"We love American inventions and seeing how US-made trends and creations end up influencing our neighbours in the UK and beyond. Take a look at our blog for more about the latest trends crossing the pond."
Vaping is a trend that has taken off in many countries in just a few short years. Since e-cigarettes were first developed only just over a decade back, the smoking substitute has been taken up by a whole new crowd. Many vapers are not even interested in tobacco cigarettes, but enjoy using mods – large devices for vaporising more advanced e-liquids. Many American brands offer some of the finest e-liquids available to vapers, and one of those is Element, a company enjoying success in both the US and the UK. After originally starting in the States, you can now buy Element e-liquids from many outlets in the UK and throughout Europe.
Element has a strong brand identity, and they’re vocal about how proud they are to be American. Not only are their e-liquids created in the USA, they also use American ingredients to produce them, including the top quality nicotine they source from within the country. When it comes to e-liquids, the most serious enthusiasts are very interested in the quality of the ingredients used, so this focus does a lot for Element’s image. Continue Reading →
The United States is a melting pot of cultures, which means that there is no one “American food.” Instead, American cuisine is a mix of all the different types of food from around the world. This makes it difficult to choose a favourite American dish, because there are so many possibilities. However, one thing that all Americans can agree on is their love of food.
In fact, the United States is home to some of the best restaurants in the world. Whether you’re in a small town or a big city, you can find some of the best food in the world.
But even with all this choice, there are some foods that are quintessentially American. Hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, and Chinese food are all popular American dishes. There are also many lesser-known American dishes that are worth trying.
One example is sweet potato casserole, a dish that is typically made with sweet potatoes, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon – topped with marshmallows. It is often served as a dish at Thanksgiving, but can be enjoyed any time of year. Although this might sound like a modern dish, the original recipe actually dates back to 1917!
Another classic American dish is Frito pie. Popular in Midwestern, South-Eastern, and South-Western United States, this dish usually consists of Fritos (corn chips), chili, and cheese. It can be made in a variety of ways, using additional ingredients such as salsa, sour cream, and rice, and is perfect for those who love spicy food.
Corn dogs are another popular American dish that are worth trying. They are made with hot dogs wrapped in cornbread batter and then deep-fried. They are often served with mustard and ketchup on the side.
One of the more unusual combinations that combines sweet and savoury elements is chicken and waffles. Hailing from Pennsylvania Dutch country, the modern version of this recipe tops plain waffles with fried chicken and condiments such as butter and maple syrup.
Biscuits and gravy is another popular combination, especially in the South of England. Similar to a British savoury scone, the ‘biscuit’ is topped with a meat gravy made with the juices from cooked sausages and pieces of meat such as sausage, bacon, or ground beef.
Each one of these dishes is iconic and quintessentially American, and they all have a unique flavour that you’re sure to enjoy. So if you’re looking for a culinary adventure, be sure to give these dishes a try. You won’t be disappointed!
One of the great things about American cuisine is that there is something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a healthy meal or something indulgent and flavourful, you can find it here.
Many of the world’s leading graphic design trends are derived from observations in the U.S. or U.K. and then filtered through an international lens to adapt to whichever culture they happen to land on. Of course, there are always certain nuances to each city’s graphic design style, resulting from the influence of different cultural backgrounds and the value that various industries place on design.
Graphic Design Trends in the U.K. & U.S.
Brands in motion
GIFs have become increasingly common in the U.S. and U.K. as an alternative to static imagery. Unlike static images, they allow the viewer to see a brand in action, creating a more engaging experience for users and portraying a sense of dynamism and personality. GIFs are also perfect for sharing online because they can be easily embedded into social media.
Breaking down (design) borders
The design of public spaces is undergoing a revolution as digital technology allows for new possibilities. The traditional way of designing public spaces is being disrupted by the integration of graphic design with interactive and responsive surfaces that respond to the people and objects around them. Furthermore, designers are now using technology to track users and their movements, allowing cities to communicate with residents in new ways.
Increasing interactivity
With the rise in popularity of wearables, all kinds of product packaging are also becoming increasingly interactive. Visual interfaces that are similar to those used on smartphones have become a standard way to introduce people to the functions of a product. They also make it easier for graphic designers to display product information.
Back in the 1990s
The 1990s are on their way back. Graphic designers are embracing the grungy and heavily stylized aesthetic that was popular in the early days of the internet, which has led to a rise in popularity for typefaces such as Comic Sans and neon colours such as yellow and pink. Another style that is making a comeback is stickers and decals to decorate products.
The new Wild West
Today, the internet is dominated by giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon. Still, despite their dominance and ability to shape the way we shop, they are not monopolizing everything. Innovative start-ups are providing alternatives to the big internet giants.
Conclusion
The U.S. and U.K. are becoming increasingly interconnected as more people move in and out of both countries, inspiring each other’s graphic design trends. The relevant industries in different regions also have their own particular graphic design styles, resulting from their residents’ cultural backgrounds and the importance they place on communication and interfaces that are easy to use.
If you’re from the UK and are curious about moving to live in the US, you may want to know the difference between living in both countries. By understanding the difference between the living culture in the UK and the US, you can decide if moving to the US is something you want to consider.
Food shopping
Food shopping in the USA can be pretty expensive compared to the UK. Part of this reason is that the US doesn’t have as many budget supermarket stores as in the UK. Large budget food stores like Lidl, Aldi or Asda aren’t available in the US. If you like to budget when it comes to food shopping, this is something to consider.
Roads and transport
America has more land, and the roads are much bigger compared to the UK. Although the UK has smaller roads, it offers better public transport compared to the US. If you’re considering living in the US, it’s important to have a driving license to get around as their public transport isn’t the same and isn’t as accessible in the UK.
Health care system
The NHS healthcare system is publicly free and available for all UK citizens, which means if you’re ill and hospitalised, you won’t receive any bills afterwards. The healthcare system in the US isn’t the same as the NHS. If you’re an American citizen, you will have to pay for your medical bills. Most of the time, they are paid through people’s medical insurance.
Price tax
When buying anything in the UK, the prices are what you will have to pay for, and there aren’t any additional taxes to be paid. However, in the US, their price tags on food or clothing aren’t the exact price as you see on the tag. Most of the time, the extra tax is added once you’re at the checkout.
You may be wondering what the differences are between UK and USA housing. Although both countries speak the same language, you’ll be surprised to learn that both countries have entirely different styles of housing. Below is a list of things that are different to British and American homes.
Mailboxes
UK houses usually come with built-in letterboxes through the front doors. In America, mailboxes are built and placed right outside their homes.
House Built
British homes are built with concrete bricks. Houses that are made with concretes are more solid and can last for centuries. This is why many UK houses built years ago are still standing strong to this day. On the other hand, American homes are built with timber frames or cladded wood, which is more ideal for building bigger homes.
Bathrooms
When it comes to bathrooms, American houses are likely to have an ensuite that includes a bath, sink, toilet, and shower. In Britain, en suite bathrooms aren’t very popular. You will find that bathrooms are built either on the ground floor or the top floor.
Closets
Most houses in the UK does not come with a built-in wardrobe. Usually, you would have to buy them when moving to a different home. In American homes, it’s a standard requirement for rooms to have a built-in or walk-in closet.
Types of homes
The majority of houses in the UK are built semi-detached. In the USA, 80% per cent of houses are detached; this is because American land is more extensive than the UK.
Roofing
Most roofs in British houses are either built with slate or clay tiles. You will generally find clay tiles in city houses and slate tiles in country homes. The American homes, on the other hand, are roofed with felt tiles.
The healthcare system in the UK and USA both have similarities where the public pays for their healthcare, but both have a completely different system. To understand the similarities and difference between the systems, it’s essential to know how they work in both countries.
United Kingdom
United Kingdom has its own public healthcare known as the NHS (National Health Service). People from other countries may be under the impression that the UK’s health system is free for all UK citizens, which is true however it’s not entirely the case. The British system does believe that healthcare is a right for everyone. Although the care is publicly available to all UK citizens, it is paid through tax by every British citizen in the UK. So technically it’s not entirely free. If you’re curious about how much tax is paid, it’s normally 9% of the income which is still quite a significant amount. Furthermore, NHS follows many health standard guidelines and procedures when carrying out their practice.
United States
In the USA, the health care system is run privately. US citizens will either need to sign up to pay for a monthly health plan with their chosen private care or pay the overall cost using their own money when it’s needed. Although the monthly plans are reasonably affordable, the plan doesn’t always cover the total cost which means that they may need to pay a portion of the total cost when using the service. Because the system is run privately, each company will have different plans that cover different procedures. With regards to the standards of care, the USA system follows similar health guidelines in the UK.
Overall, it seems that the UK health system has more advantage compared to the US system. For instance, in the UK, the tax payment will cover any care that you need, unlike in the US, some of the services will still require you to pay extra even when you have signed up for a monthly care plan.
In many respects, the British shopping experience is becoming more and more similar to the American one every day. This isn’t just about the high street, but also online where the distinctions between countries are less relevant, and even in the humble British supermarket. However, there are still several key differences between how we tend to go about our shopping in each of these countries. A few of these are as follows…
Language differences
As we have discussed before, many words have completely different meanings in America and the United Kingdom, despite the fact that we supposedly all speak the same language. Many of the differences are small and simple to remember, but when it comes to shopping there are a few crucial differences. A lot of clothing items actually have different colloquial names, from pants to trainers, so international fashion retailers notice this the most.
Mobile shopping
The US was one of the first countries to pass the milestone of more than half of its online traffic being from mobile users, while the UK only reached this point in 2016. A trait that has been observed among American consumers is that they love to browse potential purchases and compare prices on mobile, but after some consideration, the vast majority sit down at a computer to make the actual purchase.
Similar behaviours are emerging slowly in the UK, but only time will tell if we prefer the same approach or are more willing to make snap decisions from our phones. Companies would certainly prefer it that way.
Fast and free
In the UK, although online shopping is quickly catching up with the level of service available in the US, people still don’t have quite the same expectations. One-day delivery in Britain is still seen as a luxury service, but in America it’s usually a minimum, and waiting days or weeks for a package would be unheard of. Brits love to complain about slow service, but when it comes to shopping, Americans can give us a run for our money.
Not only that, but free delivery is also expected in the USA whereas UK customers might not be surprised to pay a few pounds per parcel. The vast majority of American online deliveries are fulfilled by free services, while the same cannot be said in many other places.
Although the legal systems in the UK and the USA originally started out based on the same set of rules, they have diverged over the years and have since become quite different to one another, although there are some interesting parallels.
States and constituent countries
Some rules apply to the entire United Kingdom while other matters may be settled differently depending on the law in the constituent country (England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland). In a similar way, the US government dictates federal law while each of the individual states has varied laws and rules within that.
Legal authority
The two countries are not dissimilar in terms of how past legal cases can be used to set a precedent for a current case. Past judgements are referred to regularly in both court systems in order to make difficult decisions.
For other matters, US courts may refer to Congress, which is made up of the Senate (two representatives per state) and the House of Representatives (a proportionate number of representatives for each state’s population). Congress is comparable to the Houses of Parliament in the UK, where MPs (members of parliament) represent regions all over the country. In each case, new laws are debated and decided by these authorities.
Different court systems
In both countries, there is a distinction between courts that deal with smaller, usually civil cases and more serious criminal cases. In the USA, federal courts can deal with either type, while UK cases are subject to a more complicated system starting from Crown Court, escalating to the Courts of Appeals if needed, and finally a Supreme Court.
There is also a parallel court system for particular types of disputes called a tribunal system, which does not have an American equivalent as such. Cases in the US may alternatively be resolved via arbitration, which is a less formal and less expensive alternative to a traditional court case.
Lawyers and law school
In the UK, lawyers must follow up their law degree with further education, but in the US only the initial qualification and bar exam are necessary to move into any particular field of law. After qualifying, lawyers would often be known as “solicitors” or “barristers” in the UK while the US term is “attorney.” In either case, lawyers are likely to be referred to with respect to their area of expertise.
For two countries that appear to speak the same language on the surface, there are actually a huge number of differences. Some of these are very well known, particularly to British people with a typical working knowledge of American television and film, but others are more obscure.
These differences are also easy to forget once you actually start mingling with people from across the Atlantic and engaging in conversation. Here are a few comparisons you might have forgotten or simply not have heard before.
Pants – This is a common source of amusement to English people who haven’t seen much American TV before. Pants refer to underwear in Britain, but Americans use the term for trousers.
Jumper – Sticking with the clothing theme, jumpers are not a garment in the States, rather someone who’s about to leap off a building. It’s important for Brits to remember the word sweater to avoid confusion.
Trolley – A more obscure term for Americans, trolley would usually refer to an old-fashioned tram. In Britain, of course, it typically refers to what they might call a shopping cart.
Chips – If there’s one essential difference when it comes to food in these two countries, you need to remember that chips are not fries in the USA, but potato crisps.
Biscuit – A close second on this subject is biscuits, because you won’t find chocolate digestives if you’re a British person hunting for biscuits in the US. Instead you’re more likely to come across the strange scone-like things you’ll see on American KFC menus.
Football – If you’re a football fan visiting America, remember not to get too excited when you hear the name of your favourite sport. Unless you enjoy watching the Superbowl, you probably won’t have a clue what’s going on in a game of American football.
Moving to a new city somewhere else in the country is a scary prospect, especially when we jump into a new job at the same time. But what about going to a whole new country, perhaps half way round the world, for a job? What are the kinds of barriers you might expect to face?
Of course there are many benefits to doing this, otherwise nobody would, and in fact a lot of people love to do exactly this. Travelling to a new country is always exciting and provides a lot of opportunities you would otherwise have never had access to. However, we can safely say that for almost anyone this is going to be a learning curve and you might come across some difficulties as a result of the culture you’re used to.
Coming from America to work in the UK, for example, you would most likely notice some crucial differences in the way our cultures compare. For one thing, many people might be taking this path because they are part of a work experience or internship scheme. In the US, this is a relatively common thing to do, while in the UK it isn’t so much. People in a British workplace may have more trouble adjusting to your presence if you’re an intern.
To some extent, you may find that work is a more serious place in the UK and there is a greater focus on concentrating and getting the job done. US employees, by comparison, seem more likely to be chatty and open at work. However, this stereotype is slowly changing as businesses become more global and adaptable, so it really depends on the type of firm and the decisions of individual managers regarding how they want to run their workplace.
A key point of comparison regarding working culture in these two countries is that of work versus life balance. Especially in recent years, UK companies have placed an increasing emphasis on the need to keep employees happy and fulfilled. This includes monitoring the balance they can maintain between the stresses of work and time they can spend relaxing and having fun.
In America it is more common to encounter a classic “workaholic” atmosphere and company structures which reward the most hard-working and competitive staff systematically. There is an argument to be made that in the long run, having to incentivise all productivity and strictly control employees to get the maximum amount of working hours out of them can actually be detrimental to productivity in the long run, so it will be interesting to see how these cultures change in the future.
As we already know, there are a huge number of differences when it comes to the cultures of the United Kingdom and the United States. The festive season is just another topic that differs considerably, despite what you might expect. On the surface there are many similarities, but some of the differences are less subtle than others.
Interestingly, in the UK it’s fairly common to wish people a “Happy Christmas” which has much the same effect as the traditional “Merry Christmas”. In America, this simply doesn’t happen! In fact, it’s not uncommon for British English to offer two different ways of saying exactly the same thing, to the confusion of other English speakers around the world.
Father Christmas might be similarly perplexed, as in the US he would normally be referred to exclusively as Santa Claus, but in the UK we’re happy to switch between the two. His home also has a tendency to change depending on who you ask. Americans simply say Santa lives at the North Pole, while Brits tend to point out that Lapland is where you can actually visit him.
Food typically differs between the two counties, too. Traditionally in America, the turkey we usually eat in Britain is more suited to Thanksgiving. At Christmas a different meat would probably be on the menu, such as beef or ham. For dessert, Americans would swap mince pies, Christmas cake and Christmas pudding for a different winter classic such as pumpkin or apple pie.
When it comes to drinks, many Brits think of snowballs (whether you love them or hate them). The name won’t be recognised in much of the USA, but for whatever reason, egg-based beverages are still associated with Christmas. Egg nog aside, though, you’re not likely to find an American substitute for another British tradition: Christmas crackers. Surprisingly enough, these are exclusively found in the UK for the most part. Horrifyingly, even Boxing Day is absent from the US holiday schedule, and is simply treated as the day after Christmas.
You might be forgiven for wondering where the classic American attitude of doing everything bigger and better has gotten to. It sounds like Brits have a lot more traditions to enjoy over the festive season, doesn’t it?
Of course, we’re forgetting one major area – the decorations! What the US might lack in subtle touches, it more than makes up for with lights, trees, more lights, elaborate shrines dedicated to Santa Claus, and even more lights. You’ll need sunglasses to take a walk through many American neighbourhoods around Christmas. You’ll probably get an even bigger dose of festive spirit by visiting a big city or a shopping mall, since the tradition of gift buying is still even bigger than it is in the UK.
Overall, it’s worth remembering that no two households celebrate Christmas the same way, so it’s no surprise there are plenty of differences between countries an ocean apart from each other. The most important thing is to relax and enjoy the festive season!
As we’ve looked at previously, there are a lot of differences between the UK and the US when it comes to university life. However, one thing that’s looking increasingly similar is the method used to rank universities within each country. The Times Higher Education (THE) review has now been rolled out for American colleges, meaning they can now be subject to the same ranking system as UK universities have been for many years. It’s interesting to see how things vary between countries, and how these are reflected in the average world rankings.
Accommodation is a major example of something that varies between the US and the UK. Sure, you’ll be provided with accommodation (at least to begin with) whether you start university in the UK or the US. They’re overpriced in almost all cases, although in the UK at least you’re much less likely to share a bedroom. Facilities tend to be a lot better overall for American students, including dining options. In both countries, it’s not uncommon to look for your own place to live after your first year is over, which might be tricky depending on where you are, especially in the UK. “Living in the city can be a lot more expensive than private student housing in smaller towns,” says David from Varsity Lets, one of the top student accommodation providers near the University of Loughborough and Leicester University. “This is just one aspect that you’ll be considering if you want to choose between the US and the UK for your studies in future.”
You’ll also be looking at the overall cost, social life, the standard of teaching, and just about everything in between. It can get complicated, which is one major reason why the new THE list for American colleges may really come in handy. Continue Reading →
On opposite sides of the Atlantic, we know that many things are different, some more so than others. When it comes to higher education, plenty of trends and traditions have been swapped between the USA and the UK, and each country has developed their own ideas of what university life should be like.
Let’s start at the beginning – when you first start at university, it’s going to be a major culture shock either way. In the UK, you’re likely to find yourself donning cheap printed uni freshers t-shirts and crawling the local bars and clubs to ease yourself into your new social life, and the initial introductions to your classes may go by in a haze.
In the US, you might experience another meaning of the word, as hazing tends to refer to an endurance test required by older students for new entrants to their fraternity or sorority systems. The social structure of an American university is likely to be more rigid, and the same can be said for induction into school life – you may be expected to participate in a lot of different activities, charity work and more besides as part of your orientation. Continue Reading →
Postcards may seem a little redundant now, since we’re so used to being instantly connected to one another from opposite sides of the world. Maybe that’s why they now have a certain charm, and the novelty of sending someone a message that takes a week to arrive in the mail but lasts a lifetime is actually something people are impressed by all over again.
The origins of the modern day postcard are, as with many of our favourite inventions, somewhat unclear. Various countries saw important milestones in the development of the product that later became a phenomenon. For example, the first postcard is credited to the London-based writer Theodore Hook in 1840, and featured a hand-painted image on one side. The first commercially produced postcards were made in the US eight years later, complete with Hymen Lipman branding but without images. It wasn’t until more than 20 years later that printed picture postcards started being produced in France, Austria, Germany and eventually Great Britain. Continue Reading →
We hear (and write) plenty about all the trends that have originated or been popular in the United States before spreading to the UK and rest of the world. There are lots of American influences in modern European culture, but the same could be said in reverse. The rational plan for companies and brands based in the UK and looking to expand is to target markets like the US, and many have been able to do just that over the years. But what does it really take to crack America?
Historically it has been quite common for British firms to fall into the trap of thinking America is very similar to the UK compared to other countries. Our languages may be (almost) the same, but cultural differences make a huge impact when it comes to marketing goods and services, and in many cases the USA differs vastly compared to other markets within Europe. It takes a clearly defined strategy for UK brands to succeed in America, but by paying attention to the right factors and tools, it can be done. Continue Reading →
Vaping is a trend that has taken off in many countries in just a few short years. Since e-cigarettes were first developed only just over a decade back, the smoking substitute has been taken up by a whole new crowd. Many vapers are not even interested in tobacco cigarettes, but enjoy using mods – large devices for vaporising more advanced e-liquids. Many American brands offer some of the finest e-liquids available to vapers, and one of those is Element, a company enjoying success in both the US and the UK. After originally starting in the States, you can now buy Element e-liquids from many outlets in the UK and throughout Europe.
