Certain traditions in American culture enchant and baffle foreigners. What Americans consider normal, foreigners find charming and peculiar, from our super-sized portions to our obsession with drive-thru everything.
Tipping Culture
In America, tipping is expected from restaurants to taxis. This custom can puzzle visitors from countries where service fees are included in the bill or tipping is not customary. The practice underscores the American approach to service and compensation.
Super-sized Portions
The size of meal portions in the U.S. can be astonishing to those from countries where servings are more modest. From towering burgers to refillable sodas, the generosity of American portions reflects a culture of abundance.
Baby Showers
Celebrating an unborn baby’s imminent arrival with a party full of gifts is a distinctly American tradition. In many parts of the world, significant celebrations occur after the baby’s birth. This preemptive celebration highlights American optimism.
Patriotic Displays
Flags flying in every corner, national anthems at sports events, and patriotic songs in schools are everyday sights in the U.S. Such overt displays of patriotism are less common in other countries.
Sales Tax Surprises
The price you see isn’t always the price you pay in America, thanks to the sales tax added at the register. This can confuse visitors who are used to all-inclusive pricing. The variability of sales tax by state and city exemplifies the complex American tax system.
Jumbo Drink Sizes
The standard drink size in the U.S. can dwarf what’s typical elsewhere. What Americans consider a medium, others might see as extra-large. This penchant for large drink sizes reflects a culture that often equates bigger with better.
Pharmaceutical Ads
In the U.S., advertisements for prescription drugs are common on television, complete with a list of potential side effects. This practice is banned or highly restricted in most other countries.
Halloween Extravaganza
The elaborate celebration of Halloween, complete with house decorations, costume parades, and trick-or-treating, is uniquely American. While other countries might observe Halloween, the scale and enthusiasm in the U.S. are unmatched.
Work Ethic
Americans are often characterized by a strong work ethic, with less vacation time taken compared to other countries. The emphasis on hard work and productivity can seem strange to cultures that prioritize work-life balance more strongly.
Personal Space
Americans tend to value a larger personal space bubble than in other cultures. Physical contact, even in greetings, is less common outside of close friends and family. This preference highlights the American emphasis on individualism and personal boundaries.
24/7 Shopping
The concept of stores being open 24 hours a day is a convenience that many from other countries find remarkable. This round-the-clock access to consumer goods speaks to the American desire for convenience and immediacy. It reflects a society always in motion.
Ice in Drinks
Americans seem to have an unquenchable love for ice in their beverages, regardless of the weather. In many other parts of the world, drinks are served lukewarm or with minimal ice.
Drive-thru Everything
From banks to fast food, the U.S. loves its drive-thrus. This convenience is not as common in other countries, where walking or public transport is more prevalent. It epitomizes the American emphasis on speed, convenience, and car culture.
Cheerleading
As an organized sport and an integral part of the American school spirit, cheerleading is a concept that many outside the U.S. find intriguing. It embodies the competitive spirit and team loyalty valued in American culture.
Yard Sales
The tradition of selling used belongings from one’s yard or garage is a testament to the American spirit of entrepreneurship and recycling. It’s a community-centric way of finding new homes for old items. This practice highlights the value Americans place on thrift and the shared economy.
Political Ads
The intense barrage of political ads is part of the highly competitive and free market approach to political campaigning in the U.S. It reflects the emphasis on freedom of speech and the significant role of media in American democracy.
Greeting Cards for Everything
Americans have a greeting card for nearly every occasion, no matter how small or specific. This practice underlines the U.S. culture’s emphasis on celebrating milestones and expressing sentiments through written words.
Extravagant Proms
High school proms in the U.S. are often lavish affairs, with elaborate dresses, limousines, and significant expense. While dances and celebrations occur worldwide, the American prom is a unique rite of passage.
Black Friday Shopping
The chaos and consumer frenzy of Black Friday sales are phenomena that many outside the U.S. find both fascinating and intense. This post-Thanksgiving shopping event underscores the American enthusiasm for deals and the consumer culture’s influence on holidays.
Electoral College
The use of an Electoral College to elect the president, rather than a direct popular vote, is a uniquely American system that often confuses those from countries with different democratic processes. This method emphasizes the balance of power among states.
Sprawling Suburbs
The American dream often includes a house in the suburbs, characterized by spacious homes and lawns. This preference for suburban living reflects the value placed on space, privacy, and homeownership.
College Sports Fervor
The intense passion and rivalry surrounding college sports, particularly football and basketball, can seem perplexing to those from countries where professional sports dominate. It reflects the American spirit of competition and the importance of school spirit.
