Tiny differences between America and the UK
After celebrating my first July 4th, America’s founding holiday, and living in America for nearly a year, I’ve noticed many differences in culture. I’ve previously written about my favourite differences in language, but regardless of it’s source, I find each and every discrepancy fascinating.
Some are large — attitudes towards public spending, urban infrastructure, and human rights — and some are very small, and can too easily pass you by if you don’t pause.
So, with the desire to uplift and raise those small, cute distinctions in life, here’s a list of my favourite small, trivial differences between the UK and USA.
Enjoy!
💩 Gaps in public toilet restrooms
Public bathrooms in the US have a massive gap between toilet door and the frame. And no one I’ve spoken to can explain why:
This is terrifying. Whoever designed this nightmarish cubicle either has never used a public restroom or doesn’t have bowels. Potentially both.
You can’t do your business in public without acknowledging the dozens of fellow workers, restaurateurs, or travellers lurking nearby: “yes, someone is in here”… “yes, the lift is still broken”… “yes, I eat plenty of fibre, thanks”.
Thankfully, there is no gap in the rest of the world. You can relax in peace. Landing at Heathrow never felt so good.
🚶Walking
People consistently walk on right hand side of pavement sidewalk in ‘murica1. The consistency is bewildering: there’s no written rule, but people strictly follow it.
In my first weeks here I had I wonderful dance with a stranger on the street, darting to my left, then my right right, and then back to my left again, all in a futile attempt to find a way that we could share the pavement together. We eventually ended up crammed into one side of the colossal pavement, confused and desperate as to how we could have messed up something so simple. The answer is clear: I’m British.
My walking technique has improved much since then, and that new style is ingrained in me, but I now find I’ve the same problem in the UK. You can never win!
🚰 Taps
There’s only one tap in showers in America. Houses in the UK are much older and typically have two taps — one for water pressure, and one for water temperature.
People in the UK aren’t thirstier than those in the US, nor are they in need of more cleaning, as far as I’m aware.
Regardless, I prefer the simpler American UX, and I’m curious why it isn’t used widely in the UK.
👟 Shoes
Americans often wear long socks on trainers sneakers.
You never see this in Europe (it looks a little strange to the average European), and if someone is doing it, odds are they’re American, or at least into American styles.
🎒 Do you need a bag?
Grocery stores in the US often use strong, cuboid bags made out of paper. I’ve never seen one in the UK!
They’re recyclable, reusable, and rigid. What more do you need in life?
🔌 Power!
Power sockets have no switches in the US, and most plugs do not have an *earth* conductor. This seems like a safety hazard to me, but I really don’t know much 🤷2.
But despite being potentially unsafe, I’ve saved literal seconds from not having to think about which way is up for US plugs. It’s what USB 2.0 should have been from the start.
🧃 Takeout Take-away
The US has a large to-go drinking culture. It seems like everyone is drinking something here whilst they walk: coffee, juice, or soda3.
Everyone has a lot on their plate — metaphorical and literal — and they won’t let a steaming cup of hot liquid slow them down — no sir!
💵 Can I get the cheque?
When getting the bill cheque in a restaurant, you’ll give them your card, they will do some *things*4 💫, and then your card comes back with a receipt.
So far so good, but it doesn’t just end there: then you write a tip, and only then do you get charged 🤷♂️
Why? I don’t know, and part of me doesn’t want to know. Some mysteries are worth fighting for.
Till next time!
God bless America 🗽
I don’t know how this social more was developed, and I’m curious to learn more.
You don’t see the caffè espresso style in NYC, or in London, or anywhere outside Italy for that matter.