The United States is the third largest country in the world with a population of more than 335 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Here, a child is born every 8 seconds.
In addition to Indigenous Americans who were already living there before the Europeans discovered it, the country was built on immigration.
Because of this, the United States is one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world. It is sometimes described as a "melting pot", in which different cultures have contributed their own distinct "flavors" to American culture.
But as much as the distinctiveness fascinates foreigners, it also has them raising their eyebrows. This is especially evident in a recent Reddit thread, started by user 421continueblazingit, who asked non-Americans on the platform to share which of the local customs make no sense to them.
#1
Why is medical bankruptcy not at the absolute f*****g top of this list?
490points
#2
Kids beauty pageants.
Parents are willingly sexualizing their children.
It’s weird.
Parents are willingly sexualizing their children.
It’s weird.
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362points
#3
Why do politicians finish their speeches 'God bless America' and similar? It gives me shivers! Theocracy is not a good thing. Let's have separation between church and state and between religion and politics, shall we? I believe, in fact, that your country was actually built on the principle of that separation, was it not?
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344points
#4
Cashiers who aren't allowed to sit during their work
Like.... Why??
Like.... Why??
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304points
#5
Calling a team "World Champions' of a sport that only your country competes in.
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299points
#6
Home owner associations dictating the smallest details of your own home.
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297points
#7
Having to find somebody to cover shifts when you're off on leave/sick.
Isn't that literally what the manager is there for?
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266points
#8
Gender reveal parties, I couldn't give a f**k what you're having and you shouldn't give f**k what I'm having. I hate that it's slowly becoming a thing in the UK.
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256points
#9
Paid maternity leave not being legislated as a basic employment right.
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251points
#10
The tipping culture. Working a job and then having to depend on charity seems extremely wierd. I don't understand how people put up with that, having employment but having to basically beg for money to survive.
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245points
#11
Fear of anything 'not capitalist' being somehow 'communist' . E.g universal healthcare. Yet at the same time being terrified of 'big pharma'. It literally works in 100s of other non-communist countries.
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240points
#12
American flags literally everywhere.
The number of people who keep large 'collections' of rusty cars & farm equipment in the garden.
The startling difference between the attitudes to sex & violence. Kids will see literally 100's of violent deaths on TV and no one bats an eye, but god forbid they should see a nipple.
232points
#14
How owning, buying and carrying guns is not more controlled and supervised.
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229points
#15
mindlessly voting along party lines, even though the party's candidate is a complete fool
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223points
#16
Commercials for drugs. That you can't even buy yourself. But 'ask your doctor!'
217points
#17
People enthusiastically defending the health-care system that bankrupts people, sometimes even in reddit threads where people show off their horrendous medical bills
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211points
#18
At 18 you can join the army, carry guns, f**k, drive car. But buy and drink alcohol only 21???
185points
#19
The pledge of allegiance things at school. What in the actual f**k?
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185points