How does british culture differ from american

In the UK, it often feels surreal to pick up a prescription for a month's supply of medication without swiping a health insurance card or opening my wallet. To my husband, the need for US residents to pay for necessary medication is equally unusual. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. Get the Insider App. Click here to learn more. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. Sophia Mitrokostas. I grew up in the United States but my husband grew up in the United Kingdom, where we both now live.

In my experience, A lot of things that are common in the US aren't so common in the UK, such as celebrating Halloween, going on trips to enjoy fall foliage, and tipping bartenders.

In the UK, I can't order a "regular coffee" unless I want watered down espresso, and if I want the pancakes I'm used to, I have to order them "American-style. My partner thinks it's strange that servers take your credit card away in US restaurants.

Fall activities, like hayrides and "leaf-peeping," are completely alien to my Scottish husband. My husband finds it strange to tip bartenders and buy your own drinks at a bar. Halloween is much more of a big deal in the US than it is in the UK.

Everyday patriotism is a little weird to my husband. Having electrical outlets or light switches in a bathroom terrifies my partner. My husband has said he feels more pressure to clean up his food wrappers at casual eateries in the US than he does in the UK.

My husband is puzzled when I ask for a "regular coffee. Eggs sold in UK grocery stores aren't usually refrigerated like they are in the US. The UK leads the US on renewable energy, but excess plastic is everywhere in grocery stores.

Medical care in the UK is free, although it often comes with longer wait times. Medical appointments in the UK are shorter and involve fewer forms. If you're having surgery in the UK, you may need to bring your own pillow and pain medication. My partner thinks it's disturbing that people need to pay for prescription medicine in the US.

Loading Something is loading. Email address. I absolutely love living in the UK, and it feels like a second home to me. Over the years I have observed and naturally taken note of the differences between American and British culture, some of which I've listed below. If you don't ask your British colleagues if they would like a cup of tea or a coffee when you go to make yours, then you instantly get the stink eye. Drinking alcohol profusely is encouraged at most work events and the rejoicing together the next day with a unanimous hangover.

If you need to pee then it's a "wee," and if you need the bathroom then it's "the toilet" or "loo. The weather is a true topic of conversation, and you will discuss it with at least two people every day. I now actively join in with this. There's a high volume of hatchbacks on the road and the majority of people drive a manual car.

If you have a driving license to drive automatic, then you cannot drive a manual. Oh, and an SUV is immediately called a 4x4. Five-week paid vacations and amazing maternity leave is a real thing and does exist. Hats off to the British for that.

Be prepared to pack your own shopping bags and being asked if you would like to pay for a 5p bag or upgrade to a "bag for life" otherwise you're left carrying your items in your hands as all shopping bags now cost 5p to save the environment. When greeting someone you may hear "you alright?

The British are brand savvy. The vacuum is called the "Hoover;" cream cheese is "Philadelphia;". Parking lots are called "car parks," and you will rarely find one that is free. Especially at hospitals! The doctor's office is known as the "GP Surgery. Nurses don't wear scrubs, and you'll often see them in the traditional uniform still a dress for women!

The police don't carry guns; therefore, the general public do not carry guns for the majority. British people do not make small talk with strangers, and they would never strike up conversation with someone on public transportation.

Occasions and get-togethers can sometimes drag on and end awkwardly because no one likes to make excuses to leave. Everyone talks about getting home extensions, and it's the norm as most houses are very small in comparison to American-style homes.

The British do not embrace the fall aka Autumn and completely by-pass the pumpkin spice craze like Americans. Though thank you, Starbucks, for your Pumpkin Spice Lattes!

A large coke at McDonalds is equivalent to a medium in the states. A regular coke is equivalent to a child's coke in a kids' meal. This would be because there is no such thing as "free refills" apart from Nandos or American restaurants like TGI Friday's. Milk is put into coffee.

Right Hand Side Driving. Cars tend to have a manual transmission. The metric system metres, grammes, litres, Celsius, etc. Image Courtesy: youtube. Comments This is an interesting topic indeed. I did not know it earlier that donors have so many questions before executing his donations. However, these are genuine and logical.

Great post thank Keep doing good job Eva miss. This is an interesting topic indeed. I'm British! Most American people might think it's shocking to have stores already shut down at p. US dollars aren't the same value as British pounds. In the beginning, you may take it wrong and consider pounds the same value as dollars. You have to study better the conversion rate because one pound is a little more than one dollar.

If you spend money without keeping this in mind, you will end up spending way more than you wanted. Your email address will not be published. Subscribe to Nashville Meets London. So, take paper and pen and get ready for these facts: British people love to bet on almost everything in this world. As you can see, the UK and the US are two completely different realities, each with its own features and culture.

Brits are also different than Americans as to daily habits, the vision of life, and even professional ethics. Post Written By superuser