I’m British – these are the things that surprised me about the US on my very first visit (including the service that made me realize how little kindness we have in Britain)
After years of America being at the top of my bucket list, I finally got the chance to visit in February – on a four-day, five-day trip to Nashville.
Growing up in Britain on a steady diet of American pop culture, I spent years building up stereotypes and misconceptions about the country.
But my visit, although fleeting, opened my eyes to how different the US really is from Britain.
From warm hospitality and overly generous portion sizes to the tipping culture and lack of public transport – these are the things I found surprising as a Brit.
Everything is huge
Jessica Hamilton’s first visit to the US was a quick trip to Nashville. She explains what surprised her most about America
Size really does matter to Americans.
As soon as I arrived in Nashville I noticed how much bigger things were in the US. From the height of the buildings and the width of the highways to the overly generous portions of food – often practically impossible to eat – everything was larger than life.
Warm hospitality
It wasn’t until I visited America that I realized how little friendliness the British have in restaurants and cafes.
Whether it’s the tipping culture or genuine care, American servers go above and beyond.
Tipping culture
Jessica reveals that she has never come to terms with America’s entrenched tipping culture
Everyone knows about the overt tipping culture in America, but figuring out how to negotiate it without offending anyone is another matter.
When do you tip? When not? How much do you tip? Do you tip before or after tax? The whole thing is a minefield that I have never come to terms with.
You pay more than the price tag
Think you have just the right amount to pay for a souvenir? Think again.
It turns out that US price tags do not include sales tax.
For the uninitiated, this provides a surprise when you have to cough up extra dollars at the cash register.
Public transport
Five minute walk or 30 second drive? The answer is obvious to most Americans.
Like many American cities, Nashville is not entirely walkable. While there are some pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, especially downtown, most people rely on cars to get around.
It made me long for the old-fashioned, unreliable British transport.
While visiting Nashville in the US, Jessica discovered that not all areas were walkable
Advertisements
Maybe it has something to do with British modesty, but I found the ads, or ‘commercials’, in the US to be more blatant and therefore much more entertaining.
I was fortunate enough to witness the extent of America’s brazen commercialism during the Super Bowl, which I watched from a local bar.
The ads, which cost approx $7 million (£5.4m) a pop, starring everyone from Christopher Walken and Kanye West to Jennifer Coolidge and Victoria Beckham, and each played like an Oscar-nominated film.
To my surprise, these 30-second clips attracted more attention than the football.
Sports competitions
From American football, baseball and soccer to basketball and ice hockey, sports are a staple in the US. And, dare I say, more fun.
It wasn’t until I saw an ice hockey game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville that I realized how exciting a sporting event can be. The tension, unpredictability and atmosphere of the arena were like nothing I’ve experienced at British football matches, which usually take place in bitterly cold weather and attract insufferable fans.