American woman living in Britain is left baffled by fruit machines, air conditioning, how shopping at Waitrose is a ‘status symbol’ and the various meanings of ‘tea’

An American who lives in the UK pointed out some cultural differences between the UK and the US, including the various meanings behind the use of the word ‘tea’.

Andrea Celeste, originally from Los Angeles, California, USA, has lived in London for eight years and discovered some interesting transatlantic differences in lifestyles, language and laws.

The social media star – who has 185,000 followers on TikTok and more than 26 million likes on her videos – posted a clip on June 1 as part of his series “Socially Acceptable Things in England That Might Confuse Americans.”

Andrea, also known as @anndreacelleste on the site, helpfully pointed out to her fellow Americans the many different British uses of the word ‘tea’, as well as the problems Britons face in the summer without air conditioning.

The video – which amassed 32,000 likes and 251 comments – drew a varied response from Brits and Scots who follow his precise observations, even sparking a familiar debate between using ‘tea’ versus ‘dinner “.

In the clip, Andrea explains, “The word ‘tea’ in England doesn’t just mean a cup of tea – it can mean dinner or a snack in some parts of England.

“And then you have things like afternoon tea, cream tea or tea breaks at work, all of which include tea, but it’s like different settings.”

The influencer then broaches the subject of the British summer, accompanied by the lack of air conditioning.

She said: ‘It’s quite common for places in England to not have built-in air conditioning.

“So when summer is coming, people usually buy portable air conditioners or a fan.

“But ceiling fans aren’t that common in England either, so when it comes to summer, the heat is different here.”

Andrea then moves on to talk about the slot machines freely available in UK pubs, while gambling is restricted to casinos in the US except for a few states.

She explained: “Pubs in England also sometimes have what are called slot machines, which are basically slot machines.

“In the United States, I think Nevada is the only state that does not have significant restrictions against slot machines. Then there are a few other states like Pennsylvania that have them in bars, restaurants, convenience stores…’

Andrea says ‘tea’ in the UK ‘doesn’t just mean a cup of tea – it can mean dinner or a snack, afternoon tea, cream tea or tea breaks at work’ – sparking a huge debate in the comments

She finally evokes the open debate around the “hierarchy” of supermarket chains in the two countries, referring to the general quality and price of their items.

Andrea said: “I get this one in my comments section every time I post one, but the grocery store hierarchy in England.

“It’s like a status symbol if you shop at Waitrose, for example. But I think it’s somewhat true for the United States as well.

She added: ‘It might just be in California because we have things like Bristol Farms and now Erewhon but there’s always been a running joke about Walmart and everything so I’m just curious if d Other states know the hierarchy of grocery stores. ‘

Andrea’s explanations in the video sparked a variation in response from TikTok users, with many split over the use of ‘tea’ for ‘dinner’, while others agreed that a supermarket hierarchy really exists in the UK.

Andrea’s explanation in the video sparked a variation in response from TikTok users, with many split over the use of ‘tea’ for ‘dinner’

Referring to another unmentioned use of the word “tea,” one user wrote, “Tea too. Used to be after a Sunday roast. Then in the evening it would be very similar to afternoon tea, but not quite as fancy.

Others debated the word, with one person saying: ‘My pet peeve is when people call it tea, no it’s dinner!’

Another agreed, writing: ‘Woah woah woah I have to say as a Brit it’s breakfast lunch and dinner NOT tea.’

One person suggested the difference between using ‘tea’ and ‘dinner’, saying, ‘Calling tea ‘dinner’ is a north-south divide, I think. I grew up up north so say tea.

Other users discussed other colloquialisms for slots, with one writing: “We call slots ‘puggys’ in Scotland.”

Other users – particularly Scots – have discussed other colloquialisms for slot machines, while others have confirmed that a supermarket hierarchy does exist in the UK.

Another agreed, saying: ‘Slot machines are called ‘puggies’ in Scotland. No idea why.

Meanwhile, people have flocked to confirm the general hierarchy of supermarket chains in the UK.

One person said: ‘Supermarket hierarchy from fanciest to least: Waitrose, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl.

Another suggested: “M&S, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, ASDA, Tesco, Lidl, Morrisons, Iceland”.

In Andrea’s first clip from her TikTok series, she explains how UK cashiers and retailers “don’t usually strike up conversations with people” to the extent that they do in America, and that the idea of ​​sausage black “panicks” his American friends.