The United States boasts many wonderful aspects, from its diverse geography to football (the one thrown with hands) and Fourth of July cookouts.
However, no country is without its areas for improvement. The British have good reason to be proud of certain systems and things they do better than the U.S..
Drawing on personal experience and online opinions, here are 12 things Brits are said to do better than Americans.
1. Public Transportation
According to the source, public transportation is an area where the U.K. excels. A significant portion of Americans, 45%, lack access to public transportation, and much of the existing infrastructure, like buses, subways, and trollies, is old and in need of repair.
In stark contrast, people in England utilized public transportation extensively in 2020, making an average of 739 trips per person, covering a vast distance equivalent to over 360 billion miles.
The author’s personal experience suggests that public transportation in the U.K. is cleaner and frequented by a larger middle-class working demographic compared to their experience in the U.S..
2. Desserts
For those with a sweet tooth, the source suggests that British desserts offer a distinct experience compared to American ones.
A key difference highlighted is that British desserts often contain less sugar. This reduced sugar content allows other ingredients in the dessert to be tasted more distinctly.
One historical explanation provided for why American desserts tend to be sweeter is the drop in sugar price and its increased availability in the U.S. after gaining independence.
3. Healthcare
While the British healthcare system is acknowledged as not being perfect, the source states that it is objectively better than the U.S. system.
Citing the Michigan Journal of Economics, the U.S. ranked last among 11 developed countries for overall healthcare system performance, while the U.K. was ranked fourth.
The U.K. operates a government-sponsored universal healthcare system known as the National Health Service (NHS).
4. Innovations
Despite famous American innovators like Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Elon Musk, the U.K. has a strong track record in innovation.
The source references Japanese researchers who found that over 40% of discoveries embraced globally in the last 50 years originated from the U.K..
This point can sometimes be surprising to Americans, especially given historical disputes, such as whether Edison (U.S., 1879) or Sir Joseph Swan (U.K., 1878) was the first inventor of the light bulb.
5. Walking Culture
Tracking daily steps, a popular activity in the U.S., might seem odd to friends across the pond. A study mentioned in the source indicates that Americans walk approximately 1,200 fewer steps each day than the British.
Several factors contribute to this lower step count in the U.S.. Places are often spread too far apart, making walking impractical, and sidewalks can be absent.
Additionally, the limited public transportation means Americans frequently arrive by car in a parking lot near their destination, rather than walking a few blocks from a transit stop.
6. World Sport
Football is a uniquely American sport that Americans are understandably proud of. However, from the perspective of participating in the global love for soccer, the source suggests the U.S. doesn’t quite measure up.
Even with the success of the U.S. women’s team, which had won more World Cup titles than any other country as of March of this year, the general preference for watching football or baseball over soccer remains true for Americans as a whole.
7. Chocolate Bars
Mentioning American chocolate brands like Hershey’s to a Brit might elicit a strong negative reaction. The reason is that to many British and European palates, American chocolate tastes like vomit.
This strong opinion stems from the fact that American chocolate companies often use butyric acid to extend shelf life, an ingredient also found in vomit. Brits, in contrast, tend to favor chocolate like Cadbury, which is free of butyric acid.
8. Stronger Food Rules
Although the U.K. is no longer part of the European Union, it continues to follow many of the EU’s stricter food regulations.
A significant difference highlighted is the approach to food additives. In the U.K. and Europe, an additive must be proven safe before it can be used in food.
In the U.S., new food ingredients are permitted on the market until or unless they are proven to be harmful.
9. Safer Plugs
The three-prong plug adapter, which can be inconvenient for American travelers with limited luggage space, is presented as a safety advantage for the British.
The third prong serves to ground the electricity. This design provides better protection against electric shock if a wire becomes loose compared to a two-prong plug.
10. Afternoon Tea
While a fast-paced life is often valued in the U.S., taking a break for afternoon tea is perfectly acceptable in Britain.
This tea time typically occurs between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. As if the break itself isn’t compelling enough, afternoon tea is commonly served with finger foods like mini sandwiches, scones, and other pastries alongside a pot of tea.
11. Dates
Americans write dates as Month-Day-Year, which the source suggests doesn’t make logical sense when viewed broadly. In the U.K., dates are written in ascending order: Day-Month-Year.
The source notes that even Eastern Asian countries follow an ordered system, using descending order: Year-Month-Day.
12. Literature
Despite acknowledging many great American authors, the source points to data regarding best-selling books. According to the list of the top five best-selling books of all time, no American author is featured.
However, two British authors make the list: Charles Dickens for A Tale of Two Cities (ranking second) and J.K. Rowling for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (ranking fifth).
Alicia Richards