70+ things Americans don't realize are weird

Each country has its own set of beliefs and culture. In most Asian countries, you have to bow to show respect while in European countries shaking the other’s hand is a way of greeting the other. There are different ways of communicating too that it can be a dead giveaway that you’re from another country.

If you plan on visiting a foreign country, you have to learn their culture to avoid disrespecting the other. Americans, for one, are sometimes too focused on themselves that they forget they are in a different country. You may have encountered a foreigner too and you found them strange because they have a different way of greeting or communicating.

It’s the same with Americans. Luckily, we compiled 95 things that foreigners find strange about Americans.

1) Saying Restroom

Americans are so uncomfortable talking about “toilets” and such that they use the word restroom. But in other countries, this is just confusing and brings up the image of a bed.

2) Crossing The State Line

There aren’t many countries that have “state” or “province” laws like America. But here, the laws change after you cross the state line which makes no sense at all.

3) Talk Loudly

One American was “casually” talking to someone on a bus in Korea and was told to “calm down” because he was being too loud. Guess Americans are just naturally loud.

4) Using African American

One black man from the Netherlands was called “African American” even though he was obviously not American. Of course, this is cultural ignorance, but still.

5) Singing Aloud

Americans usually aren’t afraid to belt out their favorite tunes, even in public. Even Hispanic people find this strange and can spot any American this way.

6) Ads For Doctors

In other places, you get your doctor’s number from online or word of mouth. You don’t pick him out from a commercial or Subway wall. Unless you’re in America.

Aban Commercials
Source:

Aban Commercials

7) Saying, “Ma’am”

While it isn’t uncommon to be polite in most countries, the overuse of “ma’am” and “thank you” in businesses in particular can be quite strange in America.

8) Pumped Up AC

Foreigners have noted that Americans have air conditioning everywhere. Not only is this expensive but they also believe that it’s unnecessary. Who gets that hot?

9) So Many Trash Cans

This one is ironic. Americans litter more than almost any other country. And yet, they also have more trash cans than most. In Japan, they hold onto their trash for blocks before finding a trash can.

10) Confidently Wrong

If Americans are one thing, it’s confident. While most of us have huge insecurities, we never let it show. We do everything we do, even if we’re wrong, with confidence.

11) All Those Commercials

Even Americans hate these. An hour long show is actually only 40 minutes. In most countries, commercials are not that long or that frequent! Go figure! Must be nice though.

12) Never Leave Your Car

These days, you can eat, get groceries, and wash your car without even leaving it. That’s not even a thing in other countries. Even nice restaurants have drive-thrus here.

13) Proud Of Their State

Most countries aren’t as divided as America. When Americans introduce themselves, even overseas, they say what state they are from rather than just what country.

14) Those Bathroom Gaps

You know how the stalls in the bathroom give you little privacy? This might be annoying to you but it drives foreigners insane! Especially those from more conservative cultures.

15) Speak Their Minds

While most Americans agree that you should be polite, they also agree with the First Amendment. You should be able to say whatever you want, whenever you want.

16) Not French Bread

Americans tend to all any sort of uncut load of bread “French bread” but they got it all wrong. That bread is not French and the French are insulted by the term.

17) So Many Baseball Caps

You probably knew this one! Americans wear a lot of baseball caps! There’s a 99% chance you have one in your closet right now even if you don’t wear it. Memorabilla, man.

18) All Those Flavors

Other countries, like Japan, love their flavored candy and cookies, but no one does it like America. Do we really need a hundred flavors of Oreos when we know the original is the best?

19) Flag Pride

We hang our flags high like we’re some kind of cult or commune. We call it pride but others just see flags in their faces. But to us, it’s a sign of freedom.

20) There’s Always A Hostess

Unless you go to a cheap restaurant, in America, you wait to be seated. In other countries, like France, you seat yourself, even in nicer restaurants. Isn’t that strange?

21) Where Did Tax Come From?

A lot of Europeans escaped Europe to have lower taxes. Now, we tax everything! The worst part about it is that the tax doesn’t appear as part of the price. This can be confusing.

22) The Highway Size

The size of our highways are twice as big as those in Europe. But when it comes to lanes, there are less lanes in American than in other Asian countries.

23) Metric System

Enough said, right? The US is the only country that uses the metric system and thinks other countries should do the same. Not only is it more confusing but it is also the minority.

24) They’re Called Sneakers

Whether you call them sneakers or tennis shoes, you definitely wear them on a regular basis. Foreigners say they can tell someone is American by their sneakers.

25) SO Much Ice

In other countries, you get a few cubes of ice and in some, none at all. Americans love their ice and fill their glasses full before adding their favorite beverage.

26) Drug Side Effects

America is one of the only countries that lets you ask your doctor for a certain drug. They also are the only one that has commercials for drugs, listing all those side effects.

27) Free Condiments

This isn’t true for everywhere, but in other places, like Germany, you usually have to pay for condiments at a restaurant. Free ketchup for the win, America!

28) Giving 15% Tips

In other countries, it can be considered rude to leave a tip. Demeaning, in a way. But in America, it’s expected and catches foreigners off-guard big time.

29) Confusing Money

Most countries make their bills different sizes for blind people. But in America, blind people need assistance if they want to get it right. Is this a Benjamin or a Washington?

30) “How Are You?” But I Don’t Care

Have you ever realized how, “how are you?” usually just means “hello” in American. You don’t expect much of an answer. In most countries, if you say it, you mean it.

31) Cashier Small Talk

We usually talk to cashiers and baristas because it makes us feel uncomfortable when it’s quiet. But it’s the opposite in other countries. They don’t even smile and nod sometimes.

Funny Meme 4 Me
Source:

Funny Meme 4 Me

32) Stranger Talk In General

In America, it isn’t weird to strike up a conversation with someone while waiting in line. But foreigners will tell you time and again that it’s strange to do so!

33) Public PJs

Pajamas are for bedtime and lazy days at home. Not trips to the grocery store. Unless you’re from small town American, then you wear them wherever you want.

34) Late Night Visits

Most stores in America are open until 10pm to midnight. Some are even 24-hours! But in the UK, and other countries, they are usually closed by dark or 7pm.

35) Never Stop Smiling

In America, smiling is a way to show that you are friendly. But in a lot of other countries, it’s a dead giveaway that you are American. It’s just unnatural, you know.

36) Giant Pickup Trucks

Not only do we call our pickups trucks, but they are also as large as a lot of other trucks. The same goes for cars. No wonder Americans think foreign cars are so tiny.

37) The Free Tee

You have a favorite free t-shirt that you probably wear to bed or to Walmart. This isn’t the norm for people in other countries. They see it as a walking ad. They don’t know how comfy it is though!

38) Pharmacies With Everything

Think Walgreens. Where you can get your prescription for your lung disease and buy cigarettes too. Feed your disease and try to cure it all in the same store.

39) Old Isn’t Old

An “old” house in America is less than a hundred years old. In other countries, you can find structures that are thousands of years old. No wonder Americans love to travel!

40) Crosswalk Priority

In America, there’s no way you aren’t getting in trouble if you run over someone. That’s why jaywalkers rarely care. But in other countries, you cross the road with caution.

41) Calling a main course an “entrée.

Did you know that entrée is French for ‘entrance’—literally the starting point of a meal. What you guys call the ‘entree’ is called ‘main dish’ in [England, or] ‘plat principal’ in [France]. So, you may want to change entrée to main dish when you dine in next time.

42) Portion sizes

Other countries serve meals that are good for one, two or family. They have different serving size and portion. But, in America, a meal can feed a whole family for a week.

43) Sweets for breakfast?

Foreigners don’t understand why we have sweets for breakfast. Our breakfast is considered a dessert for other countries. Starting our day with sugar such as donuts, Belgian waffles, pancakes with syrup and icing, and sugary cereal is a uniquely American way.

44)Loud conversations

In America, its natural to take a phone call that everyone can hear. May it be on the train or in a cafe, you can literally hear other people’s conversation. But in other countries, they don’t let other people into their business in public transport.

45) Flags everywhere

There’s nothing wrong with being patriotic. But, it’s a whole different level in America. You can see flags everywhere on everything. May it be on shirts, phone cases or caps. In other countries, there are only designated places and items to out the flag.

46) Shoes inside homes

If you watched some foreign movies, you noticed that the actors removed their shoes when inside other people’s homes. In America, we wear shoes inside. Usually, other countries remove it on the doorsteps.

47) Baseball is life

Baseball is one of the most beloved sports in America. It drives hundreds of fans and spectators. But, in other countries, they don’t know what it is or what the hype is all about.

48) Order of dates

The way Americans write their dates is MM/DD/YYYY. Foreigners have a different way of writing and speaking the dates.

49) Paper money instead of coins

foreigners don’t understand why we use too much paper money instead of bills. In other countries, a 1 euro is a coin. But, here it’s $1 bill.

50) Foreign blood

When a stranger asks your nationality, Americans will say that they’re Italian, Spanish, Polish, etc. They say it even if they no longer have a connection to it and they don’t speak the language. Other countries simply state the country they lived in for a significant amount of time.

51) Waiters hovering

In America, waiters come back to consistently check on you. It feels like they come back every 5 minutes. In other countries, you will have to signal for a waiter to come to you.

52) Crosswalk Priority

In America, there’s no way you aren’t getting in trouble if you run over someone. That’s why jaywalkers rarely care. But in other countries, you cross the road with caution.

53) ID, ID, ID

In other countries, they don’t ask for your ID when you buy wine and beer. Especially if you look old enough to enter a club, there’s no need for an ID. But, in America, you have to show your ID even when you clearly looked like a 30-year-old.

54) Refill of glass

Did you know that in other countries they only ask for a water refill once their glass is empty? Some even order a pitcher of water, so they can be the ones to refill their glass. But, Americans refill their glass when it only dips below the halfway point.

55) Workout clothes and flipflops everywhere

When you visit other countries, you may notice that they only wear workout clothes when they’re going to the gym. They also only wear flip-flops when they’re going to the gym. But in America, you wear these clothes everywhere you go.

56) Prices hide taxes

One day you went to Walmart and you saw a beautiful bracelet. Checking it, you think it’s a good deal. But, once you see the final price, your eyes grew big at the tax. In America, the displayed prices do not include the tax.

57) Coffee while walking

Coffee is meant to be savoured. It shouldn’t be chugged down as you rush to work. But, that’s how it goes in America.

58) Fried food

Americans love deep fried food with a lot of sauces. You can see it in mainstream media.

59) The price of cheese

US cheese consumption has been growing over the last 40 years based on Dairy Reporter. With this, the price of cheese also increases due to the demand.

60) Toilet paper

Other countries use a bidet or water and soap to wash after relieving one’s self in the bathroom. It feels uncomfortable if they don’t wash using soap and water. Americans, however, use toilet paper.

62) Showerheads? Or showerchests?

So, how will you reach the areas that needed cleaning when you can’t move the showerhead? Other showerheads can be adjustable.

63) No pin debit cards

Shopping online or in the mall is really great especially if you don’t need to carry cash with you. However, America’s debit card doesn’t use PINs to when checking out. They just use signatures. A bit risky, huh?

64) Huge wine bottles

It’s not only cars that are big in America. But also wine bottles. There are huge 3-litres to 6-liters wine bottles available.

65) Supermarket bags

In America, people fill your groceries in bags. It’s not the same way with other countries.

66) Ice water even on a cold day

In America, they serve ice in your water, no matter the weather. Double freeze!

67) Green dollar bills

In other countries, they have different colors for their bills. But in America, it’s only green for their bills.

68) Advertised prescription drugs

One of the Reddit users commented that, “That was the weirdest one for me. ‘Ask your doctor for brand x antidepressants’ type commercials on TV. In the UK, your doctor tells you what drugs you should take, not the other way round.”

69) Sweet bread

Americans don’t realize it but their bread are sweet compared to other countries. So, if you have a sweet tooth, this is a good snack or meal for you.

70) Toilet water

Toilets are different from other countries. One amusing difference is the amount of water used in American toilets than other countries.

71) Red cups

People from other countries don’t use cups to drink beer during parties. But Americans usually use paper cups when hosting a party and drinking beer.

72) Baby showers

Americans are fond of hosting baby showers. There are other parts in the world that doesn’t throw baby showers.

73) Debt after college

It’s no secret that going to college is expensive. Like really expensive! That’s why college students apply for student loans to help finance their education.

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Source: Buzzfeed, Buzzfeed, Buzzfeed twitter, flickr/Roger Johnson