Cultural shock occurs when one experiences a much different culture than one is accustomed to. After living in the same country for one's whole life, the behaviors, rules, traditions, likes and dislikes, etc., of our own people are all we know. We just assume that people in other countries lead a similar life. They do; however, every culture has its own peculiarities that seem standard for the locals but might be bewildering or unusual to people visiting. Also, that's perhaps why the phrase "Only In America" exists, which refers to American things that happen inside the region but probably wouldn't occur anywhere else in the world.
You might have noticed that it's mostly visitors to the States and Americans who travel outside the continent who usually call out these 'very American' things. This makes sense because they can actually witness themselves that, indeed, there are certain things you can only get in America and nowhere else in the world! However, most American things refer to not only objects but also typical behaviors, practices, and many other thingymajigs, which, you guessed it, are very American. So, when a member of AskReddit questioned fellow users, "What's an incredibly American thing Americans don't realize is American?" it was super interesting to see the responses, exposing things that are American yet not acknowledged by the folks themselves!
Below, we've compiled some of the most interesting as well as surprising answers from the thread, which will hopefully teach you something new today! As always, upvote the responses you agree with, and let us know in the comments whether you learned a thing or two from this thread! Also, could you add to the list the most American thing ever that hasn't already been mentioned? Let us know in the comments!
#1
ghost_victim said:
"Assuming everything on the internet is about America."
"Assuming everything on the internet is about America."
"Helphaer replied:
The vast majority of it is dominated by the US companies and such and the economic influence and trends."
The vast majority of it is dominated by the US companies and such and the economic influence and trends."
ghost_victim replied:
"Hahah. See?"
"Hahah. See?"
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53points
#2
erginborisov said:
"Thanking military people for their service..."
"Thanking military people for their service..."
HwumbleSir replied:
"Reminded me of a joke I heard:
"Reminded me of a joke I heard:
An old man walks into a grocery store and when checking out, he asks if he could have a discount because he fought in world war two.
The cashier says "Of course" and, in a particularly generous mood, gives him a 50% discount.
The old man says "Danke" then leaves."
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50points
#3
enigmaticalso said:
"Thinking that America is the freest country in the world."
"Thinking that America is the freest country in the world."
took-a-load replied:
"Yesssss! I had a roommate once, he was from the military, who in his exact words said, “America is the best country ever because there’s no place in the world that’s as free as America.” I didn’t know how to respond to that because one, at the time I didn’t know that was a legit mindset, so two, I took it as ‘sure, what the hell.’ Makes me wish now that I should’ve challenged him on that instead of brushing it off because when you face it, it’s stupidity."
"Yesssss! I had a roommate once, he was from the military, who in his exact words said, “America is the best country ever because there’s no place in the world that’s as free as America.” I didn’t know how to respond to that because one, at the time I didn’t know that was a legit mindset, so two, I took it as ‘sure, what the hell.’ Makes me wish now that I should’ve challenged him on that instead of brushing it off because when you face it, it’s stupidity."
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50points
#5
woolalaoc said:
"Leaving shopping carts randomly in the parking lot."
"Leaving shopping carts randomly in the parking lot."
KiloEchoNiner replied:
"The shopping cart is the ultimate litmus test for whether a person is capable of self-governing.
"The shopping cart is the ultimate litmus test for whether a person is capable of self-governing.
To return the shopping cart is an easy, convenient task and one which we all recognize as the correct, appropriate thing to do. The return of the shopping cart is objectively right. There are no situations other than dire emergencies in which a person is not able to return their cart. Simultaneously, it is not illegal to abandon your shopping cart. Therefore the shopping cart presents itself as the apex example of whether a person will do what is right without being forced to do it. No one will punish you for not returning the shopping cart, no one will fine you or kill you for not returning the shopping cart, and you gain nothing by returning the shopping cart. You must return the shopping cart out of the goodness of your heart. You must return the shopping cart because it is the right thing to do. Because it is correct.
A person who is unable to do this is no better than an animal, an absolute savage who can only be made to do what is right by threatening them with law and the force that stands behind it.
The shopping cart is what determines whether a person is a good or bad member of society."
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41points
#6
MrNewbody said:
"How all our bread is so sweet that they can be considered cakes in Europe."
"How all our bread is so sweet that they can be considered cakes in Europe."
tygib replied:
"Probably this. The amount of sugar in everything, let alone bread, is astounding."
"Probably this. The amount of sugar in everything, let alone bread, is astounding."
Phoenixapartment replied:
"Honestly, it needs to be regulated. It's an addictive substance we just straight-up raise kids on. And it's in so many things.
"Honestly, it needs to be regulated. It's an addictive substance we just straight-up raise kids on. And it's in so many things.
Big issue."
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39points
#8
Ok_Independence_5025 said:
"Not having to ask for the bill."
"Not having to ask for the bill."
frgs72 replied:
"This was me today at a restaurant in Oslo. It felt rude to call the waitress over to ask for the bill. Am American."
"This was me today at a restaurant in Oslo. It felt rude to call the waitress over to ask for the bill. Am American."
Ariia_ replied:
"It's curious, I'm European, and if someone gave me the bill without asking I would think it's rude because it feels like they're rushing me to leave."
"It's curious, I'm European, and if someone gave me the bill without asking I would think it's rude because it feels like they're rushing me to leave."
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37points
#9
Alexastria said:
"Ranch."
"Ranch."
TheArowanaDude replied:
"Back when I worked in Panera Bread, a customer asked for ranch; we didn't carry it back then and when we informed him, he said: "Are y'all communists?!""
"Back when I worked in Panera Bread, a customer asked for ranch; we didn't carry it back then and when we informed him, he said: "Are y'all communists?!""
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36points
#10
otaku_wanna_bee said:
"Give tips at restaurants. And give even more tips for barber/food delivery/massage. And some Asian restaurants will automatically add 20% tip after tax."
"Give tips at restaurants. And give even more tips for barber/food delivery/massage. And some Asian restaurants will automatically add 20% tip after tax."
ThoriGilmore replied:
"A self-checkout asked me about a tip two weeks ago in the Newark airport."
"A self-checkout asked me about a tip two weeks ago in the Newark airport."
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36points
#11
Dhk3rd said:
"Prescription drug commercials."
"Prescription drug commercials."
Bluefortress replied:
"Happy dancing while side effects are being listed."
"Happy dancing while side effects are being listed."
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35points
#12
calls_you_a_bellend said:
"Mixing three different canned foods together and calling it a casserole."
"Mixing three different canned foods together and calling it a casserole."
LordChefChristoph replied:
"Don't forget to add cheese!"
"Don't forget to add cheese!"
surfinberrypunch replied:
"And breadcrumbs on top."
"And breadcrumbs on top."
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35points
#13
rubs_tshirts said:
"Not including the tax on prices displayed in stores."
"Not including the tax on prices displayed in stores."
raph_84 replied:
"That feeling when you want to spend your very last Dollar on a can of Arizona Ice Tea (Famously: "The price is on the can!") and the cashier asks for $1.07."
"That feeling when you want to spend your very last Dollar on a can of Arizona Ice Tea (Famously: "The price is on the can!") and the cashier asks for $1.07."
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33points
#14
dinerdefilles said:
"Singing the national anthem at every possible opportunity, even when the event does not involve any other countries."
"Singing the national anthem at every possible opportunity, even when the event does not involve any other countries."
Streuth14 replied:
"Starting every sporting event with some military flyover or other military promotion."
"Starting every sporting event with some military flyover or other military promotion."
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33points
#15
"Someone paid just to bag your shopping at the checkout.
Makes me feel so awkward and uncomfortable just standing there while they do it."
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32points
#16
cbeiser said:
"Drive-thru ATMs and everything else.
"Drive-thru ATMs and everything else.
I didn't learn we had drive-thru liquor stores until later in my life."
Kemalist_din_adami replied:
"Drive-thru ATMs???"
"Drive-thru ATMs???"
cbeiser replied:
"This is super normal in the USA.
"This is super normal in the USA.
In fact, they aren't always machines. We have drive-thru banks. Most banks have a drive-thru section you can do simple bank stuff from the car. I've seen this my entire life."
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30points
#18
Zear-0 said:
"Paying half your income for insurance that doesn’t actually cover anything."
"Paying half your income for insurance that doesn’t actually cover anything."
piiinkylindsey replied:
"Ugh, trust me. We KNOW. We agree. We literally don’t know how to change this anymore lol and I say lol not bc I’m laughing but bc I’m trying to keep my sanity while I’m stuck here doing exactly that."
"Ugh, trust me. We KNOW. We agree. We literally don’t know how to change this anymore lol and I say lol not bc I’m laughing but bc I’m trying to keep my sanity while I’m stuck here doing exactly that."
Luke_Nukem_2D replied:
"Unfortunately, the political system in the US has morphed into something that makes it impossible to change.
"Unfortunately, the political system in the US has morphed into something that makes it impossible to change.
The government is not working for the benefit of the average American anymore, but you can't alter that as both parties are equally as culpable. You can't vote for a third party. At this point, you'd have to scrap the whole political system to stop greed running the country."
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30points
#19
DoYouReadMuch said:
"Not allowing cashiers to sit down because it will make them seem lazy."
"Not allowing cashiers to sit down because it will make them seem lazy."
ThrowAway233223 replied:
"American bosses/managers are kings and queens of arbitrary/ridiculous measurements of productivity/professionalism. Sitting or kneeling to pull items at the back of a bottom, low-clearance self? No, that is unprofessional. Real professional stands fold themselves in half at the waist and ratchet their arm under the shelving in a manner that threatens to knock down the shelf above and possibly make you unable to reach items at the back. Also, if that spot looks empty because you didn't pull an item from the back, you obviously should have kneeled down to get it."
"American bosses/managers are kings and queens of arbitrary/ridiculous measurements of productivity/professionalism. Sitting or kneeling to pull items at the back of a bottom, low-clearance self? No, that is unprofessional. Real professional stands fold themselves in half at the waist and ratchet their arm under the shelving in a manner that threatens to knock down the shelf above and possibly make you unable to reach items at the back. Also, if that spot looks empty because you didn't pull an item from the back, you obviously should have kneeled down to get it."
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29points
#20
wrestlingnutter said:
"Toilet cubicles with massive gaps in the door."
"Toilet cubicles with massive gaps in the door."
darthurface replied:
"Trust me, we absolutely hate it too but for some odd reason morons keep making them that way."
"Trust me, we absolutely hate it too but for some odd reason morons keep making them that way."
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29points