The internet's fascination with America—anything about it really, from the culture to its people to everything that it offers and everything that happens there—is beyond anything at this point.
Don't believe me? Bored Panda had a chance to talk about it on multiple occasions, such as here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. There's more, believe you me. No, it never stops.
This time around though, we return to Reddit where folks have been pointing out incredibly American things that Americans might not really see as a solely American thing. But it is.
Scroll down to check out people's best responses, comments, witty remarks and everything in between from the now-viral thread that nearly 33,000 people have upvoted. And why not share your thoughts and add your own suggestions in the comment section below. Oh, and don't forget to smack that upvote button. Or just press it. Your choice.
More Info: Reddit
#21 Tipping Culture
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.
Wheat_Grinder replied:
People decided to be a bit more liberal with tips during the pandemic if they could afford it and boy howdy chains were fast to try to cash in.
People decided to be a bit more liberal with tips during the pandemic if they could afford it and boy howdy chains were fast to try to cash in.
No, I'm not tipping at a damn Subway! Pay your goddamn workers!
Report
38points
#22 Whatever
scavenger981 said:
Saying "whatever" in the most condescending/dismissive/arrogant tone.
Saying "whatever" in the most condescending/dismissive/arrogant tone.
The_Gutgrinder replied:
Swedish people say something similar, actually. "Vem bryr sig?" which means "Who cares?". It's the go-to line when you don't actually have a counter-argument, or you're just too tired to argue.
Swedish people say something similar, actually. "Vem bryr sig?" which means "Who cares?". It's the go-to line when you don't actually have a counter-argument, or you're just too tired to argue.
PayNoNoticeOfMe replied:
British people just say "f@#k off".
British people just say "f@#k off".
Report
32points
#23 Ranch (The Sauce)
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?!"
solracarevir replied:
A few years ago I went to a American Themed restaurant in the Dominican Republic, they had a decent assortment of BBQ sauces and one of the sauces was advertised as White BBQ Sauce. I know my BBQ and I have never heard of a White BBQ sauce so I decided to ask for some... It was Ranch.... I was speechless!
A few years ago I went to a American Themed restaurant in the Dominican Republic, they had a decent assortment of BBQ sauces and one of the sauces was advertised as White BBQ Sauce. I know my BBQ and I have never heard of a White BBQ sauce so I decided to ask for some... It was Ranch.... I was speechless!
Report
31points
#24 Liberal = Left Wing
Pademelon1 said:
Liberal = Left-Wing
Liberal = Left-Wing
Tifoso89 replied:
Yep, in Europe "liberal" means someone who supports small government, less state intervention, less public spending, privatization, lower taxes. This is generally center or center-right. Similar to what Americans call a libertarian, but usually more moderate.
Yep, in Europe "liberal" means someone who supports small government, less state intervention, less public spending, privatization, lower taxes. This is generally center or center-right. Similar to what Americans call a libertarian, but usually more moderate.
Report
31points
#25 People Packing Groceries
Barackobrock said:
Someone paid just to bag your shopping at the checkout.
Someone paid just to bag your shopping at the checkout.
Makes me feel so awkward and uncomfortable just standing there while they do it.
Danteg replied:
Yes, I lived in the U.S. for a while and the fact that labor is too cheap was one of the big differences to Europe. People bagging your groceries, greeting you when you enter the store or pumping gas for you. None of these jobs are needed or even adding any significant value. If wages were higher they would disappear.
Yes, I lived in the U.S. for a while and the fact that labor is too cheap was one of the big differences to Europe. People bagging your groceries, greeting you when you enter the store or pumping gas for you. None of these jobs are needed or even adding any significant value. If wages were higher they would disappear.
Report
31points
#26 Excessive Amounts Of Fast Food
DaveDerSowjet said:
So much fast food.
So much fast food.
0ddmanrush replied:
Hosted a person from Norway for business for 5 days a few months back. That guy wanted to eat as much red meat, sandwiches and fast food as I ever saw.
Hosted a person from Norway for business for 5 days a few months back. That guy wanted to eat as much red meat, sandwiches and fast food as I ever saw.
davecm010 replied:
I’m pretty sure food tourism for Europeans coming to America consists of trying all the fast food franchises they probably only ever see in American movies and TV shows. I was just in Europe and the only major fast food franchises I ever saw there were McDonalds, Burger King, and KFC.
I’m pretty sure food tourism for Europeans coming to America consists of trying all the fast food franchises they probably only ever see in American movies and TV shows. I was just in Europe and the only major fast food franchises I ever saw there were McDonalds, Burger King, and KFC.
Report
26points
#27 Not Having A Passport/ID
Not owning a passport. I don’t know if that is a myth but I hear that a huge percentage of Americans have never been out of the country and don’t even have a passport.
I understand that the US is huge with a massive range of landscapes and climate but it still seems a little odd to me.
According to the US State dept, they estimate 37% of US citizens ~don’t~ own a passport.
I’m sure there are plenty of perfectly good reasons for it. It’s not a criticism.
Report
25points
#28 Breakfast Of Eggs, Bacon, Waffles/Pancakes And Hashbrowns
While I admit the Brits are pretty close with their Full English Breakfast, the American greasy diner Breakfast of Eggs, Bacon, Waffles/Pancakes and Hashbrowns is pretty uniquely American.
My Italian mother has said in the past that it's the only things she's enjoyed about American food culture. My Nonna would be horrified if she heard we were eating fried eggs for breakfast.
Report
22points
#29 This Beautiful Variety
Currently on my first proper trip in the US and a few things stood out to me. (Overall great place!):
* Restaurants by default will bring everyone cups of water, sometimes with ice.
* To pay the bill in the restaurant, they take my card and walk off. Then they come back with a few extra receipts and I can write down a tip and they will change the amount they charged me later. I didn't even know this was a thing that places could do. I have notifications to check the charges are correct just in case.
* Every toilet I've been to so far has been pretty clean with little mess. Worst one was at the airport and even that wasn't too bad. Although the very high water inside the toilet is weird it hasn't been an issue... Yet. (Some confusion about this: I'm mainly just talking about in restaurants/shops. Don't think I've used "public" restrooms at any train station. Just the airport.)
* Streets go from dirty mess to clean and nice quickly. More homeless than I'm used to in London.
* Street food/stands are pretty delicious. Pretty much all food stands in NYC seem to be halal which is nice.
* Larger drink cans/portions.
* Mixed road qualities but overall big roads and cars. Not a fan of the pedestrian crossings because I just don't fully understand the symbols yet. (E: I think I get the symbols now. It was just the red hand with the timer throwing me off. Timer should be with the white figure!).
* Air conditioning everywhere which is definitely required.
* Speeding on the highway. Literally everyone is above the speed limit. We think we're missing something because EVERYONE is above the speed limit. No shot would that happen in the UK, we have cameras everywhere.
* To pay the bill in the restaurant, they take my card and walk off. Then they come back with a few extra receipts and I can write down a tip and they will change the amount they charged me later. I didn't even know this was a thing that places could do. I have notifications to check the charges are correct just in case.
* Every toilet I've been to so far has been pretty clean with little mess. Worst one was at the airport and even that wasn't too bad. Although the very high water inside the toilet is weird it hasn't been an issue... Yet. (Some confusion about this: I'm mainly just talking about in restaurants/shops. Don't think I've used "public" restrooms at any train station. Just the airport.)
* Streets go from dirty mess to clean and nice quickly. More homeless than I'm used to in London.
* Street food/stands are pretty delicious. Pretty much all food stands in NYC seem to be halal which is nice.
* Larger drink cans/portions.
* Mixed road qualities but overall big roads and cars. Not a fan of the pedestrian crossings because I just don't fully understand the symbols yet. (E: I think I get the symbols now. It was just the red hand with the timer throwing me off. Timer should be with the white figure!).
* Air conditioning everywhere which is definitely required.
* Speeding on the highway. Literally everyone is above the speed limit. We think we're missing something because EVERYONE is above the speed limit. No shot would that happen in the UK, we have cameras everywhere.
Report
22points
