The Launderette

A difference between America and England I have found hard to get used to, well really that I haven't gotten used to, is laundry. The UK is energy and environmentally conscious and the cost of living is much higher here than in the states, which results in the fact that clothes dryers are hard to come by. Instead, people commonly hang dry their clothes!

When I was first studying here amazingly my accommodation did have dryers, but it cost about five pounds to wash one load of clothes! I vividly remember my first experience hang drying clothes. I had only been seeing Tom for a short time when he suggested I wash my clothes with his up at his home to save money. Saving money is always good, so of course I agreed. His mum showed me how to use their washing machine and before long my clothes were clean, but wet. Then I was informed the line was outside, given a basket of clothes pins and sent on my way.

I had never hung clothes before, I was at the home of a guy I was just starting to see, I had no real idea what I was doing and I was still a bit shy. I felt awkward. Luckily, it’s not too hard to figure this chore out, and as I hung my clothes I hoped I was doing it correctly and not making a fool of myself. No one ever commented, so I assume I did alright.

But, I loathe hang drying clothes! They end up wrinkled and are never as soft as when they have been dried. Plus, it rains a lot here so clothes can't always go outside, and I don't have a good space in my flat for drying clothes. So I go to the Launderette. Yes, I do, I take my clothes to the Launderette. A bit dirty I know, but at least I get to dry my clothes in a dryer. Launderettes are numerous as well, and one is conveniently located just down the street. What I don't understand about these places are the people who sit and watch their clothes being washed or dried. It must be very boring watching clothes go round and round. With the Launderette so close it’s very easy to nip out, drop off my clothes, go home, then go back a little later and pick them up. For a mere pound I can dry my clothes to perfection, then leave them folded soft and wrinkle free in my wardrobe.

Differences do exist between the country I grew up in and where I live now, and I don't think I will ever get used to the English way of hang drying clothes. (Although, I should probably keep this quiet around English people as I don't think they will really approve.)

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