The north-south divide is a theory which has been subject to endless debates over the years.
Whether you use the concept to describe economic differences, the distinctive contrasts in wealth, the job market or simply the culture and people, it has long been embedded into British culture.
In 2019 I made the decision to move over 275 miles away, relocating from my humble abode in the Wirral where I'd spent my entire life to the vibrant city of Brighton.
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Despite having visited the city a number of times and unquestionably fell in love with it, there were without a doubt a number of things I was unprepared for when making the big move - which if I had known beforehand I may have lasted longer than the four months I was there (or probably not).
Here are the 15 things I learned during my time as a northerner in Brighton.
1. Southerners see no difference between Wirral and Liverpool
Let's get the one most likely to cause upset and controversy out the way first.
In Merseyside, there has long been a distinct difference between those who come from Wirral and those who were born and bred in Liverpool - something I was regularly reminded of when I first began studying in Liverpool aged 17.
You quickly come to terms with the fact you are a 'wool' and there is no escaping that.
However go down south and, dare I say it, we all apparently sound the exact same. I know some of you won’t want to accept that, but it's the truth.
I personally don’t believe I have the thickest of accents, but it was a weekly occurrence being asked to say the standard “coke”, “chicken”, “bath”.
2. Pants, couch and living room
I would go as far as saying this caused me the most frustration during my time down south - and I got the tube into London frequently.
Every single time I would refer to the bottoms I was wearing as 'pants', the furniture I am sitting on as a 'couch' or the room in which I am sitting on the couch as a 'living room', there was sure to be someone there just waiting for their moment to question me.
I get it, you say trousers, sofa and lounge - however I do not. With that, there seems to be an eagerness to simply be right down south as opposed to accepting regional dialect differs and not everyone across the UK speaks the same.
3. Some old-age Merseyside stereotypes are still a thing in certain parts of the country
Sometimes when I would tell anyone I was from Merseyside I would get that all-too familiar side-eye and before I could say another word a 'joke' would have already been cracked about how they'll have to keep an eye on their belongings in my company.
Now I personally thought we were over that, but believe me when I say, but for some individuals, apparently not.
4. People are shocked that you do not know of everyone in all Northern territories
I met a lot of people in my short time living in Brighton and I kid you not, more or less all of them proved this point to be true to me.
Whenever anyone I knew was planning a trip anywhere up north, the conversation would go something like this: "I’m going for a meeting up North Annie, do you want to come and see your family on the way back?"
I would say: "Oh sounds lovely, where about are you going?"
Them: "Newcastle."
Right. Nowhere near where I’m from then.
I mean, I guess up north there is the common belief that anything south of Birmingham is simply London, but we at least understand that within that there is a large scale of land covered.
5. People can't grasp sarcasm as well
Being a product of a family born and raised in Wirral, particularly with a dad who grew up in the 60s, I am dry.
I communicate mostly in short, blunt and sarcastic sentences which more often than not are met with the same back from others across Merseyside. Don’t get me wrong, there is a distinct difference between rudeness and sarcasm and I know the boundaries, but overall I love a bit of dryness.
In my experience, some Southerners however, not too much.
If I had a pound for every time one of my 'jokes' was met with either confusion, abruptness or simpIy ignored, I probably would have been able to afford to stay living down there for longer.
6. On the rare occasion you meet anyone else from Merseyside, it's unwritten law you must become best friends
In my entire time down south I met two people from Merseyside.
One was a man outside Brighton train station who by chance asked me for the time and was rather delighted to hear a familiar voice. Another was another young woman in a makeup store who overheard my accent and approached me just to confirm she had definitely heard a Merseyside accent and she wasn't just that homesick she was imagining things.
Long story short, that Friday we went out for drinks and discussed the distinct differences between the North and South.
7. At some point you'll meet someone who takes real pride in the fact they've never been north of London
It is inevitable. And when it does happen, you'll wonder why they think it's a good idea to tell people they've never made the effort to explore the country they literally live in.
However, those people strangely showcase it like a badge of honour. 'You do you' as the saying goes, I guess.
8. They don't do bars like we do
I've personally never been a big town person. Don't get me wrong, during my uni years I made my fair few token appearances at Heebies, Baa Bar and Brooklyn Mixer, but I've always been much more of a bar person.
Moving to Brighton, I already anticipated the ridiculous price increase in drinks, but what I didn't anticipate is paying far more for far less impressive venues.
I'm all about the experience on a night out and with the offerings we have across Merseyside - from Alma De Cuba, NQ64, Liquor&Co in Chester and a number of offerings down the Baltic you're always guaranteed a good night out paired with exceptional service.
Down south however, there was simply few offerings that rivalled our venues here.
9. Talking to strangers down south will get you some very weird looks
Growing up, it was perfectly normal to say good morning to strangers on the street and to smile at dog walkers passing by.
Making casual chit-chat with people on public transport or while waiting in queues is all part of our day to day lives. Apparently not down south.
10. It's true that it is a VERY northern thing to go out without a coat
While my days of leaving the house in mid-January without a coat are long gone, I've been a frequent to the concept in my time.
I recall shivering down Victoria Street and returning home unable to feel my toes until approximately six hours later - but god forbid my parents recommended me to start wearing a coat out.
However, it appears the rumours were true and it is very much a northern stereotype to sacrifice style for practicality as I don't think I have ever seen anyone braving the cold in order to showcase their little House of CB number.
11. The fish and chips are surprisingly on par with Parkgate
So it wasn't all bad, and if there was one thing that helped me feel more at home was the standard of fish & chips.
I guess Brighton is a seaside resort, so it could have been expected. However, after growing up with Parkgate on the doorstep, it basically sets you up for misery when you're craving a traditional fish & chips anywhere else in the country.
So you can imagine my surprise to discover the dish at chippys down south was equally as delightful. Please not however, if you do find a decent chip shop, you're not guaranteed to find gravy on the menu.
12. The public transport doesn’t get more efficient wherever in the country you are, however it does get nicer
Lets face it, MerseyRail doesn’t provide the most luxurious of travel experiences and when you’re making that 22 minute journey from Liverpool Central to Spital, a toilet would sometimes be appreciated.
While Southern Rail was equally as unreliable when it comes to delays and cancellations, the trains do offer more space and multiple toilets - whether they’re in service is a different story however.
And with people less inclined to speak to stranger, it often means they will do everything they can to avoid sitting by you - which we all secretly know is a bonus.
13. People are nicer here, sorry
We are simply friendlier up north - and even southerners know it.
The number of times people would pass comment on how chatty I was or how grateful a shop assistant would be to receive a smile and manners truly blew my mind.
I'd of course heard the 'myth' that people from Merseyside are the friendliest people, but I thought that was just something we told ourselves to further highlight our love for our region. But no, it is true.
14. No one does glam like a Merseyside girl - more specifically a Scouse girl
Now don't get me wrong, one thing I loved about Brighton is it felt like as northern as you could get when you're down south, despite being one of the furthest cities from home. I genuinely started calling it the north of the south due to having so many similarities to Liverpool and Manchester.
Similarly to Merseyside, people from Brighton use their style to express their personality and character which makes for a very colourful city. However, it certainly lacked the glam that a Scouser brings to the room.
Nights out became very much 'jeans and a nice top' as opposed to a bold co-ord paired with a bouncy curly blow. I remember coming home and looking for any excuse to put my heels and lashes on.
15. On a final note, no one can do a decent curly blow
Perhaps a slightly outdated one as we've all moved on to a soft curl and wavy finish now, back then it was still very much my go to finish at the hairdressers.
So when the stylist wacked out her curling tongs you can imagine my horror.
And then to be told a curly blow is a 'very northern thing' and I 'definitely won't find anyone here' who could execute one properly, I knew it was time to move back home.
