These 5 Things Will Shock American Visitors to the UK

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A trip to the United Kingdom is a highlight of many American travelers’ visit to Europe. Marveling at London’s famous landmarks, getting close to royalty at Windsor Castle and touring through England’s quaint chocolate box villages are an amazing experience. Add in historic Edinburgh, the striking majesty of the Isle of Skye and the beauty of Wales, you can be sure of the trip of a lifetime.

And what’s more, the UK and U.S. have so many similarities. After all, that’s why we refer to our “American cousins”. We both speak English, love football and have a shared history going back centuries.

Out of all the countries in Europe, the UK has more similarities with the U.S. than any other. And the shared language makes visiting Britain far easier than, say, France. But what if we were to tell you that there are a fair few differences, too? These are the 5 things which will shock American visitors to the UK the most.

The tea culture

You’ve all seen the films; there’s nothing that we Brits can’t solve with a cup of tea. Soccer team just lost the final? Have a cup of tea. House burnt down? A cuppa will solve it. Germany invaded? We’ll do something about it once the kettle’s boiled.

It’s true: the British really do drink a lot of tea. It may shock American visitors to the UK that iced tea isn’t really a thing; instead we drink our tea freshly brewed and often served in a traditional teapot. To make the perfect brew, the water must be boiling and to reach the optimum temperature – and water is heated in a kettle, never a microwave.

Tea can accompany a meal, be a simple drink with a biscuit or a far more extravagant affair as part of an Afternoon Tea. Accompanied by dainty finger sandwiches, scones and fresh cream cakes, Afternoon Tea is something you have to try when in the UK.

Train travel exists – and it actually works very well

The world’s first train journey took place in South Wales in 1804. During the Victorian era, the British pioneered the construction of railways and locomotives, with every major city and town, along with most small villages, having a train station.

Whereas in the U.S, train travel is slow and often plagued by delays, trains in the UK are often a quicker alternative to driving and, in some cases, flying. Modern high-speed trains are fast and comfortable. Expect perks like free WiFi, in-seat power and well-stocked buffet cars. First class travel is even more luxurious, with complimentary restaurant-style meals served on longer routes.

To put it into perspective, the distance from London to Edinburgh is almost the same as from Washington D.C. to Boston. As a shock to American visitors to the UK, the train journey here is two-and-a-half hours quicker than the journey in the U.S. Prices are lower, too, with tickets from London to Edinburgh starting at just £30 when booked in advance.

It’s possible to visit 4 countries on 1 trip

The UK is made up of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. And thanks to how close together they are, it’s possible to visit all four countries on one trip. And you can do it without having to set foot in an airport.

Assuming you’re in London, Wales is the easiest of the UK’s other countries to visit. In fact, it’s even possible to take a day trip from London to Cardiff, the capital of Wales. The train journey takes less than two hours.

Despite the short distance, the differences between England and Wales are immense. Wales has its own distinct culture, cuisine and even its own language.

Scotland’s vibrant and historic capital, Edinburgh, is under four-and-a-half hours by train and from there, you can explore the wilds of the Scottish Highlands. As soon as you cross the Scottish border, you’ll notice the differences. Not only do the Scots have a very distinctive accent and food scene, the Scottish pace of life feels a little bit slower.

The UK’s fourth country is a little further afield. Northern Ireland occupies the northern part of the island of Ireland, but once again, it’s easy to reach from England.

Restaurant culture

Whilst you’ll find restaurants serving very similar food to what is available in the U.S., including many American restaurants, the whole dining experience in the UK is a little different. In the States, restaurants tend to have a high turnover of guests. The service is quick and as soon as you finish your meal, you’re expected to leave.

In the UK, dining out is about the experience rather than just the food. It’s commonplace for dinner to last several hours. Don’t think the waitstaff are being rude because they don’t jump on you as soon as you arrive; there’s simply no rush to get you served and out the door again.

Expect longer waits between courses and don’t feel the need to leave as soon as you clear your plate. You’re welcome to stay for coffee or a nightcap before asking for the check (called the “bill” in the UK).

The tipping culture is very different, too. Restaurants in the UK don’t suggest how much to tip on the bill. If you’ve had a good experience in a restaurant, it’s normal to tip around 10% of the total, but it isn’t mandatory. Nor is it expected to tip if you’re just having drinks at a bar or getting a takeout meal.

Airconditioning

In the U.S., almost every building you enter has air conditioning. Shops, hotels and even private homes come with air-conditioning as standard. In the UK, however, air-conditioning is the exception rather than the norm.

There are two reasons that air-con isn’t the norm in the UK. Firstly, many of our buildings are far older than those in America and were built before air-conditioning had been invented. Secondly, the climate in the UK is milder than in much of the United States. Summer temperatures rarely exceed 30°C (86°F) for more than a few days at a time, so we have far less need for it.

Modern upscale hotels in the UK virtually all have air conditioning, but if you’re staying in an older hotel or a private home, the chances are there won’t be any. If you get too warm, simply open the window, or ask for a fan.

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