US vs The UK: What Are The Biggest Differences?

Chris and George Mack discuss the biggest differences between the US & the UK. What surprised George Mack the most about the US? What is George Mack's biggest takeaways from being in America as a Brit? Does George Mack think Brits and Americans are more similar than different?
Get 20% discount on the best supplements from Momentous at livemomentous.com/modernwisdom
Get access to every episode 10 hours before KZbin by subscribing for free on Spotify - spoti.fi/2LSimPn or Apple Podcasts - apple.co/2MNqIgw
Get my free Reading List of 100 life-changing books here - chriswillx.com/books/
Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic here - neutonic.com/modernwisdom
-
Get in touch in the comments below or head to...
Instagram: / chriswillx
Twitter: / chriswillx
Email: chriswillx.com/contact/

[@ChrisWillx]

Hello you savages. The full episode with George goes live on Monday - press Subscribe! Get 20% discount on the best supplements from Momentous at livemomentous.com/modernwisdom

[@ImperialMindMusic]

Very hard to find the full length video when using a mobile web browser BTW

[@everythingwave]

This is so good Chris. As a Californian raised by Europeans now living in Japan, listening to you and George even for a few minutes was mind-blowing for me and still has me thinking.

[@chosen1178]

Йййй й​@@everythingwave

[@michaelhennessy5672]

I’m an American that lived in London for 8 years. I love London, England and the UK and I love the Brits. Any Brit that wants to come to America is welcome

[@peynattyl]

Californian here ~ a few years ago a Brit arrived with her horse to board at my barn. One afternoon a few teens pulled into the ranch, parked under a tree to smoke some pot and the Brit stomps down the driveway to tell them they're on private property and to get out!! The boys immediately leave and she walks back to the barn just blown away that the guys didn't tell her off. She said she would have been cussed out if this happened across the pond, but these boys apologized and peacefully left. I told her it was the accent! It saved her that day.

[@DobyDuke]

Commifornia

[@chadmaximus44]

@@DobyDukelikes to party

[@TonyShepps]

If I was a teen getting high, and a Brit woman walked over and told me to go elsewhere, that would be awesome. It would practically make my day. If those teens were drinking? Whole 'nother story, I'd wager.

[@JackCoombs-iy8vz]

The accent is amazing, especially on a woman I love it.

[@chrisokeeffe8432]

😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@jackbowen4420]

I was in Wales for a friend's birthday waiting in line to get into a bar and, without speaking a word, a guy behind me said "oh, you must be American" 😅I said "How the hell did you know that?" And he said "Well, the mustache, for starters, but mainly you just look too happy" lol. That summed up the difference right then and there. And you're 100% right, Chris - I was the one American in a group of 10-12 Welsh guys and the vibe was insane.

[@wrenillusions]

That's hilarious 😂

[@Siegbert85]

Didn't know mustaches were an American thing. Here in Germany it's quite easy to spot at least male Americans: sunglases, base caps, short pants, often more buff and very short hair (I live near an American army base)

[@bulletz9280]

We can also tell by how you dress. Nobody anywhere else in the world would combine a polo shirt, cargo shorts, white crew socks and hiking sneakers/new balance and think "yep, that's a good outfit for today". Add a dad hat, fanny pack, and some gas station sunglasses and you've got the classic American tourist look. Usually all worn by someone way too young to be dressing that badly.

[@tuckerbugeater]

@@bulletz9280 who are you trying to impress?

[@PGHEngineer]

Rates of depression are slightly higher in the UK than the US. Suicide rates are substantially lower in the UK. I guess appearances can be deceptive.

[@George-bi8sj]

The thing I noticed most about Americans during the times I've visited the States is their concept of space and time. They would drive for an hour and 20 minutes just to go to a restaurant for some food. No one in England would drive that far. I also remember driving from a camp in the Mohavi to Vegas and had a period of about an hour and a half of not seeing another car, here, I don't think you could drive anywhere for more than 10 minutes and not see another car.

[@Cheech-lk2yp]

Great observation, Americans are far more willing to drive heinous distances at the drop of a hat! I will point out though, there are plenty of small country roads throughout the UK, that lead off into backwaters and less populated areas of the shires, where you can drive for longer than 10 mins and not see a car. You may see a farmer though, haha.

[@Scoots3]

I’m an American that lived in the UK for a number of years. The class divide can’t be understated. I got the vibe that in the UK you are encouraged to do as well as your class will allow. A class glass ceiling if you will. We tell children of trash men (“rubbish collector”) they can be President in the US. That’s not to say we don’t have many issues and a class problem, but you’re encouraged to break out of your class and do great things.

[@PS987654321PS]

Very true. The class issues are extraordinary and repressive. It's not even one's own personal outlook. You will be held down.

[@chrisburton4128]

Very true

[@jacobfield4848]

The USA used to be classless, now only the 1% can go to the top universities.

[@matthewdiment2325]

The class issues are the same in the U.S. Yes we have titles here but u guys have exactly the same thing but without the titles it's human nature it's the same in any country even communist ones.

[@PS987654321PS]

@@matthewdiment2325 Idiotic. It's not the same, and it's not close. And titles are irrelevant. The U.S. is far more of a meritocracy, relatively speaking.

[@evanhughes3027]

Nothing is more annoying than watching a british lad arrive in the states and NOT immediately take advantage of the fact that he's now the most eligible bachelor in the room. It's a super power.

[@bri_____]

It is true that Brits appear less positive. However, if a Brit says, "I believe in you. You can do this!", he genuinely means it

[@iancockerham9382]

I actually think the Brits are happy in there own skin , you hit the nail on the head with Bald and Bankrupt if he was American he’d be milking the hell out of his fame

[@andrewh2u]

Moved from Birmingham to London in my early thirties and pivoted to Investment Banking... realised *that* accent had to go before I changed investsment house a year later if I was gonna make it. Class systems are still a barrier in the UK no matter what your ability. Moved to NY in a few years and the whole scene is totally different... everyone can make it here no matter where you are from.

[@jbone9900]

If think America is a fantasy land sure.

[@LC-wv7tz]

I mean you are dead wrong.

[@monrush]

"everyone can make it" really??? Really. To mis quote Al Murray it's called the American dream because you must be sleeping.... Every other modern western country has the same opportunities as the US. The reason Americans have the chance to make even more money is because of the size of the country. The USA is the country if extremes. Amazing if you are rich or from a rich family but working a normal job? No healthcare, poor infrastructure, full of packing religious nuts

[@matthewlinscott7055]

I’m from the States so pls explain Birmingham accent using game of thrones. Is it more like Cersei or is it more like Ygritte?

[@andrewh2u]

@@matthewlinscott7055 Wrong show - watch Peaky Blinders

[@JamesHeseltine]

British guy here: I have not watched the video yet or read any comments. I am going to guess what Chris says in this video and then respond to my comment after I have watched the video. Predicton: "Oh my gosh America is so positive and people are happy for your success blah blah blah blah; tall poppy syndrome; negative attitude in uk ...... class and less upward mobility .....

[@JamesHeseltine]

Okay I was right about some and wrong also.

[@willdanger6833]

​@JamesHeseltine do you agree with them?

[@Zadir09]

I agree with your sentiment on some Brits being too down on the UK. I am American and really don't want you guys to become more Americanized. You're good at being the UK! I like you having your particular accent, cultural ways and stereotypes. Do you not like it that way in the UK? That's why the alliance has lasted over a century, we are different but similar in a very unique way. It would hurt me tremendously for the UK to just be a "51st state" If it's just government reforms and such, I do agree it is more difficult to do business in the UK. But it is not for me, an American, to decide for the UK

[@iless664]

Anglo-American here: born in Manchester and moved to Miami where I lived from 8-20 from which I moved to London, where I now reside. One of my great advantages is my “American brashness” and ability to view everything optimistically compared to the dark depressing Brits who are pessimistic about everything.

[@helenespaulding7562]

Is it the weather, do you suppose? Is that why the Scots are so dour? 😉

[@xgtwb6473]

Question for you: seems we founded America, why do Americans consider their history to only start in 1776? I know USA has had lots of immigration from different countries but still, our history is your history

[@fs5775]

@@xgtwb6473 People among you who *rejected you* founded America. That's a huge difference than "we"... those founders certainly didn't see themselves as being among that "we" ...

[@Scoots3]

@@xgtwb6473 as an American that lived in England, this is honestly the first time I’ve heard that perspective. But I think you kind of nailed it when you noted immigration to the US came from many sources. The Spanish were in Florida, Mexico in the southwest, native Americans are all over the country, and to a somewhat lesser extent there is French influence as well… I just think that most every American you’d ask wouldn’t see our history as just British and would likely be hesitant to own it.

[@rickclark7508]

@xgtwb6473 Depends on who you ask. As an American with mixed European Heritage but mostly German I identify strongly with Britain. UK is our parent country first and foremost. Also a history buff with a clue tho lol.

[@pauljohnson3584]

I was a 10-13 American kid in Australia and became really inculcated into the practice of "taking the piss" amongst peers and it has not served me well since I returned to the States. Americans are incredibly, and exhaustingly, sensitive to mockery and frank criticism.

[@patriciasanderson2171]

Ah yes, my partner is Scottish and his humour did not go down well in America. They thought he was being really “nasty” but he was trying to banter.

[@cartermayfield]

We do that in the US, too. But ball-busting is something reserved for close friends. If you do it with people you don’t know well, then yeah, you look like an ass hole. Self deprecation always goes over well in the US.

[@xaviercopeland2789]

Depends the region and culture. Black American culture and Southern culture is known for it. Not so much other places.

[@matthewdrake9699]

So is the english football team

[@mrz305]

American In London here, the entrepreneurship thing is very simple, you guys have way way way more red tape towards starting, let alone succeeding in a business. I know there are cultural differences about that stuff too but I know this from experience, I would figure this has to matter quite a bit

[@BennHaze]

Interesting! Yeah I don’t think the cultural personality differences is the main reason - too simplistic

[@jackbennett5391]

@mrz305 You’re so right bro. Everyone here in the UK likes to shit on success and bring people down. “Oh that person was lucky, his family gave it to him on a plate, he’s white and went to this school etc.” People can never congratulate or give genuine kudos to entrepreneurship and graft. My experience in the US is the opposite. You champion success and are willing to take a risk. If I could actually move and work in the US, I’d go in a heartbeat.

[@samhirst2830]

​@erertertert44 I agree, we rank 8th in ease of doing business index. America ranks 6th I seriously doubt there is that much red tape when it comes to business activity between the US & the UK. I think it more down to a difference in mentality, Brits are less likely to gamble on a business startup as we all know it's statistically more likely to fail than succeed. Instead we'd rather get a job in an already well established company.

[@mrz305]

@@erertertert44 I think you just helped to make part of my point for me, this is precisely what I mean by red tape. It comes in all shapes and sizes out here. Taxation was actually almost number one on my mind. All I know is I open companies out here I open companies out there, I go to buy real estate out here I go to buy it out there etc. etc. and it is much much much easier in America. Taxation is a tremendous part of that because the bottom line is all that really counts at the end of the day and essentially it's a small business that I'd be running that I'd want to grow but it's difficult to do out here. And I say this with the utmost respect because it is not a domestic problem for British citizens and I know that it's a very sensitive issue, but there is no longer an entrepreneurial visa. We still have one in the United States of course, it's kind of a cornerstone of potentially moving to the country But it makes sense given it's more capitalistic persuasion and without trying to bring up any sort of conversation about migration because I know it's very sensitive and it's not my country to comment on, I think it's more in line with the "American dream" that I don't really see exists out here. They got rid of it a few years ago with many other laws and they were supposed to have redone it by last summer but I don't know if there's an appetite for it or politicians just drag their feet or what and again I'm not trying to open a wider conversation though for my part I would hire only British citizens I would pay well and of course I would pay all the taxes due to the government and if I failed they could show me the door. My case is unique though because I have multinational business and I'm able to operate as an extension, a satellite. However I have other business ideas that would be great for out here besides my primary business that I just mentioned and I'm happy to make any agreement with the government to make sure that the capital doesn't 'fly' out of the country (I love this place.)

[@mrz305]

@@erertertert44 i'll tell you this, I don't have much to say on the British politics because it's not my country to speak but, what we earn in America to do the same jobs even when taking into account the difference in exchange rate from pounds to dollars is almost across-the-board for any trade by the hour by the day by the year etc. or any career way more money and way less taxation combined. This applies to the entrepreneurship if you're going to be a Plumber and you decide to open your own shop and you have a few plumbers working underneath you plumbers get paid hundreds of dollars an hour in Miami where I come from. Electricians are paid incredibly well, I talked to all the trades people out here I'm in development so I have to know everything and basically they make peanuts as the going rate compared to the guys that are really doing the same tough work back inAmerica just like out here. And I pull aside all the good lads that are in a trade and I talk to them about their lives and their families and this and that but I recommended them perhaps it's to save some money in within five years to open their own shop of their own shade and have people working for them such as they work for other people And they've never even considered such a thing. It's a very different mentality. The fact that a junior doctor out here makes 32K or a nurse makes 28K is criminal to me. You have vice president of JP Morgan as a verified as that position should be that make 100k gbp, I ask why they would ever do that in America they'd be making like over 250,000 for the same position and people tell me it's because of the respect of the title of the position. Our highest tax brackets approximately 36% we have no value added tax, they just made it so that if it's 120,000 for the highest tax bracket as opposed to 140,000 now it's 45% instead of 42. I understand it's a It's a completely different economic structure, but it's so much tougher to make a buck, if I can use one of my home countries colloquialisms, out here doing the same job exact same skills and effort quality of workmanship and I think it's sad. Not to mention everything so expensive compared to America, even New York City and Manhattan which I've lived in doesn't have prices like this a couple of places in the world I could think of like Tokyo even close or exceed. I live in Marleybone and when the lads who are doing the trades come by my place they tell me that they go to the Tesco on the corner and then Coca-Cola is 2 pounds. And tell them that they said I have no idea where they live in zone five or six or whatever it's like 35 pence. It seems unless you have independent means and I've built well elsewhere or family money or something central London is not really a feasible option with any quality of living for regular folks. Forgive me for encroaching into the criticism and territory, it is what it is but my heart goes out to the people out here as far as How much harder it is for everyone out here to earn the same as they do back in the states. And believe me I know the states has its flaws, there's a reason out here I'm telling you the truth as I've seen it. Please pardon any typos I'm using dictation. Have a wonderful day :)

[@rp8164]

The class divide in the UK is vast. I fully noticed this when I went to university many years ago. As a working class lad from an ex-mining town, meeting people who went to private school, who spoke with a refined accent, was eye-opening. They seemed like they were from another country entirely.

[@rjflores438]

Im from a council estate in Manchester and when I moved to an affluent part of London after university I really felt this divide.

[@keifer7813]

Pretty sure it's similar in America

[@elwolf8536]

Had a middleclass girlfriend years ago didn't realise haw hated tge working class are by the public school sorts

[@rp8164]

@@elwolf8536 I married a Scandinavian - I prefer their culture overall.

[@Rustsamurai1]

They are.

[@eamonshields2754]

Essentially we are “Brit’s with self belief” because everyone who came to America in the early days was a risk taker and bet on themselves

[@danrhodes]

This was one of the best and accurate conversations I’ve listened too in years

[@queendumb]

The only problem with the A-B test theory is how do you explain the rest of the Empire? There must have been an adventurous and enterprising spirt to have built/stumbled into Empire. Not saying it is wrong, just that it is too simple. I think a lot of the modern traits of the UK and the USA comes from the end of the Second World War. America came out of the war much stronger and in a dominating position, the UK entered the war as a superpower and left as basically a vassal state of the US!

[@samashby8203]

I think you're right actually - there is a massively adventurous spirit in Britain. People go out and do wonderful amazing things all the time. BUT that attitude isn't society wide and thus is likely a class thing. Knowing you're empowered and 'entitled' to go out and do things counts for a lot. I moved from London to New Zealand at the age of 35 and I've thrown off all self-limiting beliefs as I enter my second year in business. It's a process I started in London, but coming to a place without such strong class barriers really helps. Additionally, so much of our experience of the world comes from the land we live in and the weather we experience. Australians and Kiwis are essentially Brits with 150 years of better weather. They all retain the piss-taking attitude but with a sunnier disposition. Here in New Zealand, their default attitude is 'She'll be right'.

[@Johnstone72]

The thing to remember about UK is we have more accents than any other country. In addition if you go 5 minutes down the road between two towns/villages that distance is sufficient to ensure a level of hatred for each other not seen elsewhere in the civilised world.

[@1_mak]

It’s funny because it’s so true 🤣 like RIDICULOUSLY true.

[@helenespaulding7562]

I thought that was just about football. It extends to other things as well?

[@Patson20]

Dude there's 3 accents in just my state, let alone the region. If I drive to Tennessee, only two states away, they get confused because they know it's southern but it's not Tennessee

[@Johnstone72]

@@helenespaulding7562 the central belt in Scotland is the narrowest point in Scotland maybe 65 miles. Maybe less. Anyhoo, the divide between the West Coast and East coast of Scotland is beyond Partisan. For balance and accuracy of reporting. The West is better and the East coasters are just bitter and twisted.

[@mrbritisher9748]

It's not 'hatred' though it's a friendly rivalry that actually helps knit people together, countries that are vast have far more divisions as you have far little connection with each other, Britain is compact but we probably all get on better, we have to!

[@lukecoburn3070]

I was sat in a Greggs in Wigan listening to this 👀

[@jeanettepowell7324]

You win! 😂

[@cornerofknowledge7761]

I was sat in a Greggs in Wigan too

[@HDY0903]

Im your neighbour from Bolton 😊

[@keithmontoya220]

Quick thought: Ya'll need to talk to more blue-collar Americans if you think we dont "Take the piss out of each other." Cheers Chris, love your podcast.

[@LC-wv7tz]

This. They have a cartoon version of America in their mind that is immediately clearly limited to wealthy plastic urban social elite types in NYC or California. I don't think they have the slightest clue about America/Americans other than the people they hang out with.

[@thefuturist8864]

I was just talking with my GF about this the other day; I’ve spent a lot of time in the US and we were talking about how, in the UK, calling someone out for being a c**t usually gets turned back on you and you end up being called out (often by the c**t). In my experience in the US doing this is often more productive: people rarely get called out for no reason and there’s never much back-and-forth afterwards. Also there’s no ‘tall poppy’ culture in the US; in the UK we will reign in and pull back anyone who stands out even slightly, but standing out is encouraged in the US. This is one of my favourite things about the US; having grown up in the UK I’ve seen countless friends (and myself too) discouraged from pursuing any skill or talent that appears indulgent rather than socially conducive. Lastly, I have ASD/Aspergers, and my various characteristics are not at all tolerated by UK society. I try not to paint myself as a victim, but at the same time I’ve lost track of the number of times an escalating situation could have been diffused by the other person realising ‘oh, he’s actually quite different’. In the UK (especially as a male) being ‘normal’ is heavily encouraged, and averageness is celebrated. This is linked to our general socio-political pessimism, as opposed to the optimism of Americans (which always seems naive to us but produces a generally much happier and welcoming people).

[@drimeloca]

Very interesting! I'm a Brazilian who's lived in London and in L.A and found the analogy of the brothers who are kinda the same but different the funniest ever!

[@eigojiyouzu]

Really solid observations i hadn’t considered as an American though they ring true. They were yet felt, enjoyed but not considered. I love the witty humor, quick wittedness and sarcasm of the brits/people from the UK in general. Love my mates from London. Wish there were heaps more of you over here.

[@tchai91]

As a Brit who is married to an American and who lives in America now, I have pondered this question, and I think that Brits generally, have a scarcity mentality, whereas yanks don’t. I think this is because most people in Britain have either experienced or are children/grand children of people who were involved in World Wars, and this mentally of feeling insecure/unsafe, added to in recent years with the addition of the threat of terrorism on our shores makes you grateful for peace and/or the little things in life. I believe that’s why we seem to get such pleasure out of the most basic things in life, such as having a chat with a stranger, taking the piss out of ourselves or having a cup of tea. Americans have no idea how lucky most of them are to live in a place with so many opportunities or relative safety. So much so that they seem intent on inventing their own problems.

[@scottduncan92]

To flip your point, Americans have felt like we were the kings of the world after WW2, and that every year that goes by we would get stronger and richer and better. Now everyone's sad that that is unrealistic.

[@KiarnTV-xo5cj]

I agree guns are a good example

[@mcorriette1]

America is the best place in the world to be successful. But as a Brit, I’d rather be an ordinary Brit than a regular American

[@MrAirController]

Why?

[@martinwilson3617]

​@MrAirController Better work conditions,sick pay,holidays etc. Better Health care for ordinary people. More places to go in the countryside ,mountains etc.

[@dbearden3232]

​@martinwilson3617 There is no way Britain has more country side and mountains than America...

[@martinwilson3617]

​@@dbearden3232 It's about accessibility to open spaces. I can wander into miles of woods and fields within 5 or 10 minutes from my house. I can also access several National parks within an hour or two where I can wander up Mountains or across high Moor till my hearts content. Thousands of square miles. I can go on beaches,cliffs and forests as well. Even on Private land as long as your responsible and don't cause any harm.

[@bradwhitt6768]

@@martinwilson3617 You don't know much about America if you think we don't have places to go as far as mountains and countryside.

[@Craicfox161]

I visited the western USA last month and had a wonderful experience. The conversations I had with the locals were great albeit brief. Quite refreshing from the sarcastic and pessimistic characters we have in Britain 😂

[@helenespaulding7562]

As an older American, watching lots of British Tv and listening to classic British musicians talk about themselves and their upbringing and society…I got the impression that, at least in the 50’s snd 60’s, stepping outside the box was not rewarded. Those who became highly successful were cut down. Brits were noted for “takin’ the piss” when it came to successful people. Getting “above yourself”. Not knowing your place. “ Who do you think you are?” Kind of mindset. That takes away self-confidence. You find allot, if not most, highly successful Brits, at least of the boomer generation, being VERY self-deprecating. You don’t see that in Americans. Americans are usually very proud and open about their success, often to a fault. And others don’t try to take them down a peg or two, like they would in Britain. British society, at least a few decades ago, seemed much more conformist.

[@AndyWhyte_]

Saw this chap on the vlog and loved his perspective. Glad he's done a full episode. Love that you're amplifying sharp thinkers like this fella, Chris 👌.

[@barnabykent6698]

Genius comment! Why, good sir, you MUST have been brought up in the US of A what say!

[@shawnsolis8667]

Bald and Bankrupt is one of the best channels on KZbin. Glad to hear him get a shoutout on this channel.

[@jaybee3181]

The British accent to Americans seems naturally kind of posh

[@helenespaulding7562]

At least the RP accent. I doubt most Americans would find cockney “posh”. We do however, have a GREAT fondness for the scouse accent….no doubt because of The Beatles.

[@nigelfisher6594]

I’m a Brummie living in North Carolina - they think I sound posh and like Hugh Grant …. Obviously thats nothing like the reality …..

[@conoreast9574]

The British accent is vague though, Scouse, Yorkshire, Brummy or Glasgow aren't anything like a 'posh' London accent

[@helenespaulding7562]

@@conoreast9574 yeah, especially Glaswegian. That’s a hard one for me to understand. I’ve always liked a Geordie one though….and Scouse

[@Noneofyourbusiness-rq9jq]

uk has most regional accents in the world you must have heard one that was on the tv

[@nicoladisvevia]

The English are for the most part phlegmatic. Things go slowly, change is regarded with suspicion, and it is difficult to make things happen. It's like pushing stones uphill. If you stop pushing, they'll roll down again to where they were before. For both better and worse, in this sense the country is profoundly conservative. Ambition is a bad word, though greed is widely practised. The English find it particularly satisfying to sit in their houses, do nothing, and see the house prices go up. Their mode of operation is subtle and not understood by foreigners or those with the wrong accents. Cooperation is limited and highly selective: you first need to prove that you can be trusted, become a member of the club, an insider. Success is ruthlessly pursued but outwardly apologised for. An apologetic manner is often used to disguise indifference. Despite all this, the country contains some very nice people.

[@jeanettepowell7324]

Hiya ... do you mean British? Ruthless and indifferent.... yes we are bipolar 😂

[@nicoladisvevia]

@@jeanettepowell7324 I was restricting myself to the English here. They're talking about the British accent in this video, as if Northerners, Southerners, Scots, Welsh etc. all sounded the same.

[@diskopartizan0850]

Interesting observations

[@samashby8203]

It can't be understated how much the physical landscape of the United States and the people that came to fill it have influenced their attitude. I'm re-reading a history of the United States and I just finished one on The British Empire. The VAST landscape, filled with every natural resource set the scene for a powerful country. Fill that with the boldest and most out-going of the UK and Europe, and you've got a recipe for success. The colonials in New England were likely the richest people in the world by the time American Independence happened (taxed 26x times less than Brits by the crown I might add!), such was their abundance. Come the Second World War which absolutely cements their self image as the world's preeminent nation and thus their attitude. I moved from the UK to New Zealand 3 years ago and it's fascinating to watch another British offshoot society. The Kiwis feel 90% British still, but with a more relaxed and sunnier disposition. But by the nature of their similar UK-sized islands, lack of natural resources and great isolation, the Kiwis aren't nearly as bold and outgoing. But the Australians become more like Americans every day, partly because of their huge landscape.

[@winklenator]

As an American, I would say that our country’s founding history was a huge contribution to our identity and behavior.

[@spencertidd]

Brit in the US here... the accent definitely helps with some things. If you're a single guy in the US with a british accent you're doing something wrong. I always thought it was 3 lions because that's what it takes to make a pride (of lions) - I.E. make us proud.

[@ggez5890]

The british accent is the Rolex of language. Anywhere in the world it can help you get home

[@Pedant_Patrol]

The British accent is the Rolex of English accents. English in general is probably the Rolex of languages. Perhaps French.

[@gianniclaud]

It depends on the accent. If you speak like the queen, you’ll command respect naturally. But if you have more of a cockney or scottish-adjacent where no one has an effing clue what you just said, forget about it.

[@glandersonbooper9342]

Hank Underwood from House of Cards disagrees

[@sciencefliestothemoon2305]

And then you come to a German speaking country and noone cares

[@fs5775]

@@gianniclaud Only a Brit would say such a thing. To an American, all the British accents are the same.

[@jasonandconnieakathecomers5184]

I went to meet my then-girlfriend-now-wife in new york, and I lost count of how many times people told me that they loved my accent!

[@keifer7813]

When the US says jump, the UK asks how high

[@MrFatHand]

The Three Lions comes from house Plantagenet which was the royal house of Kind Richard the 1st. The lions are from two French provinces Normandy (which has two lions on its coat of arms) and Aquitaine (which has one lion on its coat of arms)! Love your podcast boss man! Keep Smashing it, hope to meet you one day, much love from the UK. P.S If you are interested in learning the Kings who made England check this wicked fresh tome out: The Plantagenets: The Kings Who Made England by Dan Jones

[@kev5710]

Wrong, Richard i, son of william the bastard is house of Normandie, he’s not a plantagenet. Henry ii was the first plantagenet king who claimed the English throne through her mother Matilda

[@ian_strachs]

That certainly is a wonderful Dan Jones tome

[@esterhudson5104]

As an American observer, England still has a firm Plantagenet streak…

[@esterhudson5104]

@@kev5710pretty sure it’s two families in a shared kingdom…which is France, too. Plant Genesta. French Broom.

[@donspradley6912]

What an impressive conversation! Since day one of listening to Chris, I have wanted to hear a conversation like this. No one has had this conversation before that I’m aware of

[@Giovanniditessitore]

Really insightful fellas.

[@hubriswonk]

When I was in London on vacation last summer, very often I was treated very rudely. I got shoulder checked twice by strangers for no reason and many times refused service at bars and once at a restaurant. But, other than a few rude people, I had a great time and enjoyed the city and the nicer people. And saw Depeche Mode at Twickenham Stadium :)

[@user-qk8yk7km1n]

London isn’t very British, it’s almost a foreign country these days

[@lukemclellan2141]

Why were you refused service?

[@hubriswonk]

@@lukemclellan2141 they heard my American accent and ignored me.

[@1adamuk]

London isn't the England or UK or full of British people. It's an international business city. And yes, pretty rude. A highly transient population.

[@robzombie5928]

American enthusiasm also makes many of them very gullable, probably explains the political system and the amounts of money it generates.

[@iampaulwadsworth]

I spent 6 months in California in 2009. Absolutely loved it. The accent is a weapon there. I left the UK 9 years ago to live in Canada (much easier to get a visa). I think both the US and Canada give you permission to dream and go after something big with your life. A lot of the UK seems quite negative. That being said, I do miss many things. The humor, the banter, and watching footy at a reasonable time of day.

[@julioalberto2794]

How is the accent a weapon lol?

[@iampaulwadsworth]

@@julioalberto2794 lol. To be fair, it wasn't the best choice of word. I mean, it feels like it gives you an advantage

[@peanuts2105]

And the pubs. I miss the pubs, especially London and country pubs.

[@reign1515]

Upvoted just for the Silverstein shirt. Was already a fan, but you just took it to a new level

[@Stephanie-lm7sp]

Yeah but the Crocs gotta go lol

[@enbbahenergyltd4477]

very good insights, Thanks for sharing

[@ezekielmorphis4231]

Comparing the UK and USA is a bit silly, the U.S. is aprox. 40 times larger than the U.K. If you travel around the U.S. you see huge cultural and economic disparities and differences. From humor, food, use of language, temperaments, mentalities etc.

[@PizzaLord]

only 4x population difference

[@Sonicade]

@@PizzaLord actually about 5x bigger.

[@tuckerbugeater]

@@PizzaLord Latinos, Irish, Italians, Asians, huwhite people. America is very mixed in some areas but very racially divided in others.

[@diskopartizan0850]

There are huge disparities in all of those things in the UK too. We have eight different indigenous spoken languages and hundreds of different languages are spoken by immigrants.

[@geohawk6337]

This was interesting. Thanks!

[@deadbones23]

Could it be that there are also 10x time ls the amount of people when it comes to building new businesses?

[@parkertownsend]

The lack of flag waving in the UK is often due to what the flag represents; the Union Jack for example conjures up a lot of history to different people, to the Scot’s and Irish often see it as oppression - it might be subconscious but I feel that contributes a lot to it. Whereas the US their flag is all about independence - which is a huge different to what the UK’s flag does..

[@kravan5063]

How on earth is the Union flag oppressive to Scots? Their flag is literally on the flag itself. Please stop with this revisionist history.

[@LC-wv7tz]

Yeah the American narrative of plucky rebel liberating itself from a tyrant is much more motivating than... idk what UKs national narrative is. Failed empire? Colonialism?

[@NeilMartin98]

We're very similar to the Germans, because they don't do this either. I think it just depends on the culture as opposed to what the flag represents. Some nations such as the Turks are the total opposite.

[@kravan5063]

The Union Jack is not a symbol of oppression for Scottish people, their flag is literally on it

[@Nnelg1965]

the differences within the 50 US States is huge! The Midwest is unlike the Northeast which has little in common with the South, which is nothing like the West......and none of us are like Texans!

[@chiefenumclaw7960]

Texans sure seem proud to be from Texas... could never understand why, but I'm glad they're happy.

[@helenespaulding7562]

@@chiefenumclaw7960they’re very proud of having been a separate country….for a short time

[@tuckerbugeater]

@@helenespaulding7562 i can't wait for them to be implanted with Elon's chips

[@tih8012]

Aussie here. Our pop entertainment mostly comes from America but 'taking the piss' has never left out blood. It's a key attribute in a socially prosperous man!

[@pg.travels]

That analogy at the start is brilliant lol

[@imnotanalien7839]

Dave Rubin interviewed an Iranian transplant from Sweden (Econ. Prof.), and Dave asked the Swede citizen and professor about the difference between the Swede’s and American’s. The professor said Swede’s didn’t have the same sense of freedom that American’s have and that Swede’s value safety over ‘freedom’. In other words maybe a more collective view of their society. That might explain the difference in other European countries and why Americans might have an edge on numbers of entrepreneurs . The large middle class private sector also would indicate that. It is a fascinating subject to talk about. Great discussion. 🇺🇸❤️. Americans do love the Brits!

[@carlotapuig]

Excellent segment. It confirmed my anecdotal experiences on the issue.

[@lloyddossantos1800]

Interesting assessment of both the British and American mentalities and the outlook of both of them. Never had the luck on my 2 visits to New York with my essex accent but very impressed on my 2 trips to New York.

[@KBeMaybe]

Thoughtful and spot on!

[@BabyGirlDontEvenPlay]

The distance from New York City to Los Angeles, USA is roughly the same as the distance from London to Barra, Gambia. That's the difference 😎

[@olyjfitness]

It’s true I lived and worked in America (I’m welsh) people instantly trust you and it gets you out of bother easily . I was an idiot when I was younger. Drunk and disorderly . But my accent in America got me out of lots of issues I made for myself .

[@johnhopkinson4054]

The Oxford entrepreneurship analogy is very simplistic, saying they are 50th in the world for Universities might be true but it's because Oxford students generally aren't pursuing a path of becoming entrepreneurs..What is relative for certain countries students isn't a given for other countries students.

[@jaymoore6606]

This was spot on. Word for word. 10/10 video🙌🏽

[@bimotavdue4129]

A lot of comments here speak of "The British Accent" but they really mean an RP English accent, just as The United States has many accents so does the UK. My dad had a business lunch in a Mayfair restaurant in the 80's which included a New Yorker who asked the Maître d' "Hey buddy..Can I get some ketchup over here". The Maître d', an old boy, calmly walked over with his hands behind his back, bent over the table and said "We DO serve peasants sir.." If that's not thug life I don't know what is 😎

[@chiefenumclaw7960]

😂 The Brits always have the best insults.

[@Patson20]

Biggest flex back would be peasant? I own land.

[@bimotavdue4129]

@@chiefenumclaw7960 Haha perhaps so. Got another one for you mate, I was working in a supermarket years ago, filling up all the milk section. Some little kid kept shouting and pointing "This is my milk, all this milk is MINE!" etc. Guy comes round the corner, he's pushing his dad in a wheelchair, WW2 vet, big shades, moustache, beret, tons of medals. That vet looked the kid dead in the face and said "No it's not you little bastard". All of us working that aisle were dying with laughter 😁

[@amytitus2750]

When I was in England, I was shocked by the amount most people drank - like, every day, pints and pints! It felt like everyone was a functioning alcoholic. There was also a lot of pressure to drink.

[@itsteej]

my favourite thing about the UK is the humour for sure.

[@noodlem5000]

I agree with a lot of the conversation but I think if you were a fly on the wall in any locker room you’d quickly realize that we also take the piss out of each other. The biggest difference to me is pub culture vs bar culture. A bar is where you meet strangers to have a good time. A pub is where you meet friends to have a good time.

[@loganleroy8622]

The difference is that taking the piss is reserved only for close friends in the US. If it’s with mere acquaintances or work colleagues that’s just plain rude. But Brits will see it as “only banter”.

[@BennHaze]

The enthusiasm thing can also go the other way - more passionately reject opposition or new things - so that makes no sense

[@SensibleNutter]

Great clip. Chris don’t miss

[@zephyrus3554]

As a brit who moved to the US at 21 and has been here for 7 years, this is quite accurate.

[@sciencefliestothemoon2305]

Wait a second, the brits were all over the planet, there is a reason they had that empire. Heck shogun is based on a British guy. What AB test was that? That history classes in the UK are generally shit?

[@sling247]

As an American native to New England, my family came to the US from England/Scotland in the late 1600s. My 4th great grandfather from Effingham, New Hampshire, fought the Brits in the revolution. That being said, I can't help but have an intrinsic fondness for England and a feeling of fondness when I meet someone from the UK.

[@fs5775]

Your ancestors rejected the UK so I'm not sure where that "fondness" comes from other than a sense of pretentiousness

[@hog7302]

@@fs5775literally

[@tuckerbugeater]

@@fs5775 Some did and some didn't The American colonies only rebelled because of unfair taxes that weren't levied on other colonies like Canada. Many colonists left for opportunity to gain land wealth not because they hate being English or British.

[@TricksyBix]

Someone said to me once that in America you are told to "achieve your dreams, shoot for the stars, you're amazing and God will help guide you to your dreams if you work hard." And in Britain we're told "yeah you can have your dreams but they're unrealistic and it's better just to get a safe, stable job and settle down." So for me people in the US have a much more positive mentality and attitude than people in the UK.

[@coreyfisher2542]

All my English friends are top notch. Best people.

[@tbe0116]

Prince William famously said Americans are too rich and too happy.

[@ChelleyMadison]

Everyone is hilarious in NY. I moved to California after growing up in SW Connecticut and no one is funny here. I miss the funny tri-state area people most.

[@tedwunderlich2741]

Colin cowherd made this observation a while ago. He assumed it’s a weather thing. Sometimes it’s so miserably cold and icky you have to turn to humor to get through it. Therefore jokes just don’t hit the same in a place like phoenix

[@Alan-lv9rw]

The Northeast is “Seinfeld”, California is “90120”.

[@stephenpotts832]

A working class Brit here. I was blessed with working for an American company. I managed to reach a level in the company that I never imagined possible. I am absolutely certain that would not have happened in a British company. The Americans don’t see class, only effort and ability. I worked harder for the people that put their faith in me, I think that applied to every American that I worked for and several of the Brits, but it wasn’t as universal as the Americans. Every American manager that I worked for got their position on merit. Some of British managers definitely had an element of the old boy network. The difference in GDP per capita is striking now, Britain, like the rest of similar sized European economies is well behind America. Is that down to regulation and tax or is down to the cultural differences? They maybe go hand in hand?

[@nigelfisher6594]

I’m a Brummie living in North Carolina - they think I sound posh and like Hugh Grant …. Obviously thats nothing like the reality …..

[@helenespaulding7562]

Yeah…but a Brummie accent is nice. 😁. Not like some others.

[@nigelfisher6594]

@@helenespaulding7562 why thank you !

[@tuckerbugeater]

@@nigelfisher6594 The south worshiped their Cavalier overlords.

[@ZadenZane]

12:22 the preterite of the verb "to shit" is "shat". My German grammar lecturer told me that at university so it has to be true 😊🤪

[@helenespaulding7562]

It is true

[@GivOwaMan]

I spent nearly 20 years in USA, in the south, loved it. Love the weather, the people, the space, the land. Made to feel really welcome, the Geordie accent made for some great reactions and a wonderful ice-breaker. Enjoy your time, but be careful about becoming a dual citizen boys, especially if you ever move back home!

[@GeeTrieste]

14:05 A list of things that human are physically superior to other animals: 1) Endurance in running/walking 2) Toxin/poison resistance 3) Longevity relative to metabolic rate 4) Sophisticated adaptive immune system 5) Swimming capability for a land mammal 6) High pain tolerance 7) Eccrine sweat gland distribution 8) Respiratory system efficiency 9) Fatty acid metabolism range 10) Globin genetic diversity

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

#2 and #6 sound untrue.

[@jimmajamma2006]

A big reason for more entrepreneurialism in America is that start ups are much more likely to succeed. Much bigger market, lots more venture capital, cheap petrol, lower taxes, less regulation

[@kwameoluwasomi1518]

My man's point on scar tissue (explaining our pessimism) goes a long way in explaining black American's general economic situation. It's often said (even by fresh-off-the-boat Africans) that they're not hard-working but it's clear to me that everyone's working hard - especially in America. What's lacking is self-belief.

[@JoshStreet39]

This resonates with me so much. I moved to Vancouver in 2019 from Devon, and for my whole 20s felt that disconnection to everything and everyone around me in Devon. Once I got to North America, there were a 100 things that I couldn't articulate or put my finger on, but realized we have got something wrong with our attitude and positivity back home in the UK. Something very 'toxic' about how we behave or our collective attitude culturally. Maybe it is that crabs in a bucket mentality you mention. Even now I cant quite put words to it. But an example i noticed recently is a nice hipster / relaxed Ice Cream place near my house, on a Saturday night here, around 10pm its got families hanging out, normal chilled environment, in a built up area near a bar no less- back home, that place would be crammed with lads drunk as hell, probably smashed windows and not the kind of place you could just casually hang out for a bit of ice cream close to midnight.

[@ujmm]

When it comes to stand-up comedy, The U.S. has of course far more people to choose from also. That is relevant in that discussion.

[@toms7114]

Bipedalism is actually the most efficient method of locomotion on land. This is why humans are persistence hunters. Traditionally humans would walk, or jog, their prey to death over the course of days. This was done by walking close enough to the prey animal that they would move away but not so close that it would attack, and then repeat over days until it collapsed then stabbing it to death with spears. This is what makes zombies so terrifying to, us humans, at an instinctual level, because a zombie hunts us the way we hunt everything else.

[@erickarnell]

In colder weather, wolves are much more efficient runners than humans. I don't think bipedalism alone in every condition is the best.

[@toms7114]

@@erickarnell I should have clarified a walking speed for being efficient. We, humans, burn the same amount of calories to walk, run, or jog a set distance, the only difference is the time it takes to travel that far. Persistence hunting is slow, and not done at a run. It is about prevent the prey an opportunity to rest, exhausting them to death while not provoking them enough to attack while they still have the energy to succeed at an attack.

[@kravan5063]

@@toms7114 Humans do not burn the same amount of calories as running, jogging or walking at all. It literally makes no sense, the faster we move the more energy is required to do so, therefore more energy, in the form of calories is expended. Humans are significantly more calorie efficient with our movement than most animals (I think at least), but it's more so that animals muscles are fast twitch muscle fibres, where as we have slow twitch muscle fibres which are great for speed not endurance.

[@toms7114]

@@kravan5063 I said calories burnt based on distance traveled not time traveled for that distance. If I walk, run, or jog a mile I burn the same amount of calories, the difference is in how fast I burn them. If I walk for 20 minutes I burn less calories than If I jog for 20 minutes, and that jogging is less than if I run for 20 minutes, but I travel further by jogging than walking, and even further running than jogging. I.E. if in running for 5 minutes I cover the same distance as I can jog in 10 minutes and I walk in 20 minutes and we only count the calories burned in the time I traveled that distance the calories burned would be the same. But if I ran for 20 minutes, jogged for 20 minutes, and walked for 20 minutes at the same pace I would burn 4x the walking calories running and 2x the walking calories jogging.

[@kravan5063]

@@toms7114 Ok I understand what you're saying now but I still don't know if that's actually true. Your first paragraph's last sentence is worded poorly and says the opposite of what you are saying in the second paragraph, I had to re-read it twice to make sure. The rate of energy expenditure is not linear and is instead exponential, it's not 1:1, at least to my understanding

[@SuperBedpost]

I was born and raised outside NYC. My friend group regularly ripped each other apart but out of love. I’m living in NC now and I’ve noticed that isn’t as much of a thing.

[@brettzehner2695]

where in the states are you talking about. because it seems like the differences youre talking about are major metropolitan areas vs rural areas in both countries

[@stephenp7708]

Best way to summarise the stand-up point: try to imagine a British Bert Kreischer.

[@ivanbenisscott]

George is such a legend. So sincere and such a smart guy

[@RealTJS]

I love a British accent on a woman. I think it's harder to pin down an American accent because there are so many different people here.

[@gianniclaud]

American here and I very much prefer the UK as far as hiking and decorum, and oddly enough - their humour as it’s not overt (and tacky like here).

[@JohnColorado3811]

I found the states much better for hiking.

[@nenadesigns]

It would be more interesting to do an episode about the similarities.

[@Kim-427]

There are none. Lol

[@fs5775]

​@@Kim-427 I am an American who lives in SE Asia and the Brits and I relate a lot. Depends on where you go in the world and the cultural differences you are surrounded by.

[@oiocha5706]

I think it's the first time I've ever heard someone describe Brits as "gritty" lol

[@olyjfitness]

I’m sure the British Empire required some grit?

[@EKL-qu7ih]

British are absolutely gritty, it's a good analogy. No nonsense, stiff upper lip, stoic.

[@_Aurelius_Marcus]

It’s a bit different in my town in UK. Almost everyone I know wants to be an entrepreneur but they have self-limiting beliefs. I have a successful business and tons of my mates have messaged me saying they want to get into something similar, but they never actually start anything. I have tried to teach so many of them how to run a business but the first hurdle and they quit. It’s a real shame.

[@stevenjballio]

I think entrepreneurship in the US is more prevalent because there isn't the same base line support system like we have in the UK. In the UK if you dont try and you fail you can generally only end up in the safety net of the state.. In the US if you dont make it work you fall much further.... i imagine this forces more people to take more risks and as a result you have more people succeeding. A state led social environment that naturally tests and filters winners and losers. Where as the UK has a comfort blanket that almost deters necessity for success. Thats how i see it...

[@radrazor1355]

I'm a nightlife photographer, and if I'm struggling getting group photos, I use a British accent and it switches people's minds that I'm a muse sent from God. Thank you for letting me appropriate your accent.

[@Darkwaterrebellion]

I'm a N.American who's lived in London for 5 years; You can't compare country to country, but you can compare the UK to the Northeast or Northwest corners of the US; Where the UK has London making the majority of the economy, the US would have NYC in comparison. As far as that British comraderie, the more racist parts of the UK and US are more into team spirit sports where the dumb people would bleed for their team; A moronic mentality. If the UK was just a region, but had the EU as the the rest of their country, then you could compare it more fairly to America. Until then, the entire UK shouldn't be compared to anything outside of a US region and not the country in its entirety. Too many people.

[@christophercosgrove4440]

The top 3 British universities are Imperial College London (comparable to MIT), Oxford, and Cambridge.

[@americanminotaur2518]

Love the UK! I think some of the differences in attitudes you stated explains why our two nationalities tend to work well together. Putting idealists and cynics together would lead to a nice balance between the two. 🇺🇸❤️🇬🇧

[@josephwalsh7546]

Being overly self critical is a convenient way to avoid taking initiative and action and thus avoid failure.

[@Fab666.]

Chris didn’t seem to like the conclusion he made about war changing the attitude of ppl to more pessimistic for a generation atleast, but that’s exactly what I concluded years ago. The American civil war is the last time the US public saw any war on its land outside of watching it on tv or reading the newspaper while Europe got bombed, invaded and blitzed and rationed to oblivion twice inside the last generation not the 1800’s. Every other US war didn’t get seen by the mass public outside of the tv/newspaper or by a soldier. It’s exactly why the attitudes are so very different, there is nowhere on earth that has historically had more wars than in Europe. There’s a giant difference between sending troops and weapons abroad to a faraway land which of course we are thankful for, and seeing ur city get blitzed and invaded. Which happened to many people alive today, who past on those stories to their children. Heck I’m right now 100 metres away from where a German bomb landed during ww2!