You can move 5,000 miles from Britain, change your address, learn to drive on the other side of the road and get used to saying “sidewalk” instead of “pavement”…
But some things never leave you.
You will still judge tea by the quality of the brew. You’ll still look for the nearest kettle. You’ll still say “cheers” when an American says “you’re welcome.” And somewhere in your kitchen, there is probably a jar of Marmite.
After living in America for more than 15 years, I’ve realised there are certain very British habits, foods and little comforts that I simply haven’t been able to give up.
Here are 12 signs you’re secretly British — even if you now live in America. 🇬🇧🇺🇸
1. You Think Tea Can Fix Almost Anything ☕
In Britain, tea solves everything:
- Bad day? Have a cup of tea.
- Good news? Have a cup of tea.
- Someone visits? Put the kettle on.
Many Americans drink coffee throughout the day, but for Brits, a proper brew is often non-negotiable.
My favourites:
2. You Own an Electric Kettle
Many American homes don’t own an electric kettle. Most Americans heat water in a microwave or on the stove, which shocks many Brits. An electric kettle is usually one of the first purchases many UK expats make after moving to America.
3. You Still Say “Cheers” for Everything
If you’ve lived in America for long enough, you’ve probably noticed that “cheers” doesn’t always translate easily.
In Britain, cheers can mean thank you, goodbye, or simply “I’m acknowledging what you just said.” And sometimes you say it without even thinking.
Someone holds the door open? Cheers.
The cashier hands you your coffee? Cheers.
A friend sends you the address? Cheers.
You’re leaving the pub? Cheers! 🍻
Then you move to America and realize that saying “cheers” to someone who has just handed you your receipt can earn you a slightly confused smile. 😂
And yes, you’ll probably keep saying it anyway.
It’s one of those little British habits that somehow survives the move across the pond. 🇬🇧🇺🇸
4. Beans on Toast Is a Completely Acceptable Dinner
Mention beans on toast to an American and you’ll probably get a confused look. To Brits, it’s a quick, comforting, inexpensive meal that we’ve been eating for decades. The key difference is that British baked beans are sweeter and have a completely different flavour than American baked beans.
5. You Have Strong Opinions About Marmite
Few foods divide opinion quite like Marmite. Americans are often fascinated by it, while Brits usually know exactly where they stand. Love it or hate it, Marmite is one of those British cupboard staples you suddenly miss when you’re living thousands of miles from home.
🇬🇧 Missing a Little Taste of Home?
If you’ve moved from Britain to America, you don’t have to give up your favourite British comforts.
I’ve put together 100+ British essentials you can buy in the USA, including tea, chocolate, sweets, pantry staples, toiletries and everyday favourites.
🛒 Browse My British Essentials Collection
6. You Take Queueing VERY Seriously
Brits take queueing seriously. Whether it’s waiting for a bus, buying groceries, or boarding a plane, standing in an orderly line is deeply ingrained in British culture. Americans often find British queue etiquette surprisingly strict. Cutting in line? That’s practically a criminal offence in Britain.
7. You Put Vinegar on Your Chips
Americans generally use ketchup. Brits use salt and vinegar. A proper portion of fish and chips simply isn’t complete without it. This is one of those small food differences that surprises Americans every time.
8. You Say Things Americans Have Never Heard Of
One of the funniest parts of living in America is realizing how many British expressions you’ve used your entire life that Americans have never heard before. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to explain words like “dodgy,” “mate,” “brolly,” “jumper,” or “gobsmacked.” After a while, you start speaking a strange mix of British and American English just so everyone understands what you’re talking about!
🇬🇧 British Words That Confuse Americans
| British | American |
|---|---|
| Knackered | Exhausted |
| Cuppa | Cup of tea |
| Loo | Bathroom |
| Jumper | Sweater |
| Brolly | Umbrella |
| Faffing | Wasting time |
| Skint | Broke |
| Dodgy | Suspicious/questionable |
| Cheers | Thanks |
| Brilliant | Great |
And yes, I still use most of these without thinking about it. 😂
9. You Miss British Chocolate & Sweets More Than You’d Like to Admit 🍫🍬
There’s something about British chocolate and sweets that just hits differently when you’re living in America.
Cadbury Dairy Milk. Galaxy. Maltesers. Flakes. Percy Pigs. Wine Gums. Fruit Pastilles. The list goes on.
You might discover plenty of American treats you love, but every now and then you find yourself thinking:
I just want a proper Cadbury bar.
And suddenly you’re searching Amazon for British chocolate at 10pm. 😂
It’s not just the chocolate, either. British sweets are part of the nostalgia — the kind you remember buying from the corner shop, sharing with friends, or finding in your Christmas stocking.
Luckily, you don’t have to wait for your next trip back to Britain. 🇬🇧
👉 I’ve put together a list of 100+ British essentials you can buy in the USA, including many of those hard-to-find favourites.
10. You Know “Squash” Isn’t a Vegetable
Ask an American for squash and you’ll likely get a vegetable. Ask a Brit and you’ll get a concentrated fruit drink. Brands like Robinsons remain a staple in British households and can be surprisingly difficult to find in America.
11. Sunday Roast Is Still Sacred
For many British families, Sunday means:
- Roast potatoes
- Yorkshire puddings
- Gravy
- Roast meat
While Americans have Thanksgiving, Brits enjoy a mini version every week. A proper Sunday roast is one of the traditions many expats miss most.
👉 Traditional British Roast Condiments
12. 🇬🇧 You Think a Full English Is a Completely Normal Breakfast
To a Brit, a full English breakfast is breakfast. To an American, it can look like an entire day’s worth of food served on one plate. 😂
Bacon, sausages, eggs, baked beans, mushrooms, tomatoes and toast — and yes, sometimes black pudding too.
It’s not something most of us eat every morning, but there’s something wonderfully comforting about a proper cooked breakfast, especially when you’re missing home.
And if you’ve ever tried explaining why beans belong on a breakfast plate to an American, you’ll know that this is another one of those British food traditions that can raise a few eyebrows! 🇬🇧
The British Essentials I Reorder Every Year
After more than a decade living in America, these are the products I continue to buy again and again:
Tea
• Yorkshire Tea
• PG Tips
Pantry Staples
• Heinz Baked Beans
• Marmite
• British Biscuits
Sweet Treats
• Cadbury Dairy Milk
• Maltesers
• Fruit Pastilles
• Cadbury Hot Chocolate
Home Comforts
• Hot Water Bottle
• Electric Kettle
If you’re missing a little piece of home, these are the items I recommend starting with.
Final Thoughts
Are You Secretly British?
If you nodded along to more than five of these, I’m afraid there’s no cure. 😂🇬🇧
You can live in America for 5 years, 15 years or your entire life…
You’ll still want:
a proper cup of tea, British chocolate, a decent queue and someone who understands what “I’m absolutely knackered” means.
What British thing do you miss most since moving to America? Tell me in the comments!
🇬🇧 Still Missing Home?
Related Guides
- UK Beauty Products You Can Buy on Amazon USA
- Moving Checklist
- Amazon Home Setup for New US Apartments
- Moving to the USA from the UK: The Ultimate 2026 Checklist
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