I’m an American living in the UK – here are five things about your home that I find really strange
An American woman living in the UK has revealed a list of typical features and appliances in British homes which has left her ‘confused.’
Helene Sula, also known as @heleneinbetween on TikTok, listed five elements of houses in the UK, such as structure and plumbing, that have left her amazed as an American native.
The travel blogger has lived in the UK since October 2023 and regularly uploads content focusing on the ‘cultural’ differences between Americans and Brits, such as in the food we eat and how public transport works.
Soon after moving to Oxford, Helene, originally from Dallas, Texas, began to notice stark differences in how British houses are built compared to those in the United States.
She revealed the difference in a video on her TikTok, along with the caption: “Makes sense our British house constantly confuses me.”
An American woman living in the UK has revealed a list of typical features and appliances in British homes that have left her ‘confused’ – such as the ‘double tap’ in British bathrooms
In the footage, which has received more than 30,000 likes, she added in a layover caption: ‘Things in British houses that are strange to Americans.’
Recording a sink in the bathroom of her new home, Helene went on to point out the first feature of British homes that she finds difficult to get to grips with: the ‘double tap’.
In America it is common to have only one tap that pours both hot and cold water, while in the UK many homes still have two separate taps.
She said: ‘You have to theatrically wave your hands back and forth to get the temperature right.’
Next, she points to the glass panel attached to the side of her tub that supports like a shower door for the attached shower head above.
Helene said: ‘It’s also the shower door, which is essentially there as a joke. Every time we shower, we flood the bathroom.’
She continued: ‘Next you need to turn the plugs on for them to work, so make sure you do that because your electronics aren’t actually broken.’
Highlighting the fourth feature in her UK home that has left her confused, she said: ‘The water pressure is super high – which I remember every time I wash up and soak my shirt.’
Soon after moving to Oxford, Helene, originally from Dallas, Texas, immediately began to notice stark differences in how British houses are built compared to those in the States
Over 3600 comments poured in from both US and UK viewers, with one Brit writing: ‘I wish the houses were separate’
Finally, she pointed out the typical structure of British houses when shooting fairy-tale-style cottages in the British countryside, jokingly adding: ‘Oh, most houses don’t look like that, most of them look like No 4 Privet Drive.
‘And often they share walls – meaning you might just hear your neighbor breathing.’
Over 3600 comments poured in from both US and UK viewers, with one Brit writing: ‘I wish the houses were separate.’
Meanwhile, a number of Americans commented on their thoughts, with one person writing: ‘The contacts on the plug are honestly something we need in North America.’
Another said: “Have lived in the UK for five months now, taps and sockets were a bit of a shock at first.”
Elsewhere, another American woman who moved from the US to England has revealed all the ‘cute little observations’ and quirks she’s noticed about English people.