Americans vs Brits

[WeirdHandDryers]

What’s the difference? Because there is a massive difference but I can’t put my finger on what it is! I love America so this isn’t an American bashing thread, would just love to know if anyone else sees the massive difference between the average Brit and the average American?

I can't get over the arrogance of Brits claiming that America has no history. Or that Americans have a lower IQ, on average (seriously, where'd you pull that from?). Or that they are exceptionally fat, considering that, in the obesity stakes, the UK doesn't come in far behind the US.

I find that Americans haven't as much of a sense of humour as us Brits. Some also think that the USA is the only civilised country in the world. I was once asked if we have supermarkets in the UK.

I have one American friend, who I spend a week with, about every 3-4 years... I love her dearly, but after a week, I'm ready for her to go! I can't even put my finger on what it is really... I think one thing is that she's really bad about saying, or showing, that she's enjoying something... I'll plan a thing I think she'll really like, and she has a face like a slapped arse the entire time, and barely speaks. But then I see on social media later on that she claims to have loved every single minute of it!! I find that very odd, and tiring.

I moved from downtown manhattan to rural north Wales 15 years ago. My experience of America is a highly fashionable place! My experience of Britain is wellies, fleeces, pack a macs and mud! So you can't say that America less fashionable really can you

British people are generally really lovely but on the whole they are very insecure. People always comment on how confident I am. I'm really not, I'm just a normal reflection of the culture I was raised in.

British people are far less confident which seeps into the national psyche. It probably also contributes to lots of things like humour and self effacement which actually make British people so nice!

I lived in America for a year. Americans have much more confidence and positivity that people in the UK. They have more energy and are more athletic. On the down side I think they are generally a bit less intelligent and don't think before they speak or act.

In lots of ways life is easier in the US, things are made simple, instead of complicated for no reason. There is a lot more space, outdoor activity, sports and opportunity. But in other ways life is harder, if you are sick, marginalised or unpopular life can be really difficult in America.

I think there was a bit more community spirit in the US than here. Religion seems to be very big in the US. Where I lived it was expected that everyone went to church. It is also essential that everyone drives as there aren't many pavements or good public transport in a lot of places.

In the US people would just say what they think, rather than try and be polite, I think that's a good thing. In the US there is a lot more patriotism and a lack of knowledge about the rest of the world, which is really annoying at times.

Consumerism is much worse there than here, I was surprised by the size of the houses, cars, closets, meals etc. Facilities were better though - school facilities were amazing, plumbing worked, everything works.

But on balance, I prefer living in the UK to America.

If you visit New York City, Orlando or Los Angeles-don’t come back to the UK thinking you’re an expert on America.

Likewise, if the only Americans you come in contact with are tourists in London, or worse yet-only on television and movies-don’t think you’re an expert on Americans.

That said, I’m an American happily living in the UK-and I’d probably emigrate, given the opportunity. As a Brit in America said earlier-I’ve been told I’m the ‘right’ kind of immigrant too-by the English!

I'm an Aussie and feel that Brits are far more like Aussies than Americans are. Americans (and I'm speaking generally, because of course everyone is different), seem to take themselves far more seriously than Brits. They also see the US as the centre of the world. Brits can laugh at themselves and have quirkier and dryer senses of humour.

NameChanger22

More athletic? 🤣 A great many Americans are seriously, seriously morbidly obese - almost unbelievably so - which makes moving impossible far less indulging in athletic pursuits.

Aussie and Brits are more compatible - agreed. Think it’s down to humour. Americans are so earnest and apart from a minority, I imagine, offer little in the way of dry humour or irony.

Aussies...

I have American family and British family. The American side is a lot louder, more in your face and confident, hug everyone, very patriotic. British side are quieter, more reserved and have more boundaries, very polite. On a side note my Australian family seem to be a blend of British and American

I moved from downtown manhattan to rural north Wales 15 years ago. My experience of America is a highly fashionable place! My experience of Britain is wellies, fleeces, pack a macs and mud! So you can't say that America less fashionable really can you

Downtown Manhattan isn't really comparable to the rest of USA though is it!? There aren't many other cities like NYC!

Years ago, we were in Florida, at the Magic Kingdom. When it got to 5 o'clock (I think), the flag was lowered, the national anthem played. Everything and everyone stopped, turned to the flag and put their hands on their hearts. Everyone said the pledge of allegiance. I've never seen anything like it - you could've heard a pin drop. I could never see that happening here. So patriotism is a difference. They fly their flags with pride.

Everyone was so friendly and I don't mean just staff, the people were lovely. I can honestly say, I've never met an American I didn't like.

I used to work in the service industry in a pub that catered predominantly to Americans (specifically the military and their families) and I’m now married to one. Based on my observations from my previous jobs, Americans were far more polite than Brits, almost always courteous whereas British customers were the ones that we came to expect to be rude and loud. American parents would expect their children to behave in the restaurant area, whereas it was the British families that let their kids run riot. Stereotyping yes, but it was a general rule we all (in the industry) observed.

I started every day by pledging allegiance to the flag. I could do it in my sleep.

We also sang 'Fifty Nifty United States' every day in Geography.

Also, you'll find a US flag on some of the most expensive real estate in the US - a marked difference to where you might find the Union Jack in the UK.

Another difference: in the US I grew up calling every adult Mr. and Mrs. Here, I was (unpleasantly) surprised to find every schoolchild calling me 'Impending' when my children started school. We considered re-branding ourselves as Mr. & Mrs. Doom when my eldest started secondary school, but it was a case of too little, too late, and we felt like frauds.

So I've basically missed out on my entire Mrs. Doom existence.

they don't have dippy eggs

More athletic? 🤣 A great many Americans are seriously, seriously morbidly obese - almost unbelievably so - which makes moving impossible far less indulging in athletic pursuits.

I went to school in America. There were sports classes all day long and most students loved sports. And they were also really, really good at them. Out of school everyone went skiing, water skiing, to basketball and other sporting events. That was my experience. I guess when people get older and drop all the physical activity they gain weight fast.

Even the fatter kids were really into sports and physically fit. Americans are mostly a bit bigger than us, height and weight.

My sis in law is American and she's fecking annoying, not sure if that's a difference but yeah...I don't like her...My brother is a British gentleman...

On a less mean note, American's really know how to oversell themselves whereas the British are much more modest...

They will say they can do anything, the British will say they 'think' they might be able to do it... The oversell is a kill though, sil has come here and can't do or doesn't do anything she says she can. Modesty is the better way forward...

Also, you'll find a US flag on some of the most expensive real estate in the US

Tell me about it!! I was in one of Boston's pricier areas just after 9/11 and a local guy had a house with 15ft pillars each side of his door. Between them he'd hung a massive great Stars and Stripes ... floodlit

I've rarely seen such an emphatic statement of nationhood ...

@SilentIsla

About 95% of what you've said in this thread has been pretty disparaging - I'm still curious to know what you are basing your vast experience of America and its culture on?

impendingdisaster
Interesting,oat of my friemds' kids when we lived there called me Missing or Miss Missing, never Mrs Summer. Ever. Maybe it's regional? I did like the Miss+First Name thing though, it wasn't too formal but still had a slight degree of separation from just first names.

Ex is American. Unwavering confidence, self belief and determination. It’s what made me fall head over heels in love with him. He doesn’t recognise the word ‘can’t’ and this attitude really rubbed off onto me.

He said he couldn’t believe how self deprecating we as Brits were, said he found the English quite cold and was saddened by our cynicism

Miss First Name or Mr. First Name is the usual form of address by children of adults where I live in the South. The little fellow next door has trouble remembering DH's name and calls him Mr Man. You almost never hear a child addressing adults by first name alone.

I've a friend who live in Texas , it takes 24 hours to drive across it

The Yorkshire man replied, 'I used to have a rubbish car too' The 'rubbish' is the polite version!