American resident based in UK speaks out about being labeled "impolite" due to common American behaviors
Headline: A Yank in Yorkshire Exposes Americans' 'Rude' Habits that Brits Find Off-Putting
Hey there! Let's dive into a TikTok sensation, @yorkshireyank, who's got quite the knack for unveiling cultural differences between the US and UK. This American lass living in the land of tea and crumpets has shed light on some typical habits in the US that would make the Queen blush!
She shares her experiences, revealing that house tours for guests, showing off where the cooking, laundry, and relaxation take place, is a common thing in the US. However, this practice would be deemed unacceptably intrusive in the UK.
"It's just weird," she says, "and it would be considered rude here."
Apparently, another habit that leaves Brits puzzled is when waiters and waitresses take your debit card away after dining. Leaving you trembling, unsure of the whereabouts of your card for up to ten minutes, wondering who's seen it, and what's transpired in that timeframe. In England, things are handled a tad differently. The credit card reader is brought right to your table for a safe, transparent transaction.
Moving on, @yorkshireyank also tells us about the table manners debacle. Americans, she says, think they've mastered the art, but it's a whole different story. The lower-key British can distant themselves--ever so slightly--to pick up on rudeness in a subtler, more refined manner.
Americans are also known to be a bit loud, and we can't deny it. Whether it's on a train or in a crowded room, the accent cuts through and, at times, comes off as boisterous. This can feel off-putting to those from the UK, who prefer a softer approach to conversation.
Now, here's an interesting tidbit. The Brits say "thank you" a lot more than Americans. It's in their DNA, you might say. But some Americans lack this daily showing of gratitude, meaning they can appear to be blunt and rude when asking a simple question--like where the darn flour is. Instead, the Brits politely ask, "Please can you tell me where the flour is?"
Of course, the fascinating cultural differences don't end there, and @yorkshireyank is eager to hear about any peculiarities you've noticed between the States and the UK. Who knows, you might just win an invitation to tour someone's Yorkshire abode!
Some netizens chimed in, expressing their curiosity about house tours and sharing their own observations, like the no-no of whistling to get a bartender's attention in England, or the common habit of house tours after a move.
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[1] Cross-cultural encounters reveal contrasting norms and expectations driving perceptions of appropriateness and impoliteness – British Medical Journal[2] Cultural Differences in Politeness Across Borders – The International Journal of Language & Communication
"For social-media connoisseurs, the TikTok user @yorkshireyank can offer unique insights into lifestyle differences between the US and UK, such as house tours and table manners that may be considered rude in the UK but common in the US."
"In the realm of home-and-garden practices, American house tours and the custom of taking debit cards away from diners after meals contrast starkly with the more private, transparent approaches common in the UK."
