Well it’s a good thing that you have me, your handy Londoner to tell you. I work for Ernst & Young in the main London office right on the Thames, with views of Tower Bridge and the City skyline. I worked for EY back home so I thought I knew what I was in for, but things are quite different here. I wouldn’t say there was culture shock, merely culture surprise.
First off, hierarchy is much more important here. The English care more about titles, but aren’t afraid to mildly poke fun at their superiors. Witty remarks and puns are over-used, and if you don’t master this it can be very hard to fit in (I’m still trying). Team lunches - of which I am a devoted fan - very rarely happen. Instead people seem to be happy to frequent the canteen every day.
The standard working day is 9-6, give or take a half hour each way. This seems nice except you have to figure in at least 45 minutes commute time each way on the highly unreliable (but extensive!) public transport system. Trust me, being crammed into a noisy, jolting train shoved against the doors with a couple of smelly armpits inches from your face will put you in a bad mood very quickly.
People here are very un-politically correct. As soon as the Christmas season started, Christmas trees went up on every floor. This would never happen at EY in the US out of respect for people of other religions (and out of fear of seeming to promote one religion over the other). My co-workers will jump at the chance to complain about the “bloody French” or burst into slightly good-natured rants about those damn Americans ruining the world. The men routinely call the women girls and make comments about their appearance (I work in an all-male practice).
A “quick pint” is an after-work tradition with your colleagues. Personally I am not used to socializing much with co-workers, so this is a particularly weird experience. Going to the local pub for after work drinks usually happens about once every 1-2 weeks. I generally think it’s a good idea, although its hard to justify staying very long since you have that lovely commute to look forward to.
There are many other differences that escape me now, I’ll keep you updated if I think of any more. On a slightly different topic, Joe and I recently went to the EY company Christmas party. It was very lavish and over the top and black tie was definitely not optional. There were casino tables, temporary tattoo artists, live jazz, gourmet food - not to mention the free booze all night. Obviously we had a great time. Pictures are up on the website, if you want to check it out.
In other news, Joe and I will be going to Sweden to stay at the IceHotel. It is about 100 mi North of the Arctic Circle, so it will be VERY cold. Check out the website to find out more about it: www.icehotel.com