While the United States boasts numerous positive attributes, including its diverse geography, football (the kind you throw with your hands), and Fourth of July cookouts, no country is without its imperfections.
The British, on the other hand, have certain systems and aspects they are rightfully proud of that, in some areas, outperform those in the U.S..
This list of things Brits do better than Americans is compiled from personal experience and online opinions.
Here are 12 areas where the UK is said to excel compared to the USA:
1. Public Transportation
Public transportation access is limited for many Americans; 45% reportedly do not have it. Even for those who do, the infrastructure, like buses, subways, and trollies, is often old and in need of repair.
In contrast, people in England made an average of 739 trips on public transportation in 2020, covering 580 billion kilometers (over 360 billion miles).
Based on personal experience using public transportation in the UK, it is perceived as cleaner and utilized by a larger middle-class working crowd compared to the U.S..
2. Desserts
For those with a sweet tooth, experiencing desserts in the UK is a must. A key difference is that British desserts often contain less sugar than American ones.
This allows the flavors of the other ingredients in the dessert to be tasted more clearly. One historical reason suggested for higher sugar content in American desserts is that sugar became cheaper and more accessible in the U.S. after gaining independence.
3. Healthcare
The British healthcare system, known as the National Health Service (NHS), is a government-sponsored universal system. Although it’s not flawless, it is considered objectively better than the U.S. system.
According to the Michigan Journal Of Economics, which analyzed the healthcare system performance of 11 developed countries, the U.S. ranked last, while the UK ranked fourth.
4. Innovations
While the U.S. has notable inventors like Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Elon Musk, the UK has made significant contributions to global innovation.
According to Japanese researchers, over 40% of discoveries embraced worldwide in the last 50 years originated from the UK.
There can be conflicting historical data regarding initial inventions, such as the light bulb, with Americans crediting Edison in 1879 and Brits crediting Sir Joseph Swan in 1878.
5. Walking Culture
Tracking daily steps, a common practice for many Americans, might seem trivial to British friends. One study indicates that Americans walk approximately 1,200 steps fewer each day than the British.
Several factors contribute to the lower American step count, including places being too spread out, a potential lack of sidewalks even where walking might otherwise be feasible, and the limited public transportation which often leads Americans to arrive very close to their destination by car rather than walking blocks.
6. World Sport
American football is recognized as uniquely American and a source of pride. However, from a global perspective, particularly regarding soccer (football), the U.S. doesn’t fully participate in the worldwide passion for the sport.
Despite the U.S. women’s team having won more World Cup titles than any other country as of March of the publication year, Americans, as a whole, tend to prefer watching football or baseball over soccer.
7. Chocolate Bars
Brits and many Europeans often react strongly when asked about American chocolates like Hershey’s. The reason given is that they perceive American chocolate as tasting like vomit.
This perception is linked to American chocolate companies often using butyric acid to extend shelf life. Butyric acid is a component found in vomit. British chocolates like Cadbury are typically free of butyric acid.
8. Stronger Food Rules
Although the UK is no longer part of the European Union, it adheres to many of the EU’s stricter food regulations.
A significant difference in food additive rules between Europe (including the UK) and the U.S. is that in Europe, an additive must be proven safe before being used in food.
In contrast, in the U.S., new food ingredients are allowed on the market until or if they are proven harmful.
9. Safer Plugs
Americans might find three-prong plug adapters inconvenient for travel, but British plugs are considered a step ahead.
The third prong on a plug serves as a ground for electricity. This grounding 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 America, taking a break for afternoon tea is perfectly acceptable in Britain.
This tradition typically occurs between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. In addition to providing a break, afternoon tea is usually served with finger foods like mini sandwiches, scones, and other pastries alongside a pot of tea.
11. Dates
Americans are accustomed to writing dates as Month-Day-Year. However, when viewed more broadly, this format doesn’t follow a logical ascending or descending order.
In the UK, dates are written in ascending order (Day-Month-Year). Eastern Asian countries commonly use a descending order (Year-Month-Day).
12. Literature
Despite the quality of many American authors, data suggests a strong showing for British literature globally.
The list of the top five best-selling books of all time includes two British authors but not a single American one.
Charles Dickens from Portsmouth, England, wrote A Tale of Two Cities, which ranks as the second-best seller ever.
J.K. Rowling, born in Yate, wrote Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, which is the fifth-best selling book of all time.
Alicia Richards