An American woman living in London has outlined three everyday things about the city that baffle her: the price of trains, the level of entry‑level pay and the perceived lack of seasoning in British food.

Oregon native Lili, who said she moved to London to study for a master's degree and posts as @arichwomansworld on TikTok, set out her observations in a short video that has been shared in British media. She acknowledged that people from her home city might also find aspects of London puzzling.

Lili's first point was the cost of public transport. "The public transportation is really good, it is so expensive," she said in the video, adding that she believed high fares were linked to privatisation. "So next time a British person criticises the US over something about how capitalism has reached its final state, it's also reached its final state here."

On her second point, Lili said she was surprised by the level of starting salaries advertised in London. "The starting salaries here are so shockingly low. Like the entry level salaries, some of them are like £25k in London. It's insane," she told viewers.

Her third criticism addressed food: she said British cooking was underseasoned. "You guys don't put salt on your food," she said. "Like genuinely the food is so unseasoned in a way that I just cannot understand." She added that people from other regions had agreed with her and contrasted the lack of seasoning with Britain's historical role in the spice trade.

The comments reflect long‑running conversations about cost of living, pay and culinary tastes in London. London has some of the highest housing and living costs in the United Kingdom, and debates over transport pricing and wage levels are frequent topics in local and national media. Opinions on seasoning and flavour in food vary widely and are often shaped by cultural and regional preferences.

In her video Lili framed her reactions as those of a newcomer adjusting to life in another country. She did not provide detailed data to support the salary figures she cited. The TikTok post and subsequent coverage highlight differences in everyday expectations that can draw attention when people relocate across national and cultural lines.

The video was posted to Lili's TikTok account and was subsequently reported by U.K. outlets on Sept. 7, 2025. She invited viewers to share their own stories in comments and correspondence, reflecting a broader public conversation about how newcomers interpret daily life in London.