What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

So with my interview date for a K1 visa pretty soon (January 20th) - I've been thinking alot about the differences in culture between the USA and the UK - for the people who have moved to the States - what was the biggest culture shock/surprise that you got, that you maybe didn't anticipate?

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

I came here feeling (transfer via my job) over-confident that I could handle the move, given the fact that I'd undertaken many work trips as well as vacations to the US.

After a kind of "honeymoon period" that probably lasted 3-4 months I began to feel quite alienated. It wasn't one specific thing, more a realization that absolutely everything was different (even if only a little bit) from "home". I felt quite out of sorts for about 18 months. Then, something kind of clicked. I remember going to the UK on a work trip and noticing that a few things seemed different and strange, and I remember driving back from the airport in Boston and feeling like I was "home".

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

I agree with Tonrob - everything is different, but usually only a little bit. I think it is the superficial similarity of almost everything that makes the universal small differences unsettling - like entering a parallel universe that diverged from the one you are familiar with 240 years ago! ;)

I think the difference that struck me is how quickly it became normal to drive distances that would be considered insane in the UK. The distance to our nearest Walmart is the same as driving from the house where my mother lives in Gloucester all the way to Cheltenham, driving five miles for lunch or thirty miles for dinner has become quite normal - despite the massive difference in the price of petrol, we spend as much on petrol as we did in the UK because we drive 3-4 times as far!

Also, American houses are junk - they need perpetual repairs and maintenance just to keep them working properly and looking good. You will need to either get familiar with household plumbing and electrical work, as well as finish carpentary, painting, and sundry other handyman skills, or expect to be paying an average of a couple of hundred dollars a month on service calls. I enjoy doing DIY projects, and I used to joke that my house wasn't just a home, it's a hobby too. :lol: But after almost fourteen years, and with no end in sight to the relentless stream of tasks, the joke is wearing a bit thin. :(

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

Ah see that's interesting - because over here in the UK whenever I mention to anyone that I'm (hopefully!) moving to the USA in the near future they always comment on the sizes of the houses in comparison to houses in the UK - interesting to hear that they're prone to problems!

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

I think most things are poorer in quality over here: houses, cars, consumer goods, customer service, banks, airlines... I could go on and on.

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

Very interesting. I think it's a case of the grass isn't always greener. Over here, people are head over heels for the United States. And don't get me wrong, I think the USA is a great country with some wonderful things that all Americans should be very proud of, but I'm not blind to the fact that it has flaws - like every other country.

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

For me, it was the drive everywhere mentality. Back in the UK, I'd drive to/from work, but I'd *always* walk everywhere else, be it to Waitrose, Starbucks, gym or just to have a look in the shops.

In the USA's defense though, things are way more spread out, outside of urban areas though :p (in our town for example, its a good 8-10 mins drive to the nearest grocery store).

When I am in Manhattan, I still like to walk all over instead of taking the subway (unless its snowing/raining) - and still get puzzled looks from friends/family.

When I announced to friends/colleagues/family back in the UK that I was moving to the USA, I got a mixed response. 50% were jealous and wanted loads of pics of NYC.etc .etc .etc, the other 50% were shall we say less than enthusiastic.

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

Ha, yeah - I think this will be my wake up call too. I've never owned a car in the United Kingdom because I've never felt it necessary to, I'll have to get my license in the USA though. I'm moving to Pennsylvania which has alot of rural areas, so a 2-3 hour drive is the norm for my fiances family!

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

So much of the typical British food is just not available here unless you go to specific importers and pay 3-4 times more than the UK cost.

Want Marmite on toast? No chance of that. Ploughman's lunch? Can't get the pickle or the right cheese. Mr Kipling's mini pies? Nope. Swiss roll? There's a small chance. Prawn cocktail crisps? Beef? Smokey Bacon? Cheese and onion? None of those.

But try not to moan, there are a million new things to try that are just as unhealthy and weird-sounding even if they don't fill the nostalgia hole.

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

See, I don't think food is something that'll particularly bother me. The only thing that I've found myself craving when I've spent time in the USA food wise was Branston Pickle haha.

I actually prefer American food for the most part (apart from breakfast, can't beat a Full English Breakfast!) so I'm good on the food thing :P

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

I'd say hunt around! Our local Stop'n'shop has about a quarter of an aisle dedicated to Brit products... which is interesting as I'm 90% sure I'm the only Brit in town (but feel the love all the same), and they stock Marmite, Hob Nobs and a few other stuff (Quavers!!!!!). The price isn't significantly more expensive than US products.

On the subject of food. I'm always amazed here by just how much stuff has 'Partially produced with genetic engineering'. Under the ingredients.

^^ Organic it is.

Yeah, its helpful for a whole number of things besides driving (like buying booze, entering bars.etc). I got a discount on my car insurance here because of my UK license (apparently that makes me competent... fools), and also scored some kudos from my examiner during my NY state driving test, and he was a real A-hole.

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

My view isn't that the grass is greener, but it is a different shade of green (even if it is currently under the Pennsylvania snow :) ).

I would agree with Pulaski on there being lots of small differences that add up to a slightly unsettled feeling until you adapt. Generally I don't think we have had any major culture shock, except, possibly, the boys found American high school quite a change, but even that was just a case of accepting that the new system still worked and it just wasn't what they were used to.

Yes more driving, yes a different sense of scale, and that varies from state to state and within the state. A much higher status for anything military - a higher proportion of the general populace seem to do some form of military service. A very strong sense of America being "the best". A belief that it rains all the time in England.

Keep an open mind and you will do fine I am sure.

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

That in college football you only need one foot in bounds when you catch the ball, while in the NFL it is both feet in bounds. Same game why different rules.

In this part of the USA I haven't found a full season Bowls club.

To be serious for a very rare once in a while Tonrob and Pulaski have hit it dead on in their posts.

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

I agree with tonrob and Pulaski. I had been coming out here for years on holiday and loved it. Living here is very different though. Everything is similar, but just different enough for you to notice. The hardest things for me were the first 3 months were I couldn't work whilst I waited for my paperwork to go through. Technically I couldn't drive either, so that was a difficult 3 months. Also the working conditions are very different for most. I went from a 6 figure salary and loads of time off to earning below average with pretty much no time off. It's taken me 3 and a half years to find a decent job, although my area is t exactly awash with decent jobs. That being said, I did settle in quickly, only really get a little homesick when someone comes to visit and it's time for them to leave, and wouldn't change where I live at all.

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

The short term biggest culture shock IMO is catching up on American life that people born here have just accumulated naturally: getting bank account, getting SSN, getting driving licence, sorting health insurance, stocks and retirement stuff etc.

That'll keep you occupied for a while.

Right now I'm happy because after some googling there is a fish and chip takeaway in the city which I'm going to try out.

It's a 30 min drive away!! I had 3 in walking distance in England!

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

I have always been amazed how British food items are so expensive. I don't know why for example a British item can be 3 to 4 times the UK cost but say a Swiss item just twice the cost in Switzerland ( I didn't mention Italy because some Italian products imported in large volumes).

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

I find walking a big difference, such a pleasure not to have to drive every day in many parts of UK, and all the places one can go by bus.

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

Total strangers actually smiled and said "hey how you doing today"?

Empty streets in the burbs. People go everywhere in cars. No one seems to walk

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

Location: California. You do realize this is a cliche about California and has been for 50 years? How could this be a "shock"?

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

Even if you are expecting it, the reality can still be a surprise.

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

The impact of the pervasive driving culture can be unexpected. Mrs P still doesn't understand why I park in one place and then visit multiple shops built around one large carpark, rather than driving around the carpark to park outside each shop. :blink:

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

Definitely dealing with medical insurance

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

My observations are limited to the SE (edit: ta Pulaski for pointing out my error) US and probably don't apply to many areas in the US.


1) Lack of historical stuff, Americans like to knock down their older buildings (which are still very youthful in European terms) and build the latest fad.

2) Casual racism is rife.

3) Considering it's supposed to be a world leader in technology many things are stuck in the 50's, banking and top loading washing machines spring to mind, mobile phone coverage can vary considerably when you leave your home State.

4) The education system is an underfunded mess (in Florida at any rate).

5) The gap between the haves and have-nots is screamingly noticeable. My wife and I bring in what would be considered a healthy amount in the UK, well in excess of the US poverty threshold and yet we only seem to be getting by.

6) Health insurance, WT chuffin' F... The cost of our pitiful coverage, via the county education board, has just increased... by 400 bucks... a month. I still have to stump up 60 bucks if I want to visit a doctor (and again when he sends me off to any number of specialists) and we're not even covered when we go out of State... :eek:

7) And the most surprising of all... over 325 million citizens to choose from, 18 months of presidential candidate selection, which entirely takes over all media coverage, and look who they pick to lead the country for the next four years...


EDIT: On the plus side, my local Publix supermarket has a small ethnic section dedicated to English muck like Jammy dodgers, orange squash, proper builder's teas, Marmite, kippers and other delights :D

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

You forgot to mention that Americans have a very poor understanding of geography. Maybe in Florida you can blame it on the underfunded mess of education. ;)

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

My local Stop and Shop has a British section but I wouldn't exactly call the prices reasonable so I try to avoid it, a tiny jar of Marmite is over $7!

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

I've been here for two years, now and on the whole it has been a very positive move for me and my family.

The one thing I struggle with is the sense of humour.
I just realized that it's been a long time since I've had a very good laugh with someone.
No banter, no dry delivery, no riffing back-and-forth.
I miss it. :(

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

I found Ambrosia Rice Pudding for sale at $5 a can in one in Raleigh, NC. The stuff cost like 40p in the UK.

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

Exactly this.
I'm always torn between just walking as I would have in the UK or trying to fit in and driving 100 yards or less.

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

Part of my annual mandatory training at work includes an afternoon dedicated to: 'Surviving an Active Shooter Event'.

:ohmy:

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

I came here in the fall. I like to walk . They thought I was mad when I took walks lasting around 2-3 hours. I thought I was walking in a city of the dead. When July came I went native. The only creatures out in 40.C heat were stray dogs and mail carriers

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

Ten dollars incl tax for a medium sized bottle of Bovril at the Tudor House in Santa Monica. My wife visibly recoiled when I spooned it out into a cup. "What in God's's name is that"?
"it's a beverage strictly of acquired taste my love"

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

Damn right with "it's a beverage strictly of acquired taste my love" :sick:

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

It is apparently an infallible power, though

AP1581 - The Pope and Bovril!, Victorian Advert (30x40cm Art Print)

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

Why would anyone move the car outside each shop? That's such a waste of time and petrol.

I take 3 hour walks as well. I don't care who thinks I'm mad, I love the peace and quiet.

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

Saying "I'm sorry" all the time. I hate it, especially when it doesn't mean sorry. Personal bugbear is when it means "get out of my way NOW, I do not expect to have to wait at all" .
This was a big culture shock for me coming from France where saying "sorry" at all is like admitting you just killed your favourite pet. on purpose.

On a good note, being complimented by complete strangers - well usually women, on your hair or clothes or smile. The first time it happened to me and my daughters we were all completely gobsmacked.

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

You probably shouldn't move to Canada, then.

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

I think Brits say "Sorry" and "Thank you" a Lot more than the merkins

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

Maybe, but they actually mean "sorry", they're apologising!

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

I say 'sorry', when I can't hear what someone said. Picked it up from my dad. I know it's short for 'sorry, I couldn't hear you', but I'm not actually apologising when I say it because I'm not in the least bit sorry that I didn't hear them.

Re: What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the USA?
 

I agree -- and now I make sure to pass it on by extending a compliment when I see someone whose look I admire. If it makes my day, hopefully it does the same for them!