Differences Between England And The United States

Fun fact: England has free healthcare

Stereotypes about British people exist for a reason.

People often think we drink gallons of tea, wave British flags in the street, and eat scones while shouting “God save the Queen!”

I’ll be honest and admit there’s some truth to that. I love scones. My mom drinks several cups of tea per day. And whenever there’s an event surrounding the Royal Family, people gather in the streets and wave the flag while munching on cucumber sandwiches.

But here’s the thing: British culture has a lot of nuances and complexities. Sure, we speak the same language as people in the United States. However, the way we go about our daily lives is (often) completely different.

Here are three examples:

1) British People Have Access To Free Healthcare.

I grew up on what many Americans refer to as “Universal Healthcare.”

Here in the United Kingdom, ambulances don’t cost a cent. Every single trip to the Emergency Room is free. It’s also worth mentioning that as a British Citizen, I get access to free (or heavily discounted) healthcare in many countries throughout the European Union and the world.

The healthcare system is a natural part of everyday life for British citizens. And while the waiting times for free (public) healthcare can sometimes be long, there are loads of affordable private options.

For example, I recently had a root canal that cost £500 ($685) in total. It took less than 24 hours to be seen by a local and well-qualified dentist. Meanwhile, the same dental procedure in the United States often costs several thousand dollars for those without insurance as the healthcare system is filled with inefficiencies and bureaucracy.

2) Tipping Isn’t Common In The United Kingdom.

Maybe it’s because all businesses in the United Kingdom have to pay employees a living wage.

“Tipping is not expected in Britain the way it is in some other countries,” according to Visit Britain, the national tourism agency. “Workers don’t officially have to rely on their tips to live, and all staff in the UK must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage. Employers are also banned from topping up wages with tips from customers. Although it’s not necessary to tip, it’s always greatly appreciated.”

At the time of writing, the living wage is £8.91 ($12.23) per hour, according to the British Government. However, the rate is being raised to £9.50 ($13) an hour in April 2022.

Unlike the United States, British workers in the service industry don’t have to rely on tips to make a reasonable income. So, most British people only tip if the service is absolutely brilliant.

3) It’s Easy To Get Around The United Kingdom Without A Car.

Public transportation is plentiful. Trains, buses, and boats can get you pretty much anywhere in the United Kingdom.

High-speed trains can take you from London to Edinburgh in 4.5 hours and typically costs less than £30 ($41). Similarly, buses in London have a price cap of £4.65 ($6.39) per day. Regardless of how much you travel by bus within London, you won’t be charged a penny more.

Meanwhile, in the United States, it’s often difficult to get around if you don’t have a car due to the lack of reliable public transportation. “Over the past 65 years, the United States has spent nearly $10 trillion in public funds on highways and roads, and just a quarter of that on subways, buses and passenger rail,” per The New York Times.

Although there are advantages to owning a car in the United Kingdom, I’m more than happy to rely on public transportation to get from A to B. It’s quick, cheap, and reliable.

What’s not to love about that?

If you’re coming to visit the UK for a few days, weeks, or months, you might be surprised to learn that most temporary visitors are eligible to receive free emergency healthcare.

Enjoy the freedom of using public transportation to quickly get around the country at a very affordable price. Even if you’re staying in London, it’s easy to take a day trip to Oxford, Stonehenge, and many other places. And while you’re certainly welcome to tip people for great service, remember that it’s not mandatory (or expected).

Sure, British and American people speak the same language. However, a lot of cultural and societal differences become obvious once you look past stereotypes and spend time in each country.

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