While I typically write about all the things Americans love and miss after moving to the UK, come to find out, Brits love many of the same things, too!
I say this all a bit tongue and cheek since we all know not everyone likes the same stuff. But after nearly two years of living in the UK, I more than relate to what Brits love about America.
Some aren’t overly special. In fact, some are everyday things Americans take for granted. But living in England really spotlights American conveniences I formerly assumed everyone had everywhere – at least in the country of our distant British cousins.
What Brits Love About America
Some of these love/hate items are provided by mother nature and some invented by man. The range is as wide as California’s I-10. Although you can’t bottle up a wide country road to send overseas, some of these you can.
Not in any particular order, here are American things Brits rave about America. And a few they really don’t.
1 – 24×7 access
The idea of the gym being open before 6am, grocery shopping after 8pm or restaurants serving food after 4pm on Sundays are mind-blowing to Brits.
Access to shopping, the pharmacy, nightlife, and restaurants without a siesta or weird hours in between is a British dream.
2 – Wide open country roads, floor plans, driveways…
With some roads only wide enough in Britain for a horse buggy to pass, it’s no wonder why Brits love the openness of American roads and even open floor plans.
Feeling closed in 99% of the time by overgrown hedges, overcrowded trains, or even old house walls, doors and ceilings, a drive along a wide-open road is not only freeing and exhilarating but can be done without taking the hedges along with you!
3 – Free refills…all the refills
From the bottomless cup of coffee, free soda refills at most restaurants, and even the wine or cocktail you ordered that wasn’t perfectly measured…these are American benefits Brits love.
And to put it in perspective as an American expat with 2 kids, a second beverage per child can really be a financial game changer while eating out in the UK. These small things matter!
4 – Parking
With the exception of major USA cities like New York and their downtown areas, most day-to-day parking in the US is free with plenty of parking spaces to spare.
Grocery shopping doesn’t cost money to park, running to the post office isn’t a major parking ordeal, dry cleaning, doctors office – pretty much driving everywhere in the USA is easier than in the UK.
American parking spaces are wide enough to fit 2 Mini Coopers in 1 space compared to British parking lot standards. Ok, maybe not 2 whole Minis but you get the picture.
Fewer door dings, rim scrapes, and bumper cars make parking an enviable benefit over living in the UK.
5 – Ice Makers
Yup. Ice makers aren’t a thing in Britain. If you want ice, you fill up old ice cube trays like the 70s and 80s in America.
Ice is a bit of a novelty in the UK. Unless you specifically request ice for a drink you order in a British restaurant, you won’t get any!
6 – American Sized Living
From the size of the refrigerator to the size of the house, Brits love the space that Americans enjoy throughout the country.
With the exception of major cities, like NY or San Francisco, most American homes are equipped with refrigerators that can hold an entire week’s worth of groceries for a family of 4 (more like a month but 1 whole week will do), a separate washer and dryer not located next to the kitchen sink that can do a full load of laundry (to include drying) in 2 hours or less, and closets large enough to put your firstborn in.
7 – A/C
It could be argued that England isn’t overly warm so what’s to miss or love about A/C? Well, the British summer of 2018 broke all sorts of weather high-temperature records. The heat started in May and carried on through the summer. It was HOT. And hot without A/C in the UK means:
Stinky people
Unfortunately, there are a lot of people that don’t wear deodorant and for a country without A/C, it’s downright excruciating. I actually left the gym one day only 2 minutes into my workout because of it. You could cut the air with a knife.
Nauseous tube conditions
The underground is always warm, even without summer. Add summer temps to a train ride and OMG.
Open windows = bugs + accidents
This means bugs and fear that your child will fall to their death. Oh, in case you didn’t know, door and window screens are only an American thing. Brits don’t have window screens in their homes. If you’re moving to England, be sure to follow up on 12 things you need to know first.
And most people told me before moving to the UK that there are no bugs. That’s total horse manure. There are plenty of bugs and my summer ceiling can prove it.
8 – Pharmaceuticals
To this day I remember a former Nike European colleague’s American shopping list every time she’d visit Oregon headquarters: Robittusin, Sudafed, Excedrin, and other unmentionables. Every trip she loaded up with goodies from CVS, Rite Aid, or any grocery store one of us willing to take her.
I didn’t quite understand then, but boy do I do now. While the NHS is free for anyone to use in the UK, drugs that are readily accessible to Americans just aren’t in the UK.
A prescription is needed for nearly every medicine in England. And if you have kids, fingers crossed they love blackcurrant (black licorice).
9 – TV & Film
Though there are plenty of British actors, films (Mary Poppins is the best!), and TV series (Game of Thrones, anyone?) to negate this notion, America still shines and delivers the best digital content around the world.
In fact, more Brits informed me about Suits on Netflix than anyone in the USA. I had no idea about Suits until Megan Markle came along which leads me to the next one.
10 – Meghan Markle
I mean, seriously, what’s not to love?!? Americans are obsessed with the royal family and now she’s the closest connection binding the two countries in a way the nations have ever seen.
Brits are equally smitten. Meghan is different from the rest of the royal clan which sparks interest and energy in the country that the nation seeks.
Brits liked her in Suits but even more chuffed she’s with Harry.
(Update 2021…Clearly, I may have to move Meghan to the dislike list. What do you think?)
It’s a love or hate relationship. What do you think?
A few American things Brits love but with a twist.
1 – Customer service
Unlike living in Britain where it can take ages to get cable connected, furniture delivered, or even a man’s haircut (most barber shops are walk-ins and don’t offer appointment scheduling), America delivers top-notch customer service – most of the time.
It takes living in the UK to truly understand how amazing customer service is in America, but any Brit that travels to the US can also tell you that firsthand.
The catch here is that Brits question the genuine nature of this American service. Some consider it fake, overpowering, and sketchy. And as an American, I can’t entirely disagree.
But for the Brits that love American customer service, you’re welcome. 😉
2 – Food: burgers, Mexican, margaritas & more
In general, most Brits that visit America are in pursuit of a gastronomic vacation. From pancakes stacked high doused in maple syrup at an old diner to authentic Mexican with table-side guacamole service and margaritas the size of London.
However, when Brits are questioned how they want their eggs cooked or which of the 1000 salad dressing choices they’d like, they’d rather not be bothered at all.
3 – Drive-thru banking, fast-food…well, anything drive-thru really.
The only drive-thru services in the UK are primarily American: McDonald’s, Starbucks…hmmm…I’ve run out of drive-thru examples already.
The whole concept of simply being able to drive-thru to purchase food or even do banking is mind-blowing to the Brits. Granted if you live in London, Edinburgh, or another big city it’s unlikely you have a car anyway. That’s why a drive-thru can seem excessive, unnecessary, and honestly, a bit lazy on our American parts.
Can’t argue that.
4 – Endless options
Options, options, options. While Brits can’t get enough of Amazon, shopping in a typical American grocery store can be downright paralyzing when you’re only used to 1-3 choices at a typical British grocery store. And it goes far beyond just shopping.
Similar to the salad dressing issue, American restaurant menus are loaded with more options than BBC television. Love it or hate it, having an excessive number of choices is an American thing.
Final Thoughts On American Things The Brits Like
As an expat living in the UK, these simple things in the USA are luxuries in the UK. No wonder why British expats in America tend to stay and never return. I totally get it.
And while I totally get it, I also love that not having these American conveniences are what make living in the UK different. And why I’m in no hurry to move back.
Though what Brits love about America tends to revolve around convenience, accessibility, and Texas-sized everything, it’s nice living in a nation that appreciates these things even though admittedly as an American, I tend to forget until Sunday after 4.
Looking for more resources to settle into British life? Try these.
- 11 Good Things About Living In The UK (And Why I Want To Stay)
- 10 Best Things To Do In England
- Moving to England? Download the moving abroad checklist.
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