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.
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.
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
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
Source: Unsplash 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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 perfectly fine.
