You may assume the variations between one English-speaking nation and one other would not be so noticeable, however it will possibly really feel like a totally totally different world. Quite a few distinctions exist between america and the UK that individuals ought to know earlier than making the trek.
1. Greeting
In america, greetings usually contain a agency handshake, eye contact, and a heat smile. Hugging and cheek kissing could also be reserved for shut family and friends. In the UK, handshakes are frequent however are usually much less agency, and sustaining a well mannered distance is extra customary. Moreover, addressing somebody by their first title within the UK could require a more in-depth relationship than within the US, the place informality is commonly embraced sooner.
2. Tipping
Tipping is predicted and customary for many companies, reminiscent of eating places, bars, taxis, and hairdressers within the US. The usual tip is normally 15% to twenty% of the invoice. Within the UK, tipping is just not as frequent and sometimes elective, relying on the standard of service. Some locations could embrace a service cost within the invoice, wherein case no additional tip is required.
3. Consuming
The authorized ingesting age is 21, and ingesting in public is usually prohibited within the US. Within the UK, the authorized ingesting age is eighteen, and ingesting in public is extra acceptable, particularly in parks and on public transport. Pubs and bars are additionally extra prevalent within the UK than within the US.
4. Driving
In america, individuals drive on the precise aspect of the street and use miles per hour because the pace unit. Within the UK, individuals drive on the left aspect of the street and use miles per hour because the pace unit. The UK additionally has extra roundabouts and fewer visitors lights than the US. Moreover, most automobiles within the US are computerized, whereas most automobiles within the UK are handbook.
5. Language
Within the US, individuals converse American English, which differs from British English in spelling, pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. For instance, Individuals say “shade,” “condo,” “soccer,” and “pants,” whereas Britons say “color,” “flat,” “soccer,” and “trousers.” Individuals additionally have a tendency to make use of extra slang and casual language than Britons, who’re extra seemingly to make use of euphemisms.
6. Humor
In america, humor tends to be fairly easy, usually involving sarcasm and poking enjoyable at oneself. Consider stand-up comedy and sitcoms cracking sharp jokes and making enjoyable of on a regular basis life.
In the UK, their humor has a special taste. It is all about wordplay, dry wit, and a love for satire. British comedy enjoys getting a bit absurd and is not afraid to dive into the bizarre or awkward, particularly on panel reveals and in darkish comedies.
7. Meals
Meals is commonly served in massive parts and with numerous choices and flavors within the US. Within the UK, meals is commonly served in smaller parts with a extra restricted and conventional vary of selections. Individuals additionally are likely to eat extra quick meals, snacks, and desserts than Britons, preferring extra home-cooked meals, tea, and biscuits.
8. Style
The style is extra informal and relaxed within the US, with individuals carrying denims, t-shirts, sneakers, and baseball caps day by day. Within the UK, style is extra formal and conservative, with individuals recurrently carrying trousers, shirts, jackets, and hats. Local weather, tradition, and developments affect style variations between america and the UK. Within the US, style tends to be various and regionally influenced.
9. Politeness
Apology etiquette varies between america and the UK. Within the US, individuals usually use “I am sorry” to specific empathy and politeness, even in minor conditions. Within the UK, whereas politeness is valued, extreme use of apologies for minor issues is frequent, and the phrase “I am sorry” could also be employed as a type of courtesy or to diffuse awkward conditions.
Additionally, Individuals are usually extra direct and assertive than Britons, who’re extra oblique and delicate. For instance, Individuals say “I need” or “I want,” whereas Britons say “I would really like” or “I’m wondering if.”
10. Private Area
Private house is comparatively massive, and other people are likely to maintain a distance of a minimum of an arm’s size from one another within the USA. Within the UK, private house is comparatively small, and other people have a tendency to face nearer to one another, particularly in crowded locations. Individuals additionally have a tendency to the touch and hug one another greater than Britons, who’re extra reserved and restrained.
11. Cutlery Expertise
Within the US, individuals normally maintain the fork of their proper hand and swap to the left hand when they should use the knife, whereas within the UK, individuals normally maintain the fork of their left hand and the knife of their proper hand all through the meal.
One other distinction is that within the USA, individuals have a tendency to chop one piece of meals at a time after which eat it, whereas within the UK, individuals normally lower a number of items of meals after which eat them. Additionally, you may discover Individuals usually relaxation their cutlery on the sting of the plate when they don’t seem to be utilizing them, whereas within the UK, individuals usually cross their cutlery on the plate when they don’t seem to be utilizing them.
12. Holidays
Within the US, holidays are sometimes celebrated with household, associates, and neighbors and contain events, parades, fireworks, and presents. Within the UK, holidays are sometimes celebrated with household, associates, and colleagues and embrace meals, drinks, playing cards, and crackers. Individuals additionally are likely to have fun extra holidays than Britons, reminiscent of Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Independence Day.
