American Reacts to What's Horrifying In The UK!

[@KernowWarrior]

Watching an American use cutlery is like watching a toddler discovering the concept of not 'using your hands'

[@lottie2525]

Haha yes, exactly this.

[@philipashley9723]

Most Americans don't know how to use a knife and fork, because, most of their food is eaten, using their hands. Nearly all American food is fast food. Pick it up and stuff it in your mouth. When first visiting America, in 1979, I watched two elderly ladies in a restaurant, using a knife and fork like 5 year olds. I had never seen such contortions, holding both the knife and fork, like they were trying to stab the food.

[@mattbentley9270]

Its horrifying to watch the way they shovel it into their face like they are starved Neanderthal

[@waitingforapril]

It’s really not that important and there are people from all different cultures with different rules, no point in having a single rule. Much more important to be kind and respectful to each other and differences, imo.

[@TectonicEventsWales]

Watching big bang theory use cutlery is cringe!

[@McKamikazeHighlander]

As a British actor, I HATE the fact that American theatre audiences start clapping as soon as a famous person appears on stage at the start of the play. Most plays begin in the middle of a scene/conversation, so in the UK audiences are completely silent until the interval/end of the play. But in the US, plays have to literally pause to wait for the audience to shut the eff up and frankly, it's annoying

[@lottie2525]

Absolutely HATE American so-called 'good' customer service. Just take our order, give us our food, leave us alone. THAT is good service - not all the interruptions and trying to be my 'friend'. I'm here to enjoy my actual friends' company - quit with all the bloody sycophantic nonsense. Same with shops, if I want some help I'll ask, otherwise quit bugging me. I'll just walk straight out of the shop! So funny that you actually like all that stuff and equate it with good service. No, no, no thanks.

[@mattbentley9270]

Yes Lottie, 1000000% agree, someone talks to me im outta there !! some other shop can have my money ... not a miserable;e person just DO NOT TALK to me people when im shopping and hungry

[@jmillar71110]

Completely agree. I don't mind a "hello/good morning" but the OTT stuff drives me nuts😂

[@dianakorz0730]

As an American I completely agree! I cannot stand it as a shopper and I hate being over friendly as a manager in customer service. This American should have been born in the UK. I relate more to the Brits than I do Americans.

[@gregorybiestek3431]

@@mattbentley9270 Then NEVER come to the USA because you will spend three DAYS while you remain hungry trying to find a store that does NOT do that sort of customer service. The reason is simple. If the employee fails to do that sort of customer service there is a 90% chance that person will be fired from their job and most likely also denied unemployment benefits for being fired for "cause".

[@thedeewolf]

@@gregorybiestek3431 Sounds good to me...I'll stick to Europe and ppl being earnest instead of the obsequious nonsense u poor Americans are forced to do!!!

[@phillipescott9764]

I’m sure that most British people would use only ‘start’, ‘pause’ and ‘finished’ for cutlery, but they are widespread across British society. Incidentally, we’d never call the implements ‘silverware’ unless they were actually made of silver.

[@julianaylor4351]

I'm so crashingly middle class that I own soup spoons, dessert spoons, fish knives and forks and cake forks. 😁

Start, either side of but next to plate. Pause, separated, either side of plate, implements not touching. Finished, implements together in line, in middle of plate. Paying? Bring the bill, then bring the damn machine to me.

[@EdDnB]

@@julianaylor4351I just thought they were all norm 😮😅

[@James-hd6ez]

​@@julianaylor4351I just eat with my hands ✋️

[@j_fenrir]

​@julianaylor4351 bloody hell mate i dont think ive seen half of those in my life

[@helenroberts1107]

You never ask people about money in the UK for general conversation. That would be awful! It’s rude

[@riverraven7359]

Depends on how well you know them and in which context.

[@AnnaBellaChannel]

@@riverraven7359 True but only with very close people.

[@victoriawilliams8196]

I hope that's changing with the newer generations. The only reason to not discuss money is so employers can rip you off.

[@AnnaBellaChannel]

@@victoriawilliams8196 No. Why would you talk about money with strangers? Not a very smart or safe thing to do.

[@andrewdunn1502]

What Americans call customer service is actually obtrusive harassment!

[@HeatherMyfanwyTylerGreey]

100pc agree.

[@moshpitted]

We just think they think we're shoplifting

[@paulashe61]

We care? No you just want to interfere in a crisis?

[@pv-mm2or]

@andrewdunn1502 include unjustified sales pitch, to interrupt my browsing is akin to putting your foot in the door, don't dare invade my space uninvited unless you want a broken toe!! that's what i think of American customer service!

[@philipashley9723]

Yes, as someone said, British people don't appreciate American servers, fussing at our meal tables. We know, their only intention is for us to eat, and leave, as fast as they can get us out, so they can get the next group in, who might just, give them a bigger tip. The British are allowed to eat their meal in peace, the management realizes that customers who find a restaurant relaxing, is somewhere they might like to return to.

[@Amethysttredecim]

Dinky does mean small in the UK, we also had a well known miniature toy car manufacturer in Liverpool called 'dinky'

[@nolaj114]

I'm Australian and when I was a child, the boys all called their toy cars, usually made by Matchbox or Mattel, "dinkies". But we'd also say "dinky" for something small and quaint, though a term not much used any more.

[@Ramtamtama]

@@nolaj114 could that be a case of a brand becoming the de facto name for an item, like hoovers and sellotape?

[@lindsaymckeown513]

I don't see it as a negative personally, often refers to something cute/sweet like a puppy, a baby, a flat that is comact and bijous!

[@stewedfishproductions9554]

@@nolaj114 FYI: Dinky derived from an old Scottish word (still in use); 'dink' - meaning small, neat, trim and cute.

[@nolaj114]

@@Ramtamtama yes..that must be it. I didn't know until now it was a brand.

[@julianaylor4351]

In the UK restaurant staff aren't allowed by law to take a credit or debit card anymore, because of theft and fraud. You just hand it over to someone who swipes it in front of you. In fact it's banned in all businesses including car dealerships, they have to swipe it in front of you, or most times now you tap it yourself, on a contactless terminal. In the UK you only talk to supermarket staff at the till or ask them for help in the aisles.

[@lloydcollins6337]

Plus if you have to put the PIN in you need the terminal to do that.

[@gregorybiestek3431]

@@lloydcollins6337 USA banks have fees and charges for everything and when they are not doing it to their customers, they are doing it to the businesses. One reason tap & pay was slow to catch on in the USA is that every bank charged the business TWICE the normal rate if they switched from the old method.

[@julianaylor4351]

@@gregorybiestek3431 We have institutions called building societies in the UK, they charge nothing for withdrawals and smaller charges than banks for other services. They borrow your money and lend it for three days after it's deposited. You are a member and not a customer and get access to better banking services, interest rates and accounts than banks. There's only one draw back, if you like paying bills across the counter, you can't, but as I'm in one, I pay my bills the usual DD way or go and pay across the counter at a post office or use a special pay card for bills there or at a shop that takes that card. Many people don't know that building societies have current accounts, they think they only do savings accounts, whereas they do all sorts of account types, so they get ripped off by UK bank charges. Even my accidental overdrafts, only had three in over 30 years, are cheaper.

[@jonevansauthor]

@@gregorybiestek3431 more accurately it's because you don't regulate your companies at all on any level. You think the UK banks did things because they were being smart? No, we just forced them to do it or be massively fined. *shrugs* I do hope you guys get to catch up at some point, it'll make life easier for you. Especially if you start handling sales tax in the only sane way to do it which is to include it in the label and have no maths to do as a customer.

[@gregorybiestek3431]

@@jonevansauthor The USA will likely never catch up to the rest of the world because it is a nation of the corporations, for the corporations, and by the corporations. USA conservatives run the country like the age of robber barons. By the way, the Republicans just proposed making unions illegal and have pledged to get rid of the few worker rights that were established in 1930s. So, we look back for the future.

[@nicw5574]

Butter on a bacon or sausage sandwich is amazing. The butter starts to melt, it's delicious.

[@theturtlemoves3014]

You have to have real butter, Also essential for chip butties where the butter runs down your face

[@nolaj114]

I can't imagine sandwiches without butter! Butter gives flavour, gives some moisture, and keep some ingredients, like tuna, from falling out. I was really surprised when I learned Americans don't use butter - but then, maybe they don't have real, fresh butter?

[@lemming9984]

I prefer bacon or sausage sandwiches without butter - just generously spread with HP sauce.

[@TalesOfWar]

@@nolaj114 I imagine all the other crap they have in their "bread" oozes out and has the same effect.

[@annarosetarot]

Butter is a necessity I even use it when I’m having peanut butter on toast butter first 😂

[@alananderson5731]

All Europe know how to use a knife and fork properly ,us still haven't learnt this yet.

[@GrumpyOldGit-zk1kw]

On a related note - and saying 'knife and fork'; most people (that I've listened to) from the U.S. say 'fork and knife' which sounds like a knife that they're angry with.

[@personalcheeses8073]

@@GrumpyOldGit-zk1kw😂😂😂

[@TalesOfWar]

@@GrumpyOldGit-zk1kw Say it with an Irish accent and it's especially funny lol.

[@austinwiththehat]

Randy is normally used when referring to others these days as opposed to one’s self. Calling someone a Randy b******d when they’re overly affectionate or touchy feely

[@Freakyman403]

true, i was just about to make this comment and noticed yours, so take a like :)

[@jonathancauldwell9822]

Yep, randy means horny. You can't use it as a name without people laughing.

[@wuxing100]

I went to the US on holiday with a brand new never used card, got to the hotel put our stuff in and went out for food at a nearby restaurant and paid with my card, the next day I had a call from the bank that someone had gone on a shopping spree using my card so I went back into the restaurant pointed out the server who handled my card and they ended up calling the police because I was about to stomp the fucker out. No one has any need to handle your card over here for that exact reason, you either go to the counter and pay or they bring the card machine over to you

[@GirlOfTheTardis]

Exactly they claim its more convenient for the customer but its more convenient if they bring over a card machine

[@WookieWarriorz]

Americans are obsessed with the idea of people doing things for them. It's ironic given the American dream shite. ​@@GirlOfTheTardis

[@Shell2164]

Just Once my grandparents handed the waitress their card in a restaurant, she went off and charged the card. Two days later my nan had a call from her bank saying someone had tried to use the card for a $1700 transaction in New York which they didn’t approve luckily. Never again did they ever hand their card over. We don’t do that here in the uk and there’s a reason.

[@lottie2525]

If buskers can sort out having a card machine, surely restaurants can get with the programme.

[@gregorybiestek3431]

@@Shell2164 Your experience is most likely NOT the fault of the business that swiped your card, it likely was another of the frequent hacking breaks that regularly attack and get tons of credit card information off computer servers. The hackers first sort this info by those that use online or tap & pay a lot, divide into blocks of 10,000 accounts, then sell these blocks to the highest bidder on the black market. Since Europeans visiting the USA all use tap & pay, they are particularly prime targets for these hackers. Also, hackers are another reason many US people still use very old tech, since it keeps many US consumers the most difficult to scam. I have had six notifications that one of my financial institutions has been hacked in ten years, but never had a scam charge, because I refuse to use online banking and use old tech as much as possible.

BestBuy came to the UK, and brought their customer service attitude with them. Their employees literally got told to fuck off, a lot, and they knew it would happen. People started by going into the new shop, getting pissed off with the customer service, not going back because of it. It was one of their biggest mistakes coming into the British market.

[@TalesOfWar]

I'm pretty sure they bought a bunch of old PC World units too to make people think they'd just changed name or something for those who didn't know who they were.

[@bigdaddigaming]

I’ve lived in America for 23 years and the bread is fucking disgusting, I hate it, it’s so sweet you wouldn’t want to turn it into a savory sandwich or anything, I’ve tried so many I’ve found a couple of brands that aren’t too bad otherwise as a Brit keep away from American bread

[@TalesOfWar]

I saw somewhere that some "bread" in the US could technically be classed as cake under EU laws given how much sugar is in the stuff. I also find it hilarious how lots of American "chocolate" is only classed as "flavour" in Europe because it doesn't actually have enough chocolate in it. Same with American "cheese".

[@bigdaddigaming]

@@TalesOfWar yea there’s loads of bad items here that I find horrible, cheese that isn’t cheese, bread that’s actually cake and chocolate lacking cacao and that’s just the tip of the iceberg, and there’s one British KZbinr that keeps on going on about how he’s heard that American food is so good, what an idiot

[@hypsyzygy506]

​@@TalesOfWar US 'cheese' doesn't have enough cheese in it?

[@TalesOfWar]

@@hypsyzygy506 No. They're often called "cheesy" or "cheeze" or something like that due to the lack of enough cheese to be legally classed as such.

[@elizabethrose5203]

Brit here, lived in the US for 3 years, had to buy a bread machine as their bread is truly gross, sweet and cake like!

[@onecupof_tea]

In uk we like shop assistants who say 'if you need help, I'm just over there', and they walk off to do something more important than to chat to you. But at least you know where they are !

[@GazGaryGazza]

In the uk cc payment is a wireless tap on the terminal and for as long as I can remember YOU NEVER EVER let your card out of your sight

[@michaelprobert4014]

Oh, what a young man you are...I remember they would take your credit card into the back, telephone your bank to see if you had enough credit , then if you did, they would put it through a click clack machine..

[@bigfrankfraser1391]

@@michaelprobert4014 i remember when you would pay in shillings, did that for 30 years, then in the 90's poof, no more fun coin names

[@redwiltshire1816]

Honestly yeah the thought of just giving someone your card sounds like a recipe for disaster

[@fayesouthall6604]

Or keep it in your purse or wallet and use your phone.

[@julianaylor4351]

It was banned by law years ago after too much theft and fraud, for others to take your card.

[@JungleTunes94]

Get that butter on your bread. The idea of any sandwich without is totally alien for sure. You can still add condiments but the butter brings it all together and stops the bread getting soggy + adds a subtle flavour

[@jmurray1110]

I can understand it fir hotdogs (those are annoying ti butter but yeah

[@lisasallery7860]

100% you cannot have a ham and cheese sandwich without butter!

[@davidmellish3295]

​@@jmurray1110Butter on sandwiches is a must, butter on hotdogs I've never heard of

[@redrumtruecrime]

Being a Brit myself there is nothing more off putting than a store employee 'badgering' customers for a sale‼️ If we want help or advice then we'll find you, but if we feel we're being watched and that staff are flat out pushing for a sale, then the majority of us will just leave to make a purchase elsewhere, from a place who respects their customers right to browse and not be rushed to the check out‼️. We see such sales personnel as rude and pushy stores typically don't do well, because we have Argos, where you won't ever be accosted by ANY employee, ever. Plus customers are promised Argos' prices are matched to other retail stores cheapest offers or they'll refund you double the difference‼️😁🇬🇧

[@lottie2525]

I read somewhere they tried to have American-style meeter greeters in one UK store. It didn't go down very well, as you can imagine. Leave me the f alone!

[@WILFREDRUSSELL-h8n]

A lot of sales staff in the US work on commission, so they over-do the hard sell thing

[@gregorybiestek3431]

@@lottie2525 Then NEVER come to the USA because you will spend three DAYS while you remain looking for the item you want trying to find a store that does NOT do that sort of customer service. The reason is simple. If the employee fails to do that sort of customer service there is a 90% chance that person will be fired from their job and most likely also denied unemployment benefits for being fired for "cause".

[@thedeewolf]

@@gregorybiestek3431 nice copy n paste...

[@nadeansimmons226]

I agree. Start coming over and talking to me and i will leave the shop. I don't mind a hello but that is all

[@karenphillips2092]

When you ask for the bill in UK the card reader is brought to the table, your card doesn't leave you...

[@doobiedootwo3517]

Only film where there should be audible audience reaction is ‘Rocky Horror Show” and with that audience participation is mandatory. Just like a panto - its an unwritten rule.

[@jondavey5221]

Love Rocky Horror! Go as often as possible. Love the heckling 😂

[@eileencritchley4630]

Oh my then you've never been to a cinema when it's showing a recording of a previous live BTS Concert because ARMY take their ARMY bombs (light sticks) with them and are up out of their sits screaming Rap lines and singing along in a mix of English & Korean. It's like being back at Stadium again with 60,000 -100,000 follow ARMY.

[@fredericksaxton3991]

@@jondavey5221 I think I have just over 200 visits to RHS since my first visit in 1979... Getting a tad old for the outfit now. 😞

[@catw4729]

@@eileencritchley4630 I wish it was like that when I go to films of BTS concerts - just a few there, so no atmosphere.

[@Oxley016]

In the UK the word 'Sir' is generally reserved for teachers, your superior officers if you are in the armed forces, or actual knights of the realm.

[@hypsyzygy506]

It's very unsettling to be called 'sir'.

[@Oxley016]

@@hypsyzygy506 Thankfully I've never been called sir but if it were to happen I wouldn't know what to do!

[@gpr127]

Utter garbage. Often used by more respectful people toward senior gentlemen.

[@Oxley016]

@@gpr127 'Garbage' No way you are British.

[@tanja9364]

If anyone calls me “ma’am”, it puts my back up and I want to be very rude to them! (Like those scammers who call you.)

[@judithdelaugere3877]

I like the attention given when I go into a store in the U.S. as a Brit living in the U.S. I got so fed up trying to find someone to help in the U.K. Usually this involves a search throughout the store asking “excuse me do you work here?”

[@minimuff83]

That's true...I accept that for sure xx

[@olwens1368]

An American bloke did once say to me that he couldn't understand why people laughed when he introduced himself. I asked him what his name was. "I'm Randy" he replied. I laughed.

[@markthomas2577]

the whole point of hot sandwiches like sausage or bacon is the melted butter !. Same with toast ..... always butter.

[@julianaylor4351]

Sandwich toasters. 😋

[@DevonRex116]

​@@julianaylor4351 Butter inside AND outside the sandwich! 😊

[@helenwood8482]

The aversion to butter baffled me until I saw the state of American butter. Ours is from grass-fed cows and is rich and creamy. The whole point of butter is to spread on bread. If you have mayo, you need butter to stop the bread going soggy.

[@briansmith48]

Your bread going soggy.?! 😳 How long do you take to eat a sandwich??? 😄 🇺🇲

[@ralphhathaway-coley5460]

@@briansmith48 You have to forgive us here in the UK, a lot do not realise that most store bought American bread is what we would think of as cake as it is so sweet and generally weird. To be fair I mostly cook my own bread so know what it should taste like. ;-) :-D

[@briansmith48]

@@helenwood8482 . I've recently tried putting kerry gold butter on a sandwich. And a half to say... Yuck! 🤢 Man, I had to struggle to get through that thing. 🤢 I'll stick to mustard and mayo. 😋

[@thomas_oak2943]

I am fine with people calling me sir. What absolutely infuriates me is a stranger calling me by my first name. I am frequently very rude in response.

[@freewheelinfranklin6201]

Especially if you have a first name, a middle name and a surname and you've always been called by your middle name. Banker (may be a mis-spelling) : "Can I call you Robert, Rob, Robbie, Bob, or Bobby?" Me: "Grrr, lets stick to Mr. Surname, shall we!"

[@deja-view1017]

Way better than being called 'guys' in a restaurant (even when you're all women).

[@austinwiththehat]

I think I’ve only ever done the “finished” position

[@cmin3783]

same

[@wobaguk]

definitely learned the pause one too growing up, most of the others Ive never seen before

[@brun4775]

Pause is also a thing. The others are BS.

[@cmin3783]

@@brun4775 true but to me the pause one seemed less like an etiquette thing and more of a placing the parts of the cutlery ive used on the plate and the parts i hold off the plate, like just kinda common sense i guess

[@catbevis1644]

You're still talking about cutlery, right?

[@Dan-B]

It truly is horrifying to me, the idea of a waiter taking my card when I can just use my card myself, and I’m far too British to understand why Americans don’t see any problem with it 😛

[@gregorybiestek3431]

That's because you were immediately marked as a foreigner and an easy target. Americans have been handing the cards over for over 30 years and NEVER had a single problem. When you are some obvious non-citizen you put a target on yourself.

[@gregorybiestek3431]

@@Sradders Your experience is most likely NOT the fault of the business that swiped your card, it likely was another of the frequent hacking breaks that regularly attack and get tons of credit card information off computer servers. The hackers first sort this info by those that use online or tap & pay a lot, divide into blocks of 10,000 accounts, then sell these blocks to the highest bidder on the black market. Since Europeans visiting the USA all use tap & pay, they are particularly prime targets for these hackers. Also, hackers are another reason many US people still use very old tech, since it keeps many US consumers the most difficult to scam. I have had six notifications that one of my financial institutions has been hacked in ten years, but never had a scam charge, because I refuse to use online banking and use old tech as much as possible.

[@clivepygott3883]

I'm not all that horrified, but it does sound odd saying you went to see a film at the 'theatre' - films are shown in a cinema, theatres have live actors!

[@Spiklething]

the spelling of theatre in the US too - theater just looks odd

[@gregorybiestek3431]

@@Spiklething Just remember in the USA until 1950 there were NO places devoted solely to film and cinema. All films were shown in actual theaters with large movie screen installed to lower & rise like one of the backdrops. As a result people after WW2 became conditioned to continue to use that terminology for any place where it was presenting show - either a live performance or one on film.

[@felixhenson9926]

tbf there are many kinds of theatre including an operating one i wonder if it's just a space where there can be an audience

[@clivepygott3883]

You're absolutely right. 'Theatre' originally just meant somewhere with an audience. Operating theatres in hospitals used to have a viewing gallery for medical students, similarly for 'lecture theatre'. But I'd argue that current UK usage is cinema for where you watch films and theatre for watching actors (but I may just be showing my age!)

[@gregorybiestek3431]

@@clivepygott3883 I do wish Brits were a little less up-tight about different countries using the English language is different ways. If they understood the how any language develops, maybe they could be a little more forgiving. As another example, the USA, Can, Aus, NZ & Ireland all use the original 19th century term soccer for association football, while the UK has changed post WW2 to just football. Same sport, different term, nothing to get all worked up about.

[@darkblondewatch8652]

no you need butter on bread. kettles are a must. i will never put a cup of water in the microwave that thought alone horrifies me to my core.

[@geoffpriestley7310]

Boil a Cup of water in the microwave and leave it there it softens any dried on food makes it easier to clean. That's the only reason to put water in a microwave

[@jennyli7749]

I honestly have never even contemplated microwaving water to make a cup of tea it’s pretty crazy imo

[@graveperil2169]

in the UK the terminals are hand held so they would bring it to the table for payment the card/phone never leaves my hand

[@gregorybiestek3431]

I like many Americans have been handing the cards over for over 30 years and NEVER had a single problem. USA banks have fees and charges for everything and when they are not doing it to their customers, they are doing it to the businesses. One reason tap & pay was slow to catch on in the USA is that every bank charged the business TWICE the normal rate if they switched from the old method.

[@TalesOfWar]

@@gregorybiestek3431 The fraud liability was different in the US and UK/Europe. It's on the bank in the US, it was on the store in the UK/Europe. Tap to pay only took off in the US because they changed the liability to the store, which incentivised stores to get newer terminals that did Chip and PIN and contactless, more specifically things like tokenisation as is used by Apple Pay. Even now you hear of some places still refusing to accept contactless or Chip and PIN despite the terminals they're using having full support for it. They just don't turn it on for reasons. Big companies like Walmart also tried to roll their own payment system called MCX and CurrentC instead of just using the global standard of EMV.

[@Sachielk30]

@@gregorybiestek3431 Wow. Greedy banks, no surprise. We DO get charged on a few cash machines (ATMs), but not many, and not at all if we use our own bank's ones. Card fraud is high everywhere you go, so we'd rather not chance it by having our cards taken out of sight. :-)

[@charlestaylor9424]

The best reaction to "have a nice day" was "I have other plans".

[@adrianw5811]

I always reply...'Enjoy the rest of your life.'

[@gabbymcclymont3563]

Classic

[@julianaylor4351]

😁

[@jemsjemski533]

I work in British retail and genuinely say have a good day in the morning, post lunch a good afternoon and after 3pm let’s all have a lovely evening 😂 because minimum wage and the crap we put up with (5.5hrs = 15mins break) over lunch the huge retailers expect of the employees, makes me grateful to be getting the hell out of their control 😳😬🫣

[@littlenan3576]

Well, we do put our cutlery together so it is obvious that we have finished our meal. We are not as fussing as this makes out though.

[@StRoRo]

We used our credit card once when in the US. It was an expensive resturant who took the credit card away I really wanted to follow the guy to watch as, in the UK you don't let it leave your sight. 2 days later, still in the US, our bank calls asking if we are trying buy a $1200 TV in Walmart. Ummm nope.

[@helenwood8482]

Yes, we see driving for an hour as a long trip, but Americans freak out when I say I did an eight mile walk to take photos of the hedgerows. Can't do that now, due to disability, but I'm building up my strength so I can do it in a wheelchair.

[@ellehan3003]

Good point😅

[@briansmith48]

It takes me 45 minutes just to drive to work, on the freeway ( motorway ) here in America. One way.

[@lindayoung4590]

I've had my credit card cloned multiple times when in the US. Once I was in Macy's in New York and the assistant had to call my credit card company as the machine rejected it because someone was buying a laptop in LA. That's why in the UK you never let your cards out of your sight.

[@helenwood8482]

If a member of shop staff says more to me than a basic greeting, I immediately walk out.

[@lottie2525]

Me too, and I'll be muttering under my breath about how they just lost another customer over it lol.

[@gregorybiestek3431]

@@lottie2525 Then you will walk out of the first 9,998 stores you walk into. If the sales person does do that sort of customer service they get fired.

[@lottie2525]

@@gregorybiestek3431 Thankfully I live in the UK where we don't have such nonsense forced on us.

[@sandihill669]

@@gregorybiestek3431it’s not ‘service’ though. It’s hard sell

[@gregorybiestek3431]

@@lottie2525 Actually USA sales staff ARE trained to do exactly that. They are REQUIRED to be overly helpful AND to watch for potential troublemakers. Just Google "loss prevention activities". If the staff in the USA do not do that - they get fired simple as that.

[@Riverman2012]

Ive just returned from a 3 week trip to California. We drove 1400 miles. Its ok when you have nice scenery, nice weather and very little traffic....driving 6 hours in the UK from Southampton to Newcastle, for instance, is an absolute nightmare!!

[@TalesOfWar]

Especially when you're in Southampton then Newcastle!

[@Mike-James]

In the UK we have a pin number, the Bank would close our account if we tell strangers our pin, if we swipe we still have to use our pin number.

[@trudimclaren4301]

8:25 I love that audience interaction when it comes to the Rocky Horror Picture Show - everyone's dressed up and has been singing along, and we'll all sing the closing credits and applaud. It would be a little weird to do that with every movie, though! 😂

[@wobaguk]

American suburbs and walkability isnt just about the pavements, its the zoning. It seems to prohibit anything other than houses houses and more houses. In the UK suburbs thend to have clusterings of a few shops here and there, a pub etc. places within reach you would actually want to walk to

[@briansmith48]

They make it difficult to come and go in certain places on purpose. They don't want certain people to hang around nice new housing developments. It's called white flight or red zoning.

[@jeanine6328]

I don’t even go into my best friends fridge, and we’ve been friends for 40 years.

[@greg1943-u3i]

Everyone in England knows that Americans are emotionally incontinent. It most often manifests in hospitality complaints, and a lack of appreciation of nuance.

[@Timbothruster-fh3cw]

What??🤨

[@AnnaBellaChannel]

100% true. Over-emoting is awful.

[@ralphhathaway-coley5460]

Please tell me that your comment is meant as satire, '........ a lack of appreciation of nuance' says the person who says England when meaning Britian or UK, that was a great example of a lack of nuance, if deliberate.

[@greg1943-u3i]

@@ralphhathaway-coley5460 No nuance there Ralph. I meant England so I said England. The Celtic nations are generally more emotional than the Anglo-Saxons. Anything else you need explaining?

[@dattrax]

Dinky is fine.. doesn’t imply value, just size

[@stampandscrap7494]

Americans call cheap stuff Rinky Dink. They cannot fathom that Dinky means something else in Actual English, English

[@SeasonsOfMists]

There was a whole we range of toy cars called dinky toys... Very valuable now

[@sckiddle]

Also has connotations of being cute/sweet.

[@PaulMartin-w3g]

Its common sense to put butter on your bread before anything else as it acts as a barrier to any grease/sauce/relish etcs thus stops the bread going soggy. The sandwich is less likely to fall apart when its picked up and eaten.

[@MrBrianholding]

I was only taught to put my knife & fork together in a 6 O'clock position to indicate that I was finished. If you pause while eating just to rest them on either side of the plate. I've NEVER heard of putting cutlery in the other weird positions shown, the one expressing poor food would be incredibly rude. We dont practice semaphore on our plates. That site looked American as it used "fork & knife" rather than "knife & fork" which is ,naturally, the correct way.

[@catherinearangie2311]

Lol. In South Africa saying fork and knife sounds like an expletive and will earn you an old fashioned Viktor Orban look.

[@johnthornton73]

I should lend you my new T shirt which says ....."I'm not arguing - I am just telling you why I am right.

[@minimuff83]

Exactly this!!

[@nicklomas181]

as far as cutlery, I've only ever used the 'paused' and 'finished'

[@user-sx6eu4rg2x]

Butter is an important step in sandwich making - butter helps prevent the bread from becoming soggy.

[@cpowell7623]

On the making yourself at home bit: I, being his child, lived with my dad for many years. Whenever I visit him, if I'm hungry, I will ask if I can get something to eat. An American friend of mine, fairly new to the UK, was with me at one point, and was perplexed that I, his son would still ask permission. He genuinely took it as a sign that my dad was the kind of person to gatekeep the fridge. He was even more perplexed when I told him that I knew my dad would never say no. It just feels disrespectful not to ask, even if you know the answer.

[@jgibbs651]

When I was 5 years old I walked a mile-and-a-half to school; in the summer the "prettier" route was 2 miles. And at 7 years old I took myself off to the swimming pool, including a half-mile walk, alone even in the winter.

[@timglennon6814]

I’m English, and I never put butter on my Burger Bun. Making a Sandwich I do but butter on the bread.

[@personalcheeses8073]

I don’t like butter on burger buns or bacon sarnies. But I love butter, real butter, not the fake stuff.

[@lilbullet158]

8 hour trips in a car sounds horrendous ! Most UK people would need Psychiatric Therapy after that...

[@isomochyn1]

I think the difference in population density makes driving 8 hours in the UK a very different to 8 hours in the US. I regular drive long distances through France and it is far more pleasant than the UK.

[@iantellam9970]

With my family living in Cornwall and me living up north that's a pretty common trip length for me. It's fine.

[@TalesOfWar]

@@iantellam9970 Most of it on the god awful M6, half of the time you're stuck trying to get through Birmingham. Nobody wants to be stuck in Birmingham for any reason.

[@Freakyman403]

Regarding Dinky, dinky is most likely in reference to a small toy series called Dinky Toys, so we got associated with anything small and quaint or small and cute as something that is dinky.

[@stewedfishproductions9554]

The other way round... Dinky is derived from the older Scottish word 'dink' (still in use). It means something that is small, neat, trim or cute. 😊

[@Freakyman403]

@@stewedfishproductions9554 and dinky toys are a Scottish toy brand, because the creators daughter called them dinky hence the name, and then they became more widespread as toys and the some parts of the uk still use the word dinky. dink used to mean double income no kids from the 1980's im talking from how to word became more used in the uk rather than the origin of the scottish word.

[@dirtywaterpj_dj]

There have been cases of bank cards being cloned. This is why stores and restaurants bring the card reader to the table.

[@crocsmart5115]

Cutlery (not “silverware”) positions are understood but rarely used,apart from finished. On this theme,swapping the fork hand for cutting and eating is a very weird custom and makes American diners resemble toddlers learning how to eat. Sandwiches are always buttered,I have a cold shiver even contemplating dry desiccated bread wrapped ingredients without the balm of butter to make the sandwich whole. And as for service…..deliver my meal then go away,if I want you again I’ll call you,check on me more than once an hour and I may have to end you!

[@sandihill669]

Changing your ‘fork’ hand differs in Europe. Bad manners to eat the way we Brits do once food is cut up.

[@jgibbs651]

@@sandihill669 Where in Europe would that be? Everywhere I've ever been they have knife and fork in right and left hand and they stay there.

[@sandihill669]

Well certainly in France and Switzerland. Worked there in the 70’s and often it was explained to switch. Maybe 🤔 it’s changed now 😊

[@nolaj114]

When I was a child I wrote a short story about a rabbit that was published in the children's pages of a newspaper (remember those?). In my innocence, I named the rabbit Randy and didn't understand why they made a miatake (in my eyes) and called him Andy..😅

[@stampandscrap7494]

Randy Rabbit lmfao

[@colingregory7464]

In UK, being refered to as Gentleman by a child's mother is the reference that tends to make me feel old (let the gentleman by or mind out for the gentleman)

[@johnduncan231]

In the UK the banks tell us dont let your credit/bank card out of your sight. The waiter brings the card machine to your table. (In the rare occasions where the establishment doesnt have the facility, small cafe etc. you go to the till with your card.

[@christiner302]

I don't like Iced tea. My tea is always warm and NEVER microwaved.

[@smythharris2635]

Note, the fork is not a shovel. Hold and use your cutlery gracefully, as it enhances the pleasure of eating.

[@nicolafenner6260]

I am British and never seen anyone put butter on burger buns. Sandwiches yes, not burgers or hotdogs

[@mysticalmaid]

I'm British and I've seen plenty of family and friends add butter or marg to buns etc, including myself.

[@gennytun]

I put butter in everything!

[@meeshelle1397]

On a bacon or chip buttie - yes please, add the butter

[@virgiltracey9130]

But not in a burger.

[@mysticalmaid]

@@virgiltracey9130 yes to in a burger, it's lovely but I use dairy free marg like vitalite instead of butter.

[@RCassinello]

LOL! What's horrifying? Tipping? Making tea in a microwave. I fucking love you. :)

[@randomistmech]

Dinky meaning small isn't just the UK. It means small in the USA as well, hence the Jackson Dinky guitar, a guitar that's a bit smaller than the other models, with a body size of 7/8. They come at all price points, not just the cheap end of the scale, you can spend a couple of thousand pretty easily. Sweetwater currently have one listed at $3400.

[@vikkirobinson4131]

The only cutlery placing is start, pause and finish. Pause is quite handy. I was recently hearing of a case where a waiter was privately scanning huge amounts of cards behind the counter, it can be a thing, and it is not necessary.

[@WOFFY-qc9te]

Butter is essential as it seals the bread stopping moist cucumber from turning the bread or toast mushy. This also applies to bacon and egg Butties [sarnies] . Americans prefer hydrogenated crap their bread.

[@jamiewilson9280]

Iced tea is a mystery we do not need! Tea is an example of perfection and doesn’t need to be messed with.

[@MGrayl-ib5fo]

Americans don't have the first clue how to make tea.

[@expressoevangelism80]

I beg to differ. I was stuck in an airport in Thailand. Boy it was humid. I had 5 iced lemon teas which saved my life.

[@MGrayl-ib5fo]

@@expressoevangelism80 You'd have fared just as well (if not better) by drinking water.

[@tracey3426]

Iced tea is amazing!

[@diarmuidkuhle8181]

There's Lipton's and that's decidedly British.

[@ColinRichardson]

With the thing with the fridge.. My friends would let themselves into my house.. Make themself, and make me a sandwich, and then walk up stairs, hand me the plate and then say "Alright mate". But at that level of friendship, it's basically Family that you CHOOSE to have. Rather than the potluck level of family known as... FAMILY

[@A14Rors]

Run for the overground train. Never run for the underground (metro, subway, tube) they come every 2 mins!

[@lindsaymckeown513]

'Would you like some bread with your butter?' was a mantra in our house growing up...

[@Queenfloofles]

The V fingers thing comes from the days when the English longbow men were feared so much by the French that if they managed to capture one of the archers they would cut those two fingers off. The two fingers were a way of saying we've still got them and come and have a go if you think your hard enough. So it is an insulting thing to do still, even if the French are no longer cutting our fingers off.

[@RCassinello]

"I just think that's a crazy person thing!" - :LOL!

[@leecaine6700]

If im eating at a restaurant, I hate the waiter coming to me to ask how my meal is whilst I'm eating. Not sure why, I just want to be left alone to eat, and I would let them knoe if i wasnt happy

[@maxjjackson]

The collective term for the utensils you eat with is cutlery. Not all cutlery is silver (or silver plated). Crockery refers to plates, bowls and dishes you eat from. Silverware tends to refer to both functional and/or decorative tableware, made from silver, like serving platters, punch bowls, cruet sets, even candelabra on the table. Virtually anything that the butler had to regularly polish..!!

[@RCassinello]

I think in the "Being John Malkovich" example you cited... That is all perfectly acceptable and, hopefully, what should be expected. Even in the UK, in that situation, I would have applauded every cast member appearing.

[@DavidPaulMorgan]

in UK and most Euro countries, they bring the wifi POS termina to the table, you tap your payment or insert card for chjp'n'pin WE can also scan the QR code, place orders, monitor the bill and pay 'online' - much better.

[@mubbles1066]

Start,pause and finish are the only cutlery positions used.

[@jorgehurford1742]

nobody in the UK says public transit. Public transport is what it's called.

[@planekrazy1795]

We certainly do use Sir or Madam or Miss in the UK particularly in retail or any customer facing roles, just not as much (would rarely say would Sir step this way or it suits Sir very much) usually as the greeting, Good morning Sir or the like.

[@legendofmirr]

Still find it strange that after all this time Evan doesnt realise hes in London. In my area people have put lights and decs up my whole life.

[@UphillGardener-ly5sh]

On the retail thing, Whenever an assistant would walk up to my friend as soon as he entered a shop saying "hi, can I help you?" he would say "yes I'll stand here, you have a look round"

[@Shoomer88]

Nobody puts butter on burger buns - not a thing. EDIT: GrumpyOld Git's mate Keith does.

[@davidbean6973]

Yeah, first I’d heard of it.

[@GrumpyOldGit-zk1kw]

In m 56 years in the UK, I've only met one person who did - my mate Keith. I was horrified when he was about to butter mine.

[@AnneDowson-vp8lg]

I do. I put the mayonnaise on top of the lettuce. That's where mayonnaise is supposed to go.

[@briansmith48]

If a burger bun is toasted then yes. Put butter on it. If not... Yuck. 😝

[@liamb8638]

I was in the states in 2012 and went to see the first avengers… I’m used to people getting up and leaving in silence at the end. In America they all got up and clapped and cheered.. it was soooooo weird lol

[@annedunne4526]

Here in Ireland the waiter brings the card machine to your table. They never take your card! That would make it easy for someone to copy it.

[@janetgeorgiou9595]

My ex got the "you should stay at my Welsh cottage sometime" from HM Queen Elizabeth II. They were discussing where he went scuba diving. He didn't follow it up.

[@lesleycarney8868]

So you don't mind if your credit card / debit card get's cloned behind the counter by a crook waiter?

[@redwiltshire1816]

That’s exactly what I was thinking

[@Jill-mh2wn]

" I was just taking the tip, Sir" 🤣

[@gregorybiestek3431]

@@redwiltshire1816 Not in the slightest! I like many Americans have been handing the cards over for over 30 years and NEVER had a single problem. When you are some obvious non-citizen you put a target on yourself.

[@redwiltshire1816]

@@gregorybiestek3431 “non-citizens” do all Americans just use terms these day? Card fraud is a known problem that happens everywhere any time any place banks tell you not to leave your card with anyone

[@gregorybiestek3431]

@@pamelacole2756 Then I VERY strongly suggest that you NEVER visit the USA, because you cannot stay or do anything in the USA without handing your card to someone. Sorry but we don't allow you to operate that way here.

[@stuffmcstuff399]

Iced tea, in the UK, is mostly an alcoholic beverage. Cider is too. Basically we drink a lot. It helps to remain stoic and repress our emotions.

[@PeachyNanaUK]

English 72 year old here. The only cutlery position I’ve heard of is the “I’ve finished” position and the pause. The others, nope.

[@NH_HN]

I learned Americans don’t have cutlery placement when I put mine in the pause position, went to the toilet, and when I returned to my seat, my food was gone.

[@pxrixo.]

The butter thing blows my mind. Butter on your sandwich isn't just a preference, it's just the normal way to make a sandwich here. Americans use mayo instead of butter, spread thinly on the bread. Terrible. Butter your bread then squirt a fat dollop of mayo on! It's the only way

[@deja-view1017]

The way Americans say Khaki gets me every time. It sounds like 'caccy', so your 'caccy pants' doesn't mean the same as 'khaki trousers'! 😂

[@lisasallery7860]

Unfortunately in the UK our price of fuel is shocking. So road trips here are a couple of hours max.

[@onbedoeldekut1515]

When I was 12, in July 1985, I experienced (at that time) the most unexpected occurrence at the cinema in Guildford. We'd just watched Back to the Future, and when the film ended, the entire audience in the cinema clapped in appreciation. No whooping or hollering, it was the most British thing I'd seen until then. It was a most worthy film.

[@kennethoconnell8476]

The ‘flicking the V’ insult in the UK, is also known as a ‘Harvey Smith’ by us old folk! 😉

[@paul1warr]

I assume the cutlery was the same. If you are still eating the knife and fork are at 8 and 4 (o'clock) or maybe 9 and 3. to signify ; you are finished you put them together in any position on the plate (signifying you don't plan to pick them up again. Surely this is fairly universal?

[@free_gold4467]

We don't really use all of those 'cutlery positions', just the two together on the plate meaning you have finished.

[@CarolLeslie-x5n]

We hate that kind of fuss when we go into the shop just leave me alone, you can’t make me spend more money that I intend too.

[@PsyMongazoid]

The OTT customer service and long advert breaks show just how hard sell everything in America is.

[@expressoevangelism80]

Clapping the pilot after landing safely is something we have experienced from certain European neighbours. I don’t think we have generally adopted it as a practice as yet.

[@martinarscott3524]

I've never put butter on my burger 'rolls' and don't know anyone else who does. But as far as sandwiches go, definitely butter (margarine is considered less fattening but is actually much worse than a thin scraping of butter)