12 Big Differences Between Growing Up In The US And Growing Up In The UK That Are Actually Pretty Interesting

No, Americans don't throw slushies at each other in the school hallway.

1. In the US, you have to wait until you turn 21 to (legally) drink...

The CW

Does that stop anyone from grabbing booze from their parents' liquor cabinet, though? Probably not, TBH.

While in the UK, you can head to the bars for a vodka and coke from 18.

Synergee / The Good Brigade / Getty Images

You can even drink beer, wine, or cider from 16 upward if you are eating a table meal in a licensed place with an adult!

2. In the US, you can get your driver's license at just 16...

Paramount

And you can usually get a permit at 15!

But in the UK, you have to keep taking the bus until age 17.

FOX

3. And while we're talking about buses, the yellow school buses in the US are simply iconic...

Caroline Purser / Getty Images

While the UK versions may not be so glam, it's a universal truth that the best seats are at the back.

@fallontonight

4. In the US, high school football is a big deal...

The CW

But in the UK, you'd be lucky to get a few supporters wandering along to watch your match.

@foxhomeent

Also, football in the UK is what Americans call soccer!

5. Got a class party? Root beer floats (and root beer in general) are NOT a thing in the UK...

Bhofack2 / Getty Images/ iStockphoto

But the prevalence of baked beans in your childhood depends on whether you grew up stateside or not.

Andrew Olney / Getty Images

6. Most schools in the UK have a strict uniform policy...

@20thcenturystudios / Giphy

Whereas in the US, unless you go to a private school, you probably don't have to worry about uniforms.

@arianagrande / GIPHY

Dress codes are still a pain, though!

7. In the US, your high school graduation is a BIG deal — valedictorian speeches, cap and gowns, throwing diplomas.

Summit Entertainment

But in the UK, your graduation is basically just turning up to get your exam results. 🙁

Dglimages / Getty Images/iStockphoto

This is about as exciting as it gets.

8. In the US, it's not uncommon to have student "hall monitors" patrol the hallway in between classes.

Nickelodeon

But in the UK? Nope, that just sounds weird!

Marvel

9. In the US, you basically spend all of high school getting excited for prom.

FOX

Fancy dresses! Royalty! Limo reservations!

While there are some proms in the UK, they're still not the big, fancy parties they are in the US.

Channel 4

They're just as fun though, TBH.

10. Pretty much every school has a mascot like a wolf or a bear or a tiger in the US. A student usually dresses up as the animal for pep rallies and games!

@stricthu / giphy

Meanwhile, the closest you'll get to a school mascot in the UK is a goldfish or two.

@bbc / GIPHY

11. Pep rallies are a real thing in the US and they're a BIG deal. You'd better practice your school chant and get ready to sit in a smelly gym for an hour — yay, school spirit!

@viceprinciples / giphy

But assemblies in the UK are a much more low-key affair.

Channel 4

Honestly, you're lucky if you get a song. 

12. In the US, your final results are all about your GPA...

Warner Bros. Pictures

But in the UK, your A Levels are individually graded from A* to E.

Warner Bros. Pictures

Did any of these surprise you? Anything we missed? Let us know in the comments!