As cultures collide, so do perceptions of what’s normal and what’s not. American customs often stand out to those from other parts of the world, highlighting a fascinating array of habits and norms that can seem bizarre at first glance. From massive meal portions to the ritual of tipping, these distinctively American behaviors are curious phenomena on the global stage.
Tipping Generously
In America, tipping is not just a courtesy; it’s an integral part of the service industry’s salary structure. Americans often tip everyone from waitstaff and bartenders to hairdressers and taxi drivers, usually around 15-20% of the bill. This practice can seem excessive to visitors from countries where tipping is less common or unexpected.
Wearing Shoes Inside the House
Many Americans keep their shoes on when entering their homes, a habit that puzzles people from many Asian and European countries where shoes are strictly an outdoor accessory. This practice is often seen as unclean by outsiders. In the U.S., however, it’s not uncommon to walk around the house or even climb into bed while still wearing shoes worn outside.
Large Portion Sizes
Restaurants in the U.S. are known for their large portion sizes, often enough for two meals. Visitors from abroad frequently comment on the enormity of a single meal, which can be overwhelming. This abundance is sometimes viewed as contributing to the country’s issues with food waste and obesity.
Advertisements for Prescription Drugs
In the U.S., it’s common to see advertisements for prescription medications on TV, a practice that is illegal in most other countries. These ads often end with a long list of potential side effects, recited rapidly and somewhat incongruous with the upbeat sales pitch. People from other countries find it strange that medications are marketed directly to consumers.
Overly Friendly Customer Service
American customer service is often characterized by what some international visitors might consider excessive cheerfulness. Employees in retail and service industries are typically expected to greet customers with a big smile and engage in small talk. This level of friendliness can be perceived as insincere or invasive by those from more reserved cultures.
Drinking Iced Beverages All Year Round
Americans love their beverages ice-cold, no matter the season. From iced coffee to iced water at restaurants, the preference for chilled drinks is pervasive. In many other parts of the world, however, cold drinks are reserved for hot weather, and room temperature or hot beverages are preferred in cooler months.
Frequent Standing Ovations
Americans are quick to give standing ovations at performances and public events, much more so than in other countries. This practice can sometimes seem overzealous to foreigners, who reserve such accolades for truly exceptional performances. In the U.S., however, standing ovations are a common expression of appreciation.
Baby Showers and Gender Reveal Parties
Celebrating a new baby with a party is common in many cultures, but the U.S. takes it to another level with elaborate baby showers and gender reveal parties. These events can involve intricate themes, games, and gifts, and gender reveals sometimes even include pyrotechnics. Such celebrations are viewed as unusual and overly extravagant by many outside the U.S.
The Pledge of Allegiance in Schools
Most American schoolchildren start their day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, facing the flag with their hands over their hearts. This ritual, steeped in patriotism from a young age, can seem indoctrinating to those from countries where national loyalty is expressed more subtly. The daily pledge is a deeply ingrained tradition in American schools.
Using Credit Over Cash
Americans often prefer to use credit cards for nearly all transactions, no matter how small. This reliance on credit for everyday purchases is not as common in other parts of the world, where cash is still king or debit transactions are preferred. The ease of swiping a card for everything from a cup of coffee to major purchases can appear reckless to visitors.
Squirting Cheese from a Can
Cheese in a spray can, such as Easy Cheese, is a uniquely American snack that tends to both amuse and disgust foreigners. The concept of cheese that can be sprayed onto crackers or directly into one’s mouth is peculiar at best to those accustomed to more traditional cheese forms. This product is often cited as an example of American culinary excess.
Sweet and Savory Food Combinations
Americans don’t hesitate to mix sweet and savory flavors in ways that might seem discordant to others. Dishes like chicken and waffles or bacon with maple syrup are beloved in the U.S. but can be baffling to international palates. This fearless culinary experimentation is a hallmark of American cuisine.
Multiple Choices for Everything
Supermarkets in the U.S. can be overwhelming with the number of choices available for a single product type. From dozens of cereal brands to an entire aisle dedicated to chips, the variety is staggering. People from countries with more limited selections are often amazed by the American abundance of choice.
Jumbo-Sized Drinks
In the U.S., it is common to see people carrying what others might consider a ludicrously large soft drink or coffee. These jumbo-sized beverages, often 32 ounces or more, are a normal sight and reflect the American penchant for supersized versions of everything. Such large drinks are rarely seen in other parts of the world.
Compulsive Lawn Care
Americans take pride in having a well-maintained lawn, often spending considerable time and money on lawn care. This obsession with the perfect green space is unusual to people from countries where natural garden aesthetics are preferred or where high-density living minimizes private outdoor space. The pristine American lawn is both envied and ridiculed internationally.
Personalized License Plates
Many Americans customize their vehicle license plates with personal messages or catchy phrases, a practice that can be both creative and puzzling. While personalized plates are available in other countries, the level of enthusiasm for them in the U.S. is unmatched. This expression of individuality via one’s car can seem trivial or amusing to outsiders.
Extreme Couponing
Some Americans engage in what is known as extreme couponing, using coupons to save dramatically on grocery bills. This practice can involve hours of planning and can result in paying mere pennies for hundreds of dollars worth of items. While frugality is universal, the extent and systematization of couponing in the U.S. are viewed as intense.
Elaborate Halloween Decorations
Americans love to celebrate Halloween, and some go all out, decorating their homes and yards with elaborate themes that can be both impressive and excessive. This level of decoration for a holiday is uncommon in other parts of the world, where Halloween may be observed more modestly, if at all. The spectacle of American Halloween decorations is a curiosity to foreign visitors.
Over-the-Top Prom Proposals
High school students in the U.S. often engage in elaborate and public “promposals” when asking their dates to the prom. These grand gestures can involve anything from flash mobs to extravagant gifts, making what many see as a simple high school dance into a significant event. The drama and expense associated with American promposals are peculiar to international observers.
Obsession with College Sports
Americans’ passion for college sports, particularly football and basketball, can rival or exceed their interest in professional leagues. This collegiate sports culture includes massive stadiums, dedicated TV channels, and significant school spirit. People from countries where sports are primarily professional might find the American college sports culture surprisingly intense.
Driving Everywhere
In many parts of the U.S., cars are the main mode of transportation, even for short distances that could be walked. The preference for driving over walking or public transportation is linked to urban planning that favors cars. This car dependency is strange to visitors from more walkable cities or places with efficient public transit systems.
Litigious Society
Americans are known for their readiness to resolve disputes through lawsuits, a practice that is less common in other parts of the world. This litigious nature is often surprising to foreigners, who might be accustomed to more informal means of conflict resolution. The frequency of lawsuits in the U.S. is a topic of both humor and dismay internationally.
Black Friday Shopping Frenzy
The chaos of Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is a spectacle of consumerism that many find astonishing. Shoppers line up for hours and sometimes days to snag deals on various products, occasionally leading to unruly crowds and confrontations. This aggressive shopping behavior is largely unique to the U.S. and is viewed as extreme by those from countries with more subdued discount events.
Refilling Drinks for Free
In the U.S., it’s common for restaurants to offer free refills on soft drinks, a practice that astonishes visitors from countries where each beverage is paid for individually. This seemingly endless supply of soda underscores a unique aspect of American dining culture that emphasizes value and convenience. For many international guests, the concept of not paying for a second or third drink is both surprising and delightful.
Excessive Air Conditioning
Americans often keep their indoor environments very cool during the hot months, using air conditioning extensively. This practice can be a shock to visitors from countries where air conditioning is used more sparingly due to energy conservation concerns or because milder climates make it unnecessary. The stark difference in indoor and outdoor temperatures in the U.S. during summer can be quite jarring for those not accustomed to such chilled environments.
