17 Everyday Things in the US That Leave the Rest of the World Totally Baffled!
Why do Americans call it “soccer” when the rest of the globe says “football”? Why do Americans fill their drinks with lots of ice blocks?
You share this sense of bewilderment when you notice American behaviors. The U.S. stands out for building its own culture, which excites many people yet confuses others.
These characteristics will captivate visitors preparing for a U.S. trip, expats adapting to American ways of life, and anyone eager to learn.
Massive Portion Sizes
When you eat at a restaurant in the U.S., you will face substantial food servings. Most restaurants provide food portions that can serve two or three customers.
A Cambridge University study published in the British Medical Journal demonstrates that larger meal sizes increase food consumption. Most Americans like to have plenty of leftovers, but travelers from abroad find the portion sizes too big.
Drinking Water with Ice—Always
Packaging ice into a full glass is common in the United States. In France or Japan, people usually drink water at regular room temperature.
In past times, when advanced cooling methods indicated wealth, people strongly preferred ice. Travelers from warm climates find it puzzling because they usually get their drinks at room temperature.
Sales Tax Isn’t Included in Prices
Are you buying something in the U.S.? The total at the payment counter will be higher than the item display shows.
Businesses separate sales tax from their product listings in the U.S. States like Oregon have zero sales tax, but California bills customers at a 7.25% rate. People from outside feel surprised because they don’t know about the different tax rates.
Free Refills at Restaurants
Is your coffee half-empty? Have you finished your soda? Restaurants in the U.S., unlike other places, let customers refill their drinks without extra charges.
The culture of guest-first service started as a strategy to draw customers to dine out and often surprises Europeans and Asians who visit American restaurants.
Over-the-Top College Sports Culture
Most countries support only professional sports, but college athletics drives intense devotion among U.S. audiences, who pack university stadiums with tens of thousands of attendees.
In fiscal year 2022-23, the NCAA earned a total revenue of $1.3 billion across all college sports programs. Sports fans at college-level events in the U.S. are more dedicated than fans who support their country’s national teams.
24/7 Stores
Need milk at 2 a.m.? No problem. You can shop at Walmart Supercenters or 7-Eleven no matter what time of day. While many countries enforce strict business hours, the U.S. embraces a “we never close” mantra, surprising foreigners with sheer accessibility.
Flags Everywhere
The American nation proudly displays its Stars and Stripes throughout daily life. The U.S. flag is on every corner of public spaces, including fast food signs. It makes perfect sense for Americans.
According to Pew Research Center findings, 83% of Americans display intense national pride through the American flag, unlike any other nation.
Tipping Culture
To tip or not to tip? In the U.S., servers will receive 15-20% of your bill as expected payments. People from Australia and Japan find the U.S. tipping habit challenging to understand.
The reason? U.S. service staff depend on tips because their pay rates follow special American workplace laws.
Obsession with Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a national favorite in every type of American culinary creation. Statista data shows 299.34 million Americans reported eating peanut butter in 2020.
Nutella leads the way in Europe, which helps us grasp America’s devotion to peanut butter.
Pharmaceutical Ads on TV
People visiting from other countries frequently get surprised by prescription drug commercials on U.S. television. The United States is the only major market where doctors mention medication risks during pharmaceutical TV commercials.
The United States and New Zealand are the only countries that permit pharmaceutical companies to market drugs directly to consumers.
Supersized Cars
The roads across America show many pickup trucks and SUVs of hefty sizes. People from other countries find it amazing how mobility fully integrates with consumer habits here.
People across Europe and Asia choose smaller vehicles that better match their narrow streets.
School Buses with Unchanging Design
For decades, students in America have relied on traditional yellow buses to travel to their schools. International travelers see that the school bus maintains its traditional visual design with its black stripes and flashing lights.
Its standardized features protect students and promote awareness throughout the nation’s educational program.
Drive-Thru Everything
People across America consider drive-thru to be one of their standard lifestyle benefits. The drive-thru system goes beyond fast food because you can order prescriptions and coffee and even access wedding chapels through the drive-thru system. The close relationship between transportation and retail impresses people from other lands.
Supermarkets Selling Everything
Do you want to stock up on groceries, buy a new TV, shop for clothes, and get fresh hair styling all at once? Walmart and Target supermarkets in America let you purchase everything under one roof.
Unlike international specialty boutiques, large retail stores in the U.S. deliver extensive shopping choices simultaneously.
Oversized Drinks
If you order a “medium” drink at any fast-food restaurant in the U.S., you might easily mistake it for a large European drink. This trend of bigger portion sizes started when fast food became popular in the 1950s.
International travelers struggle to handle the increasing sizes of everyday servings in America.
Sidewalk Food Trucks That Are Gourmet
Across the globe, cities like Los Angeles and New York have led the trend of food trucks serving specialized gourmet items like lobster rolls.
These food trucks deliver high-quality meals and dominate Los Angeles and New York while changing the everyday dining scene for locals and guests.
Overhead Power Lines
Other countries hide their utility cables underground, while America lets power lines run above its cities. Underground power line installation expenses can achieve ten times the standard cost.
People from other nations find seeing overhead power lines across the landscape a distinctive American experience.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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