Foreign tourists regularly experience huge culture shocks when visiting the U.S., much to the amusement of most Americans. However, they don’t realize how different some things are until they travel abroad themselves. Here are 20 things Americans don’t realize are inherently American until they leave the country for the first time.
Free Bread at Restaurants
Most American restaurants offer complimentary bread to welcome diners at the start of meals, but this isn’t the case everywhere. American tourists frequently express shock at being charged for bread when eating in restaurants in other countries. Though many cultures eat bread before a meal, Americans are unique in offering it free of charge.
24-Hour Convenience
One of the best things about America is being able to buy random things in the middle of the night. According to Bloomberg, 90% of American stores are open 24 hours a day. However, businesses worldwide operate differently. Staff maintain strict opening and closing times, so customers can’t wander into stores whenever they like.
Free Refills
It’s customary in American diners, restaurants, and fast food chains to get free refills of coffee, soda, and even alcohol. However, most other countries don’t follow this practice, so Americans are routinely shocked at having to pay extra for additional drinks. Some eateries actually use free refills as a selling point to entice customers.
Gaps in Bathroom Stall Doors
Americans frequently complain about massive gaps in bathroom stall doors that people can look through, but nothing is done to change it. That’s why it’s a refreshing change for American tourists in other countries when they can use the bathroom with complete privacy. Bathroom discomfort is, unfortunately, entirely American.
Air Conditioning
In many American states, summers can be extremely hot, so air conditioning is essential. However, in many countries, homes and businesses aren’t fitted with AC units. For example, in the UK, there are more cold months than hot months, so most places have central heating but no AC because it wouldn’t be used much.
Paying Sales Taxes
When Americans shop, they expect to pay sales tax on top of the sticker price. When they shop abroad, they’re pleasantly surprised to pay the prices advertised on the shelves. American sales taxes are dictated by local laws to fund public services, but these taxes are paid differently in other countries.
Extravagant Baby Showers and Gender Reveals
Americans pride themselves on throwing some of the best parties in the world. Baby showers and gender reveal parties are two of the biggest crazes at the moment, and people go all out. Though pregnancies are celebrated in every country, not many places throw extravagant celebrations for them as Americans do.
Red Solo Cups
No American party would be complete without red Solo cups. At least, that’s what the rest of the world thinks! Smithsonian Magazine reports that they owe their popularity to their sturdiness, resilience, opacity, and large capacity for drink. Some other countries sell them, but they’re an inherently American cup.
Powerful Water Pressure
All Americans agree that there’s nothing like a shower with strong water pressure. That’s why foreign showers frequently disappoint American tourists, especially those in hotels. The water pressure simply isn’t as powerful, leaving many Americans disappointed with their showers. Most never imagined powerful water pressure not being the norm everywhere.
Large Portion Sizes
It’s an unfair stereotype that all Americans are overweight, but large U.S. portion sizes are one of the biggest reasons people believe it. After the Second World War, the U.S. government subsidized farmers to grow more food, increasing portion sizes. Other countries didn’t do the same, so their portions are still smaller.
Having Loud Conversations
Americans hate being dismissed as ‘loud’ or ‘rude’ because they’re used to conversing with other Americans who speak similarly. However, American culture is naturally chatty and encourages people to make small talk with everyone they meet, so Americans often speak louder than they realize. This leads to disapproving looks from locals in other countries.
Free Sauce
Like bread and water, most American restaurants and fast food chains give sauce for free. If you order a burger, it’s an automatic assumption that you’ll get ketchup with it. But many places charge money if you want sauce with your meal, even basic sauces like tomato, mayo, and brown sauce.
Hanging Flags Everywhere
It’s no secret Americans love their flag. Patriotism is important worldwide, but Americans don’t realize just how integral it is to their culture by comparison. Fox News reports that an estimated 150 million American flags are sold each year! It’s certainly not as common to find foreign flags hanging in people’s homes, cars, and businesses.
Ice Water
There’s nothing Americans find as refreshing as a drink with lots of ice. Restaurants fill beverages, from water to soda to alcohol, with ice to cool diners down and quench their thirst. However, many Americans are disappointed when they receive drinks with little or no ice when dining abroad, and they often need to request more.
Tipping Everybody
American tipping culture is world-famous. In addition to servers, Americans tip valets, baristas, taxi drivers, and hairstylists. While tipping 10% is customary, not compulsory, in most European countries, it’s considered rude in some regions of Asia, such as Hong Kong and Japan. This makes many Americans question their own tipping culture.
Wearing Shoes Inside the House
Americans have no cultural rules about wearing shoes indoors, so many don’t take them off in their homes. However, it’s bad manners to wear shoes in the house in many countries, including Malaysia, the Netherlands, Thailand, and Sweden, because it brings outdoor dirt inside. In other countries, it’s simply considered uncomfortable to wear shoes indoors.
Driving Across the Country
Foreigners are constantly shocked to discover that Americans regularly drive between states on cross-country trips. After all, the state of Texas is double the size of Germany! As a result, Americans go abroad and expect to drive everywhere, but they often get to experience the comfort and convenience of public transportation instead.
Massive Cars
On the topic of driving, Americans also don’t realize how big their cars are until they leave the country and see how small foreign cars are by comparison. The Economist recalls how the U.S. government exempted ‘light trucks’ from strict fuel regulations, popularizing SUVs. As a result, Americans are the main drivers of massive cars.
Formal Dining
Not all American dining is formal, but it’s very different from the more relaxed dining culture of other countries. In American restaurants, servers show you to the table, take your order, and regularly check on you. In some places, like the UK, table service is minimal unless you’re in a more formal restaurant.
Smiling at Strangers
Americans are known for being extremely friendly because they always smile at and chat with strangers. However, though other cultures aren’t unfriendly, smiling at everyone simply isn’t the norm, so don’t be taken aback if people don’t smile back. Smiling at strangers is still a fantastic thing to do!
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