Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 55 – Rules, Britannia Revisited – A Returned British Expat Reflects with Toni Hargis
In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, host Jonathan Thomas speaks with writer Tony Hargis about her experiences returning to Britain after living in the US for nearly three decades. They discuss her new column 'Brit Buzz', the changing climate in Britain, cultural differences between the UK and the US, and the evolution of language. The conversation also touches on customer service, grocery store culture, dining experiences, and the vibrant theater scene in London. Tony shares her insights on acclimatizing to British life and the surprises she has encountered since her return.
Links
- Brit Buzz
- Rules, Britannia Book
- The Repat Report
- A Brit Back Home
- Cook! Frozen Meals
- National Theatre at Home (Subscription)
- Operation Mincemeat Musical
- Grayson Perry – Delusions of Grandeur (Book & Exhibition)
Takeaways
- Tony Hargis is returning to Anglotopia with a new column called Brit Buzz.
- The UK is experiencing unusual weather patterns, including heatwaves.
- Cultural differences between the US and UK persist, especially in customer service.
- WhatsApp is widely used in the UK, unlike in the US.
- Returning to Britain feels like moving to a foreign country for Tony.
- British food has improved significantly over the years.
- Grocery store culture in the UK varies greatly, with Waitrose being considered posh.
- Dining experiences in the UK can be frustrating due to slow service.
- Theater and cultural events are thriving in London.
- Tony is open to suggestions for topics in her new column.
Sound Bites
On Returning to Britain:
“I had to think of it as moving to a foreign country—that’s how much Britain had changed.”
On Her New Column, Brit Buzz:
“I want to write about life in Britain as it is today—what’s changed, what’s mad, and what makes Britain, Britain.”
On Culture Shock (Round Two):
“I’ve lived here most of my life, but when I came back, I didn’t understand the TV setup or how the bills worked—I had to Google how to use a supermarket trolley!”
On Customer Service in the UK vs the US:
“In Britain, you could die at your table and no one would notice. In America, they’re flipping the table before you’ve finished dessert!”
On British Food Myths:
“Everyone thinks British food is terrible—it’s not. It’s fresh, local, and full of flavor. You just have to get out of London and explore.”
On WhatsApp Culture:
“Every time you make plans, someone creates a WhatsApp group. I went through mine—there were 27 groups. Half of them extinct!”
On Language Differences:
“In Britain, it’s not Blink 182—it’s Blink one-eight-two. I said it the American way and got stared at like I was from Mars.”
On the New Chapter of Her Writing Life:
“This new column is a way of reconnecting—reporting on the absurd, the charming, and the everyday of modern British life.”
On Grocery Store Hierarchies:
“You know you’re in a posh neighborhood when there’s a Waitrose. And yes, I can walk to mine. That’s my excuse!”
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Toni Hargis and Brit Buzz 02:34 Weather and Climate Changes in Britain 05:12 Reflections on British Culture and Customer Service 09:13 Technology and Communication: WhatsApp in the UK 11:20 Cultural Acclimatization: Toni's Experience 14:18 Cultural References and British Media 17:17 Americanisms in British English 20:05 Grocery Store Culture in Britain 24:33 The Evolution of British Cuisine 25:54 Cost of Living: A Transatlantic Comparison 30:03 Cultural Insights: Understanding British and American Perspectives 35:13 Navigating Transportation: The British Train System 40:38 Catching Up with British Culture: TV and Theatre 46:49 Future Writing: Eccentricities and Reader Engagement 49:04 anglotopia-podcast-outro.mp4