The United States is a remarkable country in many ways bursting with diversity, innovation, and an unmistakable sense of freedom.
From the roar of the Super Bowl to the crackle of fireworks on the Fourth of July, American culture holds its own on the world stage.
But as much as Americans excel at plenty of things, there are a few areas where the British simply do it better.
Whether it’s due to historical roots, cultural values, or just sheer practicality, here are twelve things the British nail and Americans still struggle to catch up with.
1. Public Transportation
Let’s start with something practical getting from point A to point B. Public transportation in the U.K. is miles ahead (literally and figuratively) compared to the U.S. In the U.K., trains, buses, and subways are integral parts of daily life.
They’re typically clean, timely, and used by people across all socioeconomic backgrounds.
In the U.S., however, 45% of the population doesn’t even have access to public transport. Those who do often deal with aging infrastructure, infrequent service, and a lack of connectivity.
While car culture dominates the American lifestyle, Brits enjoy a more walkable, well-connected urban experience.
2. Desserts That Aren’t Sugar Bombs
American desserts are rich, sweet, and indulgent but sometimes a little too sweet. British desserts take a different approach.
Rather than overwhelming your taste buds with sugar, British sweets like sticky toffee pudding or treacle tart focus on balance. The lower sugar content lets the real flavors like fruits, spices, and buttery pastry shine through.
This isn’t just a matter of taste; it’s history. After the American Revolution, sugar became cheaper and more widely available in the U.S., shaping American desserts into the ultra-sweet confections we know today. The British, by contrast, held onto their more restrained, flavorful style.
3. Healthcare for Everyone
There’s no denying that the U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS) is one of the most widely praised public health systems in the world.
Yes, it has its flaws, but it guarantees access to essential healthcare services for all citizens, regardless of income.
In contrast, the American healthcare system is one of the most expensive and least efficient among developed nations.
According to the Michigan Journal of Economics, the U.S. ranks last among 11 high-income countries for healthcare outcomes and accessibility. The U.K., by comparison, ranks fourth.
4. Global Innovation
Americans are proud of their tech titans Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Elon Musk but Britain’s influence on global innovation is enormous, and often overlooked.
From the steam engine to the World Wide Web, British inventors have led the charge in many technological revolutions.
Japanese researchers found that over 40% of key global discoveries in the past 50 years originated in the U.K.
The competition between Thomas Edison and Sir Joseph Swan over the invention of the light bulb is just one example of how innovation is often more collaborative and international than we assume.
5. Walking as a Way of Life
Step counters are a common sight in the U.S., as people try to “get their steps in.” In the U.K., walking is simply part of the daily routine.
British cities and towns are built to be walkable, with narrow streets, public pathways, and efficient transit systems that make cars optional in many areas.
Americans, on the other hand, often find themselves driving from parking lot to parking lot—even for errands just a few blocks apart.
The spread-out layout of most U.S. towns and cities makes walking inconvenient or even impossible.
6. Embracing World Sports
Soccer (or football, as the rest of the world calls it) is more than just a game in the U.K. it’s a national obsession.
The U.S. has made major strides in women’s soccer and has growing support for MLS, but it still hasn’t embraced the sport at the cultural level like Britain has.
While American football and baseball dominate U.S. sports culture, they remain niche interests outside North America.
Soccer, on the other hand, is a truly global sport and in this area, the Brits are miles ahead in both passion and participation.
7. Chocolate That Actually Tastes Like Chocolate
If you’ve ever offered a Hershey bar to a Brit, you might’ve gotten a less-than-enthusiastic reaction.
That’s because American chocolate often contains butyric acid a preservative also found in vomit (yes, really) which gives it a distinct tangy aftertaste.
British chocolate, like Cadbury, avoids this ingredient and instead focuses on creamy, high-quality cocoa blends.
For many Europeans, American chocolate tastes harsh and artificial. Once you’ve had a true British chocolate bar, it’s hard to go back.
8. Stronger Food Safety Standards
The U.K. follows stricter regulations regarding food additives and labeling. Thanks in part to its legacy within the European Union, the U.K. requires manufacturers to prove an ingredient’s safety before it hits the market.
The U.S. takes the opposite approach many food ingredients are allowed until proven harmful.
As a result, Americans may unknowingly consume additives that are banned or tightly regulated in other parts of the world.
9. Safer Electrical Plugs
It may seem trivial, but electrical safety is no small matter. The U.K.’s three-pronged plugs are larger and bulkier than American ones, but they’re also much safer. The third prong grounds the electricity, protecting users from potential shocks.
Additionally, U.K. outlets have built-in safety switches and fuse protection features not standard in U.S. plugs.
This gives British households an extra layer of safety Americans may not realize they’re missing.
10. The Art of Afternoon Tea
While Americans are often racing through their afternoon with a coffee in hand, Brits have long cherished the ritual of afternoon tea.
Typically held between 4:00 and 7:00 pm, it’s more than just a drink it’s a cultural event, complete with delicate finger sandwiches, scones, and sweet pastries.
Afternoon tea offers a chance to slow down, socialize, and enjoy small luxuries. It’s a daily reminder that life doesn’t always have to be lived at full speed.
11. Logical Date Formatting
Here’s a simple one: dates. The British format Day-Month-Year follows a logical order, moving from the smallest to the largest unit of time.
Americans, however, go with Month-Day-Year, which can cause confusion in international communications, especially when the day is 12 or less.
Even countries in Asia use the opposite Year-Month-Day which also makes logical sense. The American format might feel familiar, but globally, it’s a bit of an outlier.
12. Literary Legacy
There’s no shortage of brilliant American authors, but when it comes to global literary impact, the British still take the crown. Two British authors Charles Dickens and J.K. Rowling have books in the top five best-selling books of all time.
“A Tale of Two Cities” and “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” have touched the lives of readers across generations and continents.
British literature also laid the foundation for much of modern storytelling, from Shakespeare to Austen.
Alicia Richards