In a light-hearted exploration of cultural disparities between the United States and the United Kingdom, Californian Andrea Celeste, who has been residing in Britain for years, shared some intriguing observations with her 186,000 TikTok followers. Her series, “Things that are socially acceptable in England which would confuse Americans,” sheds light on aspects of daily life where the two nations differ.
In a TikTok video titled “The third one always gets my friends in England,” Andrea humorously addresses the contrast between milk consumption in the UK and the US. She points out that in England, it’s unusual to see people drinking a straight glass of milk, whereas in the US, it’s quite common, even beyond accompanying cookies.
But what truly astonishes many viewers is her revelation regarding shopping habits. According to Andrea, in the US, pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens stock a wide range of products, including alcohol, typically found in grocery stores. In contrast, in England, pharmacies primarily offer makeup, medicine, some food items, and body care products. This stark difference in product offerings took Andrea by surprise.
Andrea also touches on the topic of patriotism, noting that schools in England do not have a tradition similar to the pledge of allegiance practiced in American schools. She highlights the milder expression of patriotism among Brits, emphasizing that you won’t see as many English flags displayed outside people’s homes compared to the abundance of American flags.
Another intriguing aspect of British culture that Andrea explores is the difference in how identity is perceived. In the US, it’s common for individuals to identify with their heritage rather than just their nationality. In contrast, Andrea found that in England, people are more likely to identify with the country they were born in, irrespective of their heritage.
This TikTok video is part of a series in which Andrea addresses cultural distinctions between the two nations. In another video, she delves into the British approach to camping, highlighting the preference for campsite setups over forest excursions. Additionally, she mentions the prevalence of campervans and caravans as opposed to large RVs, known as motorhomes in the UK.
Andrea also notes that iced tea, a popular beverage in the US, is not as common in England, where it’s not typically served, except in select places like Starbucks offering specialty iced teas.
These humorous insights offer a unique perspective on the quirky cultural differences that an American woman has encountered while living in Britain.