I am married to a British man and live in England with my child. When I live in the UK, I often get surprised by “Well !?” Japan is convenient and flexible, and I often feel that it is a good country. I think Britain has a very good environment for raising children, but cultural differences can be confusing. Here, I would like to tell you about British-style housework.
Culture shock for laundry
Twice in a week
I like washing and I feel sorry if I don’t turn the washing machine every day, but British people only turn the washing machine about twice a week. There is a habit of washing all at once.
I think that “laundry will accumulate” and “children’s underwear will run out”, so I wash my clothes every day, but my mother-in-law says “Are you using the washing machine again?” I will be broken. Also, it is said that only Japanese people turn the washing machine in the evening.
Laundry takes forever
British washing machines have a “standard washing course”. It’s standard! Yet, this course takes 90 minutes. This is still the shortest course, and the temperature of the hot water is set to 30 degrees. Therefore, in a normal household, the washing machine is often running for about 3 hours.
That’s why when an Englishman says, “It’s eco-friendly because you wash it all together,” it’s true that you don’t think so. It would be difficult if you wash it every day for 3 hours a day. However, if you have four family members, you will have a lot of laundry, right away …
About water temperature
Also, I am surprised that many households have a hot water temperature of 90 degrees. This is a white garment washing method exclusively for cotton, but it is washed with boiling water at 90 degrees Celsius! Many people wash towels and bed sheets, but even with this, the washing time is 3 hours! From the perspective of a Japanese person, I think my clothes will be damaged. That’s why I wash at the lowest temperature of 30 degrees.
By the way, it can be set to 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees. In winter, the temperature of the hot water does not rise easily, and the washing machine is spinning over and over again to raise the temperature of the hot water. It’s a washing machine that you don’t know what you’re washing or what you’re doing. I am keenly aware that Japanese washing machines are convenient.
Culture shock of dish washing and cleaning
You don’t rinse plates
Also, I am surprised that many households have a hot water temperature of 90 degrees. This is a white garment washing method exclusively for cotton, but it is washed with boiling water at 90 degrees Celsius! Many people wash towels and bed sheets, but even with this, the washing time is 3 hours! From the perspective of a Japanese person, I think my clothes will be damaged. That’s why I wash at the lowest temperature of 30 degrees.
By the way, it can be set to 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees. In winter, the temperature of the hot water does not rise easily, and the washing machine is spinning over and over again to raise the temperature of the hot water. It’s a washing machine that you don’t know what you’re washing or what you’re doing. I am keenly aware that Japanese washing machines are convenient.
They hire cleaning people a lot
In the UK, there are many double-income families, so many wealthy families hire a cleaner once a week or two to clean them. The number of times varies depending on the household, but it is common to hire a cleaner. I’m reluctant that others are cleaning my house, but some families trust me to leave their keys to a vendor.
Basically, everything except the bedroom is cleaned, and depending on the household, ironing may be requested. The average price is around 1,500 yen per hour, and if you have ironing, it will be a plus. Kindergartens and schools are also cleaned by contractors. Children and teachers do not clean. In Japanese schools, children share the cleaning. I think it’s better.
Schools in UK
Golden Time
What I like about the system in the UK, not in Japan, is that every Friday is called “golden time” and half a day is a play day.
Watching movies, making Lego, reading books, kids going to the school library to read books, Friday is very free. It’s one of the fun things for kids, and you can also enjoy going to school.
Snack Time
In addition, there is a break called snack time every morning at 10:30. Bring your favorite sweets and fruits from home and eat them during breaks. It’s said that when you’re hungry, you lose your concentration, but I don’t know if that’s the case.
School starts at 9 o’clock, snack time at 10:30, and 1 hour lunch time after 12 o’clock, so I think it’s nice to have a relaxed environment. But in Japan, you can’t think of bringing sweets.
It’s good for visiting
How about the differences in customs and culture between England and Japan? After reading this, you too will want to sneak a rinse if the dishes you wash have bubbles! ?? By the way, restaurants and cafes have dishwashers, so the UK is originally hygienic and you don’t have to worry when traveling.
At the end of March, we will do a big cleaning called spring cleaning. Many people clean their gardens for spring and summer. In Japan, you do a big cleaning at the end of the year. It seems that the English people don’t understand why they clean up in the cold and busy seasons.
It can only be said that there is a cultural difference.
Leave a Reply