18 Questions America Has About Britain, Answered By Brits

    Everything you've ever wanted to know, but were too afraid to ask.

    Robin Edds
    by Robin Edds

    BuzzFeed Staff, UK

    We asked the BuzzFeed Community what they find confusing about British culture, and Brits did their best to answer!

    1. "What are digestive biscuits?! Sounds like something to help Granny’s stubborn bowels or settle your Labrador’s stomach. Pass. ✋"

    Goldstock / Getty Images

    Question via mickis4825408da

    "They were originally marketed as a digestive aid, due to having sodium bicarbonate (an antacid) in them. They don’t any more." – naomiw4bb4547cf

    "Butter two of them and stick them together!" – meganlovegoodp

    "Digestives are beautiful – they are literally the greatest biscuits." – e4ce294f76

    2. "What does 'u wot m8' mean? I feel like they're trying to communicate. But I don't understand it."

    Ljubaphoto / Getty Images

    Question via l4412d61c6

    "It basically means ‘what did you say/do?’ in response to something you perceive to be an insult, e.g. Tom says, 'I fucked your sister last night.' Peter responds with, 'You fucking what, mate?'" – laurad4169b4382

    3. "Why aren’t there electrical outlets in bathrooms?"

    Kim_white / Getty Images

    Question via kalib4582368e4

    "Because water conducts electricity." – paulc437946d1b

    "Because death, that’s why." – sineadd43b285a07

    "Because the power outage is different so there's a higher chance of electrocution. It’s the law that they’re not allowed." – jakem46e6f7aa7

    4. "Why do you call eggplant, zucchini, and cilantro by different names?"

    Vaivirga / Getty Images

    Question by j413888f95

    "Yeah we’re the odd ones.

    Spanish (alberengena), French (aubergine), German (aubergine), Brits (aubergine), US...eggplant.

    German (coriander), French (coriandre), Italian (coriandolo), Brits (coriander), US...cilantro." – bulkan

    5. "Why do you insist on driving on the wrong side of the road?"

    Tomassereda / Getty Images

    Question via Lex7d7

    "It’s not the wrong side, it’s just different to the side Americans drive on." – oliviapersaud

    "It used to be that way pretty much everywhere when you’d mainly travel on horseback – you’d keep the reins in your left hand and greet the other traveller coming towards you with your right hand. You’d usually carry the sword on the left so you could draw it with your right hand. It just never changed." – helialayla

    6. "Why do you guys usually say arse instead of ass?"

    Ah86 / Getty Images

    Question via nfumarola

    "Because we have more clarse." – jacquesporques

    7. "Why don’t you guys use top sheets? What do you do if it’s too warm for a duvet, but too cold to just sleep without covers?"

    Jupiterimages / Getty Images

    Question via llamagirl

    "Top sheets are horrendous – duvets are just the most comfortable option." – snowwhite97

    "Because it’s never too warm..." – lauraf49234c770

    8. "Why are British people so apologetic?"

    Jarin13 / Getty Images

    Question via janisakl

    "We don’t know, sorry." – BlondeDragon

    9. "Do you really like your universal healthcare, or is it a nightmare, full of the death panels that our elected leaders are so afraid of?"

    Michael Regan / Getty Images

    Question via markd44201e6fa

    "The NHS is in general just a bloody great thing. I’m so grateful to have a national health service in Britain!" – stephaniechanelb

    "The NHS saved my mum’s life last summer. For free! It’s bloody brilliant!" – giselen

    10. "Why are slices of bread taller than the toaster slots?"

    Thaneesa / Getty Images

    Question via htomliwydnam

    "Turn the bread sideways." – patsys4c577e97b

    11. "How are you simultaneously polite to a fault, yet with the ability to be shockingly cutting in your observations?"

    Via imgur.com

    Question via avcmurray

    "Ah, the British talent for sarcasm. Our most highly treasured weapon." – giselen

    "Practice." – kazw2

    12. "What is the actual proper way to prepare tea? I have heard a few varieties, but I must know the truth!"

    Jonathan Austin Daniels / Getty Images

    Question via laurak45d2736e2

    "You boil the kettle.

    You put the teabag in the mug.

    You put the hot water in the mug.

    You stare at it for a bit.

    You pour some milk in.

    Then you get a teaspoon and take out the teabag.

    And put some sugar in if you want." – rhiannapadman

    13. "What do you have against air conditioning?"

    Rajurahman85 / Getty Images

    Question from dannysbuzz

    "It’s only warm enough for air conditioning about one week of the year so we don’t bother – buy a fan!" – mombi

    "Instead of summer we have just two seasons: winter, and a little bit less winter." – RooScc

    14. "What is morris dancing?"

    Charlie Crowhurst / Getty Images

    Question via brookeb624.

    “Morris dancing is a form of folk dancing accompanying music. People usually wear uniforms and bells to dance in. The dancing can involve hoops, swords or sticks and changes throughout the country.” – annie6785

    “There’s a famous quote that one should try everything once, except incest and morris dancing.” – rumade

    15. "The most confusing part about living in Britain was seeing girls on a night out in short dresses – no coat or tights – IN THE DEAD OF WINTER. HOW?? *internally screaming*"

    Matthew Lloyd / Getty Images

    Question via jamieo48923d89e

    "We have to pay to use coat rooms in nightclubs, usually about £1–2, so we leave them behind! We get used to it though." – daisyo430acc546

    "It’s a northern thing. Northern girls are hard." – naomiw4bb4547cf

    16. "Does tea actually serve as a meal in some regions?"

    Shirlaine Forrest / Getty Images

    Question via Rorycat

    "In parts of the country (usually the northern bits) tea is the meal you eat in the evening as well as a drink. So you would eat breakfast, dinner, and tea." – giselen

    17. "Why is tipping not really a thing? I tried to tip so many baristas in cafés and they would panic and nearly force me to take the extra change back."

    Leon Neal / AFP / Getty Images

    Question via maddieb48df4b28b

    "Because our staff get paid wages that they can live on and some companies have policies that forbid staff from accepting tips." – emmahardy

    18. "What do people who impersonate a British accent sound like to an actual Brit?"

    Walt Disney Productions

    Question by janisakl

    "Cockney pirates that randomly slip into Queen’s English. Also known as twats." – Alwlac

    "Idiots." – patsys4c577e97b

    "Wankers." – katrinam4dbb1068f

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