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We have plenty in common with America, but...

gaymen2
4 days ago
7 min read

We have plenty in common with America, for sure, but daily life in both places can (thankfully) feel worlds apart.

While some American customs are interesting from a distance, others just seem unnecessary or, frankly, exhausting. Whether it’s extreme workplace expectations, baffling food habits, or an over-the-top approach to customer service, there are plenty of things we’re happy to leave on the other side of the Atlantic. Life here in the UK is definitely better without these things, that’s for sure. But then, I'm British so I would say that - wouldn't I ???

1. The culture of extreme tipping

Tipping in the US isn’t just a polite gesture — it’s practically a second wage system. Whether you’re in a restaurant, ordering a coffee, or even just picking up takeaway, tipping is expected, often at a steep 20% or more.

Over here, tipping is optional, and service charges are usually included in restaurants, though this seems to be slowly changing. You leave extra if the service was genuinely good, not because you’re guilt-tripped into it. There’s no awkward moment at the till, no tipping screens pressuring you for 25%, and definitely no expectation to tip when grabbing a quick snack.

2. Sales tax surprises

One of the most confusing things about shopping in the US is that the price you see on the tag isn’t what you actually pay. Sales tax is added at the till, which means you never quite know how much something will cost until you’re handing over your money. In the UK, the price you see is the price you pay, and there’s no mental maths required. Having to work out extra costs every time you buy something sounds exhausting, and we’re happy to avoid that hassle.

3. The obsession with work

American work culture is intense. Long hours, barely any holiday time, and a hustle mentality that turns burnout into something to be proud of. Some workplaces even expect employees to check emails late at night and over the weekend.

Here, while work can still be demanding, people value their time off. Holiday leave is taken seriously, lunch breaks actually exist, and there’s a general understanding that work shouldn’t take over your entire life. The idea of answering work emails on a Sunday? Absolutely not. We also get more holidays per year than the average working American... much more.

4. Ice in absolutely everything

In the States, drinks come loaded with ice, often to the point where half the cup is frozen water before you even take a sip. Even in the middle of winter, they insist on piling ice into every drink. In this country, we prefer a chilled drink, not one that’s mostly ice with a splash of liquid. A few cubes are fine, but there’s no need to fill the glass to the brim like it’s a necessity for survival.

5. Prescription drug adverts on TV

Turn on the TV in the US, and you’ll probably see an ad for prescription medication. They’re dramatic, usually featuring someone looking miserable before taking the drug and suddenly having the best day of their life — followed by a list of side effects that sound worse than the illness itself. This just wouldn’t happen in the UK. Medicines are prescribed based on medical need, not because of flashy adverts convincing people they need them. The idea of asking your doctor for a medication you saw on TV feels bizarre to us.

6. Over-apologetic customer service

American customer service can feel like an emotional performance. Staff are expected to be over-the-top friendly, check in constantly, and sometimes apologise for things that aren’t even problems. In ol’ Blighty, we like good service, but we don’t need forced enthusiasm or someone checking if everything is alright every five minutes. A polite greeting and efficient service are all that’s required — no need for an Oscar-worthy act.

7. Extreme loyalty to universities

Americans tend to treat their university like a lifelong identity. Even decades after graduating, they still wear university-branded hoodies, follow their college sports teams religiously, and even donate money to their old school. In the UK, university is just a place you go to study. Once you graduate, you move on. There’s no need to spend years proudly repping your university like it’s a defining part of your personality.

Largely because Americans are obsessed with class, and where you went to school / university and like to brag about their achievements, qualifiactions and degrees decades after taking them as if it is impressive, which to them maybe it is, but to us Brits, we just find it annoying and petty - showing signs of inferiority so hence the need to brag all the time.

8. Drive-thru everything

Drive-thru fast food? Fine. But in the US, they have drive-thru pharmacies, drive-thru coffee shops, and even drive-thru banks. In some places, you can practically live your entire life without stepping out of your car. In this country, we prefer to actually walk into a shop if we need something. It’s not exactly difficult, and it beats sitting in a long queue just to get a cup of coffee. Maybe that is why there are so many really fat people ( sorry - obese - yes that's what I said - FAT ) in the USA, can't be bothered to get out of their cars even to buy a burger.

9. The extreme patriotism

American flags are everywhere — on houses, cars, clothing, and even some food packaging. Singing the national anthem isn’t just for major events; it’s a routine part of sports games, schools, and sometimes even casual gatherings. Patriotism obviously exists in the UK, but it’s much more low-key (for the most part). There’s a time and place for it, but there’s no expectation to put flags outside your house or start singing the anthem at every opportunity. It, kind of, reeks of insecurity.

10. Massive portion sizes

American portions are huge. A medium drink there is about the size of a UK large, and some meals could easily feed two people. It’s great value, but sometimes it’s just too much. Portions are more realistic over here. You get enough food to enjoy your meal without feeling like you need to be rolled out of the restaurant afterwards. Doggy Bags are common practice and hence there is so much obesity in the USA - see above.

11. Round-the-clock work emails

In America, many companies expect employees to be available all the time. Even on holiday, workers feel pressured to check emails and respond to work-related messages. Not over here! Thankfully, we as a nation take our time off seriously. Once work hours are over, emails can wait. The idea of responding to work messages while on holiday would be laughed out of most offices. Americans also get far less holiday time per year than we do here in the UK.

12. Hidden fees everywhere

In the US, prices rarely include all the extra charges. Whether it’s resort at hotels, unexpected service charges, or additional delivery costs, there’s always something tacked on at the last minute. On the flip side, people in the UK appreciate knowing the full cost upfront. Nobody wants to think they’re paying one price, only to find out later that there’s an extra £10 added for reasons that aren’t even clear. Every State has a different sales tax added to almost everything you buy. Unheard of in the UK.

13. The obsession with making everything bigger

In America, bigger is always better. Cars are bigger, houses are bigger, theme parks are bigger, and even coffee cups seem like they could be repurposed as a small bucket. Sometimes even cocks are bigger, but not as often as the porn movies would show. Here in the UK, we don’t feel the need to supersize everything. A normal-sized house, a reasonably portioned meal, and a car that actually fits in a parking space are all perfectly fine.

The one thing we do have that is massive, is our utility bills...

14.Sense of humour.

As we in the UK already know, the American sense of humour is childish. It is not as mature as ours where pathos and irony and self deprevation ( self put downs ) are all part of our cultural humour. All countres have different humours and while America thinks it is the centre of the Universe in everything, in its humour, it is light years behind the UK where we know how to take the piss, out of others - in fun - and mostly out of ourselves, and this goes right over most Americans heads and see it as rude. ( get a grip... )

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Why does an American company from Oceanside California that has chosen to use the name Brixton, think it is OK to threaten a community hub that is in the Borough of Brixton (London UK) for using the name of where they live, with legal action?

Why it happens?

Fucking arrogance and total ignorance on behalf of the Americans, that's why...

Americans think they own the entire planet.

Americans, like Trump, think they can bully their way around the planet.

American Lawyers think that they are Lords of All Creation and can do exactly whatever they want.

It will not go well for the American lawyers as this will be laughed out of court, London boroughs date back almost 2,000 years and you think a brand new business is going to assume control over a name that has been used for centuries ??? The lawyers do not care as they will be paid regardless.

Oh, also, don’t just fight in the courts. Use the California media to make it a public scandal that damages the American company’s reputation. They will back off so fast there will be sonic booms and maybe, just maybe, they will realise they are not God Almighty at all and they can fuck off.

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