American Expat in London Reveals Four UK Culture Shocks That 'Feel Illegal'
Kristen Campbell, a 36-year-old American woman who relocated from Florida to London six years ago, has openly discussed the British cultural norms that feel remarkably strange through her "American lens." The cardiac sonographer regularly shares her observations on the contrasts between British and American life with her social media followers, and recently identified four aspects of her adopted home that she says "feel illegal."
Gambling Stores on Every Corner
"Why are there gambling stores on every corner, like there are coffee shops?" mused Kristen. In the United States, gambling has historically been far more restricted, often limited to specific locations such as tribal lands, although regulations have evolved in recent years. Observing how readily available it is in Britain felt unusual and surprising to her American sensibilities.
Crossing the Street Freely
"Number two is just crossing the street whenever you want," she told creatorzine.com. "I've been here for over six years and I still feel unnatural, like I'm doing something wrong almost every time that I cross the street. It's just ingrained in me as an American, I don't know why." In the US, crossing the road outside of designated crossings is known as 'jaywalking,' and offenders can face a fine if caught doing so, whereas in the UK, this practice is generally more accepted.
Drinking Alcohol on Television
"Number three is drinking on TV," Kristen continued. "I know the culture here is strong for the social life of drinking alcohol, but the professionalism and the drinking just so casually on TV for so many things just really surprised me." She noted that while the UK has regulations around advertising alcohol, the casual portrayal on television felt strikingly different from American broadcasting norms.
Nudity on Cable Television
"To follow up with another thing for number four, that has to do with what they broadcast on TV - and that is nudity. There is a show called Naked Attraction and you just need to look it up for yourself if you're curious. How are they getting away with that? I know that it's on past 10pm, but this is on just regular cable." Kristen admitted that the presence of nudity on cable television was surprising, and to some extent still is, even though it is regulated by watershed hours in the UK.
Reaction and Cultural Discussion
Kristen, who initially shared her observations on TikTok, revealed she was "astonished" by the reaction her video received, accumulating 191,000 views and more than 10,000 likes. "It has resonated with a wide audience, particularly those who have experienced working across different countries," she explained. "While some viewers were surprised by the contrasts, the overall reaction has encouraged meaningful discussion about cultural differences."
Among the responses, one UK TikTok user wrote: "Yeah jaywalking isn't a thing here." Another remarked: "We actually have a lot of regulation around advertising alcohol. But yes, we are very relaxed about it compared to other places." A third person commented: "We are a chill nation really." While a fourth simply praised: "Fascinating list."
Kristen proceeded to confess she thought "these things were illegal," and found herself wondering how particular elements of British life appear "when viewed through a typical American lens." Her experiences highlight the nuanced cultural adjustments that expatriates face when moving between countries with different social norms and regulations.
