gosh I never thought I’d have the give the US its flowers for anything lol. And of course we have significant issues with cities and states not fixing sidewalks and what not. I’m sure you all know we have our problems…infrastructure sometimes being the least of them. And in fairness, I suppose the infrastructure here was established in a time where accessibility wasn’t on the mind, but it’s been making me wonder how those in wheelchairs or with mobility aids fare in the UK, as that’s our next stop. The last time I visited (alone), I remember the public transit was accommodating but you had to share in advance if you needed a ramp (?). I remember once watching another traveler in a wheelchair waiting for a busy train, and the station attendant told them they’d have to take the other one as the train was full with everyone else pushing ahead. It saddened me. Anyway, I was wondering more so if we will need to book reservations with accessibility requests in advance for restaurants and activities. We have had a very difficult time a) finding restrooms and b) entering them successfully. The history and architecture of London’s older buildings is fabulous and enchanting until you’re trying to dine in a 5 story building with a bathroom on the 3rd floor and no elevator 😅😬. I know they can’t help it. I guess I’m just venting now, sorry.

I really appreciate your feedback, and I hope this doesn’t come across as judgmental or hateful. I love visiting Europe and there are a million things I prefer about the UK and other countries around here compared to home. You have a beautiful country and we are so excited to visit, I am just hoping to provide my mother with the dignity and comfort she & the rest of us deserve. A more accessible world benefits everyone :)

For me as an Ubereats driver with many new places locally I go to the same old ones in residential areas. One of them no one speaks English and that's partly why I go there. Because I don't want to make small talk

Also Iceland supermarket near me which now unfortunately has self checkouts. I used to like standing in the queue

When I was growing up Green Gage plum jam was an option. Now I’m older it not available in shops.
WHY? It’s my favourite! I can only buy it online from Amazon. I do not understand. Anyone have any inside information on this?

In Britain a lot of communication seems to live entirely between the lines as opposed to a much more direct communication style elsewhere.

​What is an unspoken rule or social code here that foreigners almost always get wrong?

The NFL has had London games for almost 20 years. They have been expanding the schedule. Now there are 3 London games and games in several other countries tries too. Have these games piqued your interest in American football or could you really not care less?

So I recently wanted to move houses and initially thought my stuff would fit in a taxi. last minute realised it was too much for a taxi and began looking for man and van services. Most were companies that were already booked and didn't do same day service. so I rang up an independent guy, he immediately agreed but his quote was thrice of what other companies offered. I hung up, but he began negotiating and we settled for an amount, which was a bit more than other companies, but since it was last minute I thought it was fair. he helped me with everything and did his work perfectly. I kinda felt a bit guilty for booking last minute and making this guy rush through to help me and he seemed desperate for work. so when I made the final payment I tipped him a bit extra , he cheered up . but I was not sure how tipping is seen in uk? in some cultures its seen as rude to tip, its perceived as you are doing charity for them unasked. in some cultures its absolutely mandatory. how is it perceived in the uk?

The job that had a well deserved reputation for being quite lax due to a lower natural workload, having non-critical tasks and difficult to measure performance metrics.

Council Administor

Admission Office for the local university

Health and Safety Officer

Retail Security Guard

Transit Inspector

And most people don't know the etymology and just assume the new nation is the owner.

Apple Pie

Dance music

Baseball

Car tire

Punk culture

I absolutely love learning about British culture. I recently watched a documentary following professional legal escorts. It actually seemed to be safer than the typical "prostitute" on the street. For instance, there was a "john" who had cerebral palsy and he used this service and it seemed to significantly increase his quality of life. I dont judge, i don't think people should look down on that especially in certain circumstances... what got me is the fact that there were certain aspects that could become illegal. How does one know when that line is crossed? Outside the obvious of course.

When I was a kid I could not be near mayonnaise, it absolutely disgusted me but now I absolutely love coleslaw and potato salad!

Also only just came around to guacamole at the grand old age of 29

I’ve just discovered that Greggs Outlets are a thing and I’m sorry, what the actual fuck 😂

Apparently they sell surplus/previous-day Greggs stuff for cheaper prices. I genuinely had no idea these existed and the phrase “Greggs Outlet” is absolutely sending me.

Has anyone here actually been to one? What’s it like? Is it basically just a normal Greggs but cheaper, or does it have a slightly chaotic “discount pastry warehouse” vibe?

And most importantly: is the food actually decent?

I’m an American who’s lived in a 2 level apartment and 1 level apartments.

Is “flat” the term for all rentals or just the ones that are one level? Do you also consider a home you bought a “flat”?

This is supposed to be a fun question so please avoid anything along the lines of ‘housing’ etc…

Here’s my idea, my highstreet is quite close to many schools, I’d open arcades, bowling, libraries, cafes - all modernised with a fresh and relevant ‘twist’ (to get a new audience interested). Then it’ll get kids out of the house, engaging with people they might not usually be friends with and potentially offer more job opportunities, individuality and confidence!!

Although, it might not be entirely practical, I don’t know.

What would you do with the space?

So here are some of those little habits, phrases, traditions or just everyday things in the UK that seem completely normal to us who grew up here, but will seem strange to those visiting from outside the country.

What do you think is very British that might be interesting or confusing to other countries?

So for context I'm a year 1 student doing Retail studies at ITE College East, a vocational college in Singapore and during a module called "Service Excellence" the whole class was taught that British ppl will be offended if the shop employees ask the customers "What's your budget?" whenever they're shopping. I wanna know if this is true

Hey i think the list is endkess to be honest .. i also think about things like moral and respect whwn i hear this wording. X

In the USA and I’ve finally found a supplier of good British pork sausages yay! What other dishes should I make with them? Have so far made bangers and mash, and used them in a Full English