ADVERTISEMENT

The UK and the USA may share a language (mostly) in common, but when it comes to a number of cultural customs, the Atlantic Ocean seems like the smallest thing separating them.

Whether it's their unique accent that somehow carries over into their typing, their obsession with tea, or the fact that they put baked beans on their toast, Brits certainly have a way of making those of us on the Western side of the world scratch our heads with confusion. That's not to say that Americans don't have quirks of their own, but here at Bored Panda, we think Great Britain deserves some special recognition this time around.

Check out the top British moments that left Americans completely stumped below, and be sure to vote for the ones that you're still trying to understand as well.

#1

American Vs British

tommowar Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lauren Southwood
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My nan came onto facetime while i was talking to my sister, chatted sortly and then said "I have to go, I can't drink my tea unless its scalding hot" Its July...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

American Vs British

a-thousand-words Report

Add photo comments
POST
didi
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually quite useful: "biweekly" is confusing as some may consider that as twice a week or every 2 weeks. "Fortnightly" can only mean once every 2 weeks.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

American Vs British

brigwife Report

Add photo comments
POST
E Menendez
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am from the US and I have thought the same thing ( why do we call it math when it should be maths) and always assumed I was just overthinking. Then I learned that Brits use maths and now I feel less foolish. Also, I love eagle f****r. Laughed out loud on that.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#7

American Vs British

supremequeenofthenerds Report

Add photo comments
POST
Nicola Morley
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Us British can sneak up on you like a ninja in the night or even an iceberg in open water

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

claudiaboleyn Report

Add photo comments
POST
loveandbones
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Translation: Friend it's hard to explain, it's just like one day you will be with your friends having a look in a sports shop (called JD) and you might fancy the curry offer that's on at the local pub (called Wetherspoons) but your friend Calum, who is a legend and awesome will be like "Guys let's go to Nando's (a resturant chain in the UK, cheap and good tasting food, hence it feeling a bit cheeky) instead." and you'll think "Great idea. Let's go for it."

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#10

American Vs British

grincham-n-larry Report

Add photo comments
POST
Xmayze
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone told me a lot of Americans don't even own a kettle, I'm slightly scared to ask if that's true....?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

snorlaxatives Report

Add photo comments
POST
Claire Kidd
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is that so weird to Americans? You know what I find weird? That Americans make everything sickly sweet and have an unhealthy relationship with Maple Syrup. On bacon? Really people?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#13

American Vs British

MasterDrank Report

Add photo comments
POST
Steve
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Pulp" is a band. "Juicy bits" are simply juicy and awesome. I'm ok with this one :D

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

American Vs British

keelahtequila Report

Add photo comments
POST
TC
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I suppose people in the USA get a compulsory tip because the don't earn enough from their employers and have to life on their clients charity...?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

DestinyDreadful Report

Add photo comments
POST
Fire Bird
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you youtube Anglophenia she explains why there are two taps. They didnt want the hot water being contaminated by the cold water as they had seperate tanks. This was back in the day, they just do it now as nostalgia thing.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#18

American Vs British

emmybeezyk Report

Add photo comments
POST
Nicola Morley
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And you thought us Brits were straight laced and uppity. Mr Blobby is proof, do not mess with the Brits if you don't want the nightmares Freddy Kruger gets when sick.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

nymerosmartell Report

Add photo comments
POST
Anya O
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and this is why everyone loves spring and autumn (fall)

TheReader19
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We do not have seasons in England just weather. You have to live here to understand our obsession.

Daria B
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So when you hear this autumn song - remember the best times are yet toooo come. ♬♪

Suzanne Haigh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do not know where you were but language like that is not acceptable to most in the UK.

WhiteFox
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

in australia is just summer. just pure summer. but sometimes we have showers.

Sophie Talia
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

but you guys have new york and chicago, that's like 5x uk each

George Alexander
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They sound like Americans when it comes to weather all over this country.

Darryl Kerrigan
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is quite true, one must admit. But that's why you need a fan in your summer kit (along with a brolly/poncho and a jumper)

Cheryl Birkhimer
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup, it seems that complaining about the weather is international. I do think that Brits often tend to use the weather as a topic of conversation.

Lello Panzieri
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am an Italian living in London and... all 3 sentences are true. Totally. I mean, I think that way, too. :\

alexandra laurita
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Haha, same here in Maine! Real Mainahs even kept the original, pre-French revolution, British accent. Must be the weather.

Ančí Sachetka
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the same in Czech republic. Winter is f*****g cold, or s****y or rainy with no snow, when the snow's fall, everybody hates snow (in the cities) and hate the winter. Summer is sunny and hot weather. Everybody hate hot weather. :D

Kelly Hartle
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You should be in Indiana--we have a spread from about -20 F to 110 F (about -30C to 43C). We always say if you don't like Indiana weather, wait 5 minutes--it'll change.

Amy Hearn
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Welllll to be fair, after who knows how many generations living in that kind of temperate weather, it's in the genes. I mean, I live in vancouver, BC, CANADA and that pretty much is how *I* deal with the freaking weather even here. The moment it's sunny and hot, I nearly freaking die. The fact that my neon white skin instantly burns in less than 10 minutes does not help matters any. Darn you, Brit and northern european heritage!

Cassandra Keeney
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah.... this happens in the US too. Trying living in the Northeast. Everyone ALWAYS complains!!

Polleekin
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where I live (Michigan) there's a two week period every year during spring and fall when people don't complain about the weather.

Polleekin
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But they do complain that the "nice weather won't last much longer!" So it's not much of a break.

Load More Replies...
Robert Forslund
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The same thing occur here in Sweden! We complain when its cold and lots of snow! We complain when its summer and hot as hell... =P

Kori K. Warriner
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine a Brit in the Southeast U.S. (or Southwest with the dry heat) in the summer. The humidity is stifling! I personally LOVE it!

Kelly moore
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same for Southern Cali. Winter: " It's 62 degrees and I can feel frostbite setting in." Summer: " It's 78 degrees, this is what the surface of the sun must feel like."

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

American Vs British

flomation Report

Add photo comments
POST
didi
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Due to the common market trade agreements, there was something of a campaign a while back for food terminology in Europe: They basically wanted all British chocolate renaming as chocolate candy because it wasn't pure enough by their standards (too much milk fat and sugar, not enough cocoa).

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

American Vs British

broderick Report

Add photo comments
POST
Brigitte
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually all over Europe it's pretty common to have your washing machine in the kitchen. If the bathroom is too small and there is no extra room, where else would you put it? Also in some apartments the water/drain pipes for washing machines are installed in the kitchen only, so you really have no other choice.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

worldsenough Report

Add photo comments
POST
ispeak catanese
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We've been watching Vera, The Loch, Unforgotten, Happy Valley, Scott & Bailey & Shetland and have added so many great new insults and idioms to our speech! It's fun yelling k******d and calling each other cow. I think I have developed a Scottish, Yorkshire, Puerto Rican accent.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#26

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

freetobegrace Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ninshi TheImp
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That reminds me of something I read. In germany the waterworks have to perpare for the breaks during important football games.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

tyleroakley Report

Add photo comments
POST
Daria B
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Makes sense, but.... I'm sure U.S.A. doesn't have the same accent in each state, just like the U.K. accents vary by countries and regions. Even in one single city of London you can differentiate between particular accents depending on the part of the city, no? Sorry, I'm an overthinker. *shrug*

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

obeyknowles Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#33

American Vs British

beyoneeche Report

Add photo comments
POST
Steve
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because it saves on plug-ware. I save pounds every year on not having to replace plugs for my sink.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

seavaynay Report

Add photo comments
POST
Cynthia McDonald
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so... you know those little plastic packs that hot dogs come in have a salty liquid in them, right? They're not vacuum sealed in there all dry.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

American Vs British

CrossRdsCollins Report

Add photo comments
POST
Hans
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

faith sadly did not understand the concept of an egg cup. They are for boiled eggs, which are then eaten with a spoon.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

jokebud Report

Add photo comments
POST
Claire Kidd
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, Americans have this weird view of the British. In their TV shows EVERY British person either speaks in a really posh voice or is a cockney. WE DON'T TALK LIKE THAT!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

American Vs British

britishjoe Report

Add photo comments
POST
Steve
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Celebrating the day King James I survived what was essentially a terrorist plot to blow up the House of Lords. Interestingly we celebrate by blowing stuff up whilst freezing our collective backsides off and waving sparklers about.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

American Vs British

brokeymcpoverty Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ines Äffchen
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when I first moved to the UK and switched on the TV I learned that this is a show about people who have some complaint that's "too embarrassing to show your doctor". But yeah, let's ALL have a look at that on national TV, why not.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#41

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

obvz Report

#43

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

verityglasses Report

Add photo comments
POST
Neil Adams
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's correctly pronounced 'aitch', without the aspirant. https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/aitch

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#44

American Vs British

bathadah Report

Add photo comments
POST
Cynthia McDonald
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is my favorite TV show. I have NO CLUE what 90% of the things they are baking actually are -- never heard of them, never seen them. But the intensity with which they bake them is riveting!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#48

This submission is hidden. Click here to view.

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#49

This submission is hidden. Click here to view.

#50

This submission is hidden. Click here to view.

#51

This submission is hidden. Click here to view.

#52

This submission is hidden. Click here to view.

#53

This submission is hidden. Click here to view.