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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

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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...

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#3

American Vs British

a-thousand-words Report

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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.

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#5

American Vs British

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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.

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#7

American Vs British

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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

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#8

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

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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."

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#10

American Vs British

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Xmayze
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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....?

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#12

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

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Claire Kidd
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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?

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#13

American Vs British

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Steve
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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

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#14

American Vs British

keelahtequila Report

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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...?

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#15

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

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Luciel Campbell
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same in Spain.... ...hmm... looking at the other comments it seems like it's the same pretty much everyone so the correct message should be: "DID YOU KNOW american people call zebra crossings wait for it crosswalks".

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

In Thailand too, here its called "ทางม้าลาย" or Zebra Path or if you want a literal translation "Path of the Patterned Horse"

Your Friendly Neighbourhood Panda
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait what.. I'm originally Canadian but I had no idea that zebra crossings was a weird thing in America!

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

Americans call pavements... wait for it... SIDEWALKS! XD Because, like... they have to be told where on the road they are supposed to walk. Lolz!

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

Possibly because we invented the things. And they have black and white stripes. We also have a series of other tenuously animal themed crossings like the Pelicon (pedestrian light control), Toucan (combined pedestrian and cycle path crossing), Pegasus (bridleway crossing with a high level request button), etc etc...

rainstarr
Community Member
7 years ago

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omg what? Does a bridleway have to do with horses and what in the world is a high request button?? btw I lived in New Zealand for the last 10 years and have never heard of a crossing called a zebra crossing.

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

American people call Zebra Crossings *wait for it* Crosswalks What does that even mean? Where do your zebras cross??

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

So, after reading the comments, literally the only place that DOESN'T call them Zebra something or other ... is the USA !

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

Oh my god!! Did you know Americans call Zebra Crossings, wait for it...crosswalks? What is that all about?? Are they mad??

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

Not just zebras, but a menagerie of traffic light crossings. First up was the Pelican (technically PELICON - Pedestrian Light Controlled), then came the Puffin (Pedestrian User Friendly - the red/green men are on the button panel so you're looking towards oncoming traffic and can check it's stopped before crossing, while sensors will only change the lights if there's someone waiting, and if so will wait until they've crossed before changing back). We also have the Toucan (Two Can - pedestrians and cyclists) and Pegasus (no acronym here, just a way of keeping the flying creature theme for pedestrians + mounted horse riders, complete with high level controls).

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

Same in Australia. Looks you guys are standing all alone on that so called crosswalk.

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

Thanks for this post. I love it when Americans are shown up for being ignorant and downright stupid.

Lawrence Canovan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WELL I'M SORRY, JUST BECAUSE YOUR NAME ACTUALLY MAKES SENSE DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN MOCK US FOR NAMING OURS AFTER A CUTE HORSEY FROM THAT PLACE WE BASICALLY DESTROYED!

Doug Gitt
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Zebra Crossings are a specific type of crossing. We also have Pelican Crossings, Toucan Crossings and Puffin Crossings. All different.

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

Sounds like the Dutch 😂 in the Netherlands it's called zebrapad (zebra path if you litteraly translate it)

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

I’d be looking for a zebra and be disappointed. They’re crosswalks in Canada

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

Yes because of black and white lines painted on road to designate them.

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

In México we kind of do that, Cruce de zebra or Cruce peatonal, we call it both ways.

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

Yup... the reason being that they are indicated by white lines on the tarmac... hence the black and white stripes = Zebra... if we used Orange lines instead they'd be called Tiger crossings ;P

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

In Perú we used to call it that way (Zebra Crossings) now we call it "Pedestrian Cruise"

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

Yes, true. Because the road is marked with white & black stripes. So pedestrians & drivers know that zebras have right of way crossing the road.

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

What do you expect from the land of the faucet, fender, potato chip, jelly (for jam,) aluminuminumnum (or something,) f***y (for the buttocks,) gas (for a certain liquid,) and Trump (for supposedly qualified leader of the entire nation...)

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

LOL, because there are SO many zebras crossing the streets of GB and Poland...

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

same in the Philippines... we call them Zebra crossings because ahmmm yeah

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

I dressed in a Zebra print dress and had a Zebra pint hat on and when I crossed the parking lot my husband says "Zebra Crossing". Love him to Bits. LOL

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

That's not uncommon in many parts of the world, I've heard people in Hong Kong call them that. The idea that everything should be done the american way is only in the mind set of americans. They really are only 1 country and nationality on the planet.

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

We don't have crosswalks (in Denmark) , we just try to make it over the street alive.

johnsmith2014
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Sweden we call them Övergångsställe.. translated it means crossroadplace....sorry no zebras.

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

Well duh..! They have black and white stripes! I mean, what else would you call them :=)

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

It is zebra in Serbian too. So, this joke is on you. Entire Europe calls it zebra.

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

Whether it's called cross walk or zebra crossing in your country just be accepting of everyone's differences. There's no need to call names.

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

Seems to be the same in every country in the world except America :-P

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

Black and white stripes! There, wasn't too difficult was it? Even for a Yank!

Astrid S.H.
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So this is just another example of a selfcentered united states' citizen (pisses me off everytime that they call themselves americans usurping the term belonging to all born in the Continent! Don't get me starting on that) thinking ANYONE who does not do things or call things the "american way" is foolish or wrong or whatever, when in fact they are the f* only ones in the entire world to do things that way or call it that. Just F vs C all over again. Jeez! Who would have thought?! Lol

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

There are multiple types of crossings: Zebra, Pelican, Pegasus, Puffin, Toucan.

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

Not just zebra crossings, but pelican (PEdestrian LIght CONtrolled), puffin (Pedestrian User Friendly INtelligent - variation on the pelican with the red/green men on the button console so you're looking at incoming traffic while waiting, plus sensors that will only change if someone's waiting and will keep the gren man on longer if someone's taking longer then usual to cross, or shorter if they cross quickly), toucan (two can - pedestrians and cyclists) and even pegasus (pedestrians and mounted horse riders, complete with high level push buttons). The latter two are usually puffin variants.

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

Aww I think that's cute! Could have been worse. They could have called it sheep crossing which is more accurate *L*

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

we call them fotgjengerfelt in norway, which is literally translated to "walkers field"

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

But.... I don't get it... Why?! Were Zebras the first ones who literally crossed the street, so y'all just thought, "Well we will have to create an area marked on the pavement so they will know exactly where to cross so they don't get run over.."?? "Oh, and we will mark it throughout with stripes, since Zebras kinda have strip-like marking..."??? Just curious... I will now go look it up, just thought I'd ask.

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

And the same in Germany. That´s three against one, America... ;-)

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

Of course we do - they are black and white and stripey like a zebra - common sense !!

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

You mean, the Americans call zebra crossings crosswalks? Duhh. Welcome to Europe: it's Zebrastreifen in German by the way...

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

However in England we are also allowed to use our own common sense to cross the road, no 'jay walking' here. I think that's a big win for us

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

everyone has Zebra Crossings. how about the Pelican Crossings. Puffin Crossings and Toucan Crossings... all real i swear

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

In Croatia, too. But we also call it pedestrian crosswalk, but on Croatian ofcourse. ;)

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

half the f*****g world calls them that, so wait for it america, soon you will abide:)

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

Zebra crossings are different to Pelican crossings... Which are different to Toucan crossings. And no, I'm not making this up.

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

This is because they are black and white stripes so look like a zebra Obviously

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

What the f**k is it called a cross walk for.... that makes zero sense

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

It's a crossing you can walk across. Hence, crosswalk. Never heard of the zebra cross, although, 100 points for adorable!!

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

As someone who knows what zebras look like that's something that bothered me since I first heard it.

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

in Turkish: yaya geçidi(yeah try reading it aloud)--- meaning literally(pedestrian crossing)

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

Yes... that's because they have black and white stripes, like a Zebra. Whereas American "crosswalks" don't have the stripes on them.

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#16

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

DestinyDreadful Report

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Fire Bird
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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.

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#18

American Vs British

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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.

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#20

American Vs British

flomation Report

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didi
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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).

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#23

American Vs British

broderick Report

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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.

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#24

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

worldsenough Report

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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.

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#26

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

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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.

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#29

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

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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*

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#30

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

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#33

American Vs British

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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.

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#34

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

seavaynay Report

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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.

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#35

American Vs British

CrossRdsCollins Report

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Hans
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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.

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#36

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

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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!

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#38

American Vs British

britishjoe Report

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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.

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#39

American Vs British

brokeymcpoverty Report

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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.

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#41

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

obvz Report

#43

American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

verityglasses Report

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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

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#44

American Vs British

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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!

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