| Work UK
Living and Working in the UK
Arriving in your new UK community, it’s probably wise
to first listen and learn from those around you - your new employer
and workmates. They’ll be able to point you in the right
direction for such basics as where to get a great coffee, buy
personal items and find an ATM. But the more research you do
before you leave, the better off you’ll be in terms of
organizing your new life, once you get there.
Links
There are some great websites around which offer tips for working
and living in the UK.
Language
Just because the UK is an English speaking part of the world
- and you speak English - don’t expect that the language,
or you, will be instantly understood! You’ll need
to listen carefully and learn local accents and nuances and
even different word meanings. Check this site out for a few
examples.
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/vocabulary/australian_british_english.htm
And to help you learn more about work jargon in the UK, here’s
another good web page: http://www.worksmart.org.uk/jargonbuster/
Money and Budget
Want to open a bank account? Those who have
been before you report that it’s really difficult once
you’re there.
So, it’s best to open a UK account before you leave home.
Ask your bank if they have and branches or
affiliates in the UK, or try your local HSBC
branch as HSBC has offices in the UK. London
is an expensive city and the surrounding
parts are not much less so. So to make your
pay work for you you’ll
need to budget carefully to allow for trips
and outings.
Driving
You can use your Australian/New Zealand license
in the UK for 1 year. After that, you need
to apply for a UK license. If you take a
trip to another country, while based in the
UK, you’ll need
an International Drivers’ License. So have a chat with
the NRMA or RACV, or AA New Zealand (for
example) before you depart.
Health
It’s a good idea to find yourself a local GP as soon
as you arrive, before you need one. Try http://www.nhs.uk.
Once you’ve identified a local doctor, find out when the
surgery or clinic is open and what to do if
you need help outside of those hours. Familiarise
yourself with local hospitals and health care clinics – just
in case. 999 is the number to call in an emergency.
Safety
Just as you would at home, take precautions
and be aware of your surroundings in order
to avoid getting into sticky situations.
Just like Mum used to say, don’t get
into a stranger’s car. If travelling on public transport,
sit near other passengers. Use a taxi if
you’re in unfamiliar
territory and don’t feel confident. And never leave your
drink unattended. The UK is a pretty safe
place by world standards – but
accidents can happen anywhere especially
if you look like a newcomer with no idea!
So be sensible and take extra care
Manners
Don’t call Welsh, Scottish or Irish people "English"!
Give your British friends some personal space and don’t
be offended if they don’t initiate conversation. Start
with “safe” topics such as travel, family, weather,
music, pets and work. Try to avoid initiating social or small
talk with anything to do with someone’s weight, income,
jokes, gossip or religion. Remember that people from different
parts of the world have a different sense of humour. Listen,
learn and absorb before you start cracking jokes – and
it will help you to avoid being one!
Tipping
It’s usual, but not compulsory to tip in a café or
restaurant, a taxi, hairdresser or hotel. Just a pound or two
(or 10%) should do.
Religion
People in the UK are mainly Christian. However, they are free
to choose and follow their own religious beliefs. And many
do. There are Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Jewish communities plus
smaller groups of Baha'i, Buddhist, Jain and Zoroastrian people.
To find out more about where and when you can meet others of
your religious persuasion check out the message boards on http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion. Eating peas
To be very polite, you should eat peas by squashing them against the reverse
side of your fork.
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