Every country has its own unique customs and ways of doing things. What seems normal to people in one place might look strange to those in another. The United States, being a big and diverse country, has quite a few habits that can surprise or confuse visitors from other parts of the world.
In this blog, I’ll share 17 American habits that often leave people from other countries scratching their heads.
Huge Portion Sizes
American restaurants often serve very large meals. This can shock visitors from countries where portions are smaller. The size of drinks, especially sodas, can be particularly surprising. Many wonder how Americans can eat so much in one sitting.
Tipping Culture
In America, tipping is expected in many situations, especially at restaurants. The amount can be pretty high, often 15-20% of the bill. This custom confuses people from countries where tipping isn’t expected. Many find it odd that workers rely on tips instead of higher wages.
Huge Refrigerators
American kitchens usually have very large refrigerators, often much bigger than those in other countries. People from abroad wonder why so much cold storage is needed. The size reflects how Americans shop and store food differently.
Ads for Prescription Drugs
Television commercials for prescription medicines are common in the US, but this practice is illegal in many other countries. Visitors find it strange to see ads telling people to ask their doctors for specific drugs. They wonder why medical advice comes from TV instead of just doctors.
Gaps in Bathroom Stalls
Public restrooms in America often have large gaps around the doors of toilet stalls. This lack of privacy surprises many international visitors. They don’t understand why the stalls aren’t more enclosed. It’s a design choice that seems unnecessary and uncomfortable to outsiders.
Obsession with Air Conditioning
Americans tend to keep indoor spaces very cold with air conditioning. This is true in homes, stores, and offices, even on mild days. People from other countries find this wasteful and uncomfortably cold. They wonder why Americans don’t open windows or use fans instead.
Cheese in a Can
Spray cheese or cheese in a can is a uniquely American product. This concept baffles people from countries with longstanding cheese traditions. They question whether it’s real cheese and why anyone would want it. The idea of cheese as a spray seems more like a toy than food to many.
Paying Employees Every Two Weeks
The American custom of paying workers every two weeks surprises many. In many countries, monthly paychecks are the norm. Visitors wonder how people budget with more frequent but smaller payments. This system reflects different approaches to personal finance and employer practices.
Chatting with Strangers
Americans often strike up conversations with strangers in public places. This friendliness can feel odd to people from more reserved cultures. They might find it invasive or wonder if the person wants something. The American openness to casual chats is a cultural difference that takes getting used to.
Free Refills
Many American restaurants offer free soft drink refills, which is uncommon in most other countries. Visitors are often surprised by how much soda one person can drink. They wonder about the health impacts and why this practice is so widespread.
Eating While Walking
It’s common to see Americans eating or drinking while walking down the street. In many cultures, this is considered rude or strange. People wonder why Americans don’t take time to sit and enjoy their food. This habit reflects the fast-paced lifestyle in many parts of the US.
Widespread Credit Card Use
Americans use credit cards for many small, everyday purchases. In some countries, cash is still king for most transactions. Visitors are surprised by how easy it is to rack up credit card debt. They wonder about the long-term effects of this reliance on credit.
To-Go Boxes
Asking for a box to take home leftover restaurant food is very common in the US. This practice is unusual or even rude in some other countries. Visitors are surprised by how acceptable it is to not finish a meal at a restaurant. They see it as a reflection of the large portion sizes and different attitudes toward food waste.
Clothes Dryers
Most American homes have clothes dryers, which isn’t true everywhere. In many countries, air-drying clothes is more common. Visitors wonder about the energy use and cost of using dryers so often. They see it as a luxury that’s become a necessity in American life.
Ice in Drinks
Americans love ice in their drinks, even in cold weather. The amount of ice served in restaurants can shock visitors. In many countries, drinks are served with little or no ice. People wonder why Americans want their drinks so cold and watered down.
Sales Tax Added at Checkout
In the US, sales tax isn’t included in the displayed price of items. This surprises visitors used to seeing the final price on price tags. They find it confusing to calculate the real cost while shopping. This system seems unnecessarily complicated to many non-Americans.
Yellow School Buses
The big yellow school buses are a uniquely American icon. In many countries, kids use public transport, or parents drive them to school. Visitors are amazed by how recognizable and uniform these buses are across the country. They see it as a symbol of American culture, often familiar from movies but surprising to see in real life.
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