Since moving to Sheffield in 2019, I have learned a lot about the city and its people. Great music, prominent accents, and pints at 9 am. With this in mind, I thought it would be interesting to share some lessons learned from moving to this new city.
1. IF YOU’RE BELOW SHEFFIELD ON THE MAP, YOU’RE AUTOMATICALLY A SOUTHERNER
For those of you who are unaware of the North versus South debate, you will have no idea what I’m talking about. But, let me tell you. People have always debated whether Sheffield is the North (it most definitely is), but where the South begins varies widely. I come from a city in the Midlands called Coventry, which is approximately a 15-minute drive from the middle of England – Meriden.
I’ve always been sure that Coventry is in the West Midlands, but according to every man and their dog in Sheffield, I’m from the South. There is no middle ground here, you are either northern or southern and if you are from anywhere below Sheffield, you are definitely southern.
2. HOW YOU MAKE YOUR CUPPA IS VITAL
As Gemma Collins once said, a Cuppa is like a heartly gesture, offering someone a cuppa is like offering them a grand. This is incredibly relevant to living in Sheffield, it’s what people get out of bed for in the morning. Well, it’s what I get out of bed for in the morning. Cuppa in the morning, when you get back from work, in bed – they just make everything better.
However, if you do not make your tea up to the Northern standard, you will not hear the end of it. It has to be the perfect colour, temperature, and the correct sugar to brew ratio. And if you put your milk in before the water, then all hope for you is lost living in Sheffield.
3. ANY ACCENT OTHER THAN NORTHERN IS CONSIDERED ‘POSH’
Somebody’s accent is one of the first few things you acknowledge about someone, and I think everyone can agree a strong Yorkshire accent is one of the best accents someone can have. I have been a sucker for the Yorkshire accent way before I even visited the City.
During the first year of university, where are you from? was the most prominent asked question on a night out. In the smoking area, £1 VK in hand and making friends with anybody and everybody. When I’d tell people I’m from Coventry, I’d get a range of reactions. ‘Oh, so you’re posh then?’, ‘So you’re a southerner!’ and always ‘Where’s that?’. These were then followed by the ample number of comments on my accent being ‘So posh’ and ‘weird’. It seems that if you’re well-spoken in Sheffield, you’re posh.
4. IT RAINS, A LOT
Anyone that lives in the UK is fully aware of how temperamental and quite frankly shit, the weather is. Sheffield, however, is definitely leading in the worst weather in the UK. If you leave the house without an umbrella or coat, you only have yourself to blame for getting drenched. One minute it’s clear as day with the sun shining, the next it’s thundering, lightening with wheelie bins falling over left right and centre. To put it simply, have an umbrella with you at all times.
5. THE FOOTBALL SCENE IS HUGE
If you’re thinking about going into the town centre on a Saturday afternoon, think again. Unless you’re kitted out in Stone Island, Adidas originals and a can of Stella in hand – you’re going to stick out like a sore thumb. Every weekend and I mean every weekend, football is on in Sheffield. The streets are filled with fans chanting, throwing beer, and stumbling into one another on their way to the match. The police literally have to walk alongside them to ensure nothing bad happens like Paul, 52, a Sheffield Wednesday fan tripping into the busy road after one too many pints. I know football means a lot to people, but Sheffield takes it to another level.
6. A BREAD ROLL IS A ‘BREADCAKE’
The great British bun debate has been going on for years. In Sheffield, it is simply not up for discussion. It’s not a “cob,” a “roll” or a “bap,” it’s a bread cake. What is even worse is that in my hometown, Coventry, we call it a “batch,” and I have not met anyone else who says that, so I just have to endure frequent bullying from everyone for this, as it’s a very serious debate.
7. AND FINALLY, EVERYONE IS SO FRIENDLY
The biggest difference I noticed when I moved up to Sheffield is that everyone is much friendlier. Though this can be subjective, in my experience everyone I have met has been nothing but kind and helpful towards me. Whether that’s a waitress at a restaurant, a stranger in a nightclub or the takeaway man giving me my pizza at 4 o’clock in the morning. Basically, Sheffield people are the best.
