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What’s totally acceptable and completely normal in one country might get you some funny looks elsewhere. Or, in other words, welcome to Planet Earth where there are loads of different countries and cultures that are bound to blow your mind when you travel.

This time, we’re looking at the differences between the United States and the United Kingdom. Even though both countries have a ‘special relationship’ (not to mention a rocky initial history together), far from everything is the same there. Hopping ‘over the pond’ means traveling a large distance both physically and culturally, too. Like you'd expect when going to any new country when you fly abroad.

Redditor TownImmediate9060 went on r/AskReddit and wanted to find out what’s socially acceptable in the US but would be horrifying in the UK. The thread went viral and the responses made us seriously realize the extent of the differences between the two allies. Check out some of the best answers below and remember to upvote your fave ones, dear Pandas.

#1

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK Healthcare that bankrupts you

chhurry , Olga Guryanova Report

#2

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

#3

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

andy_james_78 Report

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.

#4

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

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#5

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

MultipleDinosaurs Report

#6

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

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.

#7

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

Naugrith Report

#8

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.

CuriousAboutLife0 , Alex Kotliarskyi Report

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#9

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

smokingthegateway , Kristina Paparo Report

“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

#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

#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

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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

#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

#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

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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

#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

#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

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.

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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???

Ok-Cryptographer8906 , Chris Yang Report

#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

#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.

Revolutionary_Ad5901 , Ashley Green Report

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What’s your opinion about the relationship between the US and the UK, dear Readers? What, in your opinion, makes this relationship between the two special? What do you think are the main cultural differences between Americans and Brits? Let us know what you think in the comment section below. We’d absolutely love to get your take on this, especially if you’re currently living in the US or the UK.

#22

I was in Japan once and there was a vending machine selling beer outside my hotel room.

So, being British, I bought a can and went to the elevator where I shared an excruciating couple of minutes with two American business men. They were horrified at my early day drinking, and I at their willingness to express this.

armosnacht Report

#23

As a Brit in the US, this is a fun one!

Pharmaceutical adverts on the TV are still weird af to me

The length and frequency of commercial breaks in general on TV is shocking

Low hanging fruit, but anything relating to child beauty pageants just makes me feel physically sick

Here's a nice one: taking 20+ minutes to help a complete stranger who is struggling with something. The amount of times a total stranger has stopped to assist me or someone I know? Y'all really make my heart melt!

Toxic_Orange_DM Report

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#24

Spray on cheese

Stew32 Report

#25

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK Addressing a stranger as ‘Sir’

UnsaddledZigadenus , Wikipedia Report

#26

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK Responding to work emails while on leave/vacation.

rekharai Report

#27

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK high fructose corn syrup

itssteveninnit Report

#28

Chanting the acronym of your country at any given opportunity.

NeonDave Report

#29

I don’t know how common it actually is there, but going fucking wild at the cinema during a hugely popular film like Avengers: Endgame or a Star Wars film. There’s a bunch of videos on YouTube of the audience reactions to various big franchise films and I don’t know how anybody lasts more than a few minutes in that room.

When I saw The Force Awakens, like two people half-heartedly cheered when the title screen came up and then someone immediately told them to shut up.

pinksoetko Report

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

While talking about american cinemas, why don't they have seat reservation? In Sweden, we book in advance, choosing our seats by how many we are, where the screen is and availability.

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

Nothing much to cheer about in The Force Awakens, in my opinion.

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

I felt relief when it was over. Haven't watched any of the Disney trilogy ever again.

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

Here’s what happens when I see a movie:everyone sits down, we all chuckle at funny parts, and I whisper to whoever is sitting next to us to move a bit so I can use the bathroom.

CatWoman312
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What movie did they attend? I don’t watch kids movies in theaters due to unruly kids, but aside from funny moments we laugh and scary moments we jump or scream I’ve never seen this

Hugo A-niro
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's cool. Long time ago I saw moonstruck in my italian neighborhood and when movie started with "that's amore" every one in the theater started singing

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

God, I wish we had that system here. The asylum like environment is why I don't go to movies anymore.

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

I'm in Canada, and watching Endgame on opening night in a packed thatre that was cheering and crying was an AMAZING experience. It was honestly one of the most fun experiences of my life.

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

I saw Endgame in London, at the IMAX, and the crowd was the most raucous I have ever been in (for a cinema). And currently I live in America. I think this person's experiences have been limited.

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

I would find that so annoying! Why to cheer?? I didn't do that even when i was a teenager!

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

For me it's f@cking cellphones. TURN THE BLOODY THING OFF

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

It should be global law: No cellphones can work in theaters and cinemas. it makes NO sense to me to pay to see the show and then spend half of it *texting*, yet people do this. Why?!

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

Have grown up in the U.S., can't stand loud theater-goers. Unless they're adorable kids, of course, and then only to a degree.

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

Had that I'm a Dutch cinema once. Clapping and howling during the movie. Everybody was staring. I mean don't these people know they are annoying others and the big people on the screen can't hear them?

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

It's mostly midnight showings that are a bit of a todo. It's typically the first showing at any given theater and people dress up and wait in line to get in. Actually a lot of fun. People do cheer and stuff but everyone is very quiet during the film because it's typically a room full of big fans. It's one of my favorite things.

Marcellus the Third
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Audience participation (positive or critical/witty) at all movies used to be an NY thing.

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

These are normally groups of people reserving that room for themselves or a special viewing event not a bunch if strangers cheering together.

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

Gave up the cinema a couple of decades ago. Couldn't stand the stench, temperature, film volume (talking very quietly then suddenly having incredibly loud effects) noisy people, uncomfortable seating and expensive tickets.

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

We have that in the US now - and they charge a service fee for purchasing your tickets online! I'm literally being charged to do a ticket handler's job.

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

The only time I heard anything during those films was when someone died or if the line was funny.

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

This why I dont go to the movies besides being very expensive and dealing with the overprices snaks

Triv
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I haven't been to a cinema in AGES! 😭 They're blasted expensive!

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

I went to see a Bond film in the US in 1977. Before the opening credits there was a scene where Bond escaped via a union flag parachute. The rest of the auditorium cheered and clapped! What? Why?

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

I would be that person shushing people 😂 I've been that person... If you want to make noises, stay the f*** home!

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

Yeah, weird. Also, when people kiss and everyone says "wooo". GMAB

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

Here in Texas we have the Alamo Drafthouse, which is a chain of cinemas that has extremely strict rules about behavior during films. If someone near you is being noisy, you can slip a note to the waiters (they serve food during the movie) and they'll give the person a warning. If they do it again, they'll get kicked out. No kids allowed in non-kid-friendly movies, no cell phones out during the movie. It's the only theater I ever want to go to. Can't believe how inconsiderate your average grown-ass adult is.

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

Cinema is definitely a different experience from country to country. I remember going to a theater in Germany when I was five. My favorite part was the cherry chocolate with liquor in it. Took my Mom a while to figure out why I thought I was so good.

Alex De Leon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Y'all are soulless. You're telling me you had no urge to clap or anything when all the dead heroes and all the heroes from different films, charged Thanos's army? It's the best part of the movie.

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

Mmm I don’t do theaters often but crowed reactions are amazing to me. If I wanted to be alone reacting in silence I’d stay home. This different from ppl being complete butts during the movie.

McPanda
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Sorry for enjoying things..? I guess? If everyone in the room is enjoying this, why is it a problem?

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

I doubt EVERYONE in the room is enjoying not being able to hear what's going on when they paid good money to see/hear it.

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#30

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

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#31

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK Telling me how much the tip is going to be.

dumbdoogy , Sam Dan Truong Report

#32

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK Not wanting to call for an ambulance if hurt

EdgeofaBlade998 , Diana Polekhina Report

#33

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK Anything taking over an hour to get to being a "short trip"

Drakeskulled_Reaper , Flemming Fuchs Report

#34

Chatting with a stranger on the street. I do it all the time. My best friend is English. It horrifies him.

I said “how do you meet new people, like to date?”

“Oh, we get positively trashed in a pub and then it can happen.”

crestonfunk Report

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#35

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK Chatting casually at the lift.

Maleficent_Chance , Steven Ley Report

#36

Not pronouncing the 'h' in 'herbs'.

Blandiblub Report

#37

Not horrifying but pausing a show or event to ask members of the military to stand up for an applause would be weird over here.

0ldAndGrumpy Report

#38

The fake enthusiasm that everyone knows is fake but everyone buys into and plays along with.

I'm Irish but work for a company that has a very large UK client and a very large US client and I don't really see that fake enthusiasm coming from the Brits. You might get the odd person but everyone will just think they're a wanker where as with the yanks it's on a whole other level. Gets pretty dry when absolutely everything is "awesome".

incendiaryburp Report

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#39

Talking so loud that everyone within 100 meters can hear what you are saying.

Whooping. Just don't Chad, you aren't on a bucka-roo now.

Listing your positive qualities like you are in a job interview, but in a normal conversation. You must only speak ill of yourself.

penelope-bruz Report

#40

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK Americans will ask 'How ya doing?' but not really expect an answer.

thefirstdetective , Victor He Report

#41

Naming your child Randy.

British people ITT: wait, people don't really name their child Randy, do they?

Americans: what's wrong with Randy?

AmigoDelDiabla Report

#42

As I found out is done in another thread the other day "eating sandwiches without butter on the bread" being from the UK this horrifies me.

TrickedintoStuff Report

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#43

Coming from the perspective of a British guy, your style of customer service. Not universally, but very commonly, it’s way too over the top for us.

_Nick_2711_ Report

#44

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK I’ve learned from my British friends that you have to be very careful giving peace signs. If you have your hand facing a certain way, it’s like a “f**k you” in the UK basically, whereas in the US it doesn’t matter which way it’s facing really. Several years ago I sent them a picture with me doing an “incorrect” peace sign and they were appalled

ETA: The offensive version is where your palm is facing inwards

Hawkholly Report

#45

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK When somebody says you should come to their house sometime, actually going by their house sometime.

Overall_Dependent_43 , Milan Popovic Report

#46

Asking for a tour of their house. *SHUDDERS*

notthrowingshade Report

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#47

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK Saying “hello” when you pass people.

Interesting_Shock788 , Jacek Dylag Report

#48

Calling "Where's Wally" "Where's Waldo".

hamm71 Report

#49

strangers asking "where" not if you go to church.

Aakwanderer Report

#50

When someone says, 'make yourself at home' actually making yourself at home

Simple_Boysenberry17 Report

#51

A lot of ice in drinks. My grandfather visited Ireland and asked for ice in his drink. He said the people at the restaurant were confused and gave him two ice cubes.

padillerpadooder Report

#52

30 People List What Things Are Accepted In The US While Are Totally Horrifying In The UK "Bum bag", not "fanny pack".

VapoursAndSpleen Report

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#53

Saying someone has a lot of spunk

Sociolinguisticians Report

#54

Talking about money. It's a bad habit of our never to discuss wages.

prettyfly4aporkpie Report

#55

Looking around someone's house and complimenting things

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