19 hours Ago By [email protected] (Megan Banner)
How I've never been happier to call a place my home Eight months ago I moved to this incredible city and I've loved every single minute of it. From its bars, restaurants, green spaces, stunning city centre, and every single person I've had the pleasure of meeting, I have completely fallen in love with Liverpool and I've never been happier to call a place my home. That being said, there have been a few things I've had to get used to since moving here, the biggest being the fact it's no longer called Asda , it's The Asda.
Oh, and the fact I told people in the pub that I was 'steaming' one night - which I've been told has a completely different old-school meaning here to what it does in the North East which is where I originally call home. Here is a list of some of the most vital things I've learned since moving here and it'll hopefully help any newcomers to the city. 1.
That the word 'heavy' isn't an insult Where I come from the word 'heavy' isn't usually used in a complimentary way. However, in Liverpool heavy is often used as a way to say something is good or great. The first time I heard someone say "that is heavy that" I looked confused because I thought they were insulting the food we just ate.
It turned out they really enjoyed it. 2. Don't tell people you're 'steaming' in the pub In the North East we would say "I'm steaming" to explain we are absolutely hammered after inhaling a few too many wines.
I learnt the hard way that it doesn't quite have the same meaning here. My friend was getting up to get another round at the pub during the summer months and asked if I wanted another wine. I told him: "I'm good thanks, I'll be steaming if I have another one.
" The comment saw people stare at me in horror as if to say 'why have you just told us that?' Of course, at this point, I was pretty confused as to why my friends were looking at me in horror. Their faces were a picture and complete silence followed. I'm told, 'steaming' is old-school slang to describe someone with a strong appetite for sexual activity - so no wonder I was getting some funny looks.
3. The importance of the Chinese chippy I love nothing more than a Chinese takeaway - in fact I'd go as far as to say it's one of my favourite cuisines - and I'm British so of course I love a good chippy. But, Chinese food and a chippy together? Salt and pepper chips? Now, we're talking.
Who, what, where, when and why is a Chinese chippy not a national thing? You're onto something elite here Liverpool and I can't tell you how envious I am. When I first moved here I was a bit confused as to why the local chippy sold Chinese food, but I thought to myself "you know, I'm not going to question it..
." I was even more shocked to find out it's an actual thing in Liverpool. For months my colleagues asked me if I'd tried a Chinese chippy yet.
Confused, I told them no. Silly, silly me for not trying it sooner. After months of being asked , I finally decided it was time to try this dish which came highly recommended.
And, let me tell you it was life-changing. Chinese chippies are life-changing and the rest of the country really needs to hurry up and get onboard - I thought I was passionate about my Teesside parmo until I discovered this combo. 4.
That it's a right of passage to go to Maggie Fu if you live in Liverpool The first time I heard about Maggie Fu was while I was travelling on a Merseyrail train home from work. A couple were having an argument which came to an end when one asked "do you want to go to Maggie fu?" The sternest frown was quite literally turned upside down by the question. Although I hadn't heard of Maggie Fu, it turns out it is loved by a lot of scousers and it's a right of passage in this city, so of course I had to go try it out.
5. That wool isn't a material to make clothes with Most people might think wool is just a term for the material you would use to knit jumper but in Liverpool this isn't the case at all. A wool is actually a person in Merseyside who doesn't live in Liverpool instead comes from areas such as Runcorn or the Wirral .
6. What it means to have a purple bin One way to show you live in Liverpool is the colour of your bin. People in Liverpool have a purple bin, and if you don't then you're simply a wool.
There has long been an 'urban myth' of sorts that the colour choice was attributable to the football rivalry between Liverpool and Everton fans. The theory went that, knowing Reds and Blues might not be pleased if their rival club's colours became part of the fabric of city life, the council chose purple as the ideal middle ground. And, there might be some truth in that.
In an ECHO article published in 2018 , former Liverpool Council leader and Lib Dem peer Mike Storey, revealed purple was chosen as a mix of Liverpool red and Everton blue. 7. How cold it's waiting for a taxi outside the Bombed Out Church at 2am We've all been there.
Stood in town at 2am, slightly the worse for wear, freezing because you thought it was a good idea to go out without a jacket, kebab in hand and scrambling to get a taxi. But nobody has ever prepared you for how COLD it is stood outside the taxi pic- up point outside the Bombed Out Church, waiting for your carriage home. There is just something about being stood there, longing for your bed, freezing, that makes you feel like you're standing in the middle of Antarctica.
8. That you have to say 'the' in front of most supermarkets and discount retailers I think the biggest change I've had to adapt to since moving to Liverpool all those months ago is the fact that supermarkets are no longer called ' Asda ' or Aldi. It's The Asda and The Aldi.
Again, don't ask me why, it's just the way it is. 9. How much of a wind tunnel Old Hall Street is Many people will know the absolute battle of walking up Old Hall Street in the wind.
There is nothing more challenging than heading out of Moorfields station at 9am in the morning and navigating my way along Old Hall Street to my office in those battering winds. It's nearly impossible for a 5ft 2" girl like myself to battle the wind tunnel that is Old Hall Street, I almost end up in the Mersey every time. 10.
Last but not least...
nobody does it like Liverpool Since I moved to Liverpool I've had the pleasure of covering some major events for the city, such as Taylor Swift coming to Anfield and the incredible campaign to save Zoe's Place. In doing so, there was one thing that became clear, nobody, anywhere, does it like Liverpool. This city comes together like no other when it needs to, from celebrating huge events, its two football clubs and supporting each other in times of need.
Hats off to Liverpool, because the way the city celebrates is like no other and it's taught me a thing or two..
