UK vs USA Culture, Explained
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- čas přidán 13. 06. 2024
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Coffee or tea? Fish and chips or Burger and fries? Today we explore the history of how British and Americans became so similar yet so different. Spanning through comedy, history and politics.
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So I got the British mentality from from the family from there, that's weird. Guess my happy side from my native half.
Hello from Kazakhstan! I extremely love your channel and most of the topics you bring up! (Especially about street culture and subciltures, graffiti and skateboarding) I even rewatch them from time to time (which says a lot I suppose). If you could swear less and make matching subs for your videos, I could give it as an interesting additional material for my students in online English school. (Censoring the swearing with beep would really help)
If you would kindly make something about freestyle skateboarders nowdays, I'd be over the moon! I really like British world champion Tony Gale and his "freestyle trick tips" videos. You can interview him.
I’m literally a half wit. Yet still have a house and a middle class life. America has been great to me
It's not great but not terrible. 🏴🇬🇧👍
People should use vapes and füm instead of smoking
I’m British and worked in America for 4 months, the biggest culture shock was the constant, hyperbolic positivity. I found it very draining. There were a group of us Brits that would seek each other out just to sit around in silence and/or moan for a bit. 😂
So wait, you'd pay to sit and.... Be miserable....and WERE doing something wrong?!?
@@DaileyShortsyes, definetley.. being positive all the time cannot be good for you , need to let it out abit😂
You're doing grammar wrong that's for sure.. 😏@@DaileyShorts
@@discombobulationedmuch better than negative all the time
@@discombobulationedmy mother moved to england coming from the us and the overbearing negativity in general just made her so depressed and literally ruined my entire family unit.
Freshly arrived in London from the US, I got to chatting with an Australian who had just arrived. We were happy and enthusiastic. The commuters on the tube were looking at us like we were farting.
You where loud, not enthusiastic, and you where in London id wager 😂
You would probably be better up north it's a bit more open up here you can start conversations on the train with just about anyone
@@sit-insforsithis1568"Freshly arrived in London" I wonder what gave it away
sherlock holmes over here@@sit-insforsithis1568
You talked on the tube. That generally by itself bemuses a lot of Londoners😂
I was born in Scotland, but lived in America for 27 years. I've been back in the UK for over 6 years now and I find your assessment to be pretty accurate. Also the newer content has been fantastic, you deserve far more subs and views than you currently receive. Keep up the good work!
Made it to 0:21, heard that hellish English Accent and turned the vid off asap.
The American Dream whereas for the British hope is merely the first step on the road to disappointment.
I got into this channel because of silly things like rollerblading and parkour
Unlucky mate 27 years in america yould get less for murder 🤣🤣🤣
@@wetflannel6343 😭😭😭
As an American, British humor has always been HILARIOUS to me. Mighty Boosh, the Young Ones, Black Adder, Monty Python, Peep Show, etc
Omg, absolutely. Old Greg, The Crack Fox?!? Still quote these to this day with my friends. Adult Swim took over in the early 2k's when I was a teen
brb have to go rewatch all of Mighty Boosh again now
Always has been, ever since Monty Python ❤
Oh lord the worst type of British comedy, that’s just posh toff humour , try only fools , peep show etc
Sadly there has barely been anything made within the last 10 years. Its dead now, just like music. Its all gone.
As a Brit with an American mum, as the years have gone by and she's grown to have more "British attributes", I can honestly say it's sad to see sometimes as she becomes more pessimistic due to her social circle. But equally, she's never lost her confidence, and I absolutely envy that! She can literally talk as loud as she wants anywhere about anything, without a care in the world for what anyone else thinks. Her name in my local town has been dubbed as "The American Lady Who Works At Asda" lmao.
Do you have dual citizenship...
@@alf9638 Nah, I'd not even looked into it till recently either tbh. Looks like a pretty shit deal anyways, coz even if I lived over here I'd have to pay American tax as well (at least from what I understood from readin bout it)
As an American, I cannot stand when people speak loudly in public. Seems to be mostly black Americans or people from the Southern states.
I know more loud british people than americans tbh, ive always felt americans quite reserved compared to british people on holiday - like, less willing to let go or have fun or share their honest opinion or laugh at themselves or anything
As an American, with a Brit mum, she was proudly pro-Brexit, and she is deepening into conspiracies, yet, she was a true liberal in her young days! Maybe THIS is the crossover; not our respective cultures, but how our views change with age?!
As an Englisman i feel people across the pond dont realise how ingrained class is in our culture. Its almost impossible to escape, no matter what success or riches you achieve. Pete Docherty said it well in the song "Tell the King" by the Libertines "Even now there's something to be proud about, you'll come up the hard way and they'll remind you everyday "you're nothing"".
The point about it not simply being wealth is so well taken. I grew up in that vague space between upper working class and lower middle class, but I've just never felt middle class-even during the relatively brief periods when my family was doing well. It was still a single parent household, my mum was still using her credit cards and instalment purchases to live beyond our means, and I still remembered growing up in a high rise flat in a shithole.
There's always been that sense that the bottom could fall out - the fear of having our TV repossessed (in the 90s when TVs were everything) or having to downsize drastically. You're never too comfortable and internalise that bing and purge mentality, at least I did. The difference between us and the Americans is I don't *want* to be middle class! I want to be financially stable, wealthy even, but my class (whatever it might be) is my identity. I'd like to be able to provide a middle class upbringing for any children I might have, but I'd still hope they didn't come out sounding posh!
One of the reasons I left and I'll never go back. Miserable little island.
it's a shame because their used to be so much pride in the working class of the uk, people were happy with their lives and didn't used to feel the need to aspire to 'get to the top'.
?
Yeah this is really true. My fave part of the video for sure. I was raised very working class. Council estate upbringing, unable to make ends meet, frugal and struggling to afford basics. The type where you're cautious about keeping the lights on and turning the fan on, and you switch devices off at the socket as soon as you're done using them. Within the council estate I live on, including my family, it seems that everyone has accepted it. We know that we'll live here our whole lives and will be continuously ignored and put aside. But it does foster a nice sense of community, at least.
As a french I would love to see the UK vs France Culture. That would be very interresting. Great video by the way !
Thanks for the idea!
I lived in the south of France for 9 months.
Y'all are like a hybrid between the English and Americans
1)Optimism - England
2)Values- American (but more egalite ( "socialism" in American)
3)Politness- England.
4)Class-England (with the whole grande Ecole stuff)
5)Expressiveness-Americsn (especially in the south)
6)Friendliness - American (in the south and Bordeaux)
7)Confidence-American
Oh yes please do the France vs UK please please please!
frog
@@webtesteur-testavis1926thats sick, I remember that trip! Appreciate the kind words hope you are doing well
One thing you didn't mention which is super important is WW2. A lot of us were raised by parents who were raised by parents who were directly involved in WW2, and their parents were directly involved in WW1. I think this fundamentally changed our attitudes to life and the effects are still present today. In particular it changed men. When you study literature from let's say the 1700s to 1900s it's pretty clear men were very expressive with their language and how they spoke about their feelings, a lot of men were very liberal with their outlooks. It was normal for men to be poets and artists, even working class men who slaved away down in the mines. But after WW1 this changed completely, probably due to the trauma but also just the sheer economic effects it had on not only our country, but most of Europe also. The great wars practically changed everything.
Very interesting id be really curious to hear more have you got anything i can check out?
Makes sense. Excellent theory
@@JimmyTheGiant I haven't got anything specific to point you to off the top of my head but there are lots of amazing history channels which I learnt a lot from, eg this guy looks deep into history and how it effects how cultures develop and what not:
www.youtube.com/@Kraut_the_Parrot
This guy does really interesting analysis of WW2 in particular:
www.youtube.com/@MarkFeltonProductions
@@JimmyTheGiant Krauts "Ideology of Putins Russia" is very very interesting also
@@JimmyTheGiant Also if you watch videos regarding the Industrial Revolution that will highlight the cultural differences from 1800s to 1900s, and of course a lot of it ties in with WW1 because WW1 was a big driver of the industrial revolution, or rather accelerated it quite rapidly
A simple way of thinking about it, is that the UK is a jadded old man, that has been around a long time and seen a lot. Whereas the USA is more like an optimistic teenager who thinks that they are indestructible.
Key word:"thinks"
@@Camelsarecool-tz6xp Indeed.
As a Brit who is currently in the US while travelling Canada, I found this video very appropriate. Lots of things from home that I dislike and was feeling fed up of, but since being in North America I have missed and appreciated a lot more. One of which being the dry, blunt British sense of humour. However, I definitely have noticed most of the north Americans I have met have been much more open, inquisitive and friendly compared to people back home, especially when they hear my accent. We have had people lend us their cars and give us free stuff just by talking in a quick convo, which is never something that would happen with strangers back home I don't think. Lots of positives on both sides, and a great video which I found very accurate!! as a sociology girl I love your videos, keep em comin
I think the biggest way these differences present themselves is through our speech.
I spent one school year in New Jersey because of my parents work and on the bus there was a woman who had some kind of medical episode on one of my school buses in the morning so I was about 20 minutes late to lesson.
I walked in and said “Sorry I’m late Miss there was a bit of an inconvenience on the bus”. She asked what it was and I told her about the woman and the whole class began to wonder how I could sum up a woman not breathing as “a bit of an inconvenience”. Us brits have a lot more subtlety in our language and we are very reserved and polite whereas the Americans are much more direct and abrasive in their mannerisms.
I suppose you said that cos it was an inconvenience for you which is what you were describing to the teacher. Obviously for her it was a tragedy but you are telling the teacher how it affected you not how it affected her. I mean, I don’t feel as a Brit I’m able to pick up on subtlety cos I live close to Newcastle and round here most people seem fairly direct in how they express themselves. They just tell it how it is. But I have noticed that perhaps there are some regions of England where they tend to overcomplicate things.
I can't actually believe that you are trying to tell me that Americans are more direct and abrasive in their speech?!
@@Humannbeing British people do say please and Thankyou and sorry a lot but that isn’t what been polite means.
When I went on holiday to Cuba we all had to fill in a form on arrival and I had no pen so I asked an English woman from the south can I borrow a pen, she gave me a pen then before I’d got going she said, “I want my pen back now please!” In the most snobbiest pompous tone of voice Ive ever heard. Using the word please doesn’t make her polite. Politeness is the attitude of a person, not the words
@@cultfiction3865 Well I do say you should probably base your experience with one single person to judge an entire culture and country. I don't know where you are from but I am from southern England and I have lived here my entire life. People are lovely, not just pleases and thank yous, as I'm sure they are in many places around the world. London is a bit questionable though, I think that applies to most large cities however.
@@Humannbeing I’m from Newcastle and I don’t have much experience with the south but up here strangers will call you pet and flower like “nee bother flower” “there ya go pet” and they seem warmer but the southerners I’ve met can just seem more rule following, by the book type of attitude. “Ya need to queue up mate” would be more what I’d expect to hear from them. They often don’t seem as warm in their attitude.
As a Belgian, i am just happy we have been mentioned.
So when are you invading the UK?
We’re ready for you
Why does everone joke about belgium ? Always loved my time over there from the uk ,! Lovely beer women food and culture !!
@@aerostar24 It's lighthearted cultural elitism due to Belgium (as we know it) being a relatively young country. Belgium's history comes mostly in the form of being where France, Germany and the Dutch go to have a war every few decades. A more modern joke about Belgium comes from The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy where the word Belgium is considered to be the most heinous swear word across the galaxy and is only used to describe the most dire of situations.
(Personally I quite like Belgium and have only had one unpleasant experience there when I attempted to speak french to a person in a place that is apparently proudly Flemish)
@@aerostar24 It came to be literally as a buffer zone. Half of them are essentially southern Dutch, while the other half are northern French. Everyone kind of wonders why they exist. Nice people though.
I have lived in the USA for 10 years now. In bigger cities the depiction of rudeness is accurate. Living in rural Appalachia you can see how some of the British culture resembles culture here. People in this area are extra polite, don't complain, and are often more pessimistic. That was a culture shock for me a person that came from Venezuela.
I'm a Brit that lived in Texas for two years and the two things that surprised me most were how well-mannered the people of Texas are but also how naive they were about other countries. One asked me in all seriousness _"What's it like living in a Socialist country like England where you can't buy your own property?"_
That is a topic my wife and I talk a lot about. Unfortunately the past few generations of public schools here center around standard exams that only focus on grammar and math. So many schools don't teach much about geography and world history classes are a joke. I don't think is that people don't care is just the system they are born into. Never been to Europe, but living close to other countries exposes you to other cultures more often. If you live in a place like Washington DC you will see many different cultures as compared to a town of 500 like Phelps here in KY. In Venezuela is basically the same way!@@TonyEnglandUK
i live in the Appalachian mountains in KY and grew up here as well, a lot of people wrongly assume that just because you're from a rural region, you're some racist incest who hasn't had an education, but in reality its just down to earth folks who would give the shirt off their back to help you. yeah there's definitely some crazy people but thats anywhere you go. i thinks its awesome to see people across the world move here, our economy needs it, and you are very much on the nose about geography here. i am pretty much self taught on geography only recently and i also think you're right about it being due to lack of exposure to different cultures and just the sheer number of states. we have 50 states to remember and their location and virtually no one goes to all states let alone leave the country. us leaving the country is like a European leaving the continent in terms of size
You are correct! Even within Kentucky you can experience vastly different cultures.@@clipsdaily101
@TonyEnglandUK what was your response? 💀
i recently moved to japan from england and im going to a school where its primarily american, and my god the difference is weird. we speak the same language, yet they dpnt understand slang. i thought "are you having a laugh/giggle" was a common phrase used by everyone, and it turns out its very british.
the sense of humour is also weird. the yanks doesnt understand sarcasm or dark humour. for example, it was chucking it down and we had PE and someone asked if we're going outside, so i responed with "yeah definatly, perfect weather for it" so then he proceeds to go outside and wait for other people.
i also really miss being called a wanker in the corridors as now I get called "man" or "my guy". it just dosent feel right.
Top tier comment
@JimmyTheGiant cheers mate 👍
Very interesting! As an American, if you'd call me a "wanker", I'd think you'd call me a "jack off", or "stupid person", and we don't respond very well to that lol.
As for sarcastic humour, we understand it, but it's HOW we execute it. For example, if you asked are we going outside and I responded with the same statement, our facial expressoins and tone of voice would make it very obvious we're 'joking' or 'teasing'. In other words, we're big on letting in the person we're kidding with "in on the joke", wereas a British person can say the same exact thing with a deadpan look and face (you look very serious), and due to the lack of body langage cues, we will literally think, "Oh, cool! He said the weather is great!" and will legit be confused as to why you lied to us about the weather being great...because if we're not in on it, we don't know to laugh at it. Let the joke linger for too long and we feel like you lied to us and our feelings get hurt.
Same with dark humor. SOME of us enjoy it (though, very few of us). Generally, like to leave that to professional comedians who have the skill and tact to pull it off in the end. MOST people lack the skill and nuance to pull off dark humor with out deeply offending the listener. For example, we don't joke about abortion/racism/sexual assault casually, if at all. We leave that to professionals, which is why we attend comedy shows because they have the ability to put in words what we THINK and WANT to say, but don't know how to say it without alienating friends and family around us.
Your phrase "are you having a laugh" sounds strange to me, but "What are you laughing for?" is the equivalant and is how we'd say it. And we'll often say it either sarcastically (intenionally being funny and asking the question to an obvious answer), or we'll ask it like, "WHAT ARE YOU LAUGHING FOR?!" as in, "You're insulting my intelligence for laughing at something i don't find funny. Same word. Same structure. Different intent. "Are you having a laugh? would also sound like to us, "Do you think that's funny?"
I love the differences, personally. I hope it never changes between us and you Brits. But my appreciation for your differences is also uniquely American because we celebrate those differences in our country. We welcome it and embrace it, because we are a very diverse group of personalities who, for the most part, and surprisingly, get along very, very well.
The sarcasm is hard with the accent barrier
I’m from U.K. and can’t stand English sarcasm. I don’t understand it any more than Americans do and when I hear it I’m just as confused.
I think it’s important that you mentioned the weather. I’m from California and lived a few years in the US Pacific Northwest, which is known for dreary weather similar to much of the UK. People were noticeably more pessimistic there. I even found myself acting more like that while living there. Now I’m back in California and noticeably more positive in my everyday outlook on things.
There are so many studies showing the role of confidence in success and achievement.
I think many Americans, myself included, feel that positive outlook is a bit of a prerequisite to confidence, and find pessimism and negativity to be exhausting to be around as a result.
I'm from Arizona and have lived in the Seattle areay since 1997 except for a year in San Diego back in 2021. The weather licks balls in the PNW and the people are cynical as fuck up here.
Interesting.
I’m not denying your experiences but I definitely haven’t witnessed what you’re talking about.
I was born and raised in Southern California, lived there for 22 years.
I’ve also lived in the Pacific Northwest for 6 years now and haven’t witnessed a more pessimistic outlook from people in any way shape or form.
If anything I’ve seen the exact opposite.
You're absolutely right. The Pacific Northwest lends itself it an attitude of pessimism. I'm always blown away by how nice people are in California, and the Southwest, compared to us.
There's a very obvious difference in people's outlook and body language here in the UK between the middle of a cold, wet winter and what people are like if we've had a good summer. I certainly feel more positive and energised and things are easier when the weather's nice - you can go out somewhere without getting wrapped up in cold/wet weather gear and walk around feeling relaxed and enjoying the sunshine instead of enduring freezing wind or feeling the cold rain gradually soaking through your clothes.
@@trolleriffic that's a good point, we get great summers in the PNW, and I certainly feel more charged. I do think weather is a pretty big contributor in cultural attitudes. Always wanted to visit the UK, I find it fascinating.
It's funny that "you miss 100% of the shots you dont take" quote was Wayne Gretzky, a Canadian.
I think that the UK and US see things they lack in the other. In the US, we're very intrigued in the UK's traditions and cultural mannerisms. It's definitely interesting hearing what the opposite side sees in us.
Im English and I've always said I think UK & US police should have training courses together. I think American police are too aggressive while UK police are too soft. The American officers can learn de-escalation and peaceful/non-lethal resolution from the English officers - and the English officers can learn the value of 'doing what needs to be done' even if it's a bit ugly at times. I think it would go a long way to recapturing some of the respect the two forces have lost over recent decades.
But yeah I agree 100%. I often think I would like to live in the States because Americans dare to dream for a better tomorrow (which I really like) - but then I think I would miss the more grounded social attitudes of the UK (less political, less outwardly religious, less divisive).
@@camden_96nah because uk police don’t deal with people with guns and black people.
@@camden_96ye as a Brit I'm more American at heart, a dreamer, ambitious and expressive etc, it's very alien since pretty much everyone I know is very "realistic"
In a 100 years there will be no British culture left. Look at the state of London and many other big cities where the brits are a minority. Utterly depressing, filled with third world migrants..the crazy scandal in Rotherham involving grooming of kids by non natives is just part of the decline..
@@camden_96If it makes you feel any better, Americans online are very different than Americans in person. I basically never get into political conversations in person and when I do, there's not nearly as much division as you'd see online. Americans are like everyone else. We have opinions but unless your opinion is just disrespecting the person you're talking to, we, like everyone else, are just trying to be generally understanding
When I took a group of American college students to London for a semester abroad in 2008, the difference between the Americans and the British on the Tube was striking. My students were laughing, talking, joking around...the British sat there somewhat scandalized (except for the young who gravitated towards them and were immediately included in their groups). I finally had to tell my students to tone it down and pretend they were in the classroom with a very strict teacher.
College students still have to play pretend lol
Why did you tell them that
Why? It’s public space
@@tonygarcia4060yes in a public space you should be quiet and reserved and not infringe on others. Asians get it why dont yanks .
There’s another psychological aspect to American idealism vs English pessimism, too. America (like Australia, another upbeat country) is HUGELY isolated from anyone who might be an enemy. Spank France, hop the channel and you’re in GB. This was shaken a bit during the Cold War. Warfare became global and those geographic advantages meant less. Nonetheless, America is unbelievably difficult to invade and I think that plays a major role
Would u say nz is an upbeat country?
Interesting. Did WW2 affect most everyday Americans? (Forgive my ignorance, I genuinely don’t know the answer) There was great bombing and destruction in most cities in the UK. Rationing, air raids, evacuation etc. our grandparents lived through it and our parents grew up in the wake of it… I think that mentality passes down
@@emilychilds8085
Yeah, WWII had a pretty big effect on everyday Americans. Manufacturing was turned upside down in many sectors, bean counters rolled through and scrapped countless Victorian era treasures for the war effort (I’m sure that happened in Britain tenfold), Pearl Harbor and the pacific theatre were a huge psychological blow, fallout from nuclear testing entered the public lexicon, female members of my family worked in factories for wartime production (a lot of the fairy tale movies/stories that are considered outdated today served as fantasy escapism for them), my teenage grandfather stood guard over Nazi POWs in France (one of them taught him how to play the harmonica, oddly enough), my great uncle refused to speak about the things he saw on D day for the rest of his life, “so and so up the street” didn’t survive some battle or another…which is a pretty normal thing for most American families. We didn’t get *bombed* like England or ran through like France…our geography spared us that particular brand of psychological mayhem. But WWII was one of those historical atrocities that was so bad, it touched basically everyone within the borders of any given country with involvement.
@@emilychilds8085 absolutely. There is a reason we call them “the greatest generation.”
Someone's clearly never met an Australian.
I’m from the US, but I resonate a lot with British people and culture. I’m quite introverted, cautiously optimistic, and overly polite so that explains it a lot. Honestly, I felt more comfortable when visiting the UK than a lot of times in my own country. I still have American tendencies, but occasionally other Americans get really annoying with how loud and entitled they are. That said, sometimes British people are to much of realists and too reserved for me too. Basically it kinda goes like this: I’d much rather be in a bus full of British people instead of Americans, but I’d rather pitch a business idea to a board of Americans than British people.
Enjoy your bankruptcy
@@jubeaumont6305 hello, British person.
@@LeDank
🤣 yep!
@@LeDankI’m British and I feel the exact same way, they are qualities of my personality that I both relate to American culture and British culture.
Britain - too reserved, plain and boring.
Americans - too loud, intense etc
You need a balance.
@@144chosenI agree that neither of them have the right balance. Britain is too close minded and boring and America is loud and self absorbed.
But some of the south American countries seem to have a better balance of not as close minded and reserved like British people, but also more humble and simple natured than Americans.
It’s a better balance, Britain and US are like a bipolar of each other
Ireland vs UK culture could be an interesting topic, but could be a very touchy subject to people!
Only to Irish. I’ve been there many times and they’re lovely people. But they are very chippy about something that happened over a hundred years ago.
@@Joanna-il2ur Well, there's also the troubles in the north that didn't end until 1998. That's pretty major, and recent. There's centuries of history between the two countries.
@@WillPutt-vo6ke half of the modern Ira terrorists weren’t even born then.
@@WillPutt-vo6keMajority of people in England, and I mean 99% couldn’t care less about Northern Ireland. I’ve met loads of Irish and get on with all of them, lovely people but most of them have an unhealthy obsession with England.
Try stealing a potatoe and see the reaction.
Coming from a southern American working class background we were raised with a realistic attitude towards life but focusing on enduring hardships, we were optimistic but we knew things could get bad and that you shouldn't celebrate too loudly, we were also brought up to try and err towards kindness in most situations. I think the three sayings ive heard the most is "sh*t happens" "There will always be tomorrow" and "Keep one eye on the ground and pick up whatever you find" great video 😊
This vid is a gross generalisation, if it were completely true we would not have had the Industrial Revolution and the Empire and democracy. The bit about the rigid class divide was never really true and is definitely not now. The bit about the weather is 100% true.
@@DonBean-ej4ouof course this video isn’t anywhere near 100percent because there’s a lot of people and people act differently but generally this video wasn’t far off
@@DonBean-ej4ou I am British and I always wonder why people bring up the Empire and Industrial Revolution as if it has any relevancy to today. This country is getting its ass kicked in almost every industry other than financial services and aerospace tech while countries like China, India and the U.S. are world leaders in a much larger number of industries. The UK simply does not compete and has done nothing but shrink in it global importance over the last 100years. Yet people want to harken back to the glory days instead of addressing the issues that are holding us back as a nation today
Our enduring mindset caused by the rigid class system is, in my opinion, one of the main things holding us back. Too many people don’t feel that they can be whatever they want in the way Americans do. Just look at the accent of nearly every politician in this country
@@mako9747 I was referring to the class narrative abd making the point that if we did have as ridgid a class system as is often stated we would have had a very different history. Compared to most other societies we were meritocritous and flexible and still are.
I first clicked having a smug feeling like how is he going to even analyze the difference but 14 mins in and I’m amazed about how well put together you put this idea together. Keep making awesome videos man
I’m American with a British Mum, and I’ve grown up with some of the British culture said in this video today, especially the jokes and insults! she calls everything and everyone “wankers” and it’s so funny just being in a store and her whispering under her breath “whatta wanker” 😂
Lmao 😂 🤣
As with most other things in life, Canadian cultural attitudes lie somewhere in between American, our brother, and British, our parent. We're not as idealistic as Americans, but are definitely more optimistic than the Brits seem to be. Interesting analysis!
Brits are pessimistic lol But a lot of that is down to standard of living differences
@@cultfiction3865Who wouodnt be pessimisstic after living in a grey rainy island which sees the sun one day a year 😅
@@EasilyCringed Exactly and perfectly put. Incessant cloud, wind and rain, high cost of living, small houses that cost 3 times more than big houses in US, everything is narrow and feels uncomfortable and cramped, oppressively tight regulations over almost everything to the point we can barely breathe.If the Americans had all this to deal with they would soon become pessimistic too
@@EasilyCringed Nah, we get a good 4-5 months of good weather a year, and everybody complains that it's too hot.
and weed is fully legal
I am an American Anglophile. Monty python is the Shakespeare of comedy. Brits are good at rock ‘n’ roll. And after we got over a little spat, we’ve had each other’s back.
British expressions mentioned here are used by Americans too. “Hope for the best, expect the worst” is when being cautiously optimistic or anticipating something that’s got 50/50 odds. “Sod’s law” in the US is called Murphy’s law (despite that Murphy’s law is actually “what can happen, will happen.”) Your understanding of “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” isn’t quite right. It’s not about an obvious opportunity, it’s specifically about taking a “negative” thing (the lemon) and turning it into something positive (lemonade). This isn’t comparable to “don’t count your chickens before they hatch” (which Americans also say) as an “opposing” idea/expression. That expression is about not taking something as granted or not assuming outcomes that are not certain to bear out. Americans also say “calm before the storm” when things are going well and there’s some feeling or indication that things may go south.
When life gives you AIDS make lemonAIDS
"When life hands you lemons, make lemonade" is like saying do the best you can with what you've got
@@lk7195 sure that too, but I think it sort of skews toward working with a negative doesn’t it? Lemons are sour. Also lemon as a reference to a shit car. I’m not sure “If lives gives you apples, make apple cider” hits the same. I think lemon is meant to represent being handed something that’s sour/unfortunate.
@@weinopolice yeah that's what I was trying to say but in different words.
@@weinopolice I'm in the US and where i live people say "I'm doing the best I can with what I've got" which basically means the same thing. You're dealing with the circumstances in the best way possible.
As an Australian found this very interesting and see how we take a bit of both worlds. Would love to see an Australian, Britain video.
We're too similar, they'd be no point
@@jubeaumont6305Australia is alot more like the US then UK
@@LukazRC From my experience living in Australia, they are somewhere in between. Basically Brits in the sun who, over the last 70 years, have become increasingly Americanized.
Some things are very American. Obviously, both are frontier countries/settler colonies. So you have tonnes of space, massive houses, big vehicles, very car-dependent. Certain Australians also go in for the whole American redneck-type vibe, but with an Aussie twist. They also use many American words, and especially Australian women can have a very American intonation to their voice (the classic rising intonation like they're always asking a question)
On the other hand, some things remain very British. They use even more British words than American words, and sometimes they even use really archaic British words that have fallen out of usage in the UK (for example, calling alcohol "grog"). Their humour and character is 100% more similar to Britain then America. They love taking the piss out of each other, get irony and sarcasm, don't take themselves very seriously and don't brag. They are more optimistic though, on the whole. They're also more openly and friendly than Southern English people at least (more similar to Northern English/Scottish/Irish in that regard). They also have a pub culture, and obviously most of them (the White Australians at least) are descended from Brits. They absolutely love British music from the 70s/80s, and know far more about British culture than Americans do.
Australia does have things in common with the UK and USA but we are quite distinct from both.
as a Indian, USA and UK culture have Influenced me in a larger way , like movies from Hollywood and obviously India was being a British colony , Americans taking over and the UK desi culture being so big in spite of being small , like New York city for example in the USA, but by the way, all of us love Anime which is from Japan
As East Asian we never ever know that Indian loves anime😅
I usually hate these British “Americans are bad because of this” type video, but this was really well written and genuine. I’ve spent some time in the UK, and I’d have to say I agree with everything you said about both Americans and British.
love the documentary style videos your making man, keep going.
As an American, yea. Pretty much. We dont necessarily think we're better than each other (generally) though, we just have that "dont tread on me" attitude. We're polite, and frienly until you try and encroach on us in an egregious way. And most ppl will try to defuse the situation even then (not many really want trouble), but there are only so many cheeks to turn as well. Personal space, and individual responsibility go a long way
It’s all relative. Ime Americans tend to be friendlier than Brits but compared to Brits Americans are less polite and while most will try to defuse situations at first they tend to do it in a more confrontational way and have shorter fuses as such
Yup super frienly 😊
If Americans see you as being rude to them then they’ll be rude back. And it doesn’t take much to set people off.
Americans seem to be more scared of confrontations compared to British people especially white Americans compared to white English
same for the uk we're really not as polite as people think aha
i was able to relate to brits while in europe. it seemed that british tourists were almost as widely disliked as americans. thats where our bond is built
Really? In Europe in general or in a particular country? 😅
@DvD811 It's where the term "brits abroad" comes from. Most of us are nice, bit you'll find these lot in the following: Greece, Gibraltar, Spain and Portugal. This is the obnoxious lot, they will address everyone in English, not respect local mannerisms/culture and expect British style cuisine.
i was mainly in italy, but a lot of people i asked about it said American and British tourists were the moist annoying. @@DvD811
same reason they didnt like american tourists. rude, loud, obnoxious, no respect for local custom. So i understand why people aren't huge fans of rowdy american tourists@@plantboy6249
@@BigJeffeDaGoatBritish tourists are total 🍑-wipes. They are the worst part of me going on holiday each year and I’m English too and still saying this
American here, I've come to view British humor and take on life next level and more useful. Life really will bend us all over, every...last...one. That way I have zero disappointments and the positives are even sweeter.
I worked at a summer camp in Tennessee for 3 months, the first question I got asked is "do you have cows in England?" 😂😂. Also the lack of understanding sarcasm was even more funnier. Glad I met people from Germany, New Zealand and even Estonia , we bonded perfectly!!
Its funny when i was in England i did notice ppl werent nearly as open,initially, to conversation with this American. However once they saw i wasnt one of our many loud,in your face type Americans they were very warm and friendly in most cases. Being from the south helps as well bc we place a lot of value in politeness and respect towards others. Also they were often fascinated with my accent and on a couple of occasions asked if i really talk the way i do or if i was putting them on.
I live in U.K. and I agree that they don’t seem to open up too easily. I sometimes think it’s because they don’t have many deep conversations and keep things superficial which just means running out of things to say. The problem with superficial chat is that there isn’t enough content in it to lead to any lasting conversation. This seems like a problem with English people
@@cultfiction3865 I think it depends where you are I think a lot of the time we save it for the pub I think
That can depend on the part of the country you're in as well, I think. In general terms, the South of England is a bit more stand-offish, and the North is a bit more open and friendlier (with some places like Liverpool and Newcastle especially friendly).
Picture this. I am in a job interview the overall sales manager (about 50 odd years old) I am about 45 years old. The personnel officer, a girl of about 23. I answered all the questions with consumate ease. The girl then asked "Alan, so where do you see yourself in five years time?"
I replied " fatter and balder, and lucky that I got to fifty years of age" The girl was bewildered but the Sales Director fell to pieces with laughter. That's British for you. 🤣🤣
The rigidity of the class system in the UK (and lack there of in the US) probably best explains the cultural differences
I was glad you pointed out at the end that American comedies in the past few decades have a bit more British humour. The creators of Always Sunny in Philadelphia said that a lot of their influences were British comedies like the office. The episode ‘the gang tries desperately to win an award’ showed how different it was to a lot of the overly clean and optimistic American shows at the time. Specific characters like Ben Wyatt in parks and rec, Will in Will and Grace, and Michael Bluth in Arrested Development all give out very British vibes to me. Introverted, a little depressed, and reserved.
Besides the interesting history facts this video also shows how much perspective affects what you achieve
199 days of rain a year? Lads, ye get off easy. Im Irish, and can easily clarify that we get at least 299 wet days a year. 😀😀Great video here, full of interesting insights and culture crossing analysis. Really enjoying this content on the channel.
Had no idea it was that bad until a visit 30 years ago. We stayed in Sligo/Mayo for a week & although it was sunny I got really sick from sleeping in the damp rooms.
Yeah? Here in Texas we get 399 rainy days a year!
@@samanthab1923 Aye, the west of Ireland , whilst containing some of the best scenery in the country is the wettest. Its got whatever mood the Atlantic Ocean is in by its side all the time, so anything goes.😁
If you do get it right and the weather is good, the West is amazing. It is very remote in places, the old landscape is historical, meaningful and you can spend many an hour there wandering amidst it all.
Sometimes if its misty but mild, it adds to the outdoor vibe aswell. As long as you can see where youre going.👍😁
as an asian, half Japanese and Filipino, both of 2 country that I grew up we kinda relate to British more than the US culture, although Philippines tend to wanna be american which fails more often because it's the Mexican of asia. But in Japan, it's still like wanna be German and British culture (im sure if some of you guys watch a lot of anime will get what im saying)
Hehehe, I've been to PH twice and also directly thought "man, this is like latin America in Asia" when I went there for the first time. It's amazing and I love it!
Hows about ireland compared to Britian?
Awesome video Jimmy. You connect the history and social structures very well. These types of videos are great man, keep it up
Top effort putting this together mate.. your vids are so good. Really appreciate your effort and sharing it with us!
been watching you for years, love the way your content is going
Appreciate you sticking around!
One of the best CZcamsrs right now. Always putting out engaging and binge worthy content.
Jimmy back again with another banger just as my dinner is ready hell yeah
what dinner you eating at 4pm mate
@@okweedcoolbroismokeyes64 a good old british sunday dinner
another banger jimmy! thanks for always putting out top videos on different topics! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🇬🇧
Bro you’re by far my favourite CZcamsr to watch, absolutely gassed when I see a new upload, keep finding myself clicking your videos over the U.K. go to’s like Beta and sidemen. Keep up the quality consistency and you’re well on the way to being a HUGE name on the platform 🔥thanks for the continuous entertainment and education.
Really appreciate that bro 💪💪
I think American vs. British expressiveness is a major reason why some of the more elitist Brits think us Americans can't understand subtle humor. In the same unfortunate scenario, an cliché American comedy protagonist would get very flustered. The humor might derive from him saying or doing something over-the-top, and the misfortunate might compound if these actions get him in further trouble. A cliché British protagonist, on the other hand, would probably respond with a dry quip and a gloomy expression. The humor would derive from him understating the problem, and his misfortunate might compound due to him letting these things happen and not standing up for himself.
Crucially, neither of these comedic styles is a reflection of how intelligent the audience is expected to be. They just reflect how people are expected to act in each society. Also, while British humor may use understatement as a device, this only works when the situation is obviously awful and absurd, so it's usually no harder to understand.
Of course, both styles have their merits, and that's why the cultural diversity and exchange between us is wonderful. Sending love from Alabama ❤
Great video jimmy, really interesting stuff! A lot of what you said reminds me of points made in the book '"watching the english". Solid read if you have the time! Thanks for creating and uploading!
I'm dying! Cowboy American here in the UK for 25 years. Came in the US forces, married a Leistershire lass and stayed. You are spot on just about everything. Did you know I have a super power here? All I have to do is tip my hat and drawl, "Ma'am..." and the ladies just go wobbly in the knees. :-) My two sons grew up here and went to the local comprehensive schools their entire lives. They are called '3rd Country Kids" because even though they grew up here going to British schools their whole lives and sound very British, they are called "GDY" (god d@mn yank!) by their mates (Brit male speak for "Love ya, pal!"). But when they go back to the States, they are not quite American either. Their humor is far to dry, they actually have passports with global stamps in them, they gag on the amount of sugar in every US drink, etc. Here is what I taught the young service members when they arrived in this country; "The difference between an American and a Brits is that to an American, one hundred years is a long time. To a Brit, one hundred miles is a long way." Cheers, y'all! ;-)
We have a “what can go wrong will go wrong” law in America too. We call it Murphy’s law and it says “anything that can go wrong, will”. Funny to see that’s the one that permeated both cultures
Similar thing here in UK (England.) Sod's law.
One of the most positive podcasters i listen to about fixing your life and going after your dreams is british. Chris that does modern wisdom is amazing. I forget his last name but i love his podcast. Not disagreeing just pointing out
Chris williams is a legend
Britain and America are not like twins. They share a language but that’s it.
i wouldnt exactly call it sharing a language id say its more one side refusing to let go and move on
its been 250 years do they really need to speak english?
Agreed, I feel insulted when people say this
Both countries parted ways.
@@CrossOfBayonne most americans are mexicans now lol you're a nation of hotdog coloured goblins
I would say where more like cousin's then twins
4 mins in.. and this feels like some next level Jimmy . these acccents and the pacing of the back and fourth, is so funny. Well done sir
I’ve always found myself gravitating towards British humor, movies, and content creators. I think I am one of those Americans who really appreciate the sense of realism that Brits have. Great video!
Hey Jimmy, loved the video. I do believe that their is always an underlying respect between us and our brothers from across the pond. We are very aware that we're annoyingly loud and a bit disrespectful by comparison, but damn it we love ya.
I think you’re description is pretty accurate if you’re considering urban america. You’ve done a good job of explaining the prototypical urban/suburban American. But rural America, like places in the south and Midwest, are much different and hold rather contrasting mannerisms and ideals. America has a ton of different regional cultures that are honestly pretty different from one another. For example, the idea of a southern gentleman is extremely different from that of a New Yorker
Agreed... its hard to fit america under one umbrella when we're such a diverse country.
I’m on the other side of pond from you and this was literally spot on, well done lad!
Another brilliant discussion🔥
This was great! As a NZ-er we definitely inherit a lot of the pessimistic streak
To be fair, living on an island chain that is slowly sinking into the ocean will do that.
It's called realism mate.... Nothing to be ashamed of
@@pisswobble1571It’s not realism, it’s a glass half empty mindset instead of glass half full. Reality can either be seen as counting our blessings each day or counting our curses. Neither one is any more aligned with realism than the other
@@cultfiction3865 What's more likely to happen, then
@@pisswobble1571 Whatever you believe is more likely to happen. In cognitive behavioural therapy the main treatment used for depressive illness is to challenge pessimistic thoughts with positive optimistic thoughts instead which over time helps gets the person out of depression.
And people that dwell on what went wrong in the past often get depressed instead of people that enjoy the present moment. So reality is a self fulfilling prophecy. Pessimistic outlook, downward spiral. Optimistic outlook, upward climb
As a french I am surprised how our behaviours and problems are the same.
It looks similar all across Europe actually.
Why can't we unit and create a big dysfunctional family together?
France is ready to play the weird racist uncle I swear.
Racist you guys import millions of Nigerians, inclusive 😂.
i love it!!! amazing comment
We are already a dysfunctional family! Britain is the crippled uncle in the corner, not what he used to be but still manages five pints an hour
@@caveworld7849😂😂
Well as an English person I feel more kinship with most of Europe than I ever will with the USA. Not France though I resent that part of our history.
I liked this! Looking forward to more comparisons!
I like the new direction for the channel and this video is one of your best
Hearing Americans take the mic out of my English accent whilst speaking in English makes my day tbh
Living in the UK you only have to travel about 30 miles from where you live and people will be commenting about your accent.
@@TheTux I’m from Wolverhampton, I get unmatched on tinder just for saying I am 😭 it’s really hard for us
Black country accents are definitely an aquired taste even for people in England. Somehow despite living in Dudley my whole life and hearing the accent all the time, even in my own house, I never picked it up. @@seniter3262
The attempted US remake of Peep Show says it all (it didn't work).
I am Canadian, which is an unfortunate blend of US and UK traits, btw.
Yes!!! Whenever I watch a video about british cultural traits I can relate to each one of them as I'm eating a cheeseburger and washing my Chevrolet.
Yeah 95% American 5% British.
@@DiviAugustinah Canada more like much of Europe they value stability more the personal freedom
When I was in Cuba we went on a catamaran in the ocean and it was full of Canadian people we were the only two Brits on it. And tbh they didn’t seem very different besides the accent. Possibly a bit more polite and thoughtful than British it seemed to me. But other differences didn’t seem obvious if I’m been honest at least not to me
I was just being a bit of a dick. I like Canadians just fine. Also Brits and even Americans. Sounds like a good trip!@@cultfiction3865
Nice analysis, very entertaining 😊
Love the new format Jimbo!
Hey man this video is incredible, and Im surprised it doesnt have more views! I love insightful deep dives into cultural differences with our cousins across the pond.
I do think American culture is changing. Its hard to be optimistic when its harder than ever to own a house.
As a canadian with both British and American friends this seems super interesting. Ive noticed plenty of every one of your points in my friends. My British friend is more quiet and reserved, vs my amercian friend who needs to have his thoughts heard. Its also wild you brought up the rights thing because we just had a debate about governments and the right to have guns. I dont see how in the 21st century world how a country as big and impactful as the USA would be able to get away with turning into a tyrannical government. But i also see how relaxed and in my opinion how underprepared other countries citizens know of their rights.
Thanks so much, the most useful video!!!
Jimmy i dont mind the content at the moment but i LOVEDDDDDD all the extreme sports documentary you used to do they ALWAYSSSSS made my day and its sad to not really have them any more, this isnt just a personal request as I'm SURE that MANY, MANY more people would LOVE you to restart them
PLEASE JIMMY, WE NEED YOU BACK
Lately I've been thinking that we (chilean people) are like an in between the UK and the US way of seeing the world. E.g.: we have a great health system, but we tend to be a bit too reactive to some things. And it's funny because we are always trying to be like a copy of the US.
love you jimmy bro, you bring me bare happiness fam
Thanks for sharing!
Oiiii crackin. Been looking forwad to another banger
As a very extraverted American from NYC, who happens to be a digital nomad. I come into contact with a lot of British and Australian nomads . And a lot of this is spot on .. I'm not a fan of the cursing and the pessimism , and they're probably not a fan of how loud I speak , but I'm understanding that we are different type of people . And that's okay
But cursing is the spice of the English language couldn't go a day without a few bad words
Excellent quality video!
Beautiful work man this is art
Lots of painting with broad strokes, but was an enjoyable watch mate. Cheers
I live in the US but I seem to have more of the British personality. I love when it rains and im hardly ever positive. I just like to chug along at my pace.
The rain doesn't make us negative. In fact it would be safe to argue it is the opposite, it gives us something to complain about... British people are very stoic and introverted. British people complain about the weather as a means of communication more than anything else. We do it most often to enter dialogue with small talk, possibly with someone we don't know well or we've just met. It is usually done jokingly, not negatively. It works the other way around of course... If we had exceedingly sunny weather, we'd complain about the weather just as easily, even if it wasn't that hot. Essentially nothing is ever good enough for an Englishman, that is the point... but we use those flaws as a means to progress. If nothing is ever good enough, then nothing you could ever do could ever make it good enough, but likewise nothing that could ever happen could ever be worse, and if it is worse then that is because you never had it bad in the first place. British culture therefore seems like a contradiction of things, but in reality our history proves by consistently yet cordially complaining, we strive for betterment. That said, our discontented attitude also means we're never subsumed with sorrow should things not go to plan. We just go again and lose better next time, and if we win then oh well it wasn't that hard a thing then was it? Nothing to brag about.
This sort of outlook led to the British stubbornness, but also led to our love for our community and connection to our nation. It led to our stiff upper lip, but also led us to Magna Carta and the idea of freedom and liberty. It led to our isolationism, but also to us conquering practically the whole world and forming the greatest empire in human history. Complete contradictions if you was to look at it from an outside perspective. But in truth it has allowed us to be adaptable and yet simultaneously unyielding. Take the comments for example, both mine and yours but also those of other comments of both your countrymen and Brits. Englishmen will normally always speak in a plurality, using words like "we" and "us" and "our", appealing to the authority of the community and nation. Whereas an American uses words like "I" "me" and "mine" a lot more, appealing to the authority of the individual.
@@ryanhulme3303 Thank you for that very interesting glimpse into the British perspective. You are my favorite country to visit
@@Seegie16 Glad to hear it and you're most welcome. My wife is American so I'd say I'm in quite a privileged position to compare. I assure you... she is a master when it comes to the authority of the individual. So I've got a pretty good grasp on it at this point lol.
I'm American and happen to love British comedy. I grew up watching Are You Being Served on PBS and learned to love the dry humor. Also really enjoy Richard Ayoade.
Absolutely love you for including Harry Enfield's american's sketch in there. One of my favourite characters of his.
I think there's some truth to the idea that American comedy is more optimistic, but I think a lot of it can actually be pretty cynical and pessimistic too, especially in animated shows like Futurama or Family Guy
Honestly, after watching this, I realize that the British ancestry on my mother’s side definitely shines through more than any other. You were literally describing my mother and grandmother with all the British traits. 😂
Very interesting, though. I do think this was spot on. I could easily see myself living in the UK. But for now, the US is home. I will pop in for a visit someday, but until then, I shall admire you and your culture from afar.
this couldnt a more american sentence...
americans when their entire heritage is from new jersey, but their great grandmother visited the uk once
Really liked this piece. Being half both took the words out my mouth what lve been saying for years and now you beat me to it ! 👏👌👍well said sir....
Great video, but it the theory falls apart when you go to New England, the aptly named 6 states in the north eastern U.S. where I'm from. When I moved to north Carolina for a year it was like a different country. Everyone was so friendly and wanted to talk. Meanwhile, in central Massachusetts, if it weren't for the First Amendment, small talk with strangers in a public setting would be a non criminal fine. I'm happy to be back home. Bonus points we also have no idea how to pronounce the letter R if it is anywhere besides the first letter of a word.
My best friend here in Ohio came over from England 20 years ago for a girl. They got married after a year, and she's treated him like absolute garbage since. He always just rolled with it. We'd talk about what was going on at home and I could not believe how such a talented and smart dude could stick with a broad like that for so long. This video tied all that together. He finally has filed for divorce though.
I love your contents, you are a very good CZcamsr.
Thank you!
I just discovered this channel, loving it!
Nice vid, never would have thought of this
Keep Calm, carry on-Brit
Nothing to worry about, you can do it-Yank
Fantastic video! Your video reminds me of a lot of the topics covered in Will Storr's book: Selfie, which talks a lot about the american individualist view and how this compares to other cultures like the british.
Something I think encapsulates the differences beautifully between british and american cultures has to be differences in the british and american versions of the Office 👌... i enjoy both :)
Really enjoiyed this vid and one of the best edited ive seen from a YT creator. The class divide we have here in britain that is still prevalent in our modern day society and the fiercely capitalist 'american dream' is spot on
loving the vids
I'm British and I really enjoyed that video and I think you did a great job at describing the differences. I like that you included some humour as well. Well done 👏😊
From Bristol, but lived in Los Angeles for 16 years now. Ya pretty much nailed it, tho I have become one of those shit talking Americans. I appreciate that Americans can be happy for your achievements, but Brits will resent you over your holiday photos
Hola from britain
dont forget your spanish lessons
I always love when Brits do an American accent 😂
Dick van Dyke.
6:36 when my uncle goes on holiday he lets everyone know because the wheather always ends up awful. All my concious life this has held true, i relate to this so much.