What the US does best What the UK does best
“Just do it!” “It’s just not ‘done.'”
Continual reinvention Loads of history
Self-aggrandizement Modesty
Hedge-fund millions Old money
Mega-churches Empty churches
Innovate Muddle through
Ardent patriotism Quiet appreciation of country
Personal freedom/do as you like Follow the rules
Isolationism Outward-looking
Healthcare for some Healthcare for all
Higher education for the many Higher education for the few
Bootstrap theory Class structure
American Dream Empire
“Overpaid, oversexed, and over here” “No sex please, we’re British.”
Extreme sports Go on walks
Expansive lawns Allotment gardens
Baseball Cricket
Soccer Football
Football Rugger
NASCAR racing Trainspotting
Large urban cities Traditional English villages
Highways Byways
Loose lips, personal “sharing” Stiff upper lip
Over-the-top Understated
Portuguese water dogs Corgis and border collies
Thrillers Cosy mysteries
Slapstick humor Puns
Sit coms, cop shows Costume dramas, nature programs
Chelsea Handler Rowan Atkinson
Country & Western Celtic folk songs
Diners Tea-rooms
Air conditioning Cosy fires
Iced tea Tea
Hot chocolate Ovaltine
Chocolate chip cookies Scottish shortbread
Lighting out for the Territories Staying home by the fire
Cowboys Morris men
Deer hunting Pheasant shooting
Rugged individualism Fitting in
Cowboy on his mustang Shepherd with his border collie
Can you give some more examples of what the US and UK do well? I’d love to hear from you.
The Year of Living Englishly 
What fun! I particularly like your series on US vs UK, and this is the best yet!
Thanks so much! It was so much fun to write!
This is EXCELLENT! I’ve written a post about this and linked to you. It’s due to be released on 1st of November. If you have any objections, just let me know!
Gosh, no, and thanks! I’m looking forward to seeing your post. I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts, and will also try to spread the word. We AmerBrits need to stick together!
Love this list (came here from Yankeebean’s blog). Would also like to link to this post from my blog, and given your reply to Yankeebean’s comment, I’m assuming that will be ok.
Glad to have discovered your blog.
Hi, yes, thanks very much! I’m so glad you liked my UK/US list of what’s better where. I had a blast writing it. And yes, it’s fine for you to add a link to my blog on your blog. I loved your comments about laundry and retail service (though I had a vastly different experience at times in the UK). All best, Virginia
Oh so true. I am British, and read this out to my American husband, asking him to guess the country. Made for a fun game 😉
Thanks, I’m glad it worked for both of you!
What on earth is “Lighting out for the Territories?” This American has never heard that term in her life!
Hi, Kathleen, I was an English major, so maybe it was a little obscure.
The quote is from Huckleberry Finn, which ends with Huck saying, “But I reckon I got to light out for the territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I can’t stand it. I been there before.. .”
Yahoo answers says, “To ‘light out’ is to leave, to split, to head for the hills. The ‘Territory’ is the unsettled frontier region beyond the confines of the orderly, civilized world. So someone who lights out for the territory is leaving steadiness and security behind to go in search of freedom, adventure, and new opportunities.” If that doesn’t explain the American psyche, I don’t know what does! Thanks for writing.
USA – Drag racing in a straight line, stock cars, and Indianapolis Raceway in a circle. versus UK – Brands Hatch, Donnington Castle Raceway and The British Grand Prix in sophisticated spaghetti patterns.
Thank you Virginia for that lovely panorama photo.
Ron, thanks for the addition to the list! Something I would never have known. The panorama is of my parents’ village in Derbyshire where my family–aunts, uncles, and cousins–still live. All of my posts in the section “Crich and the farms” are based here. Thanks for writing. Virginia
Love this! I’ve added this to my Facebook page to share with my blog readers!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Desperate-English-Housewife-in-Washington/479363048777462
http://ukdesperatehousewifeusa.com/
Thanks! I really appreciating your sharing–I can already see the impact on the stats!
😉
I love the format of this post, you’ve summarised the two nations differences well! I’ve just written a similar post about the differences between the UK and the USA and it’s amazing just how many there are!
Hi, thanks for your comment! I’ll go over to your site and take a look. Thanks again!
I’m English and my wife is American. A comparison I feel you missed is….
US – Soda
UK – Squash
My wife LOVES soda. I think they’re breastfed it.
With ice, obviously.
Great addition. Thanks!