British English Vs American English

Since I stay near the Misawa base, it is natural that I mingle with American friends as we attend Japanese classes together. Sometimes as we talk, my English will crack them up since the words I use is not the words they would use. My good friend, Kristi (also an American) which I used to hang out frequently before she moved back to the States, never pointed out so I never realised until quite recently.

Singapore used to be colonise by the British hence our education system (Cambridge GCE O Level, A Level), English and law etc are modelled after them. Even though we watch drama from the States, never thought that it would be so different until my friends pointed out.

Scene 1: Went to スシロー (conveyor belt sushi chain) and I was exclaiming that I hope there's no queue at all (it was new in town so usually the waiting time can be long). A (American friend): queue? What do you mean?... Oh you meant line? We do not use the word "Queue" unless we are in a theme park or something.

Scene 2: In Japanese class and A was passing around the cookies (rectangular chocolate shaped)  she brought. Did not recall the exact conversation but I said Biscuits! A: you said it again! British English.... Me: what? Biscuits? That's British? A: Yeah, we called it cookies. We only call biscuit for crackers we eat in the morning.

Scene 3: Driving passed a spectacles shop in Japan. A: What is that shop over there? I can't read the Katakana. Me: should be a spectacles shop. A: ?? Spectacles?  Me: You know, the shop that sell sunglasses, contact lenses etc.. A: Oh! Glasses shop! (The rest of American friends were laughing in the car). Spectacles is an outdated word in the states, we do not use the word at all. 

Scene 4: Facebook conversation I had with my other friend. He also corrected my British English lol...

Was reading through online the words that differ from British style and America style. Realised most of the words I would use all from British. I was not offended when my American friends pointed it out but it was quite funny and we all had a good laugh. Now I know why sometimes they do not understand me, I thought it was my pronunciation, accent or my bad English?!.