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30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK Paying more than the price you see on a price tag in a shop due to taxes. WTF just put how much it costs!

gibsterminator , Akshay Chauhan Report

Final score:

290points

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Shelp 3 years ago

Yeah, that also bothered me as well

40points

Cashiers being forced to stand... give them a chair you masochists

andy_james_78 Report

Final score:

275points

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Shelp 3 years ago

This weirds me out every time

37points

Britain continues to use soft power to spread its influence abroad. Its cultural impact is off the charts. Just consider how influential the Harry Potter books, musicians like Ed Sheeran, and football entities like the Premier League really are.

They’re known and respected globally. As such, the UK’s able to draw in plenty of tourists (global pandemic notwithstanding because it’s hit everyone badly) and students from abroad because it remains at the forefront of people’s minds.

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK Politicians mentioning religion when campaigning

awbayley97 , wikipedia Report

Final score:

270points

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Hans 3 years ago

Religion should have no room in politics anywhere. (But for positive values such as grace of charity.)

103points

New mothers going back to work almost immediately after giving birth, because they don’t have paid maternity leave

MultipleDinosaurs Report

Final score:

257points

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I I 3 years ago

that's just SAD , very , very SAD

78points

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK An $800, four-block ambulance ride.

jeff_the_nurse , REEET JANK Report

Final score:

238points

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Downunderdude 3 years ago

Anything about the so-called American health system is a mystery to the rest of the world.

97points

However, research shows that the confusion and uncertainty around the long-term effects that Brexit, the UK’s exit from the European Union, will have slightly dampened the country’s influence abroad.

Meanwhile, the British Council found that it’s actually culture, not politics, that deepens the ties between the UK and the US. And it’s culture that’s going to play a vital role in the future of both nations as well.

That whole thing where American kids pledge their allegiance to the flag. That is completely weird and scarily totalitarian to us Brits.

Naugrith Report

Final score:

219points

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Shelp 3 years ago

Not only to Brits!

93points

CuriousAboutLife0 , Alex Kotliarskyi Report

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK Overworking. It's rewarded and encouraged in the U.S., but during my time in the U.K. my colleagues were horrified by the long hours and lack of holidays that was the norm in the U.S.

Final score:

214points

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Downunderdude 3 years ago

What an awful soulless place. And I'm guessing the only reason they give them what looks like expensive chairs is so they don't get sued for workplace injury.

37points

smokingthegateway , Kristina Paparo Report

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK Greeters in supermarkets. Just feels fake.

Final score:

195points

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Lauren Caswell 3 years ago

Are greeters real? I thought the Simpson's was exaggerating. I guess in a country so massive, you gta find a way to stand out? Still seems weird tho

46points

“Culture and history were the two top rated factors contributing to the UK’s attractiveness among American respondents, with 43% identifying ‘cultural and historic attractions’ as a major draw and 42% identifying ‘history,’” the British Council explains what it discovered in its research.

#10

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK Driving everywhere.

In the UK it's perfectly normal to have your kid walk to school and walking to the shops to do your shopping.

X0AN , why kei Report

Final score:

181points

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Something 3 years ago

This varies in the US too. In most cities it's normal not to have a car, but not in places where most people don't live within walking distance to anything.

51points

#11

Offering full-time employees anything less than 28 days of paid holidays per year - it's not only socially unacceptable - it's illegal!

RandGenUserName Report

Final score:

179points

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ADHORTATOR 3 years ago

not in the US.....

34points

#12

Bragging about how expensive something was.

In the US "this is a $100 shirt" ...smug face

In the UK "can you believe I got this whole suit for £25!" ...smug face

NCC-2000-A Report

Final score:

170points

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A Cat Named Dragon 3 years ago

Americans love a good discount too.

70points

Despite some of the more superficial cultural differences between the US and the UK, both nations appear to care about pretty much the same issues.

“The research showed a high degree of shared concern about global issues among young people in both countries with poverty, extremism/terrorism, and climate change as the top factors chosen by young people in both the US and UK,” the British Council found. “The research suggests the relationship between the two countries is at root a cultural as much as a political phenomenon, and viewed in those terms it is indeed special.”

#13

Labelling the winner of a sports tournament that only your country plays as ‘World Champions’

Calling Football ‘Soccer’

DM1994 Report

Final score:

165points

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Paul Davis 3 years ago

We're not the only ones doing that. No one seems to blink at the audacity of the Miss Universe beauty contest, where Earth seems to win every time.

18points

#14

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK A rubber in England is not the same as a rubber in the US.

Butwaip , Annie Spratt Report

Final score:

163points

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Downunderdude 3 years ago

In the UK, a durex is (or used to be) a condom. In Australia, it's sticky tape. Best not to get them confused.

51points

#15

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK Gaps in bathroom stalls

8xxx5 , ttarasiuk Report

Final score:

158points

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troufaki13 3 years ago

Again, horrifying everywhere in the world

72points

Ironically, the actual term ‘special relationship’ sees very little use in the US, primarily being a British way of categorizing the tight bonds between the two nations. However, this doesn’t change the fact that both countries are very much skipping along arm-in-arm, primarily admiring each other’s cultural output (leaving politics a secondary concern).

#16

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK Making tea in a microwave.

fantsukissa , MoneyBlogNewz Report

Final score:

155points

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troufaki13 3 years ago

This is horrifying for the rest of the world not just the UK!!

124points

#17

When my Brit friends were visiting, they were horrified when the waiter took their credit card to swipe back at the terminal. This made them REALLY uncomfortable.

cn45 Report

Final score:

151points

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Shelp 3 years ago

I would have been too!

57points

#18

Cutting lines for things, I’ve seen some people when going to Disney world trying to cut lines for random reasons. Queueing in the uk is like our national sport

CMDR_omnicognate Report

Final score:

144points

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troufaki13 3 years ago

Respect the queue! This should be everywhere!

74points

Ok-Cryptographer8906 , Chris Yang Report

Redditor TownImmediate9060’s thread about the differences between the US and the UK was a roaring success. It got more than 67.7k upvotes in just over a week. What’s more, the thread got over 51k comments which just goes to show that the OP hit the nail on the head and chose a niche topic that plenty of folks were interested in.

The thread also got over 300 awards, proving that TownImmediate9060’s fellow Reddit users really appreciated them asking the question in the first place.

#19

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK My (British) partner & I (American) were in London, running late to meet our friends. Just as we get to the tube station, I see our train has just pulled in; we haul ass across platform and I yell, “HOLD THE DOOR.” Someone does, we make the train, I don’t see a problem. My partner, by contrast, is mortified. This was 4-5 years ago & he is still mortified. Apparently we were meant to just...let the train leave? Without us?? & wait for the next one???

Final score:

142points

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Linus Nilsson 3 years ago

On the tube, there's absolutely no reason to "hold the door". The next one will be in in a few minutes, and you will just be a little late. By holding, everyone on the train will be late, and there is actually a possibility that it travels down the line, delaying several trains.

57points

#20

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK Asking new neighbors, "Have you found a church yet?"

boganvegan , Cosmic Timetraveler Report

Final score:

141points

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JuJu 3 years ago

That would be weird.

61points

Revolutionary_Ad5901 , Ashley Green Report

#21

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK Huge portion sizes. Kids meal in U.S is like a adult meal in U.K.

Final score:

140points

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Hans 3 years ago

"supersize me"

23points

50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

See Also on Bored Panda

French Diver’s “Jewels” In Tight Swimming Trunks Become Talk Of The Town At Olympics

#30

Refuse a drink to a grown-ass taxpaying 20 year old

Chapelirl Report

Final score:

113points

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lenka 3 years ago

I can legally buy a gun and hold a hunting license, I can legally get married, vote, make medical decisions, have a mortgage and go to an adult prison for legal infringements but cant enjoy a cold beer on a Saturday afternoon.

13points

Note: this post originally had 55 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

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As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

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What do you think ?

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Lauren Caswell 3 years ago

Tsk. Honestly did they not read the comments under the 'look at weird Americans" article from like 24 hours ago? Enough pls BP give us a break, or stagger them out. Not every day.

46points

Ren Karlej 3 years ago

Only just come onto BP today and came straight to the comments section instead of reading the article. ENOUGH ALREADY! Are we going from weekly to daily US bashing now Bored Panda? I downvoted the whole post and I rarely do that. Bored Panda - PACK IT IN.

6points

Mimi M 3 years ago

Another 'ridiculous/bad/weird Americans' post. We are sick of them. How about making a post of nice things about the US for every time you have made a post of the opposite. It's enough already.

27points

Leo Domitrix 3 years ago

Here's an idea; Things the whole world thinks are weird about the UK! .... I'll start... Blood pudding.

17points

Tracy Sellars 3 years ago

They could always do multiple posts on the fact the US has no decent wage, health & social services, gun laws. Also police offices killing children and having a shoot to kill mentality.

5points

Chenandoa 3 years ago

I'm an american...I am very interested about what others consider strange, or downright wrong here...I frequently agree with 'em

3points

noralin 3 years ago

Or how about making posts about other countries? Why is this one country always the center of attention?

2points

Dre Mosley 3 years ago

Bored Panda is a European site with a European writing staff, so this shouldn't be a surprise.

2points

Caroline 3 years ago

Well, the 1st good thing about the US is the good value of your beautiful houses. Sure, not all your houses, but most of the time, there're light, airy, big (even your small ones) and well thought of. 2nd: the space! It feels like there's plenty to breathe and no one would not know about claustrophobia. There are beautiful sceneries everywhere too. 3rd: your huge cars. How bada** you must feel driving them. 4th: you can stay in the US for a holiday and yet feel like you're in a totally different country. As a European, those are the cool things about the US that come straight into my mind.

1point

King Joffrey 3 years ago

Apart from criticising American healthcare (this is a very valid point), this is about how Americans do things differently without the implication that it is bad in any way... just different.

1point

danielw 3 years ago

or about a post bashing others, too. I wanna make fun of people, don't much care who they are! (er...)

0points

Rainbow Panda 3 years ago

That gives me a good idea. 💡

0points

Sanne H. 3 years ago (edited)

For me as a Dutch person with several Flemish acquaintances it’s funny to read about these differences. The habits of our two neighboring countries (Netherlands and Flanders) are more or less the same, but we have misunderstanding in expressions sometimes, like buitenwipper (Fl: bouncer, Du: someone having sex outside), aftrekker (Fl: Corkscrew, Du: someone who’s jerking off) and poepen (fl: having sex, du: to defecate), to name the three most shocking ones 😀

16points

Lauren Caswell 3 years ago

See this is great, I liked learning this ^-^ I wonder how the words came to have such different meanings between neighbouring countries

8points

AnnaBanana 3 years ago

My favourite is Fartkontrol for speed limits. Cracks me up every time!

4points

Allison Baker 3 years ago

I love that buitenwipper means bouncer - and made me think bootywhipper-> asswhipper!

0points

Load More Comments

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Lauren Caswell 3 years ago

Tsk. Honestly did they not read the comments under the 'look at weird Americans" article from like 24 hours ago? Enough pls BP give us a break, or stagger them out. Not every day.

46points

Ren Karlej 3 years ago

6points

Mimi M 3 years ago

Another 'ridiculous/bad/weird Americans' post. We are sick of them. How about making a post of nice things about the US for every time you have made a post of the opposite. It's enough already.

27points

Leo Domitrix 3 years ago

Here's an idea; Things the whole world thinks are weird about the UK! .... I'll start... Blood pudding.

17points

Tracy Sellars 3 years ago

They could always do multiple posts on the fact the US has no decent wage, health & social services, gun laws. Also police offices killing children and having a shoot to kill mentality.

5points

Chenandoa 3 years ago

I'm an american...I am very interested about what others consider strange, or downright wrong here...I frequently agree with 'em

3points

noralin 3 years ago

Or how about making posts about other countries? Why is this one country always the center of attention?

2points

Dre Mosley 3 years ago

Bored Panda is a European site with a European writing staff, so this shouldn't be a surprise.

2points

Caroline 3 years ago

1point

King Joffrey 3 years ago

Apart from criticising American healthcare (this is a very valid point), this is about how Americans do things differently without the implication that it is bad in any way... just different.

1point

danielw 3 years ago

or about a post bashing others, too. I wanna make fun of people, don't much care who they are! (er...)

0points

Rainbow Panda 3 years ago

That gives me a good idea. 💡

0points

Sanne H. 3 years ago (edited)

16points

Lauren Caswell 3 years ago

See this is great, I liked learning this ^-^ I wonder how the words came to have such different meanings between neighbouring countries

8points