An American woman living in the UK has identified four aspects of British life that she claims "feel illegal" through an American perspective. Kristen Campbell, originally from Florida, relocated to London six years ago and frequently shares observations about the cultural contrasts between the United States and the United Kingdom with her social media followers.
Gambling Shops on Every Corner
The 36-year-old cardiac sonographer expressed surprise at the prevalence of gambling establishments in British towns and cities. "Why are there gambling stores on every corner, like there are coffee shops?" she pondered. In the US, gambling has historically been far more restricted, often limited to specific locations such as tribal lands, although regulations have evolved in recent years. Seeing how widely accessible it is in the UK felt unfamiliar.
Crossing the Street Freely
Another point of contention is crossing the road. "Number two is just crossing the street whenever you want," Kristen told creatorzine.com. "I've been here for over six years and I still feel unnatural, like I'm doing something wrong almost every time that I cross the street. It's just ingrained in me as an American, I don't know why." In the US, crossing the street outside of marked crosswalks is considered jaywalking, and offenders can be fined.
Alcohol Consumption on Television
Kristen also highlighted the casual depiction of alcohol on British TV. "Number three is drinking on TV. I know the culture here is strong for the social life of drinking alcohol, but the professionalism and the drinking just so casually on TV for so many things just really surprised me." While the UK has regulations around advertising alcohol, it is generally more relaxed compared to other countries.
Nudity on Cable Television
Rounding out her list is the presence of nudity on mainstream television. "To follow up with another thing for number four, that has to do with what they broadcast on TV – and that is nudity. There is a show called Naked Attraction and you just need to look it up for yourself if you're curious. How are they getting away with that? I know that it's on past 10pm, but this is on just regular cable."
Cultural Reflections
Kristen admitted she initially believed "these things were illegal" and reflected on how certain aspects of UK life can feel when viewed through a typical American lens. Her TikTok video on the subject garnered 191,000 views and over 10,000 likes, sparking widespread discussion. "It has resonated with a wide audience, particularly those who have experienced working across different countries," she said. "While some viewers were surprised by the contrasts, the overall reaction has encouraged meaningful discussion about cultural differences."
UK TikTok users responded with amusement and agreement. One commented, "Yeah jaywalking isn't a thing here." Another noted, "We actually have a lot of regulation around advertising alcohol. But yes, we are very relaxed about it compared to other places." A third added, "We are a chill nation really," while a fourth hailed the list as "Fascinating."
