Moving between America and Britain is definitely an eye-opening experience.
On the surface, the two countries share a language, a lot of pop culture, and a general love for complaining about the weather. However, once you’ve actually lived in both countries, the differences become impossible to ignore. From the little things that catch you off guard to the full-on culture shocks, here are a few things you’ll only truly understand if you’ve experienced life on both sides of the Atlantic.
1. The confusion over “tea” is never-ending.
This is so cliche as to be eye roll-worthy at this point, but that’s because it’s still a thing, and it shouldn’t be. Over here, “tea” can mean an actual cup of tea, but it can also mean dinner, depending on where you are. In the US, tea is mostly iced, often sweetened, and ordering a “hot tea” gets you a blank look. Nothing is more disorienting than asking for tea in the US and getting a giant glass of cold, sugary liquid. Meanwhile, Americans in the UK are equally baffled by the fact that their British friends are inviting them over for “tea” and then serving them a full meal.
2. Public transport is a completely different game.
If you’re in the UK, public transport is a fact of life. Even outside of London, trains and buses are at least an option, even if they’re expensive and unreliable. In the US? Not so much. Outside of major cities like New York, Chicago, and DC, public transport is barely an option. In most places, you need a car for basic tasks like getting groceries or going to work. Brits who move to the US are often shocked by how inconvenient things feel without one.
3. The tipping culture in the US is stressful.
Here, tipping is simple: 10-12.5% if you feel like it, usually already included in the bill, and definitely not expected for things like ordering a drink at a bar. In America, tipping is a whole different world. Not only is it expected almost everywhere, but it’s also necessary because service workers rely on it to make a living. Brits living in the US go from being confused about tipping to stressing over whether 20% is enough, while Americans coming here feel guilty that tipping isn’t a big deal.
4. Everything in the US is bigger (for better or worse).
From cars to houses to portion sizes, the US operates on a different scale. A “medium” drink in the US is the size of a large in the UK, and grocery store aisles feel comically oversized. At first, when we go to the US, Brits love the space and value for money, but it quickly becomes overwhelming, especially when you accidentally order a meal that could feed a family of four.
5. UK supermarkets vs US grocery stores are a culture shock.
Our supermarkets have clear aisles, a manageable number of choices, and an entire section dedicated to biscuits. US grocery stores? Absolute chaos. Everything is huge, there are 47 brands of peanut butter, and some items (like squash or proper baked beans) just don’t exist. Meanwhile, Americans who live over here often wonder why everything closes so early and why they have to bring their own bags everywhere.
6. Air conditioning is a necessity in the US but a luxury in the UK.
In this country, air conditioning is almost unheard of in homes. Even during a heatwave, most people just suffer through with fans and ice packs. In the US, air con is everywhere, even when it’s not necessary. When we go to America, stepping into a freezing cold supermarket in the middle of summer is a shock. When Americans come here, on the other hand, realising they have to survive 30-degree heat with nothing but an open window is borderline traumatic.
7. The NHS vs the US healthcare system is night and day.
Here, you book a GP appointment (if you can get past the dragon receptionist, that is), get prescriptions for a reasonable price, and don’t have to worry about medical bills. In the US, healthcare is a complicated, expensive nightmare. Americans who move here are amazed that they can see a doctor without getting a bill, while Brits in the US experience firsthand why so many Americans hesitate to go to the doctor, even when they really need to.
8. The US takes customer service very seriously.
British customer service is functional but rarely overly friendly. A server will take your order, bring your food, and that’s about it. In the US, customer service is next-level — staff are trained to be upbeat, chatty, and go above and beyond. At first, we tend to think of the US think it’s a bit much, but eventually, they get used to it. Meanwhile, Americans over here often assume a slightly uninterested server is being rude, when in reality, they’re just following standard British customer service norms.
9. The weather obsession in the UK is unmatched.
Another stereotype, but if we’re being honest, we all know it’s true. Yes, Americans talk about the weather, but we live for weather discussions. It’s the ultimate small talk topic, a go-to conversation starter, and an acceptable complaint in any situation. Americans who move to the UK quickly learn that moaning about the rain is practically a national sport, while those of us who move to the US are confused by how little people comment on the weather — until a snowstorm or hurricane hits.
10. British politeness vs American confidence is a thing.
In the UK, politeness is about being indirect, self-deprecating, and not making a fuss. In the US, confidence is key — people introduce themselves easily, speak up, and generally take up space. Brits in America might find it refreshing or overwhelming, while Americans over here often mistake British politeness for coldness before realising it’s just a different style of interaction.
11. Driving in the US feels like a different world.
In the UK, driving involves narrow roads, roundabouts, and petrol that costs a small fortune. In the US, the roads are wide, parking spaces are massive, and petrol (or gas) is shockingly cheap. Americans moving to the UK often panic at their first roundabout, while Brits in the US are amazed by how far you have to drive to get anywhere. Plus, they don’t have roundabouts — at least not on our level.
12. The concept of “football” will always be an issue.
Football means one thing in the UK and something completely different in the US. Brits moving to America struggle to accept that “soccer” is what they have to call it, while Americans in the UK learn quickly that the UK’s passion for football runs deep. No matter how long you live on the other side of the Atlantic, you’ll always feel a little bit of confusion when someone talks about football — because depending on where you are, they could mean two entirely different sports.
