American visitors to the UK: any amusing cultural differences noted?

Question

Before anyone comes out with the cliche "Yes, I was the only guy cleaning his teeth" I've just said it for you.

Answer 1

I'm English and I'd like to hear honest answers for this question from all nationalities.

Answer 2

As a Brit who has lived on both sides of the Atlantic, I find it sad that Americans are obsessed with perfect teeth and fake boobs and sun-tans and shaving their bodies to look like pre-pubescent children, and talking loudly in bad English, and claiming to be devout Christians while normally behaving in quite the opposite manner, and thinking they have the right to dictate which countries may have weapons that America itself won't give up, and that the American economy is more important than the need for the whole world to reduce green-house gasses.

And just for the record, British men do not all wear bowler-hats whilst walking through permanent London fog on their way to drink warm beer! LOL

But it IS true that we love our nice strong cups of tea, and we DO know the difference between adjectives and adverbs, and most British men are not revolted by a woman who looks like an adult...

And before anyone gets all offended, tell me what I've said that isn't actually true?

Answer 3

We have some missionaries at church... they found the cueuing very funny. We Brits do que for everything... we tend to join the end of a line even when we don't know what it's for, just out of habit! And they didn't know what a 'lorry' was for a long time, because they didn't understand that it was a word for 'truck'. They also didn't understand 'tea' as being a word for an early-evening meal. I also noticed they commented on how short the grass and pristine the flowers were in most of the houses front gardens quite frequently.

Answer 4

Americans think we all know the Queen, like the Royal Family, speak like Dick van Dyke's Chimney Sweep, and sip cream teas in the afternoon watching a game of cricket. Oh and we're the 51st state of the Union (though i think Id prefer that to the EU any day. As long as George Dubya has been banned from ever having a say in world politics ever again!). On common ground though i think men from both countries would all love to be Cowboys!!

Answer 5

I like my beer ice cold, your lot don't. You all take darts way to seriously, though I know some here that do too. Oh the biggest cultural difference for me is that I don't see a lot of people over in England paying for suntans! That and the PM has to stand in front of the HOL & HOC and get grilled and defend what he/she has done. I personally love that, I would pay for ringside seats to watch either George W. or Al Gore get slammed by their fellow law makers! The only Presidents I think who could have survived that mugging are Reagan and Clinton!

Answer 6

Yes americans come out with preconceptions like the british dont clean their teeth

Answer 7

They're always the first to say we have bad teeth - when I've always looked after mine.

They can be a little overly nice - which can be a bit condescending and patronising.

Answer 8

I work in a shop and ask every customer if they want phone top up (means mobile phone top up)
well this one American looked at me and said pardon? I said would you like phone to up, he said oh i see, if you had said cell phone I would've understood.
I was tittering to myslef when he said that.

Answer 9

My 2 cents (or pennies?) -

Brits are more conservatively dressed - even in a casual gathering, jeans are not commonly worn.

Americans often speak loudly, and are more generous wth their smiles (unlike the stiff upper lips!)

Say 'Awesome, dude' instead of 'Brilliant' !

Answer 10

What is it with the teeth thing?! I've always brushed my teeth twice a day...I assume this is normal behaviour!