American in the UK: 15 British Culture Shocks

My Favorite Travel Gear: ✈️

Digital Nomad Tools: 👩‍💻

Living Abroad: 🌍

Watch next: 👀

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:32 - Shock 2
01:20 - Shock 3
03:45 - Shock 4
04:35 - Shock 5
05:16 - Shock 6
06:45 - Shock 7
07:34 - Shock 8
08:24 - Shock 9
09:24 - Shock 10
10:16 - Shock 11
10:55 - Shock 12
11:22 - Shock 13
11:55 - Shock 14
12:55 - Shock 15 (Biggest one)

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

👱🏻‍♀️ About: Kristin Wilson is the author of Digital Nomads For Dummies, the host of Badass Digital Nomads Podcast, and known as Traveling with Kristin on YouTube. She's traveled to more than 60 countries and has been helping people move overseas since 2005.

PS: This video is for entertainment purposes only and reflects my personal opinions and perspective - this is not consulting or advice. Video descriptions may contain affiliate or refer-a-friend links for products I use and recommend. Thanks for supporting the channel!

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

#cultureshock #britishculture #americanabroad

[janetrussell]

The casual "sorry" in the UK is not an apology - it's an acknowledgment of the other person - a social lubricant to ease the minor irritants that inevitably arise (or could arise) when people interact at close quarters. Like queuing, a genuinely civilising and civilised custom.

[phillipwatson]

As a northerner I'm glad your enjoying your time in the UK, in the north we pride ourselves on our friendliness 😊🇬🇧

[elizabethhamon]

I spent five weeks in England last year and I’m heading over in the fall for 5 months in the countryside and cannot wait! What you said about walking and hiking and biking alone and not being worried about animals or people hurting you was some thing I felt very emphatically. It was very unusual to be able to hike alone and relax. Also, people were extremely friendly, just as you said, and always happy to strike up a conversation. I love everything about the UK and can’t wait to get back!

[BrainstormVincent]

Having spent two years in America the best distinction between UK & US culture remains 'In America things are always seen as serious but not hopeless, in Britain things are always seen as hopeless but not serious.'

[ThisAlexia]

I concur that northerners are friendly. True story: I once visited Sheffield with a friend of mine and we decided to go out to a bar. When we got to the bus station I realized my cash was lost! A guy our age waiting with us PAID for our tickets, showed us a nice bar, went dancing with us, introduced us to his lovely friends, had his DJ friend make an announcement on the microphone saying “welcome Alexia and Sara from America!” and literally gave me the shirt off his back and said “now you can go home and say a sweaty Englishman gave this to you” 😂😂😂 (sure he was a bit drunk). But he was a very respectful and made sure we got home safe! I will never forget that fun, amazing night!

[xzdeltaxz]

you forgot to mention when shopping in any store. the price you see. is the price you pay. tax included. i love that about my country.

[alanward]

Such a refreshing change to hear someone from the US understand there's so much more to see out of London. Also good to hear your thoughts of people in the North.
Enjoy our country, it may be small but we have a lot to offer.
Take care and all the best with your travels.

[philonutube]

I'm so glad you feel safe in our country, I feel really proud of that..

[imgoingtocountdownfromthir]

As a born and bred Mancunian, I'm still amazed while walking along the Bridgewater canal, especially from Stretford to Sale, you wouldn't think you're in the middle of one of the biggest cities in Britain, but in the middle of the countryside.

[stevebills]

Wow - I just spent 2 weeks hosting a friend from the US. One BIG difference we noticed was that she as an American would have no issue complaining about food in a restaurant and sending it back while for me as a Brit that would be absolutely unthinkable. Really surprised to hear you noting the opposite. 🙂

[summits]

It's clear you are enjoying the region you are living in there and it sounds like a good fit for you. My husband is British and as such, I have been all over the UK and we have moved around much of the western portion of the US. In either country, culture varies between towns, cities and regions/states. And pretty much everywhere has a mixture of the good and bad.

[Thurgosh_OG]

Scones originated in Scotland, and the 'Scotch pancake' is one of its many forms. So by Kristin's reckoning, American Pancakes are from Scotland, as she seems to think that Scotch Pancakes are 'American Style', when in fact US American pancakes are actually Scottish Style.

[hollymae]

Brit here, I never thought about couples shopping being different but you’re so right! We plan a couple/family shopping trip and make a proper trip out of it, planning meals and helping each other find the best ingredients at the best prices. I never go shopping without my partner it doesn’t feel right! 💗

[williebauld]

Birmingham is the second biggest city in the UK, also trust me, there is PLENTY of building going on, it seems like all the green spaces are disappearing and houses are going up on them

[alkeeling]

Have just moved back to the UK with my family after living in the USA for 15 years. Some things to note; (1) Unlike the US, public footpaths allow passage though private farmland all over the UK. Just follow the signs or maps, stick to the path and basically respect it is someone else’s land. Once in the countryside you will see signs everywhere. (2) The National Cycle Network (NCN) has grown exponentially in the past 20 years. They make use of quieter roads and the many ‘rail to trail’ conversions for you to tour the country safely. (3) All cars >3 years old have a comprehensive inspection every year called an MoT (Ministry of Transport). It’s very detailed and entails dozens of checks to ensure all vehicles are roadworthy. Many Brits will glance at cars when visiting the US and comment, ‘That’ll never pass an MoT’. 😀.

[Tj-otjp]

Scotch pancakes were around long before the US was.
“As far back as the 1760s, they are mentioned in English cookery books.

[marksykes]

We don’t put fructose corn syrup in every single product, I’ve been to the states a few times & couldn’t believe how sweet the bread was or even your butter, we just ate English muffins all the time because the bread was so sweet !

[yvonnebirch]

I lived in the UK for a year long long ago as a mother’s helper. I love it. Just love the countryside and the historical villages. Very friendly people. Great pubs ! ❤️❤️❤️

[AndreiTupolev]

I've never understood where that American stereotype about "British food 😂" comes from. It seems to be a hangover from the war when food was rationed and made with powdered eggs and pies and things were made to government specification.

[LincolnTank-StillOnTheSprue]

We don't use corn syrup in the uk so sweeteners are used widely. Plus the Govt have a drive to reduce obesity by reducing fat and sugar content in foods