Understanding British Culture

I will be the first to admit that sometimes Tim tells a joke and I just don't get it. Usually this is accompanied by a blank stare, confused face, or just continuing the conversation like it didn't happen. We may speak the same language and be lumped in the general category of the "Western world" but sometimes I feel like we could not be further apart.

Jokes, TV shows, food, etiquette, language..the list goes on and on. Tim is lucky in the sense that America shoves its culture out at other people so it is a bit more familiar, but British culture to me is vastly unknown other than tea, the Beatles and the Royal Family.

Slowly but surely I am trying to introduce more British things into my life. Even if I don't end up moving there I feel it is important because I have a British partner. Understanding a little bit more about where he comes from will help me get to know him that much better.

Food - In England I was lucky enough to get to try a few things that in my mind are super British. First thing that stands out, cauliflower cheese - why is this not a thing in America? So yummy and really easy to make. I liked it so much that I made it again when Tim came to visit. He also got us dinner at the chip shop one night and had me try true British chips, battered sausage (this is questionable still to me) and a chip butty. Can't go to England without going to the chip shop and it did not disappoint. In Bath we had a lovely afternoon tea with sandwiches, scones, and little sweets that was delicious. I'm starting to crave British tea and biscuits when I'm in America and I love that a small part of Tim is rubbing off on me.

TV - After getting Hola on my computer I am now able to watch British TV shows. I've watched Downton Abbey, Pointless, Gogglebox, the Inbetweeners, and Gavin and Stacey. Sometimes I still have to turn the subtitles on because I'm not sure they are always speaking English but I like I am starting to understand the humor a little bit more.

Everything Else - Okay, it may be a little weird but I am reading a book called "Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour" just to learn a little more about what makes people tick. Of course the book is full of large generalizations (and I know every person is different) but it is so interesting to me how different those generalizations seem that what I assume they would be about Americans.

I just want to soak up information about this familiar yet unfamiliar culture to better understand Tim and to hopefully better understand British culture so if end up there it isn't too much of a shock! One day I hope I will laugh at all Tim's jokes, be able to make all of his favorite British food, and not look at him in confusion when he uses words like "barmy". If you have any suggestions of shows to watch, food to make, or just general British-ness to learn about please let me know!