50 differences between Scotland and the United States

I’m always getting asked what the differences are here in Scotland as compared to the United States. So now that I’ve been living here for some time, I want to give a list of things I’ve observed thus far. Enjoy!

1. You don’t have to tip, but you’re always welcome to do it.
2. “Lemonade” is Sprite. “Cloudy lemonade” is what Americans know as lemonade.
3. Everything is smaller here. Cars, homes, etc.
4. Stores close much earlier than in the States.
5. Steering wheels are on the right-hand side.
6. Refrigerators are smaller, and people generally go to the grocery store every other day or so.
7.  Washing machines are much smaller, and people don’t usually use dryers.
8. Hanging your clothes to dry is normal.
9. Cigarettes are called fags.
10. People roll their own.
11. There are lots of narrow streets and alleyways.
12. Pants are called trousers. Underwear are called pants.
13. The bathroom light switch is either outside the bathroom or is a string hanging from the ceiling.
14. It’s normal to not own a car.
15. Cops walk the cities in pairs. It always seems to be a male and a female.
16. Indian food is amazing here.
17. A chippy is where you go for fast food.
18. Sinks have two faucets. One extremely hot. One extremely cold.
19. The Scottish drink more.
20. You can go out to clubs any night you want. It’s normal.
21. Taxes are included in the price, so you always know how much you’re spending.
22. Walking is typical; many people do not own cars.
23. There’s no AC.
24. You have to ask for your bill. Your server won’t bring it out to you until you ask.
25. Don’t ask for sweet or iced tea. That’s not a thing.
26. French fries are chips.
27. You put vinegar on them.
28. Crisps are American chips.
29. Museums are free.
30. You’re in class a lot less, and you take less classes a semester.
31. If you go to college, you don’t go to university. They’re two different things.
32. No one judges you for drinking excessively. Everyone does, anyway.
33. “Aye” means “Yes.”
34. There’s no Taco Bell. Sorry. UPDATE! There is now!
35. NYE is called Hogmanay.
36. Cookies are called biscuits.
37. Cars don’t stop for pedestrians because they don’t have the right of way.
38. You have to pay for plastic shopping bags, so most people will bring their own.
39. KFC is big here, but it’s not the KFC Southerners know. You won’t find biscuits and gravy anywhere on the menu.
40. Cookies are called biscuits.
41. Cars don’t stop for pedestrians because they don’t have the right of way.
42. Tea, tea, tea.
43. “Wee” means small.
44. Cities and towns are much more compact, making walking convenient.
45. Every city has its own accent.
46. Bars are different from pubs.
47. The word “c*nt” is used a lot. It’s not near as offensive.
48. Swearing is much more common in general.
49. Lakes are called lochs.
50. “Cheers” means “thank you” or even “see you later” But you still say it when toasting drinks as well.

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