Moving to the USA from the UK comes with plenty of exciting changes — but it also makes you realise just how many very British habits and everyday items Americans simply don’t understand.
From electric kettles and squash to hot water bottles and beans on toast, there are certain British essentials that confuse Americans almost immediately. And while some of these things might seem small, many UK expats quickly discover they’re also the comforts they miss most after moving abroad.
Here are some of the most classic British things Americans just don’t seem to understand — plus a few essentials many Brits end up reordering online after moving to the USA.
☕ Electric Kettles Are Non-Negotiable
One of the quickest culture shocks for Brits moving to America is discovering how few people own electric kettles. Many Americans boil water in the microwave or on the stove — something most Brits find slightly horrifying.
For anyone raised on tea, an electric kettle is one of the first kitchen essentials worth buying after moving to the USA.
Popular UK Kitchen Essential: Electric Kettle
🫖 Tea Is a Daily Ritual, Not Just a Drink
Americans often see tea as an occasional wellness drink, while Brits treat it as an everyday necessity. Whether it’s Yorkshire Tea, PG Tips, or Tetley, many UK expats quickly realise American tea simply doesn’t taste the same.
A proper cup of tea becomes one of the easiest ways to feel at home when living abroad.
British Tea Favourites:
🍞 Beans on Toast Is a Completely Normal Meal
Mention beans on toast to an American and you’ll probably get a confused look. But for Brits, Heinz baked beans on buttered toast is peak comfort food — especially after a long day, rainy weather, or when you simply can’t be bothered to cook.
The biggest surprise for many expats? American baked beans taste completely different from UK Heinz beans.
UK Comfort Food Essentials:
🛌 Duvets & Separate Bedding Confuse Americans
Many Americans still use flat sheets and lighter blankets instead of a proper duvet setup. Brits moving to the USA are often surprised by how different American bedding feels — including the completely different mattress sizes.
A cozy duvet, soft bedding, and blackout curtains can instantly make a new apartment feel much more comfortable and familiar.
Cozy Apartment Essentials:
🔥 Hot Water Bottles Are Apparently “Old-Fashioned”
In the UK, hot water bottles are a winter essential. In America? Many people have never even used one before. Whether you’re dealing with cold weather, period cramps, or simply trying to feel cozy at home, hot water bottles remain one of the most underrated British comfort items.
Cozy British Comforts:
🍬 British Sweets Taste Completely Different
Many Brits are shocked by how different American sweets and chocolate taste after moving abroad. From Percy Pigs and Fruit Pastilles to proper Cadbury chocolate, there’s a nostalgic comfort in classic UK treats that’s hard to replace.
Popular British Treats:
🥤 The Concept of “Squash”
No, we aren’t talking about the vegetable or the sport. Explaining fruit concentrate that you dilute with water is a difficult task in the States. While Americans have “Kool-Aid,” it’s just not the same as a glass of Robinsons or Ribena.
UK Squash Favorites:
🛁 Carpeted Bathrooms & Separate Taps Still Confuse Everyone
Some British home habits are genuinely difficult to explain to Americans. Carpeted bathrooms, washing machines in kitchens, separate hot and cold taps, and airing cupboards often become surprisingly entertaining conversation topics after moving abroad. And honestly? Some Brits don’t fully understand them either.
Home Decor Essentials:
🇬🇧 Final Thoughts
Moving to America makes you realise how many small British habits, foods, and comforts are part of everyday life back home. While some things might seem strange to Americans, they’re often exactly the little comforts UK expats miss most after moving abroad.
Whether it’s a proper cup of tea, a hot water bottle, or Heinz beans on toast, having a few familiar British essentials nearby can make settling into life in the USA feel much easier — and much more like home.
Are you a Brit living in the USA? What’s the one thing you’ve had to explain to your American friends?