Every country has its own unique customs, but the quirky norms and distinct cultural phenomenons associated with the United States might just be the most baffling of all for people not from there. Redditor ExistingTomorrow1447 asked, “Americans, what’s something you didn’t realize was weird until you talked to non-Americans?” Here’s what people said.
1.
“The amount of sugar that’s in our food. Like ALL of our food contains sugar in some capacity. I worked with foreign students every summer in high school, and they always wondered why our food was so sweet. I didn’t realize this was the case until I traveled and ate at restaurants outside the States.
2.
“I learned that root beer is something many people from other countries don’t like.”
3.
“The way we arrange our dates. Month, day, year. Most of the world arranges it day, month, year.”
4.
“The fact that Halloween as a holiday is SO popular here with both kids and adults.”
5.
“When I moved to Japan, I was shocked that people would go to the doctor for a cold. To me, it was normal to avoid the hospital at all costs unless there was something really serious going on.”
6.
“Drug testing. I’ve worked various jobs since I was 13 years old and never even heard about the concept of drug testing except for convicted felons coming back from detention leave or something like that. Then I worked in the US, and my boss was like, ‘Well, obviously, I’m gonna have to drug test you before you can sort parcels.’
7.
“Having a garbage disposal in the kitchen sink.”
8.
“Requiring cashiers to stand up. It seemed normal when I lived in the US, but now that I’m in Spain and see cashiers sitting down I wonder why they can’t sit while working in the US.”
9.
“Ranch dressing. Years ago, I was in Italy, and we found a ‘cool American’ flavor for Pringles. Turns out it’s just ranch.”
10.
“Drug advertising. I got so used to filtering out the side effects, I didn’t realize how absurd it all sounds to people who didn’t grow up hearing them.”
11.
“Figuring out your taxes. What do you owe? I don’t know. Does the government? Yes. Will they just tell you? No, go figure it out, but if you get it wrong, you’re in trouble.”
12.
“I didn’t notice how many flags Americans have around until I left America. Other countries don’t have giant national flags at their car dealerships.”
13.
“That tipping is expected and often seen as part of a worker’s salary, but in many other countries, service charges are included in the bill. As a result, tipping in other countries isn’t as common or even expected.”
14.
“I was recently visiting a friend in another country. When we were chatting, the pledge came up, and every American said it completely in unison, down to the breaths. All the non-Americans freaked the heck out.”
15.
“My Aussie friend who visited seemed to be completely shocked that we had an entire aisle dedicated to sugary breakfast cereals.”
16.
“I was surprised to realize how people from many other countries hate the taste of peanut butter. It’s such a non-controversial flavor here.”
18.
“The fact that Americans eat in our cars, whether driving or just sitting in the car eating. Several European visitors have commented on this, so it must be strange.”
19.
“Every time my extended family visits the US (they live in France), they always request a trip to Costco/Sam’s Club! They are amazed (and probably horrified) at all the bulk items that are just for anyone to purchase.”
Do you have something to add? What is something you always considered “normal” as an American that you realized other people find strange? Tell us in the comments or in this anonymous form.
