From a fried chicken sandwich using chicken instead of bread, to free refills and no sidewalks, America really likes to do things differently. However, if you’ve never left the US of A, you might think that this is by and large just how things are. So it can be helpful to get an outsider’s perspective, one way or the other.
People online share the things Americans think are pretty normal but would be absolutely weird elsewhere and we’ve gathered the best examples. So get comfy as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to add your own thoughts and stories in the comments below.
#41
My husband is German and I met him while we still lived in the US. The biggest shock for him (and the other German expat friends I made through him) was people saying "we should hang out sometime" but not meaning it, because they didn't want to schedule a time right then and there.
They also complained about people asking "how are you" and not actually wanting to know/not meaning it, because you're "just supposed to say good, and ask how they are", but I find that pretty ridiculous after living in Germany. People do the same thing here.
The social expectations to not show up right on time to a party or that the guests pay for the birthday girl/boy, instead of the birthday boy/girl treating their guests, was also a surprise.
They also complained about people asking "how are you" and not actually wanting to know/not meaning it, because you're "just supposed to say good, and ask how they are", but I find that pretty ridiculous after living in Germany. People do the same thing here.
The social expectations to not show up right on time to a party or that the guests pay for the birthday girl/boy, instead of the birthday boy/girl treating their guests, was also a surprise.
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13points
#42
We don't consider driving 3-4 hours to do something/see someone to be far.
Today after work im driving an hour to spend a few hours at a con, then driving an hour home. Next weekend I'm driving 3.5 hours for a weekend getaway with friends, driving 3.5 hours back, and going straight to work. I drive 5 hours to get to my tattoo artist.
Oh and all of those things are still in my state.
Today after work im driving an hour to spend a few hours at a con, then driving an hour home. Next weekend I'm driving 3.5 hours for a weekend getaway with friends, driving 3.5 hours back, and going straight to work. I drive 5 hours to get to my tattoo artist.
Oh and all of those things are still in my state.
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13points
#43
As an American who has traveled around Asia, they find it weird that we're always throwing huge high-school parties in Hollywood suburbs.
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12points
#44
Wearing their shoes inside the house. Even on their couch and bed. Absolutely disgusting.
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12points
#45
We have Amber Alerts. This surprised a friend of mine from another country.
Basically, if there is a missing child or an abduction nearby, they will issue an Amber Alert. It goes to cell phones, tvs, radio stations. It will just be broadcast as an emergency message, and they aren't usually expected. They just buzz your phone. Basically, the goal is to get the community involved. They will usually come with a description of the missing person, the perpetrator, and or a vehicle to look out for.
Basically, if there is a missing child or an abduction nearby, they will issue an Amber Alert. It goes to cell phones, tvs, radio stations. It will just be broadcast as an emergency message, and they aren't usually expected. They just buzz your phone. Basically, the goal is to get the community involved. They will usually come with a description of the missing person, the perpetrator, and or a vehicle to look out for.
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12points
#46
How empty the Western US is. Draw a line running North/South from about 1 degree of longitude West of the North Dakota/Minnesota state line (let's say roughly the 98th Meridian.)
EIGHTY PERCENT of the US population lives EAST of this line.
Now draw another (curvier) line that runs along the spine of the Sierra Nevada and the Cascade Mountain ranges in the Western US. Another FIFTEEN PERCENT of the American population lives WEST of this line, between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean (and most of those people are in California, the most populous state that accounts for 10% of the US population.)
Which means that the vast, middle portion of America - nearly 50% of the lower 48 united states - has about 5% of the population.
But even that doesn't tell the whole story because most of THAT 5% live in the large metro areas: Denver/Front range, Salt Lake City/Provo, Las Vegas, Phoenix/Tucson. If you exempt those areas, you'll find that about 40% of the land mass of the US contains maybe 1 - 2 % of the population.
Back in 2011 I went to a motorcycle rally in Taos, New Mexico. There was a couple from the UK that flew over and rented a motorcycle to go. They had been to the US once before - but they only went to New York City.
They were absolutely astonished by the vast, empty spaces of the West. Places where you could go literally dozens of miles and not see another vehicle or person, or you could go 50 miles or more between towns.
Whenever I have friends from the Eastern US who want to ride motorcycles in the West and ask for advice, my number one piece of advice is: Know your motorcycles range, and know where you're going to fuel up. Don't assume that just because the map shows a "town" that you will be able to buy fuel there. Many "towns" on the map are just a dusty collection of abandoned buildings and maybe a few houses or trailers. And if there's any doubt, NEVER pass up a chance to refuel.
EIGHTY PERCENT of the US population lives EAST of this line.
Now draw another (curvier) line that runs along the spine of the Sierra Nevada and the Cascade Mountain ranges in the Western US. Another FIFTEEN PERCENT of the American population lives WEST of this line, between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean (and most of those people are in California, the most populous state that accounts for 10% of the US population.)
Which means that the vast, middle portion of America - nearly 50% of the lower 48 united states - has about 5% of the population.
But even that doesn't tell the whole story because most of THAT 5% live in the large metro areas: Denver/Front range, Salt Lake City/Provo, Las Vegas, Phoenix/Tucson. If you exempt those areas, you'll find that about 40% of the land mass of the US contains maybe 1 - 2 % of the population.
Back in 2011 I went to a motorcycle rally in Taos, New Mexico. There was a couple from the UK that flew over and rented a motorcycle to go. They had been to the US once before - but they only went to New York City.
They were absolutely astonished by the vast, empty spaces of the West. Places where you could go literally dozens of miles and not see another vehicle or person, or you could go 50 miles or more between towns.
Whenever I have friends from the Eastern US who want to ride motorcycles in the West and ask for advice, my number one piece of advice is: Know your motorcycles range, and know where you're going to fuel up. Don't assume that just because the map shows a "town" that you will be able to buy fuel there. Many "towns" on the map are just a dusty collection of abandoned buildings and maybe a few houses or trailers. And if there's any doubt, NEVER pass up a chance to refuel.
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11points
#47
From what I've heard from folks from out of country - Small talk. Apparently it's not really normal in other places for strangers to just say hi to each other or engage in small talk while doing things like standing in line, after accidentally bumping into each other at the store, noticing that someone is interested in the same thing you are, things like that. Apparently a lot of people compare Americans to golden retrievers and say they're 'ridiculously friendly' because Americans will just..talk to anyone, without any formal introduction.
fyatre:
I realized this wasn’t a global thing when I was in Japan and I’d start conversations with fellow visiting Americans. My Japanese friend was very surprised that I’d do that. Then there’s the ones that have been there a while and actively avoid you because they know what you’re gonna do, LOL.
fyatre:
I realized this wasn’t a global thing when I was in Japan and I’d start conversations with fellow visiting Americans. My Japanese friend was very surprised that I’d do that. Then there’s the ones that have been there a while and actively avoid you because they know what you’re gonna do, LOL.
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10points
#48
Why do your kitchen sinks have that terrifying swirling thing that eats fingers?
BayAreaJordd:
As a Brit, I had nightmares about this from that episode of The Simpsons. I grew out of it by telling myself 'at least they don't really exist.' Oh dear.
BayAreaJordd:
As a Brit, I had nightmares about this from that episode of The Simpsons. I grew out of it by telling myself 'at least they don't really exist.' Oh dear.
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10points
#49
Become a pilot and buy a plane.
Easy access to personal aviation - there really is no other country like the US when it comes to that.
While it's not cheap it's cheaper than anywhere else in the world and the government doesn't gate keep it into the ground.
Easy access to personal aviation - there really is no other country like the US when it comes to that.
While it's not cheap it's cheaper than anywhere else in the world and the government doesn't gate keep it into the ground.
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8points
#50
Talking. I took my extended family on a trip to New York (they are Malaysian) and it shocked them that I had multiple 30-40 minute conversations with people I had never met.
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8points