I’ve lived in the UK most of my adult life. Went to school in England and was raised in England.
Recently I spent time in America living with people who were born and raised in America.
Below is the biggest difference between the USA and the UK that I noticed while there.
Exploring the differences between the USA and the UK transcends geographical boundaries, delving into the depths of their shared past and the unique personalities that have emerged on both sides of the Atlantic.
The historical journey between the USA and the UK began centuries ago, marked by colonization, revolution, and evolving alliances.
The shared roots of language, law, and governance form the foundation upon which the modern-day distinctions have grown.
The echoes of the American Revolution still resonate in the air, a testament to the divergence in paths taken by the USA and the UK.
As the colonies sought independence, a new nation emerged with its own identity, diverging from the British roots yet carrying forward elements of its cultural DNA.
Two significant wars punctuate their shared history, leaving lasting impacts on both sides of the Atlantic.
The spark that ignited the flame of independence, the American Revolution was a pivotal moment when the thirteen American colonies sought to break free from British rule.
A few decades after the American Revolution, another clash erupted between the USA and the UK. The War of 1812, often referred to as the Second War for American Independence, was fuelled by maritime disputes, trade restrictions, and the impressment of American sailors into the British navy.
While these wars were significant chapters in the USA-UK history, it's crucial to note that the relationship evolved over time, transforming from adversaries to allies.
Today, the wars of the past serve as historical markers, reminding both countries of the resilience and adaptability that have defined their intertwined destinies.
When I was in Boston I followed the Freedom Tail that took me through all the historical attractions of the city. It’s funny because I learned about things from the American perspective that I hadn’t learned about in school in England, like the Boston Tea Party or the Old Ironsides.
For those of you that don’t know.
The Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773, marked a pivotal act of colonial resistance as frustrated American colonists, disguised as Mohawk Indians, dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor to protest unjust British taxation, becoming a symbolic catalyst for the broader movement towards American independence
I also managed to see the old USS Constitution frigate nicknamed Ironside. The warship got this name because, during the wars with the British, the Americans used a new kind of wood found in Florida but not found in the UK.
The introduction of this robust and resilient wood, nearly impervious to cannon fire, provided the Americans with a significant edge over the British, earning them a reputation as the dominant maritime force.
In the UK we love a bit of sarcasm, wit, and irony. Although it's understood in the US it isn't used nearly as much.
Yes, both languages are English but variations, expressions, idioms, and of course pronunciations are different. At times very different. You should have seen the look on people's faces when I asked for a bottle of water or a packet of crisps.
It's amazing how many differences there really are between England's English and US English. For example, “How’s about it” in some American states means How are you and in England “You alright” means the same thing but say those phrases across the pond, and strange stares will meet you.
Americans are definitely more friendly and more expressive. Brits are more polite but more reserved, especially in public.
The customer service in the States is second to none they really express gratitude and give compliments, as someone who grew up in London this can be unnerving.
Americans don't think twice about talking to you on the street, you can have a full-blown discussion with a stranger and it would be normal.
In many areas of the UK, particularly in London, engaging in conversation with a stranger often occurs with a sense of caution, where at least one party may be contemplating the other person's intentions.
In case you forget you are in the States there are American flags EVERYWHERE to remind you. Some are huge.
The national anthem is also sung whenever possible, before a sports game, before a rodeo, at school, you name it. The only time I hear any other national anthem is watching the World Cup or other major sporting events.
Which brings me to my next point…
I have no idea how you can call a game that is played with your hands FOOTball and rename a perfectly fine name for football to soccer, I mean what is soccer?
Both nations are big on sports, where the US has American Football, Basketball, and Baseball, and the UK is more focused on Football (soccer), Rugby, and Cricket.
This is a bit of a strange one because there are amazing places to eat in both countries, the only thing with the US is that there are many food ingredients that are banned or illegal in the UK that you really should be aware of.
Biscuits, cookies, jelly, and many more foods all mean something different between the US and the UK.
The US has great Mexican food which we lack in the UK.
So driving is done on the other side of the car and the other side of the road. Which is about the biggest difference I saw. That and the fact that the cars in America are all enormous and probably wouldn't fit in many of the UK roads.
In the UK popular cars tend to be hatchbacks or ‘hot hatches’ perfect for smaller roads and tight parallel parking. The US has enormous ‘trucks’ that are sometimes made even more enormous with their wide arches and modifications.
I must say the cars in the US are way cooler.
Although I heard that Americans can be crazy drivers I didn't really see it. Both countries have capable and safe drivers for the most part.
I didn't see one speed camera in America, sure there are police that park up to catch speeders but no fixed cameras that I am aware of (comment below if this is a thing in your state). The UK on the other hand... you'd be lucky to drive an hour without seeing at least one speed camera, they are everywhere.
You will definitely need to hire a car if you are looking to do any type of road trips either in the US or UK, rentalcars.com caters for rentals around the world and are a more affordable option that I have seen. Check them out to see what deals you can get.
Ok, this is a pretty big one. My first time in America over 10 years ago I had no idea that you essentially had to tip.
I learned the lesson the hard way when I ordered a pizza and only gave the driver whatever change was left over, I almost had a full-blown argument in the middle of a hotel lobby. Now I know better.
In the UK we do tip but it’s more for certain places, restaurants, and the like, although most tips are included in the final bill. In many places in Europe, tipping isn't as prevalent and isn't seen as something that should be done.
Cowboys are real!
I must say I like the cowboy style. You will not see this in the UK or maybe even the East Coast of America for the most part but it's normal in some states and I’m here for the culture shock.
Did you know that England stands among the rare countries globally where police officers do not carry firearms?
Whereas in America it feels like everyone owns one. I saw guns in supermarkets, on people's laps, and holsters while they went shopping. It’s pretty surreal.
The UK and the US share most holidays like Easter and Christmas, but some of the major ones in the US are quite unique - Thanksgiving is a big holiday in America that is not celebrated in the UK and of course Independence Day or 4th July. Halloween is a holiday that is shared between both nations but is a much bigger deal in the States.
Going on vacation:
Many Americans don’t own a passport and I don't blame them, you can drive or take a flight within the country and see a vast difference in scenery. America has it all in those regards.
It’s the opposite in the UK, it would be quite strange to not have a passport as visiting nearby European countries whether by plane, car or train is a must at some point.
America is vast. The unbelievable sense of expansive openness in America, illustrated by vast landscapes like Utah's Canyonlands, is emphasized by the experience of driving for hours upon hours only to still be within the same state—a contrast to the compactness of the UK, which is smaller than a certain number of American states.
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Healthcare in the U.S. operates on a predominantly private system, with access often tied to employment or insurance, distinguishing it from more universal models in Europe.
The UK’s NHS (National Health Service) may not be perfect but I’d for sure rather have it than not.
If you are just visiting either of these countries or any other for that matter ensure you are equipped with a good travel insurance. I use CoverForYou as it has great extended stay options and multi-trip options at very reasonable prices.
The U.S. places a strong emphasis on accessibility, with laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensuring better accommodations and inclusivity.
I was with an American friend in the UK and we got off a train to then go up the stairs to the main road, my friend pointed out that there was no disability access for the stairs, which is quite shocking when you think about it. I also noticed that the standard in the U.S. was characterized by ample pavement sizes, durability, and well-maintained roads.
The UK isn't terrible with this, especially compared to many other countries but I do feel like the States go the extra mile in this respect, and rightly so.
Trains are the backbone of Europe you can get on a train in Kings Cross, London, and end up somewhere in Europe in a few hours.
As great as America's infrastructure is, they have so far missed a trick with fast service train systems. Yes, there are trains and even Metros but when you have such a big country state-of-the-art trains make a lot of sense, no?
Related: Fast train from Milan to Rome experience and Tivoli hidden gem in Rome.
No matter what you buy in America if you see the price of something just be sure to add extra, or enquire to figure out how much you really need to pay.
In the UK it would feel illegal to put a price on a menu or on a clothing item/product only to be told the actual price when you are about to pay or once you’ve consumed said product.
Pesticides on GRASS, normal grass!
I understand that when it gets too hot and there isn't enough rain, grass and ‘greenery’ start to turn brown, and that's normal. But in some places in America, the grass is sprayed with a green spray of sorts that has pesticides in it, and why there isn't an uproar is beyond me. Just WHY?
After these patches of grass are sprayed, the maintenance crew leaves behind little yellow ticket stubs in the grass to say ‘Stay off the lawn - pesticides - harmful to animals’ etc, so why spray the lawn if it's dangerous? It confuses me and quite frankly disturbs me.
HOAs need to stop this in my opinion.
I have done a bit of research on this and there is a post on this subject at ryesustainabiliy.com here I urge you to check it out.
In my exploration of the differences between the USA and the UK, from historical milestones like the American Revolution to cultural nuances in language and personality, we've witnessed the vibrant tapestry that sets these nations apart. As we consider the question of "which is better" between the USA and the UK, it's crucial to appreciate the diversity they bring to the global stage.
For me you cannot compare the two nations in terms of which is better, as the UK can fit inside California state almost two times. There is no comparison. But when it comes to visiting or even relocating across the Atlantic, some of the differences in this post will become evident and beneficial to be aware of beforehand.
From the distinct cultural expressions in British vs American personality and culture to the subtle variations in everyday words, the transatlantic journey highlights both the disparities and shared narratives.
Contact me here or leave a comment below if you have any thoughts on this subject or if you have any comparisons you’d like to add.
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