The United States of America is the land of the free and full of opportunities. It is one of the largest economies in the world and it has always amassed people for the life one can create there. But, like every country, it has its own way of functioning and the people living there have their own culture. And if you are also attracted to this country and would like to travel to the United States or you are planning of moving there, you should expect to encounter things you‘ve never seen before or things done differently to what you are used to.
A few days ago, Reddit user Ymij asked people to share some things Americans don‘t realize exist only in the United States. And people had a lot to say. The post got more than 10k answers and Bored Panda gathered a list of some of the most upvoted responses.
More info: Reddit
#1
GoFundMe being an acceptable replacement for a health care system
381points
#2
Literally being too poor to go to the doctor, but have too much income for any kind of assistance
370points
#3
Tipping as a wage subsidy. Many countries don’t have tipping and those that do generally tip a small amount for good service.
Also displayed prices not including taxes or other fees.
362points
#5
Assuming that everyone on the internet is American until proven otherwise.
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341points
#6
The pledge of allegiance. If you tell people here that in America they make kids stand up and recite some prayer to a flag every single morning, they'll look at you like you just grew a third arm.
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309points
#7
I want to say for-profit prison systems.
These things are f***** up. If the state doesn't keep up the prisoner quota they gotta pay a fine to the company they owns the prison.
So this basically makes them try to keep existing prisoners
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305points
#9
People who angrily DO NOT WANT healthcare.
300points
#10
Having the restaurant take your credit card - in most countries it's considered impolite to disappear with the card as they might write the digits down to charge extra later. Therefore they normally bring a portable terminal to your table so you can keep the card in eyesight and have the (optional) tip actually charged when the card is run and not added after the fact.
276points
#11
The Imperial System, Fahrenheits, massive ad breaks. I swear i watched US Television once and i nearly had time to go take a s*** before the adbreak ended. And i'm one of those people that play on their phone while on the throne
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274points
#12
I am from Europe and I have never seen in supermarkets scooters for people that are so obese they can't walk by themselves.
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273points
#14
Waiting like 8 weeks after your elections till the new guy comes in to power is pretty f****** weird
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261points
#15
Massive gaps on all sides of toilet cubicle doors, like why even bother with a door at all when people can see through so easily
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259points
#17
This may be a shot in the dark but product prices not including tax when they’re displayed? Like if something says it’s $10 and you only have $10, what’s with the surprise tax at the till?
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250points
#18
Your toxic grind working culture. I find that Americans define their entire personality around their profession. It all feels so shallow and hollow way of living. Like I work so I can do the things I enjoy ( pre covid) I don't work because it defines me as a person.
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237points
#19
Absurdly long election campaigns. In most countries I've been to election campaigns last a month or two, in the US they seem to go for a full year.
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235points
#20
College sports, people do not care about nor have college sports like we do here.
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233points