My first thought of London was that the city is a very quick place. However, I have found people do move very quickly when getting around. But, when it comes to daily activities with other people, the pace is much slower. Before getting to business, there is a lot of socializing about how everyone is doing and current events.

At my bible study group, we all gather around 7 pm to cook a meal before discussing the bible. During this time, we all talk about our week or whatever random topic we get on to. Typically our conversations and meal goes on until about 8:30 pm. We then spend about 45 minutes discussing our Bible topic for the week. After the Bible discussion, everyone stays around and helps with the dishes. And then, we all have a cup of tea and continue to converse about any plans we have coming up, sometimes this goes on until 11 or 11:30 pm. I found that I enjoyed this because we are able to get to know each other better. As well, it is nice to have time to talk with people and relax.

This is different than any bible study I have done at home. At home, if we have a meal before the meeting, it is usually contained to 20 minutes or so, and then everything is quickly cleaned, and we move on to the task at hand. All of this is done with little time given to discuss what we have done over the week. I find this not as enjoyable as meeting here in the UK because we don’t get to know each other as well.

It is not only in Bible study where I have noticed that people don’t rush as much as we do in America. When going out to eat here, I have found myself slowing down and taking time for conversation as well. I have started to make friends with local students and locals from church, and I asked a few of them that have been to the states how they feel about the pace when dining out. Most of them have said that it is much more rushed and that they do not care for the way the bill is brought to them, as they feel it adds to the pressure to hurry. I would personally say that it took time to get used to asking for the bill, and I am still not completely used to it. However, I do enjoy being able to converse after I eat without feeling like I am bothering the waiters.