Although Americans trace their ancestry back to England, there are clear cultural differences between the United States and the United Kingdom, including significant variations in accents and language use. One American woman recently shared her experiences of “culture shock” while traveling in England.
The woman mentioned that she had just completed her overseas study program, giving her the opportunity to travel to European countries such as England, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Using the username “@alwaysdressbest” on Instagram, she documented her travel adventures and discussed the unexpected differences she encountered during her time in England.
Click here to watch the short video she posted.
She said, “Overall, I enjoyed traveling in England, although I didn’t expect it to be the same as the United States. I want to share these unexpected differences that arose during my journey.”
Filming the short video in front of Buckingham Palace, the woman highlighted four cultural differences. Buckingham Palace serves as the residence of the British royal family and the administrative headquarters of the British monarch.
Firstly, she noted that shops in England typically close around 5 or 6 pm, which surprised her. In comparison, many shops in the United States operate 24 hours a day, sometimes even staying open all year round.
Secondly, she observed that she didn’t see many people in England drinking water. Although she didn’t expect everyone to carry around large water bottles, she did notice a lack of people drinking water, even in restaurants, where only Americans seemed to order water.
Furthermore, the woman found it surprising that in England, smokers or e-cigarette users openly indulged in their habit, unlike in the United States where they usually discreetly retreat to street corners or walls. Walking down the street, she encountered people smoking or vaping, with the smoke wafting directly towards her face.
She remarked, “I don’t think this would happen in the US. People tend to be more discreet about it.”
Lastly, she discussed the differing perceptions of time, noting that Britons might consider a 3-hour car journey to be long, which puzzled her. For instance, during a 3-hour guided tour she joined, there were two mandatory breaks, with the second break lasting for half an hour.
She commented, “Three hours might be seen as a long time here, but what baffles me is the need for two rest stops instead of one. I know in the US, we would just power through without stopping!”