10 Things Brits Think Americans Have Too Much Of

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When Brits visit the States, they often find themselves surprised by how much more there is of everything. From the vast number of TV channels to the enormous sizes of coffee cups, it’s a lot to take in! Let’s explore some of these differences and see just why they stand out to someone from the UK.

1. Choice in Supermarkets

Walking into an American supermarket can be overwhelming for a Brit. The choices are endless! In the UK, supermarkets tend to be more modest with fewer brands and options. Over in the States, you can find an entire aisle dedicated to just cereal or cookies. This vast selection makes it super hard to choose. Plus, with products in bigger pack sizes, shopping can turn into a real workout, hauling all those big boxes and bags around!

2. Parking Spaces

In America, parking lots are enormous. At shopping malls, stadiums, and even churches, you’ll find a sea of parking spaces. For Brits used to much smaller, often crammed parking areas, this is a shock. The convenience is nice, but it also highlights the car-dependent culture in the U.S., whereas in the UK, things are generally more compact and often accessible via public transport or walking.

3. Fast-Food Chains

The number of fast-food chains in America is something else. You can find multiple outlets even in the smallest towns. From global giants to regional favorites, the variety is massive. In contrast, UK towns might have a handful of these restaurants, and they tend to offer a smaller menu. This abundance reflects America’s fast-paced lifestyle, where quick and easy meals are often the go-to solution for many.

4. Motorways and Highways

The sheer scale of American motorways and highways is something Brits often talk about. These roads connect cities and states across vast distances, designed to accommodate heavy traffic and high speeds. In the UK, roads are narrower and not nearly as long. The wide-open roads in the U.S. are great for road trips, offering beautiful vistas and smooth rides across the country.

5. Shopping Malls

Shopping malls in the U.S. are not just places to shop; they’re entertainment hubs with food courts, cinemas, and sometimes even amusement parks! They’re much larger than most UK shopping centers. These malls can be fun, but their size and the culture of spending entire days there shopping can be a bit much for some Brits who are used to more low-key retail experiences.

6. Housing Developments

New housing developments in America often feature rows upon rows of large houses, each with a sizable yard. In the UK, space is at a premium, so new homes tend to be smaller and closer together. The sprawling nature of American suburbs with their large homes can seem luxurious, but also excessive and less community-oriented to a Brit used to living closer to their neighbors.

7. College Sports Facilities

College sports are a big deal in America, and the facilities reflect this. Universities often have stadiums and arenas that rival professional ones, with top-notch equipment and seating for thousands. In the UK, university sports are more low-key, with much smaller facilities. This difference underlines the cultural emphasis on college sports in the U.S., which can be surprising to visitors from the UK.

8. Homeowners Associations

Homeowners associations (HOAs) are much more common in the U.S. than in the UK. These organizations often have strict rules about what you can and cannot do with your property, aimed at maintaining a uniform appearance and possibly enhancing property values. For Brits, who are used to more freedom in personalizing their homes, this can seem overly controlling.

9. Television Channels

The number of TV channels in America is mind-boggling. From countless variations of news and sports channels to a myriad of special interest and entertainment channels, the options are nearly endless. In the UK, the selection is much more limited, which can make choosing what to watch a bit easier but perhaps less diverse.

10. Coffee Sizes

Last but not least, coffee sizes in America can be astonishingly large. The ‘small’ size in the U.S. could easily pass for a large in many UK cafes. This difference is especially noticeable when you order a large coffee in the U.S. and are handed a cup that feels more like a bucket than a drink. It’s a clear sign of the ‘bigger is better’ mentality that often surprises visitors from the UK.