/r/AskUK

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The #1 subreddit for Brits and non-Brits to ask questions about life and culture in the United Kingdom.

We invite users to post interesting questions about the UK that create informative, good to read, insightful, helpful, or light-hearted discussions.

The #1 subreddit for Brits and non-Brits to ask questions about the United Kingdoms life and culture, and we invite users to post interesting questions about the UK that create informative, good to read, insightful, helpful, or light-hearted discussions.

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0

What the hell is brown sauce?

It's yummy and all, but I can't work out for the life of me what it tastes like and how it's made. Help?

23 Comments
2024/11/02
10:12 UTC

2

Do average speed checks on the motorway’s actually work? Do they catch anyone?

After a recent long drive through multiple 50 mph average speed checks on the motorway, I noticed a lot of cars going well above the 50mph speed.

So I was just wondering if they knew something we didn’t? Because I’d of thought they’d all get caught if not!

29 Comments
2024/11/02
10:09 UTC

3

Can my Employer check if i have driving license?

I work at a place where we need to drive constantly for just couple months once a year. I have noticed my employer doesnt play for the driving that is 3-4 hour per day. I m trying to learn driving but i dont want my employer know if i have driving licence since it is waste of time and effort if i m not getting paid to drive. Plus the lack of sleep as well.

17 Comments
2024/11/02
10:05 UTC

0

Have you had any similar experiences? Unrewarding encounter with Big Issue seller

Just wanted to share an encounter I just had with a big issue seller.

I was walking through town and on my way walk I saw a lady selling the big issue outside one of the shops. If I’m being entirely superficial, she was well-kept and dressed pretty smartly, in items consistent with a person of faith. That being said, I obviously don’t know her background or story. There was a Greggs at the end of the row - they didn’t have many sandwiches left, so instead of buying food she wouldn’t be able to eat (meat restrictions etc), I bought her a tea as she looked cold.

On my way back to the car I stopped and handed her the tea - she disappointingly asked ‘no food’, refused to take it and turned away, so I placed it by her and went back to the car.

I was wondering if anyone else had any similar experiences? I don’t donate for acknowledgement or returns, but I have never left a scenario of giving to those in need feeling worse than if I hadn’t have made the effort.

28 Comments
2024/11/02
09:53 UTC

48

From birth to them flying the nest, what would you say is the most difficult thing to face as a parent?

Just had my first, "I hate you", from my teenager.

It was hard to hear to be honest, but I have to remember it's just that phase of life. Unless he actually DOES hate me, of course. I don't think that's the case.

This was because he wanted a long Saturday lie in but he has to get up to head into town for a new shirt for an upcoming family wedding.

If I don't get him up early, he won't move at all until its too late.

97 Comments
2024/11/02
09:12 UTC

6

How long is your notice period and would you ever give your boss extra notice?

I've just signed up to a new role to start in the new year, my notice is a month (which is low for my industry). Would you ever give your boss more notice than is required or would you hold out till the last minute?

54 Comments
2024/11/02
09:06 UTC

5

Has anyone else had an issue with Vauxhall not giving them the benefits that were offered upon purchase?

Bought an EV from Vauxhall and picked it up at the beginning of September.

Part of the deal was a bunch of Tesco club card points which I received straight away.

I should also have been given quite a bit of charging credit to use at public chargers. This I have not received.

I have emailed about this three times now and there is always an excuse - most recently there is apparently a “backlog”.

I will email again - but how can I make sure they actually do something? I signed for this when I signed the paperwork, so I do have it in writing.

Thank you

3 Comments
2024/11/02
08:54 UTC

2

Is there a direct route ?

Is there a direct route (via public transport) from Cardiff to Norwich, Cambridge to oxford, and oxford to Luton/ Gatwick? all google map ever have to offer always go through London

7 Comments
2024/11/02
08:46 UTC

54

What fairly ordinary UK person exercised disproportionate influence?

I would say Clarence Hatry. He was a UK financier whose frauds wiped the equivalent to 1.8 billion off the market in 1929 and this helped cause the Wall Street Crash.

Hatry wasn’t all bad though, after becoming a librarian in prison, he acquired the UK’s oldest book store Hatchards and turned it around, it is still going strong today.

138 Comments
2024/11/02
08:42 UTC

115

What can I do for my downstairs neighbour’s as apology for waking up their baby whenever I come in from night shift?

Hi all, moved into a new place recently while working on a 2days/2nights pattern. Either starting or finishing work around 6:45am (coming in and out the door around 5:30am-6am sometimes) so often coming and going around that time.

I try to be as quiet as possible not wanting to wake the baby up, but more often that not I’ll make some minuscule sound (door turning in the lock, taking my boots off, etc.) and then I’ll hear the scream downstairs, and just feel absolutely awful. I don’t often see the neighbours due to my sleeping pattern, but want to post something through the door, or give them something by way of apologising as I’m sure it’s not easy waking up each time to quieten your baby.

If you couldn’t tell, it’s 7am and I finished work recently and woke the baby up again just now, so feeling particularly guilty lol

I’m going to take the next few days off and take a look at things I can do around the house to reduce noise (maybe lubricate the door lock a little), but honestly it’s such a noisy house with squeaky floorboards, and thin floors, that there really is only so much I can do.

147 Comments
2024/11/02
07:36 UTC

0

People who get changed in the gym changing room post workout but don't shower, why?

After an early morning workout I have noticed more ladies getting ready (Changed/full makeup/hair) etc but without showering and they fucking stink?? Do guys also do this?

Why not spend even just 5 extra mins in the shower?!

39 Comments
2024/11/02
07:29 UTC

27

What do you think you've achieved this year that you're happy about?

I think I did this a year ago, or so. But it's 2024 and this is the 2nd month of November, we are a few weeks away from Christmas and the end of the year.

What do you think you've achieved this year that you're happy about or want to share with the community that might not be seen as an achievement to others in your life?

I set a goal to read 20 books this year and I've read 16. I've also managed to get a new job which was much better than my old one.

Yours doesn't have to be a big thing. It's just those little things that you're happy to have achieved in the course of 2024.

127 Comments
2024/11/02
06:30 UTC

4

What are UK brands/companies you’d recommend for gifts?

My girlfriend recently moved to the UK for school from the US and international shipping is far too expensive for me to send her gifts consistently. Does anyone have recommendations for local businesses/brands I could order online and have shipped to her? So far all I really know is Lush, so I’m open to literally anything.

9 Comments
2024/11/02
04:14 UTC

3

Did anyone show signed up for the DiscoverMe Uk DNA tests receive their results?

Hi All,

I was just wondering if anyone else who applied to the trials actually received their results. I signed up 2 years ago and sent my sample a year and a half ago but nothing back yet.

Anyone else in the same boat as me?

Edit: title is supposed to say “who” not “show” - mb

1 Comment
2024/11/02
02:45 UTC

18

I want to build a closer relationship with my younger brother. I'm 24 and he's 15. We both love video games - but he's more Fortnite whereas I'm more Half Life. What're some hauls I can get from any second hand places that we'll both love? £200 budget

Budget includes any consoles necessary

Personally, I'd love to get us something we can both play classic co-op Portal on. But anything along those lines.

18 Comments
2024/11/02
02:22 UTC

47

Can the great Reditters identify this church?

Hi all,

Yesterday I posted some shots from a mystery album and incredibly, you were able to identify the Church which then lead to the identity of the married couple. In the same album, there is another wedding day. The annotation is "Bill and Doreen's wedding - 27th August 1955". There is not a lot to go on. I suspect the church might be in the outer London area. The second photo shows a couple (who I suspect are the owners of the album - still unidentified) and behind them is a church bell tower with 2 bells. I am hoping this feature may help to identify the church. Cheers.

Bill and Doreen

12 Comments
2024/11/02
01:29 UTC

0

Hi, what should I do?

Hi,

I’ve been temporarily filling a vacant role at my company while we waited for internal recruitment. Today, I found out I didn’t get the job due to supposedly answering an interview question wrong. They said I wouldn't prioritize emergency jobs, which isn't true; I stated I'd handle unallocated jobs along with any emergency and urgent tasks. I’ve wasted a month and a half in this role, only to be overlooked for someone older. It feels unfair and like I'm being treated as a kid because of my age (18). Is there anything I can do about this situation? I’m really frustrated and i made my self look like idiot and my boss just aired me today.

Am I just salty, or am I right to be mad lol

14 Comments
2024/11/02
01:02 UTC

6

Are there any Punch and Judy fans here?

Used to love it as a child. I do believe the plot of the shows would be considered quite controversial nowadays.

13 Comments
2024/11/01
23:51 UTC

112

How do I deal with a "Notice of Intended Persecution" from rail company around a train ticket?

I'm from the US but having been living in the UK for a few years. I use the trains a lot, but definitely not a pro on the protocol and have never had to navigate any issues, so looking for some advice.

Situation - My wife was planning to visit friends in Birmingham on the 24th of August, so bought a roundtrip ticket. The morning of the 24th, I made a last second decision to go along as well. We had to walk to the station and were cutting it very close. We got to the station (Banbury) and the gates were open. We were going to be able to make the train if we ran, so I figure I would just jump on the train and buy the tickets through the Chiltern Railways mobile app once I sat down. So we jumped on the train as it left at 11:10 and I immediately logged on to purchase the tickets. I bought an anydate return ticket for £12.60 at 11:14. I went to the restroom on the train a few minutes later at sat back down after a couple of minutes, not thinking anything of it. A few minutes later, the staff member checking tickets came by. I offered by ticket as I hadn't had it checked yet. He saw that the ticket was purchased after I had boarded and must have seen me use the restroom, so came to the conclusion that I had been trying to avoid paying the fare and had used the restroom to hide. This was obviously not the case, I'm not a child, but I was unable to convince him, even though the ticket was purchased prior to him checking. I now realize that you're not supposed to buy a tickt after boarding, but had seen it done so many times I hadn't realized it would be an issue. Frustrating that I was being accused of trying to avoid paying and couldn't to much about it. Another member of staff was called to get my info. He said that a letter would be sent to me and I would just need to explain the situation for clarification, which I had also explained to him.

I thought that might have just been a scare tactic and didn't think much of it, especially as the way it was explained to me didn't seem like it would be a big deal and as the ticket had already been paid for. I was out of the country visiting family in the US from the 3rd of October to the 1st of November. When I returned, I found the following letter waiting for me.

https://preview.redd.it/g15741hicdyd1.png?width=3291&format=png&auto=webp&s=4dfc8364183c6a03423a2896b751e77e8aa96e93

It seems like more than just the inquiry about what happened that had been explained to me. I've send back a response to them detailing the situation with the hopes that it'll get them to back off, but I'm unsure how likely that'll be. I'm mainly concerned because the 14-day time period they've specified for a response has passed. This was only sent by mail, not email, so there was no way of me receiving this until today.

Has anyone else had any experience with something like this and got any advice? It seems like such a dumb thing that has ballooned out of control. Any ideas on what kind of prosecution they would actually be going for? For a £12.60 ticket that had been paid beforehand it seems like a pretty extreme approach.

88 Comments
2024/11/01
22:56 UTC

2

What job roles can you recommend after spending time as an NHS 999 Call Handler?

From a 999 call handler role, I would like to know what sort of roles people have then gone on to do. For context, I do have some other short-term experience here and there. I also have a degree. I would like to know how difficult it is to get into another role that addresses the tough hours that have to be worked for this role!

3 Comments
2024/11/01
19:57 UTC

2

In your opinion how do you avoid getting stressed at work?

I work as a manager for A/e so due to the unpredictable nature of the role I found myself always stressed out, at work, and outside work. As the service still runs when I’m not working, I’m constantly checking my emails, checking staffing etc, cause I’m worried about the performance.

I try my best not to but sometimes it’s unavailable, I’ll have emails that require my input in real time etc and I just feel guilty if I ignore it.

I’m currently looking for another job, but this stresses me out too as I’m not getting anywhere…

5 Comments
2024/11/01
20:58 UTC

0

Why do my new lenses seemingly do nothing for night time driving with astigmatism?

Forgive me if this isn't the right sub, but I couldn't find much searching 'eyes', 'eyesight', 'vision', and r/optician seems dead. If you have a better sub recommendation, please let me know and I will repost there.

I recently had my contact lenses changed to a higher quality, monthly lens (previously on dailies). The optician said they fit my eyes much better than my old ones and my vision was perfect in them.

Now, I have astigmatism. As we all know, night time driving with astigmatism is like flipping bonfire night. My old lenses corrected a lot of the light issues, it wasn't perfect but it was better than without lenses.

These new lenses however.. it's awful, it's like I have no lenses in at all. Trying to drive home tonight I nearly had to stop for a break because there was just so many light rays I got a headache.

Does anyone know of a reason why my old, cheaper, iller fitting, lenses seemed to correct the night time driving, yet these new ones do absolutely nothing for the issue?

Obviously I will bring this up with my optician but I'm not seeing her for another 3 weeks.

17 Comments
2024/11/01
22:42 UTC

0

Do you miss the old paper notes?

I do. They felt more tactile and "real". The plastic, polymer things feel a bit cheap and fake, perhaps a reflection of our increasingly superficial and trivial existences. Maybe I just need to get out more.

37 Comments
2024/11/01
22:09 UTC

3

What are some viewpoints you can drive to in the uk?

I'm based in the midlands, and would like to know of any viewpoints or high points I can drive to that are around 2hrs away or less. Things like lickey hills or clent hill, but these seem to be the only 2 i ever hear about, the rest are up in scotland. Any suggestions appreciated. Maybe some hidden gems. Thanks!

39 Comments
2024/11/01
22:04 UTC

1

Will used car prices come down in the future?

Okay so, I'm currently running a 2013 Polo 1.2 3 cylinder (it sounds unhinged but that's by design!) the car is running alright for now bar a small oil leak which it's had 4 years now (no increase or decrease just a top up once a year)

But I thought I'd have a look at 2nd hand cars to see what I'd be looking st IF she died tommorow.

I make decent money, though I do have a mortgage, and I don't have the savings to buy outright but for a hypothetical car it's not entirely relevant.

I tend to buy for quality, endurance and reliability, so as a result I was looking at Toyota and Volvo (XC40/60 and RAV4) with a goal towards a bit more horse power but more importantly more space

Geezus wept! The prices on these things for a 2nd hand 4 year old car!

I suppose my question Is, what the hell is still going on with used car prices and do we see any form of reduction in the future?

cause at the moment I'm gonna have this thing till I die!

32 Comments
2024/11/01
21:58 UTC

0

Hi, I bought a jacket online and want to return. The company doesn’t send a shipping label so I’m unsure on how to post the parcel?

Do I write the address with a pen and paste it on the package and just drop off at a post office? will it be free i?

5 Comments
2024/11/01
21:56 UTC

0

What is the process to adapt a cat?

Hey guys, i am planning to adapt a cat, i am currently in Uk and would love to know the process and documentation.

Also, i am a student right now but i am up for the responsibilities as i had cat before as well(not in uk).

Would love to hear some opinions from people who already have one and how much budget should i keep in mind and stuff like that.

Thanks in advance.

43 Comments
2024/11/01
21:53 UTC

2

Where to buy clothes for old people?

I need to buy some clothes basics for my 85 y/o mum (a few everyday jumpers and trousers). She’s lost a lot of weight so can’t compare sizes etc. I’m estimating she’s around an 8 now but trousers with a bit of an elasticated waist would be helpful. I have looked in a few places but the styles all seem much more geared towards younger people. Any pointers much appreciated thanks!

Edit: thanks all for your help. Bon Marche had exactly what I was after.

38 Comments
2024/11/01
21:46 UTC

214

What happened to jacket potatoes?

All I want is a jacket potato that is like “they used to be”. As in, large enough you only needed one and then sometimes couldn’t even finish that.

All I can find in all supermarkets etc are measly little things you need 2 of and it’s not the same lol.

Does anyone know where can get these?

111 Comments
2024/11/01
21:21 UTC

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