9 Things Brits Do When Someone Says ‘We Should Do This Again’ That Americans Might Misunderstand

Save to Find It Later!

Ever noticed how Brits handle the phrase “We should do this again” compared to Americans? It often leads to a series of informal commitments sprinkled with good intentions but lacking concrete plans. Let’s explore twelve common reactions from Brits that might puzzle our American friends.

1. Enthusiastically agree without choosing a date

When a Brit says, “Yes, let’s definitely catch up soon,” and nods enthusiastically, don’t be fooled into thinking a date is being set. What’s really happening is a friendly agreement to the idea of meeting up again, not the actual scheduling. This might be puzzling for an American who expects a calendar invite soon after such an enthusiastic agreement.

2. Say “definitely” while opening absolutely no calendars

Upon suggesting another meetup, a Brit might respond with a confident “definitely” yet make no move to pull out a calendar. This displays an openness to future plans, yet it lacks the immediate follow-through Americans might anticipate. It’s a casual commitment that says “yes” in spirit, but not yet in time and date.

3. Repeat “we really should” several times

This phrase often crops up in conversations without leading to actual plans. Repeating “we really should” can be a genuine expression of intent among Brits, whereas Americans might see it as a cue to set a date. For Brits, it’s more about expressing a polite interest rather than marking one’s calendar.

4. Leave without making any actual plan

It’s not uncommon for Brits to part ways with a vague agreement to meet up again but no concrete plans. While Americans might view this as non-committal, Brits often prefer to leave things open-ended, enjoying the interaction for what it is, without the pressure of specific commitments.

5. Mention it again the next time they bump into each other

When Brits run into each other again, they often recall their previous commitment to reconnect, saying something like, “We mentioned meeting up, didn’t we?” It serves as a reminder of the intent to meet without necessarily leading directly to planning.

6. Wait for the other person to send the first message

There’s often an unspoken rule where each party waits for the other to initiate concrete plans. This can lead to a prolonged silence where neither party reaches out, creating a bit of a stand-off, which might seem odd from an American perspective, where direct communication is more common.

7. Say “when things calm down” despite knowing they won’t

This phrase is another way Brits express the desire to meet despite a busy schedule. Saying “when things calm down” might sound like a reasonable excuse but often translates to an indefinite delay, which might confuse someone who expects a more definitive plan.

8. Suggest “sometime next month”

When pressed for a rough timeframe, a Brit might suggest “sometime next month.” While this sounds like a plan is forming, it’s often still quite vague and lacking specific dates, which might mislead an American listener who expects more precise scheduling.

9. Exchange vague messages about being busy

Even when there’s mutual interest in meeting up, Brits often exchange messages that emphasize how busy they are. This type of communication can perpetuate the cycle of non-commitment, which might seem strange to Americans who typically follow up with specific alternative times.