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
#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!

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

living in North America I really miss many of these, it seems all we have here is pie and cookies and ice cream

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

I am very bothered by the vastly different food products called "pudding" in the UK versus in North America.

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

pudding is a generic term, often called sweet, afters etc because it's genarally sweet and eaten after your savoury main dish. It's not often pie, but is included in a balanced meal

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

How do you Americans live without the gravy-covered goodness that is a yorkshire pudding?!?

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

As a Brit in America, I've realized it's largely impossible to describe Yorkshire pudding. I usually have to make it for someone before they understand what it is.

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

I make it every year for Xmas (I'm American), it's the BEST, but yes, I do have to constantly repeat what it is to any new comers.

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

Do you mean Yorkshire pudding or Christmas pud because they are NOT the same thing Christmas pud is made with dried fruits and candied citrus rinds and york puds with flour, eggs and milk batter.

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

A combo flour and roast beef juice mixed and baked into what the looks like popovers which is served with the meat. Yum.

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

For heaven's sake! Yorkshire pudding is not anything like a biscuit. The closest thing would be a popover. The ingredients are basically the same, except for popovers, the butter goes in the batter. For Yorkshires, the butter is melted in the baking dish and the batter poured over the hot butter.

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

Beat together 2 eggs, 1 cup of milk + 2 tablespoons, 1 cup of flour & a little salt & pepper. Pour 1/3 into hot muffin pans, previously sprayed with oil, then cook in a 400° oven for approx 15 mins. They are supposed to rise & be light & fluffy. Served with roast beef, gravy & veggies. I think the American version is popovers?

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

it's like a biscut but you use gravy instead of water (thats not QUITE right but close enough food network has recipies they are actually really good)

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

Yeah. Biscuits and gravy: 1. Those are NOT biscuits. Biscuits are sweet and you dunk 'em in your tea. 2. That is NOT effin' gravy either. Gravy is brown and typically made with the meat juices with which it is served. What IS that? Why is it beige? Urgh!

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

That grey gravy you are referring to is sausage gravy. Of course there are gravies that are brown, made from the guts and juices of animals we eat.

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

So what is Yorkshire pudding exactly? Everything I know about pudding was taught to me by Bill Cosby. Which is pretty terrible.

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

As a Yorkshire lass from Britain, I can inform you it is the most delicious thing you will ever eat

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

I watched that Show on PBS and the yorkshire puddings they were making all looked delicious!

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

Lol my husband absolutely loves pudding but American pudding I wanna take him to a British restaurant so bad he will cry

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

Uhhhhhhhh a Yorkshire pudding is basically an over inflated pancake in the shape of a bowl

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

If you do not know what a Yorkshire Pudding is you know nothing English

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

A Yorkshire pudding is similar to a popover. It's made with milk eggs and flour. We have them on a roast dinner

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

Grits - like oatmeal but made from cornmeal instead of oats. Can be eaten sweet or savory just like oatmeal.

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

God damnit comments, now I'm gravy some biscuits and gravy so hard.

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

My family doesn't... Reason being we're not from bloody Yorkshire.

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

It's a smaller popover ... the american, and better, equivalent.

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.