The Californian says she loves her life in Glasgow – and Scottish humour
A TikToker who left behind her life in Las Vegas to dwell in Scotland has revealed the most important tradition shocks that got here with the transfer.
Lua Rodriguez Murphy met her now-husband, a Scot, whereas he was holidaying on the resort she labored at in Las Vegas. After they acquired engaged, they determined to maneuver in collectively in Glasgow the place they now dwell with their three youngsters.
Lua, initially from California, makes candid movies about adjusting to life in Scotland as an American, and he or she’s beginning to construct up a big fanbase, with almost 30,000 followers so far.
Talking to MailOnline Journey, the 33-year-old lists out the issues that shocked her essentially the most about life in Scotland – with free healthcare from the NHS on the high of the listing.
She says: ‘I bear in mind going to the physician for the primary time right here and I requested my physician how a lot the associated fee can be. She checked out me like I had two heads and mentioned it was free! I couldn’t wrap my head round that so after I walked out, I ended by reception to reconfirm and he or she mentioned I didn’t owe something as a result of my care was coated by the NHS.’
TikToker Lua Rodriguez Murphy left behind her life in Las Vegas to dwell in Scotland
To the left is Lua visiting the Kelvingrove Artwork Museum in Glasgow for the primary time. She makes candid movies about adjusting to life in Scotland as an American, and he or she’s beginning to construct up a big fanbase
Now Lua even has a job working for the NHS, which she loves. The mum-of-three says: ‘I really like working within the NHS as a result of I like working in a rustic that actually believes {that a} nation owes its residents the suitable to healthcare no matter potential to pay and with out having totally different ranges of healthcare obtainable primarily based on somebody’s standing or financial standing.’
However free healthcare wasn’t the one facet of Scottish life that took some adjusting to – Lua discovered some surprises in the best way British properties are designed.
One factor she discovered unusual was the ‘gentle switches outdoors the toilet’. She explains: ‘I bear in mind arriving at my husband’s flat for the primary time and feeling across the wall within the toilet in full darkness looking for the sunshine swap. It wasn’t till after a strong 5 minutes he informed me it was outdoors the door.’
One other, she reveals, is ‘home windows not having window screens to guard the bugs from flying in’.
There’s a distinction between Scottish and American diets, too, she reveals.
Lua displays: ‘Scottish meals is, typically, rather a lot much less processed and handled than American meals. The portion sizes are additionally extra appropriate to a single individual’s wants.
Lua says that having fun with entry to free healthcare was the most important tradition shock when she moved to Scotland. Now, she works for the NHS
‘Additionally, the [UK-wide] sugar tax was shocking. I had by no means heard of it earlier than! I believe it’s useful although as a result of it helps scale back weight problems.’
She has nicely and really warmed to Scottish delicacies, she reveals. Lua says she ‘can’t dwell with out’ tea truffles now and Irn Bru is ‘without end stocked’ in her dwelling now.
Purchasing for meals was one other tradition shock, she reveals.
In a single video, she says: ‘I bear in mind the primary time I went to the grocery retailer on my own and the cashier [handed] me my receipt and went: “That is you, pal”. I used to be like, “What? That is me what?”‘ I did not know that that meant that was the tip of the transaction.’
She continues: ‘One other factor that I would by no means seen earlier than I first moved right here… the cashiers at most likely each grocery retailer that I have been to, they sit down once they’re placing by way of your groceries. I’ve by no means seen that earlier than. I bear in mind the primary time me and my husband went to Sainsbury’s I used to be like, “The cashier is sitting down”. And he is like: “Yeah, do you anticipate them to face for like 9 hours, are you kidding me?”‘
The NHS employee provides: ‘On high of that, they do not even bag your stuff. People would have a coronary heart assault if no person bagged their groceries. Right here they toss your stuff at you and also you actually should bag it and that is how it’s. That was wild to me, I by no means had seen that earlier than.’
The worst factor about life in Scotland, she notes, is driving round roundabouts. She says: ‘Not kidding, I had by no means skilled a roundabout in my life previous to transferring right here. A lot of my concern of roundabouts is from my lack of familiarity and expertise with them. They only appear so chaotic to me!’
Mum Lua on the scenic ‘Relaxation and Be Grateful’ lookout in Arrochar
Lua on the Kelvingrove Artwork Museum. She admits: ‘I really like my life right here and I’m so glad!’
However, the very best about Scottish residing, she says is ‘palms down, the folks’. She explains: ‘Everyone seems to be so chatty, and welcoming and straightforward to speak to. And so, so humorous! Scottish humour really is one thing else.’
She feels that on the subject of schooling, the Scots do it higher. Lua says: ‘Schooling. Scotland is a nation the place a first-class, world-leading schooling is accessible to all. I’m grateful that my youngsters will be capable of go to varsity without spending a dime! Pupil debt is so exhausting to repay within the U.S and it actually discourages folks from pursuing a profession as a result of it’s so costly and the curiosity in loans are so excessive.’
However she finds that People take the lead on the subject of customer support. She says: ‘I believe People… go above and past on the subject of protecting a buyer glad. I additionally really feel People are so enthusiastic and nice at entertaining. Basketball video games, baseball video games, pep rallies and leisure are all so a lot better again dwelling. They love getting the gang concerned, handing out prizes, doing dance cams, cheerleading and extra!
‘Even on the college stage, faculty stadiums are stuffed to the brim with folks watching younger athletes play! Which I don’t suppose is quite common right here.’
What are the primary variations between Scots and People? Lua says: ‘I believe enthusiasm. People get so excited and giddy over the smallest of issues! I really feel Scottish persons are generally a bit extra reserved. General although, I believe we’re all extra alike than totally different.’
All in all, she’s thrilled together with her life in Scotland, she reveals, saying: ‘I initially didn’t suppose I’d transfer to Scotland, however after a number of pondering I made a decision to make the transfer and depart my budding profession behind. It was undoubtedly a sacrifice however I really like my life right here and I’m so glad!’