American expat highlights how 'southern hospitality and northern rudeness' is different in the UK

One common aspect that every person traveling to a different country experiences is culture shock. From their daily lifestyle to food habits, things might look unfamiliar from what they are used to. However, one thing that never changes is the difference in people's personalities. Every country has its amiable regions and hostile regions and content creator Kjordy–who goes by @kjordyyy on TikTok–made a video on the difference in the UK. Being an American, Kjordy noticed that the difference between the Northerners and Southerners of the UK was unlike how it was in his homeland and not everyone agreed.

The American man felt the need to voice out the contrasting personalities of Northerners and Southerners in the UK and USA. "Back home, there's southern hospitality and northern rudeness, but in the UK, it's completely switched," the content creator said. He mentioned that in the southern USA, people lived a slow life and were "nicer" than the Northerners. "There's more of a community feel to it. Hence the word 'southern hospitality,'" he added. Whereas the northern USA has people who are "more rude, reserved and fast-paced," living a life of more hustle and bustle. 

"Someone could be on the side of the road dying and people walk by," Kjordy said about the Northerners in the USA. But unlike them, he added, the UK's Northerners—like people from Newcastle or Liverpool—seemed to be "more down-to-earth" with the "maddest accents." He explained that he hasn't run into even one bad Northerner while living in the UK. "I did a trip to Manchester. Everyone was so polite. I went to Poundland and the cashier was like, 'Are you alright, love? How are you?" the content creator shared. He felt that this friendliness was missing in London. People of the south UK were a lot more "reserved, distant and snobby," as per Kjordy. 

"Their accents are a lot more posh and they're a lot more rude. It's not common to have a polite small talk with a Southerner. They're very much in their own lane and their humor is dry," said the American. He highlighted that in London, one cannot easily look at someone and greet them with a "Hey!" He said people have to keep their eyes forward and walk past the person. "London is the only place I've seen people look through you and it's actually mad," he added. While Kjordy was thrown off by this difference, many Northerners from the UK agreed with his observation. 

"The further north you go, the friendlier they are in my experience, especially the Scottish. I adore Scotland," said @kelsuexxxx. "Lancashire lad here, and it is a fact that folk 'oop Norf' are far friendlier in general," remarked @markwalkermumu. "So true! I was just in London last week and the amount of people that literally looked through me like I was not even there astounded me!" added @jaydaperkins3. 

But UK Southerners wouldn't agree with Kjordy's claim. "Why is it that everyone thinks 'South' is only London? We are from the southwest, it's lovely and beautiful, very green and countryside!" said @butterflykissesrn. "Don't confuse South with just London. Outside of London, it's different," chimed in @lesleybell26. "You need to come to the East end, Bethnal Green and Hackney. We are very nice and polite and we ain't posh," added @lovesluck.

You can follow Kjordy (@kjordyyy) on TikTok for more culture and lifestyle content.