Americans are famously open and direct, which is part of their charm.
However, some of the things they’ll say loudly in public would make a Brit’s soul quietly leave their body. Brits tend to be way more reserved, especially in front of strangers. Here are some things our friends from the US say in public that most of us would never dream of uttering aloud.
1. “How much money do you make?”
Source: Unsplash In America, talking openly about salaries is becoming more common, especially among younger people who see it as a way to promote fairness. But to us, asking someone about their income in public feels about as comfortable as asking them their underwear size.
Money is an intensely private topic in British culture, and discussing it loudly—or at all, really—is seen as incredibly crass. A Brit would rather sit through an awkward silence than answer that question in front of a crowd.
2. “I’m seeing a therapist!”
Americans have (rightly) normalised talking about mental health, and it’s common to hear someone casually mention their therapist over brunch or in a queue. It’s open, honest, and often refreshing. In the UK, however, therapy is still more whispered about than shouted. Even if we are seeing a therapist, you probably won’t hear about it unless you’re close, and definitely not while we’re ordering coffee.
3. “This service is terrible!” loudly, while still in the restaurant
Americans are used to holding service to a high standard, especially when tipping is involved. Complaining loudly if something’s wrong is totally acceptable, sometimes even expected. Brits, meanwhile, would rather eat an undercooked meal, quietly leave, and never return than cause a public scene. Complaining in public is almost physically painful for us, and we’ll usually save any critique for a discreet online review later.
4. “We should totally hang out!” to someone they just met
Americans are brilliant at friendliness. Chatting someone up for five minutes and then suggesting hanging out feels totally natural. It’s warm, welcoming, and often genuine. Brits, on the other hand, need a little more time. Friendship is built slowly, often over months of cautious small talk. Suggesting plans right after a brief conversation would make most Brits internally combust from the sheer boldness of it all.
5. “I love you, man!” to a mate after a pint
It’s not unusual to hear Americans loudly declare their love for their friends, especially after a drink or two. It’s affectionate, spontaneous, and heartfelt, and no one really bats an eye. As for us Brits, even after several pints, the most you’ll get is a hearty slap on the back or a mumbled “You’re alright, you are.” Public emotional outbursts, even positive ones, are still handled with maximum awkwardness.
6. “Can I speak to the manager?” at full volume
If something’s wrong, Americans don’t hesitate to escalate it quickly, and asking for the manager is seen as a totally reasonable step to get it sorted. It’s direct, not rude—at least in the States. For Brits, asking to speak to the manager feels aggressive and deeply uncomfortable. Most of us would rather just quietly fume, accept the inconvenience, and bring it up with friends later in a hushed, passive-aggressive post-mortem.
7. “That’s my dream car!” said to a stranger driving it
Americans will enthusiastically compliment strangers in public—cars, outfits, hairstyles, you name it. It’s seen as a genuine, nice thing to do, and often sparks fun conversations. We tend to keep that kind of admiration to ourselves. Walking up to a stranger and gushing over their possessions feels a bit too forward for most, even if we’re silently thinking the exact same thing.
8. “Oh my God, I love your accent!”
Many Americans are fascinated by accents and will not hesitate to say so, often loudly and enthusiastically, the moment they hear one they like. It’s meant as a compliment, and usually is taken that way. Complimenting someone’s accent publicly feels a bit cringe for us, though—almost like pointing out that someone’s hair or clothes are “different.” We might notice, but we’ll rarely mention it unless we know you well.
9. “Can you believe how much weight I lost?”
In the U.S., it’s pretty common to openly celebrate personal achievements like weight loss, gym milestones, or health goals, even chatting about it loudly in public spaces like coffee shops or stores. For us, bringing up weight (yours or anyone else’s) feels wildly inappropriate unless you’re with your inner circle—and even then, it’s handled with a level of awkwardness that’s almost impressive.
10. “I’m SO blessed!” about pretty much anything
Americans aren’t shy about expressing gratitude loudly and publicly, often with a touch of religious or spiritual language like “blessed” or “grateful.” It’s earnest and positive, and totally normal back home. Brits tend to be more understated about good fortune. Even if we’re over the moon inside, we’ll usually downplay it with phrases like “not too bad” or “can’t complain” instead of announcing divine favour to a room full of strangers.
11. “We just got engaged!” shouted across a busy restaurant
Celebrating life milestones loudly and proudly is a very American thing. Announcing engagements, pregnancies, or other big news in public is often met with cheers and congratulations from total strangers. In the UK, we might quietly sip our tea and text a few close friends before posting a carefully understated photo later. Public fanfare is not really our thing, even for huge personal moments.
12. “This is the BEST DAY EVER!” over something small
Americans are brilliant at finding excitement in everyday wins, and they’ll declare it for everyone to hear. Getting a free coffee, finding a good parking spot, or spotting a cute dog can spark a “best day ever” outburst without a second thought. Brits, meanwhile, tend to play it cool. Even if we’re thrilled inside, you’ll probably get a raised eyebrow, a dry “Well, that’s nice,” and maybe a small, satisfied smile—but definitely no public declarations.
13. “I’m so proud of myself!”
Americans are encouraged to celebrate personal wins openly, and saying you’re proud of yourself out loud isn’t seen as arrogant—it’s seen as healthy confidence. It’s celebrated, not judged. In British culture, self-congratulation is far more muted. Pride is usually cloaked in self-deprecating humour, like “Got lucky, really,” or “Could’ve been worse,” even if we’re secretly chuffed.
14. “You should totally come visit sometime!” (and mean it)
Americans often extend casual invitations even to newer acquaintances, and they genuinely mean it. Visiting, hosting, road-tripping—it’s all part of that open, welcoming vibe. Brits are a lot more cautious about who we invite into our homes, and even when we say “You’ll have to pop round sometime,” it’s often more politeness than a firm invitation. Showing up at our door unannounced would give us an actual heart attack.
