The USA exists in more than just one place. It shows up in music, movies, headlines, and everyday conversations around the world. That kind of presence builds expectations, whether we mean to or not.
But what you imagine doesn’t always line up with what you see on the ground. These Redditors shared what threw them off during their time in the States, and their stories range from funny to flat-out bizarre. Scroll on and check out the moments that stuck with them.
#1
The working homeless. People who work full time and live out their cars. The lack of social parachute is disgusting for such a rich country. It doesn't care about the people but the rich buggers who own it.
And the idiots vote for it to continue and get worse.
And the idiots vote for it to continue and get worse.
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142points
#2
Had always been told "America is the Greatest country in the world" and as a young man was contemplating moving there.
Went and was shocked at the amount of homeless, D**g addicts on the street, people with stories about how their lives fell apart due to medical debt. The fact that things i took for granted in my country "6 weeks government mandated vacation" and free healthcare was not a thing.
And that is before i met people at the college i was studying at that had friends, or had themselves seen school shootings or knew people who died in them.
To me, America felt like a 3rd world country it was like walking into an open prison where tripping on the sidewalk could "lock you up" in debt for life.
A place where my host family told me not to leave after a certain time due to fear that if i wandered the wrong neighborhood a gang could accost me and potentially hurt me.
I was shook to my core and gained a huge apreciation for my home country, a place where the only homeless people i had seen had been so because they completely refuse to interact with society, where no one had to worry if a knee operation or their education would shackle them with debt for life.
I left my home country wanting to move, and came home apreciating all i had so much more. My country has its own problems but by god i am so much more free than i thought.
Went and was shocked at the amount of homeless, D**g addicts on the street, people with stories about how their lives fell apart due to medical debt. The fact that things i took for granted in my country "6 weeks government mandated vacation" and free healthcare was not a thing.
And that is before i met people at the college i was studying at that had friends, or had themselves seen school shootings or knew people who died in them.
To me, America felt like a 3rd world country it was like walking into an open prison where tripping on the sidewalk could "lock you up" in debt for life.
A place where my host family told me not to leave after a certain time due to fear that if i wandered the wrong neighborhood a gang could accost me and potentially hurt me.
I was shook to my core and gained a huge apreciation for my home country, a place where the only homeless people i had seen had been so because they completely refuse to interact with society, where no one had to worry if a knee operation or their education would shackle them with debt for life.
I left my home country wanting to move, and came home apreciating all i had so much more. My country has its own problems but by god i am so much more free than i thought.
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120points
#3
Americans do monuments really, really well. Was awed by the size of Arlington cemetery but sickened by the pride the tour guide had in announcing it was almost full and they’d be opening up another section soon (this was 2015 with troops still in Afghanistan). Also struck by the hypocrisy of Americans thanking vets for their service while ignoring the number of maimed and homeless ex-military I saw begging in different parts of the country.
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87points
Bored Panda got in touch with Liv, who sparked the conversation on Reddit, to learn what inspired her curiosity about people’s culture shocks in the US.
“I saw a similar post a while back explaining their experience coming to the US from a different country, so I thought it would be interesting to hear perspectives from all around the world,” she told us.
Originally from Canada, Liv spent about three years living and studying in the States, giving her some firsthand experience with the local culture. And in her view, some of the common stereotypes do hold up.
“There is definitely a big difference in portion sizes and more additives in food. This would add to the obesity problem in the US.”
As for the stereotype that Americans aren’t as smart, Liv thinks it’s not so black and white. “That really depends on what school you go to. I went to a private school there and I think I had a good education. When I came back to Canada, I don't think I struggled more than my peers.”
#4
'Yes, America has its problems, but it is still the best country in the world!"
"Oh! Have you ever traveled abroad?"
'Why would I? This is the best country in the world!"
I've had this conversation more than once in the U.S.
"Oh! Have you ever traveled abroad?"
'Why would I? This is the best country in the world!"
I've had this conversation more than once in the U.S.
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85points
#5
Tipping culture was very intimidating especially coming from a south east asian country.
skol_vikings_88:
It's getting bad at this point, even for us Americans. We're now getting asked to tip cashiers for doing nothing out of the ordinary, it's getting ridiculous.
Like I told my wife, if I have to stand up to order, I'm not tipping anything, and no amount of social pressure is going to change my mind on that.
skol_vikings_88:
It's getting bad at this point, even for us Americans. We're now getting asked to tip cashiers for doing nothing out of the ordinary, it's getting ridiculous.
Like I told my wife, if I have to stand up to order, I'm not tipping anything, and no amount of social pressure is going to change my mind on that.
82points
#6
The amount of poverty and homelessness for "the land of opportunities".
And also the sheer amount of plastic waste, everything is in plastic. You want a to-go coffee? Oh here, let me stick a pointless plastic piece on-top of the coffee cup lid.
On the other side, the land is beautiful, the national parks are amazing!
And also the sheer amount of plastic waste, everything is in plastic. You want a to-go coffee? Oh here, let me stick a pointless plastic piece on-top of the coffee cup lid.
On the other side, the land is beautiful, the national parks are amazing!
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68points
Recently, the relationship between the US and Canada has been facing some tension, with the US administration pushing the idea of closer integration and many Canadians pushing back. From boycotting American products to canceling trips, the reaction has been strong.
“I am definitely not a fan of the '51st state' idea,” Liv admitted, echoing the frustration of many fellow Canadians. “I personally like having free healthcare, and I don't want to spend a fortune on maintaining my health and go into debt. Canada has also provided a lot of support for the US, so the treatment right now is really frustrating.”
#7
Just how un-walkable everywhere was.
momohatch:
Yes! As an American I usually only vacation in pedestrian friendly places. I love a walkable downtown. I don’t want to have to use a car to get around.
momohatch:
Yes! As an American I usually only vacation in pedestrian friendly places. I love a walkable downtown. I don’t want to have to use a car to get around.
66points
#8
How many ads there were on TV regarding healthcare and the need to sue someone.
fossilCreature:
I have type two diabetes, but I manage it well. It's a little pill with a big story to tell...
This s**t needs to be banned. it is in some countries.... reason why I avoid tv. The most soulless ads with the most generic people and music. it's awful. This is what hell is.
Llama_Shaman:
Military ads at the airport. S**t was like being in Starship Troopers.
fossilCreature:
I have type two diabetes, but I manage it well. It's a little pill with a big story to tell...
This s**t needs to be banned. it is in some countries.... reason why I avoid tv. The most soulless ads with the most generic people and music. it's awful. This is what hell is.
Llama_Shaman:
Military ads at the airport. S**t was like being in Starship Troopers.
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64points
#9
The huge side gap in stalls of public restrooms. I don’t want to make eye contact with strangers while my pants are down.
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62points
#10
The “Me first” “Main character” mindset. It was everywhere. No one had consideration for those around them, everyone seemed so self involved, selfish, and only out for themselves. Everything from not watching where they walk and blatantly stepping in front on moving “foot traffic”, rushing to get off planes when asked to stay seated so a few passengers can make their connections, making unreasonable demands of service staff, I could go on.
After experiencing it firsthand, I understood how Trump got voted in. There doesn’t seem to be a “for the greater good” vibe, just a “what’s in it for me” vibe.
After experiencing it firsthand, I understood how Trump got voted in. There doesn’t seem to be a “for the greater good” vibe, just a “what’s in it for me” vibe.
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61points
#11
Elderly people working. We had a waitress at a hotel who looked like she was in her eighties. It made me sad that she had to keep working.
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57points
#12
Look to your left? US flag.
Look to the right? US flag.
Car park? Huge US flag.
Car dealership? More flags than cars.
I always thought that bit in Spiderman was over the top but flaaaags! 😂.
Look to the right? US flag.
Car park? Huge US flag.
Car dealership? More flags than cars.
I always thought that bit in Spiderman was over the top but flaaaags! 😂.
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57points
#14
Not exactly shocking, but makes you nervous that they can carry a gun on them anywhere. Want American snacks from Walmart? Careful, there could be a shooting
The day before my family and I visited Mall of America there was a shooting in a shoe store. Outside the mall there’s stickers claiming “no guns allowed”.
The day before my family and I visited Mall of America there was a shooting in a shoe store. Outside the mall there’s stickers claiming “no guns allowed”.
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50points
#15
I’m always shocked at how little Americans know about history or events beyond their own borders.
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47points
#16
Something that surprised me was how many people with unchecked mental illness were on the streets. It just felt like a huge amount of people who've fallen through the cracks and not received the support they need. Been to 5 states and several cities and NYC was particularly bad for this and it was pretty heartbreaking.
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46points
#17
Getting charged for everything, the amount of hidden costs was nuts.
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46points
#18
Canadian here. I’ve never craved vegetables more than when i came back from a road trip in the US. It’s not so bad in big cities, but on the road i could hardly find anything healthy to eat.
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43points
#19
As both a tourist and an immigrant (now a naturalized citizen) I will never not find the level of racial segregation alarming.
Look up a data visualisation of most cities based on the % of people from minority backgrounds and you'll see concentrated populations, often in areas annexed off from other areas by highways. And there's usually a shocking lack of amenities and infrastructure in those areas too. Plus fewer parks, sidewalks, trees and I could honestly keep going.
I was especially shocked when I found out that school funding is significantly influenced by the property taxes paid by people in the catchment for that school.
It seems completely unconscionable.
Look up a data visualisation of most cities based on the % of people from minority backgrounds and you'll see concentrated populations, often in areas annexed off from other areas by highways. And there's usually a shocking lack of amenities and infrastructure in those areas too. Plus fewer parks, sidewalks, trees and I could honestly keep going.
I was especially shocked when I found out that school funding is significantly influenced by the property taxes paid by people in the catchment for that school.
It seems completely unconscionable.
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43points
#20
Underdeveloped public transit system and everyone having a car.
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43points