13 Things Americans Do Without Realizing How Weird It Is
Popularly regarded as the land of opportunity, innovation, and freedom, the United States is also known for some of its unique and peculiar habits. From their crazy tipping culture to their love for fast food. Americans do a lot of things that might raise an eyebrow (or two) across the globe.
Get ready to chuckle as we dive into 13 uniquely American quirks that might surprise you.
Telling Everyone About Their Ancestry
Americans love to claim their heritage by saying things like, “I’m 50% Irish, 25% German, 25% Italian.” For many, particularly those from cultures with deep historical national identities, this obsession with ancestry can seem a little odd.
Smiling at Strangers
In the U.S., you’ll likely get a friendly smile or even a “hi” from strangers when you walk down the street. Americans see this as polite and welcoming, but visitors from more reserved cultures find it baffling—or a little suspicious.
Over-the-Top Patriotism
From flags on front porches, and the national anthem at sporting events, to reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in schools, Americans wear their patriotism on their sleeves. This level of national pride intrigues many visitors as many countries show their love for their homeland in subtler ways.
Ice in Every Drink
Americans love adding ice to their drinks. Drinks are served with little or no ice in much of Europe and Asia. In the States, however, a simple glass of water is packed with ice cubes, much to the confusion of some foreigners who are not quite used to that.
College Sports Obsession
College football and basketball are almost sacred to many Americans. Schools with massive stadiums, marching bands, and fans cheering for student-athletes are the norm. To outsiders though, the thought of sports being so connected to education is weird. In most countries, sports fans focus on professional leagues, not campus rivalries.
Super-Sized Portions
When eating out in the U.S., the serving sizes are shockingly large and often surprise visitors. Americans take the phrase ‘bigger is better’ to the next level with the giant milkshakes and burgers as well as the endless assortment of sides that come with meals.
Free Refills
For drinks, the idea of free refills is simply another American thing. In many countries, you pay for every soda or coffee you order. In the U.S., though, your glass is topped off repeatedly. It’s like an endless beverage buffet for foreigners.
Using Paper Towels for Everything
Americans are the undisputed kings and queens of paper towels. Need to dry your hands? Paper towel. Clean up a spill? Paper towel. Catch a spider? Yep, paper towel again. Many other countries use reusable cloths or dish rags, but Americans seem to have an endless supply of these disposable absorbent wonders.
Calling the Bathroom “The Restroom”
Why is a bathroom called a restroom? Americans love euphemisms for everything and this is a textbook example of one. Other countries play it straight, but Americans prefer their elegant—and sometimes confusing—alternatives.
Obsession with Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is great but Americans’ love for it can be seen as extreme by outsiders. The nutty spread is a national treasure, from PB&J sandwiches to Reese’s cups. Meanwhile, many other countries see peanut butter as an oddity or reserved just for an occasional ‘novelty’ snack.
Drive-Thru Everything
Drive-thru fast food is one thing, but in America, you can also drive through banks, pharmacies, and even wedding chapels. It’s undeniably convenient, but for outsiders, it’s a jaw-dropping reminder of how car-dependent life in the U.S. can be.
Advertising Prescription Drug
If you’ve seen commercials for prescription medications in the U.S., the lists of side effects rattled off at lightning speed is often startling for people from countries where this kind of advertising is banned.
Tipping Culture
It’s become so automatic for Americans to tip but for many visitors, the concept is mind-boggling. In other countries what you see is what you pay, with tips added to the bill or not added at all. In the U.S., you’re a villain if you don’t tip. Even weirder? It’s highly situational—sometimes it’s 15%, 20%, or more, turning dining out into a math problem.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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