According to a TikTok video by @imjoshfromengland2, one of the biggest cultural differences between the UK and America is the use of the words “sir” and “ma’am.” In the UK, people don’t typically use these terms of address, but in America, they are used frequently. This can be confusing for Americans, who may not be sure how to address someone in the UK.
In the video, Josh, who used to live in the US, said that people in America would often refer to one another as ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am.’ Something that wouldn’t really expect over here in Blighty.
He then went on to demonstrate how he would typically address someone in the UK by going into a shop and counting how many times he said the word “mate.” In total, he said the word “mate” eight times, which left Americans baffled as to whether us Brits use the phrase on everyone.
People took to the comment section of the video to share their thoughts, with some saying they found it confusing when Brits used the word “mate” and others saying they thought it was a friendly and endearing term.
One user commented: “The British will call complete strangers ‘love’ or ‘darling’ and I think it’s beautiful.”
Another said: “Why do Brits say bye so many times all the time too”
Ultimately, the way that people address each other in the UK and America is simply a reflection of the different cultures and values of the two countries. There is no right or wrong way to do it, it’s simply a matter of what is considered to be polite and respectful in each particular context.
