Differences between Brits and Americans

Lived in New York City so not really America 😏 more like it’s own little country, but the things that stood out for me:
When it snows everyone goes out at 6 am and shovels the bit of sidewalk in from of their own building. If you don’t, especially in a borough like Queens or parts of Brooklyn, your neighbour will do your bit too but they WILL judge you.
WHY don’t we do this here?? I do it in my street but none of my neighbour ever do. It snows everyone year where I live and the pavements become bumpy ice rinks. There very little community spirit left in the uk. Everyone just thinks someone else should sort it.
What else? Half the Americans I knew were well read, listed to public radio, cared about politics.
Half were completely unaware of anything political, and had very little awareness of anywhere outside USA.
In the UK I think there more of a shared culture- BBC News etc but with the atomisation of social media and curating your own media we are probably becoming much more unaware of anything outside our own bubble here.
There’s a huge divide between left and right there and obvs that’s much worse post Trump.
I met a staggering number of people with no healthcare insurance at all. I couldn’t understand how they could be so accepting of the fact that they wouldn’t get treated for most things.
I wish we could import some of the neighbourliness over here though. I really loved that.

CarolinaInTheMorning · Today 02:27

And no child can be forced to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in a public (state) school. Also thanks to the First Amendment.
There have been a few cases, where schools have tried to discipline children for not doing it, but they always lose in court.

As American posters say, States vary hugely. I liked California, particularly San Francisco, but I didn't like LA. SF was more relaxed and people did speak to us when out and about, when they heard English accents.

New York, people seemed brash (not in an uncouth way) and ready to laugh. They seemed very approachable, wanted to know where we were from, what did we think of New York etc.

Working in the Gulf States was when I realised that bring overtly religious is big thing. They were astounded to hear that I am an atheist and I got invited to a LOT of churches!

I lived in US 30 years, so pretty much my adult life.
It's such a different culture and it's hard to explain.
British people seem to think they understand US more than they actually do. It isn't like the movies, people were much more down to earth where we lived, nothing like the silver screen. Their mindset is different too, lots of mistrust and independent thinking. I remember many years ago thinking they were more like the pioneers who crossed the country in wagons, those are their ancestors and they are who there grandparents and great grandparents were raised by, so the attitude prevails.

I think if you have a decent professional job & are in good health it's a much better life in USA compared to the UK.

^ Totally agree with this. I only moved to the US a few months ago but my quality of life is so much better here. I was spooked by anti-American attitudes in the UK (with many people trying to talk me out of the move!!) but living here has surpassed all expectations. As I say upthread, I am working for the same company and in the same role as I was in London, but pay is almost double, benefits are much better, and there's an almost embarrassing level of perks due to a huge focus on business development and client service (how much you spend on client entertainment is literally a performance metric where I work). I agree with PP, Americans have an abundance mindset: they spend the money.

The Midwest is huge, probably the size of Western and Central Europe? So there are definitely subdivisions, eg Plains states vs Great Lakes

I think of Nebraska as more Plains than Midwest but my geography skews eastward, being from NY

Sorry- pressed send too early, too many typos…

We travelled throughout the US and have fsuch a big country, you can’t compare say St Louis with Boston or New York.
we net people who wanted to ask questions, elsewhere no one seemed interest

The C word is much more offensive in the US because it's only directed at women, it's the worst thing you can call a woman.

My girlfriends and I would sometimes use it affectionately with each other, as some do in the UK, but at least back then, that was unusual.

Um, well, ok.

I just wasn't sure why, since you hadn't previously responded to my post about British people pronouncing paella with audible Ls, you said this to me?

I knew what you meant. Unfortunately since Trump was voted in, I will always be wondering whether I’m speaking with a Trump voter. The little differences have become less relevant.

Rabidly not a Trump voter by the way, but a bit confused about what that has to do with pronunciation?

Some people on here are just really odd (and kind of rude, in this American's opinion).

Apartments are smaller in US? Where are you living? I’m guessing New York or similar city I don’t think that’s the norm.

No it isn't. I live in Edinburgh and I don't know anyone who uses that in their everyday chats and certainly not at work. You must mix with some delightful people.

Birth is much more patriarchal and women seem much more expected to submit to men for regular vaginal exams all their life

We don’t prefer midwives, it seems unprofessional BUT both systems have something to learn from the other tbh

I think it's a lot about projecting confidence, which is in my experience something drilled into their heads from a very young age. I went to an American school as a teen and whilst there are advantages to positive thinking the 'why aren't you smiling more' when you're down can be draining. Sometimes however I still catch myself masking problems with a big smile so... old habits die hard.

Not true. I grew up in east London where it's pretty much a term of endearment, the south isn't homogeneous

Can confirm. We think British are European albeit more relatable

It’s a Great Plains state. Culturally a bit different.

Yes it is 😆

I'm Scottish and hate the C word more than I hate the F word.
Everyone I know also hates the C word and never use it( some are quite liberal with the F word though).
Maybe it depends where in Scotland you live.

I’ll just leave it there. I’m not watching the thread.

?

Yes to this ......I lived in Dunwoody (opposite Perimeter Mall #happy days) for 6 months about 10 years ago. Always went out for a quiet leisurely breakfast on a Sunday morning 'before the churches kicked out.

I knew what you meant. Unfortunately since Trump was voted in, I will always be wondering whether I’m speaking with a Trump voter. The little differences have become less relevant.

And think we are like them but we are actually more like the Europeans. I wish we were more like the Europeans.

British people are Europeans, Brexit notwithstanding.

I'm American but have lived in the UK for decades, dh is British.

To generalise: Americans' attitude tends to be sure, yes, that'll be great, we can do that, why not.
Brits: oh no, I couldn't possibly, that won't work, no, never, just no.

Americans are happier to talk about money and there is much less stigma showing off your wealth. I think the feeling is that in America anyone could possibly be rich one day so if you have it, enjoy it and flaunt it. An American sees an expensive car and thinks wow, look at that, that's great and I'm going to have one of those one day. Brit just thinks "twat".

Brits think it's distasteful to show wealth, cringe. Although people obviously do have fancy cars, etc so it's complex.

Religion is so much more part of life in America as well.

Oops, sorry! That teaches me to reply to a post whilst half asleep🤦‍♀️. As you were 😬.