Bad British Service

Brits are both suspicious and envious of excellent American service. They're envious because it is so good and seems genuine, and yet they're suspicious because it's tip-based.

Brits don't think someone can be genuinely pleasant to you if they are being tipped to do so. Brits would rather have honest grumpiness than a falsely warm welcome.

As an American, you're accustomed to even the lowliest diner offering to cook your eggs any way you want. Not so in Britain. Your choices are cooked and not cooked. Don't expect any more than that.

Be very careful about complaining because a Brit waiter, who gets a salary, sick pay and holiday leave, is likely to tell you to "Eff off if you don't like it".

British plumbing is stone age, so don't expect adequate water pressure even in expensive hotels. Unless you are paying a fortune for a room, it is likely to be draughty, tiny, creaky, and not quite clean enough. Again, if you complain, you are likely to be called "a miserable sod".