When comparing cultures across the Atlantic, it’s easy to spot a few friendly rivalries. But there are certainly things the British do better than Americans, and we’re not just talking about accents or dry humor.
From more efficient public transportation to better desserts and world-renowned literature, British society quietly excels in areas Americans may overlook.
While both countries have their strengths, this list highlights 12 ways the Brits seem to have the upper hand, offering fascinating insight into cultural habits, systems, and everyday life.
Here are 12 things the British are noted for doing better than Americans:
1. Public Transportation
While the United States has notable attributes like diverse geography and football, 45% of Americans lack access to public transportation, and existing systems are often aging.
In contrast, people in England made an average of 739 trips on public transportation in 2020, covering over 360 billion miles.
Based on personal experience, public transportation in the United Kingdom is described as cleaner and serves a larger middle-class working crowd compared to the U.S..
This widespread access and usage highlight a key area where the British system appears more effective.
2. Desserts
For those who enjoy sweets, British desserts offer a different experience, often containing less sugar than American ones.
This difference allows the flavors of other ingredients to be more prominent. One historical reason cited for American desserts having more sugar is that sugar became cheaper and more readily available to Americans after gaining independence.
This contrast in sweetness level is a notable distinction in the culinary approaches of the two countries. Trying desserts in the U.K. is presented as a distinct experience due to this difference in sugar content.
3. Healthcare
Although the British healthcare system is acknowledged as not perfect, it is stated to be objectively better than the U.S. system.
According to a study by the Michigan Journal Of Economics, the U.S. ranked last for overall healthcare system performance among 11 developed countries analyzed, while the U.K. ranked fourth.
The British system is described as the National Health Service (NHS), a government-sponsored universal healthcare system.
This ranking and structure highlight a significant difference in healthcare provision and outcomes between the two nations.
4. Innovations
Despite the U.S. having well-known inventors like Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Elon Musk, over 40% of discoveries embraced globally in the last 50 years have originated from the U.K..
This finding is based on research from Japanese researchers. Americans might find this surprising and mentions the historical disagreement over who first invented the light bulb, with Americans often crediting Edison in 1879, while Brits refer to Sir Joseph Swan in 1878. This suggests a strong track record of innovation from the U.K..
5. Walking Culture
Tracking daily steps, a common practice among Americans, is seen differently in the U.K.. According to one study mentioned, Americans walk about 1,200 steps fewer each day than the British.
While individuals aren’t solely to blame, several factors contribute to lower American step counts.
These include places being spread too far apart, a lack of sidewalks in many areas, and the need to arrive closer to destinations by car due to limited public transportation, rather than being a few blocks away.
6. World Sport
American football is recognized as uniquely American and a source of pride. However, from the perspective of joining the rest of the world in loving “soccer” (football), the U.S. is noted to miss the mark.
Despite the U.S. women’s team having won more World Cup titles than any other country as of March of the current year, the overall truth is that Americans generally prefer watching football or baseball over soccer.
This indicates a cultural difference in the popularity of the world’s most widely played sport.
7. Chocolate Bars
Discussing American chocolate like Hershey’s with a Brit may lead to a strong reaction. To many British and Europeans, American chocolate is perceived to taste like vomit.
The reason cited is that American chocolate companies often include butyric acid as an ingredient to help extend shelf life. Butyric acid is also found in vomit.
In contrast, British Cadbury chocolate is noted as being butyric acid-free. This chemical difference is presented as the reason behind the taste preference.
8. Stronger Food Rules
Even though the U.K. is no longer part of the European Union, it continues to follow many of its stricter regulations regarding food additives.
A significant difference highlighted is the process for approving these additives. In Europe, and largely followed by the U.K., an additive must be proven safe before it can be used in food.
Conversely, in the U.S., new food ingredients are permitted on the market until or if they are proven harmful. This illustrates a more cautious regulatory approach in the U.K..
9. Safer Plugs
While British three-prong plug adapters can be inconvenient for travelers with limited luggage space, they are considered safer than the two-prong plugs used in the U.S.. The primary function of the third prong on a three-prong plug is to ground the electricity.
This grounding provides better protection against electric shock compared to a two-prong plug, especially if a wire were to become loose. Therefore, the British plug design is seen as offering a practical safety advantage.
10. Afternoon Tea
In contrast to the value many Americans place on a fast-paced life, taking a break for afternoon tea is perfectly acceptable in Britain.
This tradition typically occurs anywhere between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Beyond just enjoying a pot of tea, afternoon tea is usually served with finger foods.
Common accompaniments include mini sandwiches, scones, and various other pastries. This practice represents a cultural emphasis on taking a dedicated break during the late afternoon.
11. Dates
The American convention of writing dates as Month-Day-Year is presented as lacking logical order when viewed broadly. In the U.K., dates are written in ascending order (Day-Month-Year).
Even in Eastern Asian countries, there is a logical structure, commonly using a descending order (Year-Month-Day).
While Americans may prefer their format due to familiarity, examining other systems reveals a more sensible, ordered approach in formats like the British and Eastern Asian ones.
12. Literature
Despite the author being a fan of American authors, not a single American author has a book in the top five best-selling books of all time list.
In contrast, two British authors are on this list. Charles Dickens, from England, is the author of A Tale of Two Cities, which ranks as the second-best seller of all time.
J.K. Rowling, from Yate, is the author of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, which came in fifth place. This data points to a notable strength in British literary sales history.
Alicia Richards