25 Things I Never Thought I’d Miss Until I Moved to America 🇬🇧

When I first moved from the UK to the United States, I expected to notice the big differences—driving on the other side of the road, huge supermarkets, and yellow school buses.

What surprised me were the little things.

The everyday habits I’d never even thought about suddenly stood out because nobody around me did them. Some made me laugh, some made me homesick, and some sent me searching Amazon for a taste of home.

If you’re a Brit living in America—or planning the move—you’ll probably recognise more than a few of these.

🇬🇧 1. Tea Really Is Part of Our Personality ☕

I always knew I liked tea, but I didn’t realise quite how often I said: “I’ll just put the kettle on.” Tea isn’t just a drink in Britain—it’s the answer to almost everything.

Good news: you don’t have to settle for American tea bags.

👉 Shop my favourite British teas including Yorkshire Tea, PG Tips and Tetley in my 100+ British Essentials

🍫 2. Chocolate Really Does taste Different

I honestly thought people exaggerated this. Then I tried American chocolate. Let’s just say… I immediately understood why so many Brits fill half their suitcase with Cadbury when they visit home. Now I keep Dairy Milk, Galaxy and Maltesers permanently stocked.

🚶 3. We Walk Everywhere

In the UK I’d happily walk twenty minutes to the shops. In America I’ve had people ask: “You’re walking there?” Depending on where you live, driving often becomes part of everyday life.

🇬🇧 4. Saying “Sorry” Constantly

Apparently we apologise… even when somebody walks into us. I never noticed until Americans started laughing every time I said “Sorry!”

☔ 5. Talking About the Weather

British conversations often begin with the weather. Americans notice this immediately. Honestly… we’re just making conversation.

🍽️ 6. Sunday Roasts Are a Big Deal

Roast potatoes. Yorkshire puddings. Proper gravy. Nothing beats a Sunday roast when you’re feeling homesick. Thankfully many British ingredients are surprisingly easy to find online now.

👉 Shop my British Sunday Roast collection here.

🍞 7. Bread Isn’t Quite the Same

One of the first things many Brits notice. American bread is often sweeter than what we’re used to. Eventually you find alternatives—but it definitely takes some getting used to.

🚿 8. Separate Hot and Cold Taps

Something I never appreciated until they disappeared. Americans think we’re completely mad.

🥣 9. Baked Beans on Toast

Apparently this isn’t considered a normal dinner in America. They’re wrong.

👉 Get proper British Baked Beans here.

🚗 10. Driving Everywhere

One thing that surprised me most was how much time Americans spend in their cars. School. Football. Groceries. Coffee. Everything involves driving.

🇬🇧 11. Queueing Properly

Brits queue instinctively. Americans… sometimes not so much.

🛍️ 12. I Never Thought I’d Miss Marks & Spencer

Before moving to America, I completely took Marks & Spencer for granted.

Whether it was picking up Percy Pigs, Colin the Caterpillar treats, a packet of biscuits, fresh sandwiches, or simply wandering through the food hall, M&S was just part of everyday life. I never imagined I’d actually miss a supermarket.

Now, every trip back to the UK includes at least one visit to Marks & Spencer, and I always come home wishing I could bring half the food hall back with me.

The good news is that while nothing quite replaces a browse around M&S, many of my favourite British treats and pantry staples are available here in the USA.

👉 Shop my 100+ British Essentials collection to find many of the UK favourites I regularly reorder.

🧴 13. Boots

Who knew I’d miss Boots? Not just the pharmacy—the No7 skincare, Soap & Glory, and all those familiar products.

👉 Shop my favourite British beauty products and toiletries here.

🎄 14. Christmas Crackers

Trying to explain Christmas crackers to Americans is always entertaining.

🧣 15. Hot Water Bottles

Americans often use heating blankets. Brits reach for the trusty hot water bottle.

👉 Shop my favourite hot water bottles here and here.

🍪 16. Digestives Aren’t Just Biscuits

They’re the perfect tea companion. Enough said.

👉 Get my favourite McVitie’s Digestives here.

🍬 17. Squash

Trying to explain Ribena or Robinsons squash is surprisingly difficult.

🍟 18. Chips vs Fries

This conversation never ends.

🛍️ 19. Carrier Bags

Plastic bags. Carrier bags. Reusable bags. Language matters.

🥔 20. Crisps

Walkers. Monster Munch. Quavers. American chips just aren’t quite the same.

🍮 21. Custard

Americans hear “custard” and imagine something completely different.

👉 Get proper British Custard here.

🧂 22. Brown Sauce

HP Sauce deserves its own section.

👉 Get proper British HP Sauce here.

☕ 23. Putting the Kettle On Solves Everything

Bad day? Tea. Visitors? Tea. Celebration? Tea. Homesick? Definitely tea.

👉 Shop my favourite British electric kettles here.

🇬🇧 24. British Humour

Sarcasm doesn’t always translate. I’ve definitely had to explain that I was joking more than once!

❤️ 25. You Never Stop Being British

Moving to America changes many things, but it doesn’t change who you are. Years later, I still get excited when I find Yorkshire Tea on sale, still say “Cheers” without thinking, and still believe a proper cup of tea fixes almost everything.

🛒 Missing a Taste of Home?

One of the first things I did after moving was start searching for the British products I missed most. Over the years, I’ve built a collection of 100+ British favourites that I regularly buy here in the USA—including:

👉 Shop My 100+ British Essentials on Amazon

Final Thoughts

Moving to America has been one of the best adventures of my life, but it also made me realise just how many little British habits I’d always taken for granted.

The funny thing is, it’s often the smallest things—a proper cup of tea, your favourite chocolate bar, or a Sunday roast—that make a new place feel like home.

If I missed one of your favourites, let me know in the comments. I’m always looking for more wonderfully British things to add to my growing list.

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