The Differences Between North America and the United Kingdom

This particular post will be continually updated as we learn more....

There are many differences between the North American and British cultures.

Here are some that we have personally noticed and experienced so far:

1) Wall Electrical Outlets have different prongs and a different shape

     Each electrical Outlet has an individual switch to turn it off and on.

     The UK operates on 240 volts as North America operates on 120.

2) You do not have a separate washer and drier in the UK. In fact many don't have a drier at all, while 

    still others have a washer that doubles as a drier. 

3) The washer is in the kitchen, built into the counter like a dishwasher.

4) Many showers are electrical showers that have buttons to adjust water pressure and a 

    dedicated switch used solely to turn on and off the power to the shower.

5) People in Britain drive on the left side of the road with the steering wheel on the right side of the 

    vehicle. The stick shift still works exactly the same way as a North American vehicle (not 

    backwards) and the clutch, break and gas are located in the same place as well.

6) It is much more the norm to see vehicles with manual transmissions than with automatic 

    transmissions, as vehicles with the latter come at a premium.

7) You will very rarely see trucks (pickup, 1 ton, 1/2 ton etc...) as they are too big to be driven in 

    Britain. Instead you will mostly see small hatchback cars up to mid-sized sudans.

8) Because Great Britain is on an island, there is very limited space, so therefore everything is made 

   smaller to accommodate, ie: roads are narrower, flats are smaller, appliances inside the flats are 

   smaller, and food stuffs that you buy at the store will come smaller and in smaller quantities for 

   space conservation.

9) North America's currency is in dollars while British Currency is in Pounds Sterling (Currently 

    Pound is equal to 1.58 Canadian Dollars. 

10)The UK operates by the Metric System. 

        However, non-metric units, allowed by United Kingdom law for economic, public health, 

        public safety or administrative use from 1 January 2000, are limited to:

       -the mile, yard, foot and inch for road traffic signs, distance and speed measurement,
       -the Imperial pint for the dispensing of draught beer and cider, and for the sale of milk in 

        returnable-containers,

       -the acre for land registration,

       -the troy ounce for transaction in precious metals.

11) The mindset in Britain is much less that the pedestrian has the right of way, and much more that 

      the pedestrian better get out of the way. Regardless of what the law is, if you walk across the road 

      anywhere other than a crosswalk many people will not slow down, in fact, many will speed up.

In Scotland: (Some of these apply to all of the UK but not all of them)

An automobile hood is a Bonnet

An automobile trunk is a Boot

A garbage can or trash can is a bin or a bucket

Garbage is Rubbish

A truck is a Lorry

Little is Wee

Gas is Petrol

A GPS is a SatNav

Soccer is Football

A Cell Phone is a Mobile

Diapers are Nappies

Bathroom is The Toilet

Cardigan or Sweater is a Jumper

Pants are Trousers
Men's underwear are PantsFrench Fries are Chips
Chips are Crisps
Vice Principle is Deputy
Stews are Stovies
Scottish Yeast Bread Roll is a Bap
Medical Clinic is a Surgery

Take-Out is Take-Away
Speed Bumps are Humps
Preschool is Nursery

Elementary School is Primary School

Junior High and High School are considered Secondary School
Counter Top is a Bunker
Sedan (car) is a Saloon
Station Wagon is an Estate Car
Minivan is a People Carrier or MPV (Multiple People Carrier)
A Line Of People is a Cue
Cookie is a Biscuit
Rubber Boots are Wellies or Wellingtons
Rain Coats are Water Proofs
Babysitter is a Child-minder
A Jogger Stroller is a Nipper
A Stroller is a Buggy
Girl's underwear are called Knickers
Sausages are Bangers
Policeman/woman is a Bobby
Parking Lot is a Car Park
A Fortnight is 2 Weeks
A Period (at the end of a Sentence) is called a Full Stop
Vacuum Cleaner is a Hoover
Mom is Mum
A Mail Box is a Pillar Box
North American Currency is in Dollars "$" , UK Currency is in Pounds Sterling "£"
Last Name is Surname
To Figure Out is to Suss Out
A Phone Booth is a Telephone Box
Laundry is Washing
Pedestrian Crossing is Zebra Crossing
Clothes Dryer is a Tumble Dryer
Patio is a Conservatory
Dessert is Pudding
Tea is Early Supper