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Cultural Crossroads: 12 Key Contrasts Between Life within the US and the UK

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You would possibly suppose the variations between one English-speaking nation and one other would not be so noticeable, however it might really feel like a totally completely different world. Quite a few distinctions exist between the US and the UK that folks ought to know earlier than making the trek.

1. Greeting

handshakehandshake
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In the US, 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 typically 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 better relationship than within the US, the place informality is usually embraced sooner.

2. Tipping

Waitress takes the tip. The waiter female receives a tip from the client at the hotel bar. The concept of serviceWaitress takes the tip. The waiter female receives a tip from the client at the hotel bar. The concept of service
Picture Credit score: Shutterstock.

Tipping is anticipated and customary for many providers, similar to eating places, bars, taxis, and hairdressers within the US. The usual tip is normally 15% to twenty% of the invoice. Within the UK, tipping shouldn’t be as frequent and sometimes elective, relying on the standard of service. Some locations could embody a service cost within the invoice, wherein case no further tip is required.

3. Consuming

men with beermen with beer
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The authorized ingesting age is 21, and ingesting in public is mostly 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

Driving carDriving car
Picture Credit score: PV productions/Shutterstock.

In the US, individuals drive on the precise aspect of the street and use miles per hour because the velocity unit. Within the UK, individuals drive on the left aspect of the street and use miles per hour because the velocity unit. The UK additionally has extra roundabouts and fewer site visitors lights than the US. Moreover, most vehicles within the US are computerized, whereas most vehicles within the UK are handbook.

5. Language

Online English TeacherOnline English Teacher
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Within the US, individuals converse American English, which differs from British English in spelling, pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. For instance, Individuals say “coloration,” “condominium,” “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 possible to make use of euphemisms.

6. Humor

friends laughingfriends laughing
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In the US, 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 exhibits and in darkish comedies.

7. Meals

Roast Beef With Yorkshire Pudding, British FoodRoast Beef With Yorkshire Pudding, British Food
Picture Credit score: Acabashi – Personal work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

Meals is usually served in massive parts and with varied choices and flavors within the US. Within the UK, meals is usually served in smaller parts with a extra restricted and conventional vary of decisions. Individuals additionally are likely to eat extra quick meals, snacks, and desserts than Britons, preferring extra home-cooked meals, tea, and biscuits.

8. Vogue

woman in londonwoman in london
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The style is extra informal and relaxed within the US, with individuals sporting denims, t-shirts, sneakers, and baseball caps every day. Within the UK, trend is extra formal and conservative, with individuals frequently sporting trousers, shirts, jackets, and hats. Local weather, tradition, and traits affect trend variations between the US and the UK. Within the US, trend tends to be numerous and regionally influenced.

9. Politeness

polite conversationpolite conversation
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Apology etiquette varies between the US 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 typically extra direct and assertive than Britons, who’re extra oblique and delicate. For instance, Individuals say “I need” or “I would like,” whereas Britons say “I would really like” or “I’m wondering if.”

10. Private Area

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Picture Credit score: Shutterstock.

Private house is comparatively massive, and folks are likely to hold 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 folks 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

Eating English breakfastEating English breakfast
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Within the US, individuals normally maintain the fork of their proper hand and change 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 reduce a number of items of meals after which eat them. Additionally, you will 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

Start planning for the 2023 holiday season now.Start planning for the 2023 holiday season now.
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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 embody meals, drinks, playing cards, and crackers. Individuals additionally are likely to rejoice extra holidays than Britons, similar to Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Independence Day.

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